Two of our athletes took part in the Ulster and Northern Ireland Open championships held in Antrim on Saturday June 13th. Both Crona and Aoife Brady participated in the 1500m.

Aoife won the race in 4.32. She was followed home in second place by Crona in 4.52 who, in only her second race over the distance, took a massive 20 seconds off her pb! Full results and photos.

Next track race is the Dublin graded meet on Wednesday June 17th followed by the Dublin championships on June 20th.

Also racing last Saturday, albeit on completely different terrain was Helen White in the Irish Mountain Running Associations European Trials. Congratulations to Helen whose 4th place in the race to Cloghernagh mountains summit has put her in contention for selection for the European championships. IMRA race reports and full results.

Report By
Aoife Brady

There was a large turn out of club members (Ed McEntee, Stephen Willoughby, Colin Mahon, Tommy Arnstrong, Tara Murphy , Crona Brady, Mary Finn, Kathleen Horgan, Stephanie Bergin, Paul O’Connell) for the BHAA ESB 5K Beach Race, which took place on sandymount strand. 291 in total took part on a lovely sunny evening, although being a beach race, the surface ranged from flat, to ripples, to soft with some pools of water thrown in to add a challange.

Paul and Crona obviously used their experience of running on the beach in Lanzarote, as Paul won the race in what I believe to be a course record of 16.03 finishing 22 seconds ahead of Davy Byrne who has won this race for the last three years. Crona was first female home and winning her first BHAA race, in what I also believe is a course record time of 18.51, well ahead of Orla Gormley who has won the race for the last 6 years. Mary Finn just missed out on a club one, two as she finished two seconds behind Orla Gormley in third. Stephanie finished 4th and Kathleen 6th.

Not to be outdone Ed was 9th overall, and first in his age category. Tommy won his age category. Kathleen also won her age category and was part of the Irish Life & Permanent Team which were second and Stephen was part of the Zurich Team who were 3rd in Grade 1.

Well done to Tara and Colin who also ran very well

Report By
Stephen Willoughby

Last Saturday morning my sleep was rudely interrupted at 6:45am by a text message from Colm Kennedy. In a Satre-esque moment he posed the question “what am I doing here?”. Snuggling into my duvet I replied “JUST DON’T GET LOST!!!” and fell back to sleep.
 
The highlight of the IMRA calendar is the annual Wicklow Way Relay. The race is a mammoth relay of eight legs starting at 7am just beyond Marley Park and arriving some 8hours later in Shilelagh on the Wicklow-Wexford border. As the name suggests the race is run along the Wicklow Way, a marked hiker’s route meandering up hill and down dale through the central mountainous regions of Wicklow. For most participants the run is undertaken in a jovial, have-a-go, spirit and there is a great sense of fun and camaraderie between the runners and teams. That said it is a race and every runner expresses their competitive instincts by trying to beat the guy beside them – and of course no one wants to let the team down. “Don’t Get Lost” is Wicklow Way Relay 101.
 
The course record is 7hrs17mins to cover the 105km/3900m climb. This year two teams, packed with some of the best runners in the country, Clonliffe A and Rathfarnham A, were entered with the set goal of breaking the 7hour record. Unfortunately they both failed due to navigational errors and the race was eventually won by Clonliffe in 7:24. On our debut Team Sportsworld did a very creditable 8hr5mins and finished in 5th position.
 
Back in April, Gerry Brady suggested I put a Sportsworld Team together, saying encouragingly that we might come 3rd and then on reflection revising our chances downwards to a – well top 6 anyway. So I posted a notice on the Sportsworld Facebook page to gauge interest in the event. As new MEP Joe Higgins might have said it was like hurling against a haystack – no replies. To be honest when I realised the shear scale of the race I was quietly pleased because I recognised the amount of organisation involved in entering a team. As the race day approached the level of gentle badgering from Gerry Brady and Mags Grennan increased, and every IMRA race I entered I heard from one of them about how much Helen White wanted to do the race. Until Helen enlisted Emily in her cause I thought I could escape with a smile and nod – saying yes that would be a great idea – while having no intention of doing anything about it. With Emily on my case there was no escape so and I was duly appointed Team Captain (aka Chief Dogsbody – thanks Helen!)
 
