COUNTY NOVICE AND JUNIOR CROSS COUNTRY SUCCESS FOR WEST WATERFORD ATHLETES.
INDIVIDUAL GOLD FOR MARK BLACKWELL AND ANGELA TOBIN AND GOLD FOR MENS TEAM.
Day 2 of the country cross country season was held last Sunday in Tramore and hosted by Tramore AC who did a fine job on a well laid out course. In blustery conditions at Tramore race course the club were victorious in both Novice men and ladies races in what were ideal underfoot conditions at the seaside venue This venue will host the Munster uneven age group and Senior championships on November 3 rd and proved an ideal opportunity for athletes to familiarise themselves with the course .Numbers again were of a worrying level for the adult races but none the less just like last week in the senior championships West Waterford AC were well represented. The juvenile programme kicked off the day’s racing for uneven ages saw good success for the club (see juvenile notes). Angela Tobin continued her fine run of form to take the Novice ladies title in style and now focuses her attention on next weekend’s Munster championships where she will be giving her all for club and county.There were six West Waterford athletes in the Novice men’s race with Mark Blackwell making his return from injury in style with a comfortable victory. Mark will now focus his attention on the Varsity Cross Country championships where he will represent University of Limerick on Saturday next, it’s a big pity and now ideal for the athletes that this fixture next week is clashing with the Munster Notice championships which are on the Sunday.Taking a deserved silver medal Sunday also as Dermot Gough who was clear of his team mate Alan Hogan who finished in the bronze position. The West Waterford AC men team claimed gold for the second consecutive week, to add to the senior title won last weekend. Team members were Mark Blackwell, Dermot Gough, Alan Hogan, Patrick Bergin, Michael Dunford and Ray Hassey.In the under 19 boys, Naoise MacMurchadha had a fantastic race to claim his second title in a week to add to his under 18 victory last weekend.Well done to all team members who represented the club over the past two weekends, it’s of utmost importance that our club compete at county championships level so well done to all who wore the club singlet over the few weeks. The Munster Novice Championships will take place on Sunday October 20th in Conna, Co. Cork followed by the Munster Senior championships on November 3rd with the County Masters taking place on November 10th. The club will be represented at all of the above.
COUNTY MENS NOVICE
Gold-Mark Blackwell West Waterford AC
Silver-Dermot Gough West Waterford AC
Bronze-Alan Hogan West Waterford AC
Team
1st West Waterford AC.
Women.
Gold Angela Tobin West Waterford AC
JOE GOUGH WINS OVER 70 RACE AT AUTUMN OPEN INTERNATIONAL.
At the Autumn Open International in Abbotstown on Sunday last Joe Gough won the over 70 race in a time of 25.22 with just 10 seconds in hand over St. Finbarr AC athlete Eamon McEvoy 25.44. Last Sundays performance has qualified Joe for the Irish over 70 team for the British and Irish Cross Country International in Belfast in 4 weeks’ time. In the senior women’s race Lucy Holmes finished mid field in 20th position on her first outing of the season.
WEST WATERFORD ATHLETES TAKE BUDAPEST BY STORM.
A large contingent of club athletes made the trip last weekend to the Budapest half and full marathon events. One of the must run marathons for those who cover the 26.2 mile distance the weather conditions were ideal for all competitors. The West Waterford contingent all came away with very solid performances and all were very happy with their times recorded 9 athletes took on the full, with one running the half distance, Dermot Ryan clocked an impressive 1.27 in the half distance and finished 1st man over 50 here. Linda Foley led our full marathon finisher’s home with an impressive 3.30.Well done to all 10 who competed and commiserations to the few who through injury didn’t get to run despite all the training over the past few months, but that’s sport isn’t it, and anyway they live to fight another day.
Dermot Ryan 1.27 ( Half Marathon )
Full Marathon
Linda Foley 3.30.22
Sandra Moore 3.44.24
Sinead Ní Fhaolain 3.52.37
Cait Verling 3.55.31
Ann Dunford 4.01.47
Geraldine Lacey 4.02.21
Karen Ryan 4.09.11
Fiona Ormonde 4.17.51
Brian Ormonde 4.39.00
30TH ANNUAL FORDES DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE.
The Fordes Daybreak Winter League will once again take place from the Sports Centre, Quanns Dungarvan for 11 Wednesday nights commencing on Wed 13th November. We will continue for 6 nights before Christmas bringing us up to Wednesday 18th December.After Christmas we will return on THURSDAY the 2nd January ( following week revere back to Wednesday )and continue for 5 nights with our final night on the 29th January. Number pick up will take place at the Sports Centre Dungarvan on Wednesday 6th November at 6.30pm or on first night of the league from 6.15pm.We hope you will join us again for this annual event and if you haven’t been with us before we guarantee you won’t be disappointed. It’s an 11 week challenge that can maintain your fitness over the winter and start 2025 on a high note. As usual there are 2 options to choose from. The first is the “long” route which is 5.2 miles while the second choice is the “short” route and the distance here is approx 2.5 miles. Both routes start and finish at the Sports Centre, Quanns. There are a few very important rules and they are not optional.No High Vis, No Run. We will not allow any runner take part who doesn’t wear a high vis. No exceptions. It has to be a high vis not a luminous t-shirt .No watches allowed or No Headphones. This is a very strict rule of this event. We will publish your time asap after the run. Your aim each week will be to run the time you ran the week before or if possible a little faster. Stewards must be obeyed at all times. Your participation in this event is an indicator of your compliance with this rule. Rules of the road apply. You must run on the footpath at all times when available and only cross the road at designated points where stewards will direct you.
YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE LEAGUE INDICATES THAT YOU AGREE TO ABIDE BY THE ABOVE RULES
Our mission is to introduce as many people as possible to running/jogging. We don’t care how fast or slow you are we just want you to enjoy the league and see the benefits of running for yourself.
ENTRY LINK-
https://eventmaster.ie/event/PQrquJDhLe
ONCE OFF ONLINE REGISTRATION PAYMENT.
The clubs winter league which now enters its 30th year will begin in a few weeks’ time. This year the number pickup night will take place on the Wednesday November 6th.The following week the league will begin officially on November 13th. On this particular night the 6th all those interested and have registered online for the winter league are asked to come along and collect their number. You will be issued with a number for a cost of €5. This number should be used every night that you run. We will have people on hand at the sports centre that will be available to answer any questions you may have and we will also explain the rules and regulations of the league as well as the two courses of the league .The first official night of the league will be the following week November 13th. For all those that won’t be able to make it to the sports centre on the number collection night you may still register online and get your number on the following Wednesday night. In fact, it’s possible to join the winter league at any stage throughout the course of the league. Last year we introduced the ability to pay in full for the league, a once off payment, which will save you money if you intend running the league each night. For club members you can pay 40 euro ( this includes the 5 euro once off number payment) and for non-members you can pay a once off payment of 45 euro which also includes the 5 euro number payment charge. This amount will cover you for the full duration of the league. Keep a close eye on our facebook page for further updates.
