From Track Racing 2009

Tuesday July 7th Lord Mayor 2m Road Series # 4, Raheny

Packie Enright was the only red & white representative at the 4th round of the Lord Mayor Series and duly came 3rd out of around 50 people in total. Conditions were fresh & breezy but nice & dry. The harmless low key race comprising mainly of veterans, average club runners, triathletes, BHAA members & general fitness enthusiasts was a slow tactical one with many running negative or even splits. The series takes place on the same quiet housing estate as the National Road Relays, except instead of being 2 full laps it finishes back a smidgen from where it started (as the course is 1620m or just 11m longer than a mile).

After a slow 1st mile (5.24) Enright was at the back of a bunch of 10. The pace picked up significantly then by the leaders, & Enright passed lads that went out too hard; moving up to 6th with 600m left & 5th with 400m to go. The clareman outsprinted the next 2 in the last 150m with one of them fighting back in a mighty ding dong, both runners credited with the same time (10.45). Enright left it too late to catch the first 2, won by the ageless ox Mick Traynor in 10.31. It was a mediocre time for Enright’s 1st race in over 10 wks and there was a definite lack of sharpness & simple ability to distance run at 5 min pace.

Then it was back to the clubhouse for tea & biscuits, and the organisers are well known for their hospitality along with knowledge of athletics. The prize on offer was
a beautiful poetry book written by Raheny club member Ciaran O Coigligh comprising of a poem about many club members printed in both English and Irish. It’s available in most reputable book stores for €10 and is well worth a look!

Full Results.

Report by
Packie Enright

Wednesday July 15th Graded meeting No. 7 in Morton stadium, Santry

On Wednesday last July 15th, three of our athletes took part in Graded meeting No. 7 in Morton stadium, Santry

First in action was Conor Murphy in the 100m. Conor ran strongly to take 5th place in his grade in a time of 13.09.

Ronan Kearns, returning from injury, ran a strong race in the 800m to finish in 2.04.98. Well done Ronan.

Next up was the ladies 3000m where we were represented by Crona Brady on her first outing over the distance. Crona put in a fantastic performance, staying in the leading group for the majority of the race to finish 7th in a high quality race in an excellent 10.28. Crona competes in the 800m at the IMC meet on Saturday
July 25th.

Paul Duffy and Conor Murphy competed in the men’s 3000m, with Paul running very close to his pb finishing sixth in 9.34.82. Unfortunately Conor had to pull out at the half way mark due to a hamstring injury picked up in the 100m.

Next race is the Irish Milers Club’s final meeting of the season in Irishtown on Saturday July 24th starting at 6pm. This is the final track race before the National track and field championships to be held in Santry on Saturday and Sunday August 1st and 2nd. So if you are around the bank holiday weekend come out and watch and support!

Full Results.

Report by
Aoife Brady

Tuesday July 21st Lord Mayor 2m Road Series # 5, Raheny

Over 50 runners attended the 5th round of the Lord Mayor 2m road series in a bright and breezy Raheny on Tuesday July 21st, and again Sportsworld came away in the prizes thanks to a brilliant display by our Helen. While she normally competes as an F40, this time she was good enough for 2nd place in the senior category less than 10 seconds behind senior champion Catriona Hooper who won in 11:45. On the day she beat the series F40 victor Mary McDermott by a minute. So well done Helen.

Sportsworld was also represented by Packie Enright who came 7th in 10:53. Enright, who didn’t venture out of bed all of last week because of food poisoning, wasn’t
expecting to beat his 10:45 from 2 weeks ago; but at least he got to collect his racing shoes which he left behind on that occasion! Now who said Dublin was a bad place for crime?

At the sharp end it was a 2 horse race between the legendary veteran Mick Traynor and national senior indoor 3000m champ and outdoor 1500m silver medalist Richie Corcoran. The pair went through the mile in 4:50 with the former being strong enough to run an impressive 9:46. The latter was unable to hang on but to be fair is only 5 wks back running mileage after a stress fracture, which has ended the Villanova
graduate’s genuine ambitions to become this year’s national senior outdoor
metric mile champ.

Full Results.

Report By
Packie Enright

From Irish Mountain Running 2009

A big congratulations from Sportsworld to Helen White who represented Ireland in the European Mountain Running Championships!

