27th ANNUAL FORDE’S DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE.
The weather played its part last Wednesday evening for round 2 of the Fordes Daybreak Winter league which saw another huge turnout with 286 participants covering the two courses. The numbers registering for the league increased again with a further 28 coming along for the first time last week.This year its noticeable that there are many new people giving it a go and that’s great to see, we welcome everyone no matter what their running ability is so do remember to let your friends know that if they have any thoughts of giving running a try that the league would be an ideal starting point for them, so encourage them to come along and give it a go, you can start any night you wish and run at whatever pace you feel able to run at. You have two distances to choose from, there’s the short route 2.5 miles or the longer 5.2 course, we will do nothing but support you in your efforts. By now, you will have an understanding of how the league works. Runners go off in groups according to their times from the previous week and the ultimate goal is to try and pass as many people as possible while at the same time not to have too many pass you !! Thanks to all the runners for obeying the rules of the winter league. We are sure that you will appreciate that with the huge volume of runners at the sport’s centre and out on the roads that your co-operation is vital for the smooth running and the safety of the runners.
The clock starts at 6.50 p.m sharp each night and again thanks to everyone cooperation on leaving the finish line as soon as you have finished the run this helps to keep us all safe and healthy thank you. We will see you all next Wednesday for round 3.
LONG ROUTE RUNNERS GETTING INTO THE GROVE.
Round 2 of the 2021/22 27th Annual Forde’s Daybreak winter league saw another large turnout of runners last Wednesday evening at Dungarvan Sports Centre. The winter league will continue for 9 more nights 4 before Christmas and 5 after Christmas with a 2 week break over the festive season. A crowd of 189 took on the 5.2 mile long course last Wednesday evening and it was a sight to behold as the group of runners made their way down the Lookout after such a difficult two years for all. This week there were 13 newly registered runners on the long route which shows the popularity of the league.
First home on the league last week was Christopher Murphy in a fast time of 36.25, Christopher was followed home by Gareth Pope 39.01,well under the 40 minute mark there for Gareth and third back last week was Ballinacourty’s Inter county footballer Brian Looby in 39.53 just dipping under the 40 minute mark nicely. The leading ladies last week were Sinead Ni Fhaolain with a time of 45,25 and hot on her heels was 2nd lady finisher Ciara Beresford in 45.29, and third lady home last week was Una Fennell 45.52 . Well done to everyone who took part and to anyone who hasn’t joined the league yet, why not come along any Wednesday night and join you’ll be glad you took the first step.
ANOTHER GREAT TURNOUT ON SHORT COURSE LAST WEEK.
Ideal running conditions awaited the runners as they gathered at Dungarvan Sports Centre for week 2 of the Fordes Daybreak winter league before heading out on the 2.4 mile run. There was a once again a massive number out last Wednesday when 97 took up the challenge with a good number of newcomers as well as those that ran last week. It was great to see so many new runners that were trying out the league for the very first time. This section of the league specifically has first timers and beginners in mind and is a manageable distance for most as it covers 2.4 miles in total. The handicap system kicked in after the mass start of week one so after checking your start time before coming down Wednesday night on facebook where all starting times will be posted.First back on the night was Jack McGrath in a time of 20.19, good running Jack. Next was Kevin Murphy 22.54 followed by the first Lady finisher on the night Emma Burke 23.48.Next two home were again keeping the flag flying for the ladies Katie Hamilton 21.03 and Niamh Nolan 25.04.Well done to all who took part, and remember newcomers are always welcome. Just register online and come along to Dungarvan Sports centre on Wednesday Night to collect your number. Also a huge thank you to all of our stewards out on the course and to all our crew back at base.
Just a few reminders for next week –
No Watches are allowed, anyone wearing a watch won’t be included in the results.
Hi Vis is compulsory for all runners.
This is for your own safety and safety of our other runners as well as to assist the stewards.
Your winter league number should be worn on the front of your hi viz vest as this is the number you have for the duration of the league.
Also a huge thank you to all of our stewards out on the course and to all our crew back at base and at the finish line.
STARTING SLOTS FOR THIS WEEK.
Short route starting times 3-6-9-12 ,new comers will start at 3 minutes.
Long route starting times 0-5-10-15 new comers will start at 5 minutes.
Please check our facebook page for your starting time for Wednesday night.
ONLINE ENTRY NOW OPEN FOR THE CLEANZONE TECHNOLOGY SPONSORED OLD PARISH TURKEY TROT IN AID OF SOLAS CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE.