Once there was a declared Sportsworld Team the mountain troops rallied to the cause. To complete the 8 man Team (requiring a minimum 2 ladies and 2 VETs) we were delighted to welcome three new recruits, Paul Duffy, Ed McEntee and Ciara Foster, to mountain running. Paul Duffy and Ed McEntee like nothing better then gliding around a mucky field so there were no worries about them. Ciara was an unknown, but I’m glad to report she took to it like the duck to water (and there was plenty of water on the weekend) running a brilliant 3rd Leg keeping us well up the field.
 
Leg Descriptions:
Leg 1: 14.4km, 556m ascent – Colm Kennedy
Leg 2: 15.1km, 763m ascent – Paul O’Connell
Leg 3: 8.0km, 126m ascent – Ciara Foster
Leg 4: 9.6km, 363m ascent – Liam McFadden
Leg 5: 13.6km, 571m ascent – Helen White
Leg 6: 12.7km, 566m ascent – Paul Mitchell
Leg 7: 21.2km, 651m ascent – Ed McEntee
Leg 8: 10.0km, 283m ascent – Paul Duffy
 
The job of the Team Captain is to pick the team members and to communicate the organiser’s instructions to the members. Because our entry was late, it was rushed and I gave no great consideration to who did what leg – save to say that everyone was relieved when Ed offered to do the 22km Leg 7. The race is unmarked and there are no marshals pointing the way. It is the Captains main responsibility to ensure that the team members have familiarised themselves with their leg before the race. Unfortunately I failed in this responsibility and I would say that this is the main reason we lost out on 4th position. Even those of us who had recce’d the route made small mistakes which cost a little time here and there. This team can give 4th place a really good shot next year with just a little more careful preparation.
 
Regarding organisation there are two main things to get to grips with 1) the routes and 2) the rules. I can safely say that I now know the Ordinance Survey Maps of Wicklow like the back of my hand, I know the gradient on every hill, I know the quickest way between hamlets that three weeks ago I didn’t know existed, I know where you can and can’t get mobile coverage, and I know that I have no intention of looking at the Wicklow Way again for at least another year. The rules are not onerous but it is a key requirement that the race passes off with out having a negative impact on the local communities. Communicating the routes/rules to each team member is a time consuming task but now that there is a quorum of us who know the race it will be far easier to organise a Team for next year.
 
The race is a wild exciting gallivant through some of the most beautiful parts of Ireland (after Kerry or course). It has a lot of the buzz of a Tour de France without the helicopters (and the bikes for that matter). First the Team Cars arrive, then the semaphore signals from the hill tops – THE LEADERS ARE COMING! The Leaders zoom in and out in a flash – did I dream it or have the leaders already gone through – text messages fly – we’re 5th, we’re 2mins down on Crusaders, Helen is on her way, were 5mins up on someone else. Time to take the rain coat off. Where’s Helen, should be here by now, hope she isn’t lost, stay calm, phew here she is – I’m off. Catch the 5th place runner in the first 200m. Hurdle the gate into the forest. He follows me up, up and up. I can hear his foot steps on my back – drives me on – I want to stop – I want to collapse – got to keep going for the team. Up, up and up. 40m from the top of the last hill – Thanks be to God. Quick peak over my shoulder – on no! – Bob Lawlor is only 40m behind me. Keep going – got to give Ed the best chance. Guess correctly that Bob won’t be able to descend very well in his sneakers. Over the brow – very steep rocky descent – go for it – spread the arms like wings – close the eyes – keep the legs turning – afraid to look behind. Down, down, bounding down. See the Iron bridge, see Ed, he begins running away from me – can’t catch him – one last sprint – slap hands – he’s gone – collapse – it’s over….- That was great! – Let’s do it again next year.
 
