It was supposed to be a 60% Sportsworld team (plus my husband Cathal and my youngest brother Paul) … but in the end I was the only Sportsworld member as Anna Delaney had to bow out due to injury and Aileen Melody had to attend a funeral in Dublin on Monday.
Race Reporter Ann, far right, at the National Intermediate & Masters Cross Country in January
So on Sunday night we were busy exchanging photos and descriptions of what we would be wearing , as 3 of our 4 changeovers were between team members who didn’t know each other and who had never even met! Anna’s brother Brian stepped in for her and my brother’s friend Liam substituted last minute for Aileen. It all worked out on the day thankfully!
Ann busy putting the team together on Sunday night
Race day was warm but cloudy and the first leg was mine. 5.2 miles from Patrick Street to the Silversprings (Lower Glanmire Rd.). The 3:15 pacers kept me going and crowds cheered us along the course. I was glad to hand over to my husband Cathal for the second leg – 5.5 miles to Ringmahon Rd. passing through the Jack Lynch tunnel on the way. He successfully handed over to Liam who ran the third leg ( the longest and most scenic?), 5.8 miles to Victoria Rd. where Anna’s brother Brian took over for the 5.2 miles to Model Farm Rd. My brother Paul had the last and shortest leg 4.5 miles along the Carrigrohane Straight and on to the finish line on Patrick Street.
When plotting our strategies the night before the race we had all estimated our “best case scenario” times to try to co-ordinate the changeovers and our final time of 3:31:36 was exactly (to the minute!) what we had hoped for… So we were all delighted with our race and really enjoyed the experience ! Unfortunately we didn’t manage to get a team photo as we didn’t all meet at any point.
My family and I have done most of the relays over the last 10 years and this was a new record for us … We finished 55th team (of 689 teams taking part!!).
Maybe next year we might have some 100% Sportsworld teams ?? Keep the June Bank Holiday Monday free !!
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