The announcement was made recently that the 13th annual Paddy Joe Curran Cleanzone Technology sponsored Old Parish Turkey Trot will return this year with the date set for Sunday December 5th with a 12 noon starting time. All monies raised in this event will be donated to the Solas Cancer Support Centre. Our sincere thanks to all the management and staff at Cleanzone our long time sponsors of this event which has raised considerable monies for cancer support over the years. On the day there will be the usual 5 mile run or if you like to support this very great cause you can take on the 4 mile walk also. Registration for the event is all online at this link.
https://eventmaster.ie/event/6zm3UEpT5G
JOHN TREACY DUNGARVAN 10 SUPPORTS BREAST CANCER IRELAND.
West Waterford athletic club are delighted to announce our associate John Treacy Dungarvan Charity for 2022 “BREAST CANCER IRELAND”.For the past 4 years we have chosen a charity for you the runners to support and to date we have raised over €20,000 for some great causes. For 2022 our chosen charity is Breast Cancer Ireland.
We all know someone who has been on this journey or someone who is fighting it now so if you could please support in any small way we would be so grateful. As always West Waterford athletic club will top up the final figure with proceeds from the run. Here is some information on Breast Cancer Ireland. Breast Cancer Ireland is a registered charity, established to raise significant funding to support pioneering research programmes nationally, as well as to promote education and awareness on the importance of good breast health amongst women of all ages.
Our Vision
To transform breast cancer from often being a fatal disease into a treatable long-term illness.
Our Mission
To speed up research discovery output so as to affect better and more positive treatment options for patients.
ENTRIES TO OPEN FOR JOHN TREACY DUNGARVAN 10 THIS WEDNESDAY.
The John Treacy 10 mile race will open for entries on this Wednesday November 24th to all Athletics Ireland registered members and then on December 1st for all others (if not full beforehand) so if you are a member of our club or any other club you can use your AI number to enter the race. This number can be found on the club website under membership then in the senior membership list. This is the ONLY way you can enter the race this year. If you are not currently a club member any remaining entries will be online one week later. If you want to be guaranteed an entry please enter as soon as you can.
PAT HENNESSEY 2ND IN THOMAS KENT MEMORIAL 10K.
Pat Hennessey is coming back into great form again as he finished 2nd in the recent Thomas Kent Memorial 10k hosted by St Nicholas AC with an excellent time of 33.09, Pat wasn’t the only club member racing on the day as Ted O’Leary also ran recording a time of 44.10, 45.28 was the time recorded by Ronald IIsley while Patricia Daly also competed finishing in a time of 53.49,Onra Power clipped around in 54.25 and Carol Pope completed the 10k in 57.01 with Michael Coakley next in 60.30. Well done to all who made the trip.
TERRIFIC PERFORMANCE BY MICHEÁL POWER AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS IN TALLAHASSEE.
The red letter cross country event of the year on the collegiate circuit in America took place this afternoon in Tallahassee Florida and West Waterford Micheál Power put in the performance of his career to date.Running to a pre-race plan set out by his coach over the 10k distance in a field of 253 of the American colleges best athletes Micheál came home 4th Tulsa scorer in 51st place with a time of 29.39 to help his college to a brilliant 6th from the 31 colleges competing. The team were lead home by two fellow Irish men both students at the college also former DCU athlete Cormac Dalton in 34th place and Kilkenny City Harriers Peter Lynch 42nd and Micheál next in 51st place. As said the standard at this race is something else with Micheál coming through the field increasing the pace over the last 5k as planned from not in the top 100 at the half way mark to 51st by the finish line. The Ballinamuck man surely now one would expect has laid down a marker for the selectors who will be naming the under 23 team for the upcoming European cross country championships which are to be held in Ireland on December 16th next. Fingers crossed.
WEST WATERFORD ATHLETES COMPETE AT NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS.
The national cross country championships were held this afternoon in Santry Demesne and a great days racing was enjoyed by all present. Our Juvenile members were among the medal winners and a full report will follow shortly on this. In the junior ladies race Lucy Holmes finished in 17th place while Mark Blackwell running his first junior all Ireland was place 77th . Turning to the senior event it was good to see David Mc Carthy back in a West Waterford singlet when he came home in 43rdPlace and team mate Pat Hennessey who was running his very first seniors All Ireland Cross finished 85th,well done to all.