On July 12th in Telfes, Austria, Helen and the Irish team took on some long and steep courses up against 300 athletes from 30 nations. The senior women’s race was 9.5km long with a climb of 950m. Helen qualified for the European Championships back on the 13th June and it should be noted this is only her debut season is mountain running! So well done to Helen on such an outstanding achievement!

A race report by one of the Irish team managers, Gerry Brady, is published on the IMRA website here along with photos.

From Irish Mountain Running 2009

On Wednesday a small group of Sportsworld runners went to Wicklow Mountains to take part in Ballinastoe race – the longest and the most difficult hill run in the Leinster League (over 12k with about 500m climb).

The race started with a long ascent to the Wicklow Way then leveled and turned to the narrow forrest path where it was easy to fall down as twigs whipped your face and limited visibility.

Minutes later we were sliding down in the mud up to our ankles and jumping over fallen trees. Afterwards we continued the run on the uncovered slope and grass. Then the course turned back to forrest and we went to another long climb back to Wicklow Way and finally we sprinted last 2-3 kilometres downhill to the finish line.

Colm Kennedy was the fastest of Sportsworld runners and finished in great 12th place followed closely by Paul Mitchell who ran together with Colm for the most of the course. Jakub Splawski after a long chase crossed the finish line seconds before Liam McFadden with John Fitzgerald, Sean O’Byrne and Charile O’Connell also running.

Results
12 Colm Kennedy 58 M 62:33
15 Paul Mitchell 61 M40 63:01
25 Jakub Splawski 36 M 66:12
26 Liam McFadden 57 M 66:23
116 John Fitzgerald 104 M50 85:11
117 Sean O’Byrne 427 M50 85:16
175 Charlie O’Connell 180 M70 130:40

Report by : Jakub Splawski

P.S: If you are interested in getting an introduction to mountain running, the Mountain Rescue Benefit Run on Aug 26th might suit – its a 6km course with 200m accent. Contact Paul Mitchell if you are interesting in running any of the IMRA events.

From Sportsworld Kilmore 10km 2008

As we are getting closer to the Kilmore 10K, places are running out.
We had a very successful trip last year.
The race this year is again on a Saturday at 5.30PM on 29th August.
For those that weren’t there, last years race was just perfect.
Flat course, on country roads, very little traffic and beautiful scenery….on a par with Ballycotton.
See: www.kilmoreathletics.com

This year, we are staying in Wexford town as opposed to Kilmore Quay….Very lively town during the summer, with plenty of good bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
We are trying to get everyone going into either the Talbot or Whites Hotel, both of which offer a gym and pool, but depending on numbers and availability, there are also guesthouses close by as alternatives.
There are also spots with a choice of staying for 1 or 2 nights.

The following are the available rooms…all on a B&B basis:
These are once off prices.

For 2 nights: Talbot Hotel, €100pps, (2 places)

For 1 night: Talbot Hotel, €60pps, (2 places)
For 1 night: Whites Hotel, €65pps, (3places)

Alternatives are Guesthouses close by also, of which prices can be given.
The above rates are on a first come first served basis. These are internet rates and are no longer available. The rates on offer by the hotel are 90 Euro+ PPS/night.

Please contact Dermot Bates/Rachel Morgan if you want to book a room.

Dermot Bates

From Track Racing 2009

Wednesday 1st July had the Dublin Graded No.6 track meeting in Irishtown on a perfect summers evening. Poor Lorraine Manning of Raheny had a tough time as she faced Aoife Brady on stunning form in the 3000m race. Unfortunately there was not much competition for Aoife to help push the pace but she still managed by herself to do a brilliant time of 9.35 betting her PB. Lorraine then had to face an ever improving Crona in the mile, with Crona pushing Lorraine for the first couple of laps and finished up in an excellent 3rd in 5.12. Lucky for Lorraine Paul Duffy is the only triplet in the club.

We had new club member Conor Murphy who is really relishing the track season taking part in all the events (400m, 3000m and mile) and still managing a sprint finish in each one. Paul Duffy who after winning the C grade a couple of weeks ago could of taken the easy option of running grade C again but took the tough decision to move up a grade to B and did a great run in a tough field of 4.50 for the mile .