The Wicklow Way Relay is a fantastic, fun race made all the more enjoyable by my enthusiastic team mates who all ran exceptionally well and didn’t get lost! Well done all, 5th position is an excellent debut. Thanks to Paul O’Connell for helping with logistics and for Eoin O’Brien who gave up his slot on the team because we needed to squeeze a Vet, Ed, in.
 
Gerry Brady’s race report.

Report By
Paul Mitchell

A handful of our athletes took part in the South O’Hanlon 4 mile road race in Navan on Friday night (5th June). The course was a flat one and a great crowd turned out for this annual event.

Lucy Darcy, looking very fresh after her strong run in the mini marathon, led the ladies team to first place with a second place finish in a time of 24.17, followed by Crona Bady who was third in 24.27, Mary Finn, 5th in 25.05 and Kathleen Horgan, first over 35 in 25.28. Pauline Curley was top of the ladies in a speedy time of 22.31.

Our only male competitor was Paul Duffy who, following his great win on the track earlier in the week, ran a fantastic race to finish 5th in 21.22. Gearoid O Connor of Rathfarnham was first home in 20.48.

Full results available here and some photos here.

Congratulations to everyone!
Crona Brady

The summer racing schedule is in full flow now with some outstanding running. No more so then Aoife Brady’s 1st place finish in the 3000m at Irishtown stadium last Wednesday evening (3rd June) and Paul Duffy who won his grade in the men’s 3000m at the fourth Graded Track & Field. On a perfect warm summer’s evening Aoife ran a storming 3km in 9.41.05 winning by a cool 18 seconds clear of second place (also 9sec off her PB!!!) and Paul won his grade with a sprint to the line coming home in 9.31.22. Crona Brady finished 10th in a competitive 800m on the same evening and Sean Wall battled to 7th in his grade also in 800m.

Also on the June Bank Holiday Monday saw an impressive Sportsworld contingent set out in sweltering conditions in the Womens Mini Marathon. An epic sight of a field of 40,000 took on the 10km course. Those of us spectating were melting in the heat so it must have been akin to running in a cauldron for the competitors. Congratulations to everyone who took part and even more so to the club member’s who braved the hot weather, basked in the sun and cheered the club on. Out of the huge field Sportsworld had Lucy D’Arcy, Helen White, Kathleen O’Callaghan, Stephanie Bergin all finishing in the top 50. See the Photos Menu for pictures of the great day.

Up in the hills and far away a steady stream of Sportworld runners have been competing in the Irish Mountain Races in all weather conditions. Recent events have included the Powerscourt 6km uphill race, Corrig Mountain and Prince Williams Seat where Colm Kennedy, Paul Mitchell & Jakub Splawski all had top 30 finishes.

Also Best of luck to the Sportsworld Wicklow Way Relay Team this Saturday, 5th of June. Colm Kennedy (a 7am start!!!), Paul O’Connell, Ciara Foster, Liam McFadden, Helen White, Paul Mitchell, Ed McEntee and Paul Duffy are competing in a staggering 105km relay event across some wild terrain. Race report to follow.

Last weekend six valiant explorers headed west to try their hand at the second Clare Burren Half Marathon based out of Ballyvaughan in Clare. With Phil in the driving seat, and Paul Duffy strapped up in the back we set out of Dublin early on Friday afternoon which turned out to be a cracking day by the time with reached the West. And so with time on our side we stopped off in Kinvara to get a closer look at the impressively kept Dunguaire Castle and chill out by the harbor in the sun. After rendezvousing with our three other companions Ed McEntee, Trevor Sweeney and Dublin ex-pat William Greensmyth we headed out for a few sociable drinks around the village before we retired to our rooms looking forward to a run in the sun. If awaking to sound of the rain and wind beating the window wasn’t unsettling enough, answering a knock on the door in my shorts and singlet 30 minutes before the race to see Ed wearing a hat, gloves, long sleeve shirt, leggings and trail runners really gave me a feeling of being slightly under prepared.

The race consists of a marathon, half marathon and mini marathon and is organised by the Ballyvaughan Hill Walkers Club and so as can be expected a large part of the field where walkers. So out by the pier in the lashing rain the brave Sportsworld souls defiantly made our way to the front in our vests and shorts through the field of backpacks, walking sticks and stairs through the rain gear. Our MC for the day (and he was MC’ing the whole day!) informed us to remember it wasn’t a race but a challenge and to add a little razzmataz Brenden Glesson thanked us for bringing the weather and set us on our way.

Phil, Ed, Paul and Will were out for sight by the first corner and so I waved them Au Revoir and settled into a comfortable pace. Someone mentioned in the bar the night before that it wasn’t a hilly course and the opening few miles, with the exception of the wind and rain, where pleasant enough taking us along stone walled country lanes and by Newton castle. The fun started after about 3 miles when we took a sharp left through a gate and straight up a stony trail that had become a mud bath with the heavy rains. The trail opened out into a path that took us up Faunarooska hill and over the rocky fields of the Burren. Not far off the peak thankfully our trail pealed off to start descending again whilst the brave full marathon runners, heads bowed in the rain, continued off up to the crest and deeper into the Burren mountains.

Back at sea level we tore along a trail parallel to the Rathbornry River, with the size of the puddles we had to splish splash through it would probably have been less damp running in the river itself! We got back on to the roads of the Burren Way before coming upon the point where we realised why this was called a challenge. The epic sight before us was the cold stony face of Gleninagh Peak and tiny runners zigzagging up the path out of sight. So up we climbed and followed the trail around the peak and the past the warning sign of “uneven surfaces ahead”. That sign was ever so slightly understated as we then tried to negotiate our way across a minefield of limestone crevasse’s. But then the view opened up into a spectacular coastal scene of Galway Bay and the Burren where I believe the front runners even eased off the pace to take it all in. We continued on across the north face of Gleninagh, past a race steward with a pot-holing hat on to a death defying decent upon a trail that had been rendered a mud slide due to the rain. Throwing caution to the wind flinging yourself down the hill at the mercy of gravity was the only option as a controlled decent in the slippery mud was nigh impossible. Hitting the bottom we had a welcome but never ending flat 2.5 mile finish along the coast road as the weather finally broke and the sun shined through.

In the end Phil Kilgannon came in 2nd place behind West Limericks Dermot Kearns. Ed McEntee followed in 3rd and Paul Duffy 4th and all finished the race in sub-90mins which is impressive given the conditions and terrain. Will and I came followed the lads Trevor had an impressive return from injury finishing the mini marathon.

In spite of the weather it was a great race and the course was really something different and the weekend is definitely penciled in for next year. Much to the delight of one of our entourage the post race entertainment in the local pub was provided by “The All Ireland talent show 2009 winners – The Mulkerrin Brothers” followed by a late night of dancing. We even managed to squeeze in a trip to the Poulnabrone Dolmen the flowing morning to freshen up before we headed east again (Phil promises a trip to the Aillwee Caves next year!)

Eoin

We have been trying for years to get the holy grail of GOLD / SILVER / BRONZE in the team competition, but we went one better and got 1st and 2nd in Gold.

Congratulations to all the teams who took part in this years ( 2008-2009 ) cross country and road races.

The ladies teams achieved 1st in DIAMOND, 1st in GOLD and 1st in SILVER in the cross country, and 1st and 2nd in GOLD, 1st SILVER and 1st BRONZE in the road races.

Keep on running,
Paddy

PS – Remember the fundraiser for myasthenia gravis association in the club house this evening.