I managed to avoid track races up to now but Packie did a brilliant report on what is involved in the graded track races a few weeks ago so I had to give it a try. I went for grade C in the mile and just told myself its just a lap and a bit of the top lap in Bushy park we do for warm up but without the dogs, dog owners with 20meter nearly invisible leashes, walkers, tree roots and the distraction of the girls doing aerobics. Racing on the track is tough but no tougher then the Tuesday training session and there is something about the track when your body and brain tells you can’t keep the pace the group drags you along.

Having watched all the races yesterday there are a load of people in the club who are doing brilliant training sessions on Tuesdays and would out class a lot of the club runners in the Graded races. There are 2 more chances to do Graded track races this year(check Packie’s report in the Graded section) or we also have training sessions on Saturday mornings if people want to see what it’s like running on the track and what their times are like. Considering some of the marathons, half marathons, cross country races, meet and train races in the rain and mountain runs people have done track racing in the sunshine is a breeze.

Big thanks to Eoin, Dave and Myles who came out to Irishtown and gave great support during the races.

Conor Murphy 400m 57.36
Conor Murphy 3000m 11.16
Conor Murphy mile 5.38

Paul Duffy 1 mile 4.50

Aoife Brady 3000m 9.35

Crona Brady 1 mile 5.12

Michael Cunningham 1 mile 4.46

Full results and photos.

Report By
Michael Cunningham

From Track Racing 2009

On Wednesday last 24th June, two of our athletes took part in the Irish Milers Club 3000m in Irishtown. Aoife Brady had the tough task of being pacemaker for the race as two DSD athletes were trying to get the European Junior 3,000m time of 9 mins 46 secs. Aoife was to bring the pace along for 2000m at a blistering pace of 6 mins 20 secs which to her credit she did perfectly. Charlotte French O’Carroll took over the lead at that point, with Aoife close behind her, deciding to finish the race. Charlotte held on to win in a fantastic time of 9 mins 35 secs just nipping over the line ahead of Aoife who ran an excellent time of 9 mins 36 secs, a huge 5 seconds inside her PB. Well done to Charlotte and Aoife. Jean Wilson also ran an excellent race to finish in a very good time of 10 mins 35 seconds.

On Saturday 27th June, Aoife was in action again, this time over 1500m in the British Milers Club meet in Manchester. A PB was on the cards once again for Aoife, and she did not disappoint and ran a strong race in high quality field to finish 7th in a time of 4 mins 28 seconds, knocking a whopping three seconds off her PB. Well done to Aoife who really has been putting in the efforts and is having an excellent season!

Also a well done to Paul Duffy who ran a great race to finish 10th in a time of 9 mins 38 seconds in the Dublin Championships held in Santry on 20 June last. Paul is having a great season on the track and is ever improving. Well done Paul!

The action on the track continues tonight, July 1st, at the Dublin Graded at Irishtown Stadium at 7.30pm.

Report By
Crona Brady

A number of club members (Louise Bruton, Helen Dixon, Karen O’Connor, Claire O’Brien, Tara Murphy, Stephen Willoughby, apologies of I missed anybody) took part in the inaugural Multimarathon Half Marathon which took place last Sunday the 28th June. Course sounded lovely on paper as out and back course along Clontarf Road Promenade, onto Bull Island to run along Dollymount Strand and then join Promenade heading towards Kilbarrack Road and then double back.

As your truly had run night before in Dunshaughlin, Tara very kindly offered to keep me company. We were full of chat for the first couple of miles until we both started to complain about how hot it was as race had a 11 of clock start and must have been in the mid to high 20s. Running along Dollymount Strand was surreal as fog had come down and you could only see about 30 metres infront of you.

Louise led us home closely following by Helen who both looked very strong as they passed us on opposite side of the road. After Tara saying with a couple of Kms to go she wasn’t going to finish and I spending those Km’s persuading her that she was going to finish she took off into a sprint for the line which I couldn’t match, so much for finishing together!!

Karen and Claire both seemed to run well.

Funny what keeps you going as all I could think about near the end of the race was treating myself to a nice cold Diet Coke, so I got myself two!

Full Results.

Report By
Stephen Willoughby

Dunshaughlin 10km 2009

Over 10 Sportsworld runners made the trip to county meath for the 30th annual Michael Manning Memorial 10km evening last Saturday evening. When we left Bushy Park at 6 o’clock it felt more like midday in Lanzarote than a June evening in South Dublin. Thankfully by the time we arrived, highly motivated thanks to Paul Duffy’s music choices it had cooled down.

With a slight delay to the start there was plenty of time for a good warm up. The atmosphere at the start on the new link road just off the N3 was to be savoured. Very often you’re not too excited before you get going, but you feel good after you’re done. It felt a bit different on Saturday with everyone enjoying the summer sun and great atmosphere.

The field headed off at a very fast pace in what was now slightly cooler conditions. If some runners were still feeling the heat, Paul O’Connell wasn’t showing any signs of distress, by the time the leading pack of runners reached the 1 mile mark in a blistering 4mins 41sces, a quartet of Brian Maher, Tommy Evans, Peter Matthews and Paul had emerged from the main field as serious contenders for the event.

Paul continued his progress going through the 5K marker in 15:32.56 a time that very few people in the club would get close to in a 5K. By the time the first 5K had been completed it became clear that Clonliffes Noel Cullen course record (29.21) which was set back in 2000 was safe. By now the eventual 1st and 2nd place finishers Brian Maher and Tommy Evans had pulled slightly ahead. Increasing the gap in the second half of the race Kilkenny man and Irish international cross country athlete Maher led home the field in a time of 30.17. The women’s race was won convincingly by Annette Kealy in just under 35 minutes.

Paul O’ Connell led a fast improving Sportsworld team home in an incredible 31:44 finishing 4th overall. He was follow by Phil Kilgannon 32:37, a bit further back was Paul Duffy 34:11, Michael Cunningham 34:44 and Gareth Murran 35:11. Joe Byrne 38:07 and Lucy Darcy 38:25 both came in around the 38 minute mark. Jakub Splawski went over the finish line in a fast 40:22 after completing somewhat of a mini triathlon on Saturday. Stephen Willoughby 40:49, Dave Clarke 41:39 and Eoin O’Brien 44:03 completed a strong Sportsworld line-up. Everyone seemed very happy with new PB’s for almost all the team. There was even a guest appear by Will now sporting a Limerick AC singlet.

Just before 10 o’clock the prize giving got underway. With a prize fund of over €2,000 for the top finishers in the various categories Sportsworld did extremely well with Paul O’Connell taking 4th place in the men’s, Lucy taking 1st in the women’s over 40 and the men’s team had a very convincing win with our top 4 Paul O’Connell, Phil Kilgannon, Paul Duffy and Michael Cunningham all running very fast times.

As in previous years, the organisation came together with military efficiency to ensure that the almost 500 runners taking part would leave with no cause for complaint. It seemed as though the whole of Dunsaughlin had come out to line the route, and their support, coupled with complete lack of traffic, put a spring in the step of the runners as they made their way round the wonderfully scenic course. It’s easy to see why the race has become one of Ireland favourite 10K road races.

Many Dunshaughlin virgins like me must have been delighted as they turned the first, second and then third corner to see the race followed a flat course. Despite changes in the town because of the M3 motorway, the course remains much the same, it still has a hill or two between the 7th and 9th kilometres but nothing too challenging.

The celebrations continued late into the night in McSorley’s of Ranelagh’s with the cup attracting lots of attention from the local talent. I think it’s safe to say we will be back to defend our title next year, hopefully with a full women’s team to complete the double. Pictures to follow.

Full list of finishing times:
1.Paul O’Connell 31:44.75
2.Phil Kilgannon 32:37.85
3.Paul Duffy 34:11.14
4.Michael Cunningham 34:44.47
5.Gareth Murran 35:11.41
6.Joe Byrne 38:07.76
7.Lucy Darcy 38:25.09
8.Jakub Splawski 40:22.18
9.Stephen Willoughby 40:49.07
10.Dave Clarke 41:39.92
11.Eoin O’Brien 44:03.79

Report by
Gareth Murran

From Irish Mountain Running 2009

We are proud to announce that Helen White has been selected for the Irish Team to compete at this gruelling, uphill only event. Helen was selected for the team by virtue of a very strong performance at the trial event held by the IMRA on Clohernagh Mountain, Co. Wicklow last weekend. Remarkably Helen who only started hill running this year.

Over 300 competitors from 30 countries are expected to take part in this years European Hill Running Championships on the 12th of July. The event is being hosted in
the beautiful Austrian town of Telfes.

We all wish Helen the very best and hope that she enjoys the experience and has a great run on the day.

Full details of the Irish Team have been posted on the IMRA website.

Report by
Paul Mitchell