Having spent the last four months dragging myself around mucky, hilly cross country courses in the cold and rain, arriving into a warm and dry indoor arena was an absolute delight. The NIA is a fantastic venue and the NIA Live events are a great opportunity to try out some indoor running and spot some top athletes- Sarah Healy and Nadia Power were both competing on the night.
Emma Meade and myself entered the 800m and I also did the 200m. Having not quite mastered the starting blocks and still trying to figure out if I should lead with my left or right leg, I lined out in lane four for the 200m. I got out without any trips or falls, and managed to hold on for second in a time of 28ish seconds.
The timetable meant a very quick turnaround between races, which wasn’t ideal, but I soldiered onto the 800m with five minutes or two men’s 800 metre races in between. As there were too few entries in the 800m for two races, Emma and I ended up in a race with some serious runners, the word internationals was even used. However, what intimidated me most were the belly tops, there were more abs on show on the start line than on an episode of Love Island!
As expected, my legs weren’t happy doing two races in the one night and I limped home. Emma on the other hand managed to stick in the back of a pack, running a great race to get herself into the Sportsworld records.
Conor Keating also ran a fantastic 3000m and managed to nab himself a PB.
There are two more races left in the NIA series on February 11th and 18th, I would really recommend trying them out, if only to get in out of the cold for an evening.
Results
Race
Positions Bib No. Athlete Name Athletes Club Time
200 Meters – Women
2 42 Elaine kennedy Sportsworld A.C. 28.85 (New Club record)
800 Meters – Women
8 46 Emma Meade Sportsworld A.C. 2.34.92 (Now 2nd in Club Records)
9 42 Elaine kennedy Sportsworld A.C. 2.50.62
800 Meters – Men
9 98 Martin keenan Sportsworld A.C. 2.21.87
3,000 Metres – Men
6 34 Conor Keating Sportsworld A.C. 10.10.85 (New Club record)
Reports By Karl Shevlin & Deirdre O’Connell, photos by Peter Knaggs.
Karl:
As the last Sunday of January arrives, so too does the ever popular Raheny 5 Mile Road Race. Many a runner is likely to see this as good opportunity to put down a marker at the onset of the road racing season. This race offers a single loop taking runners around the environs of At Anne’s Park with a switchback section inside the park.
Knowing that the start area fills up very quickly, I was keen to get there in good time to get togged out and land somewhere close to the start line for the off. Being so minded, I rocked up probably way too early Sunday morning, so given the opportunity to amble about at my leisure, I took the time for a stroll around the starting area, soaking up the atmosphere of the junior races which were about to get underway.
As the Sportsworld contingent gathered in the assembly hall for number collection, talk turned to starting line tactics, i.e. how to get within sight of the start line to make a blazing start, as well as a debate on baggage security. The consensus arrived at was to get out and do a decent warm up and abandon our bags in the hall rather than go to Baggage Drop. Given all the goodies on display up on the stage for the raffle, it was reasoned there were richer pickings other than pre-worn sports apparel and half eaten protein bars.
A pack of us headed out around the first mile section of the course for a warm-up jog, and the area was by now busy with lots of runners doing the same thing. It didn’t feel very cold, and there was certainly no breeze, so perfect race conditions really.
Having managed to get up to the start line at the front of the pen, I mingled with the contenders as we awaited the starting gun. And then off we went. ‘What was I doing?’ I asked myself at mile 1, when I realised I’d gotten carried away and went off way too fast. I spotted Padraig Looby and Lisa Madden race on after first mile marker, and soon after other Sportsworld contenders raced on ahead too. I did a little recalibration and then tried to settle into a more manageable pace, rather than crashing out.
Race reporter Karl running stead on left while Padraig tries to elbow Lisa out of the competition
After allowing myself to get swept along in the crowd along the road section from the start along to Mount Prospect Avenue, but by the time I’d entered the park the field was well and truly strung out. Having taken the turn at the switchback it was all about holding out until the end. A dash of sorts over the line and it was job done.
Once back amongst the pack, it soon became clear that there had been some stellar performances, with some confessing to PBs upon investigation. A dip into the goody bag yielded a nice cooling sip, as the early Spring sun warmed the moment. And then it was off for tea and biscuits.
by Deirdre O’ Connell (sister of Paul):
Defending the goodie bags
My second time doing the Raheny 5 Mile, and another wonderful running outing! This one feels like the beginning of the year’s road racing and with a field of 4,700+ it’s definitely a “New Year New Us” endeavour for many.
With nearly 40 Sportsworlders lining out, there are always gangs of clubmates for chit-chat. My brother The Paul O’Connell let me represent the family this year, given his feed of pints at Packie’s 40th the previous night. No such excuse for Martin Doyle, who looked fresh and ready even after his 7 pints at the party. What an athlete!
On advice from Spike-Punctured-Toe-Victim Michael Cunningham, I got up towards the front, lining up with Paul Hamilton, discussing the world’s great marathons. So engrossed we were, we didn’t notice another near 500 runners land in on top of us, so our front line trick was spoiled!
Off went the gun, and out we went. Unlike last year, there was no moving cars to challenge us in Mile 1, so we cracked on out to the main Howth Road, under the stewardship of my old friend Raheny Club Man Jodie Kilhooly. Given it took over an hour to drive to this race, it’s nice to then to be part of major traffic disruption, before we turned in onto roads with many incredible North Side gaffs.
I tried and succeeded to maintain a decent steady enough pace. I really enjoyed the road running but how annoying are full width speed ramps. The lengths in the park are pretty, but the U-Turn into the final mile is a shock to the body. The final leg is long enough, but the supporters are a plenty. It really feels like the big and great event it is.
At the line end I caught my breath, and once regained strength, I took possession of my monster 5Kg goodie bag, and got stuck into the haul. I then joined the queue of ladies for a hug from Padraig Looby. He had himself ran exceptionally, so his embrace was even better than normal, said an anonymous girl.
Queuing for Looby Hugs?
Everyone at the end line, myself included, were in varying degrees of happy as we all headed away. Paparazzi Peter Knaggs group shoots captured the fun.
It turns out it was most competitive race in its history, according to race organisers; the fastest road race in Ireland saw 15 athletes break 24 minutes! There were super times from many Sportsworlders with a good few PBs. Congratulations to our leading male Sadanand and lady Lisa Madden, the latter leading our females to a team 4th out of 71 teams.
I was so glad to hear Ray Carpenter got 3rd in his category, and received an incredible new Toaster. Straight to the Black Door to celebrate!
Setting up home at the Black Door.
RESULTS
109 Sadanand MAGEE 00:27:44 00:27:46 3826 M (102) MS (86) Sportsworld RC
125 Conor MCCARTHY 00:28:06 00:28:09 5865 M (118) MS (96) Sportsworld RC
184 Martin DOYLE 00:28:58 00:29:00 5850 M (172) M40 (21) Sportsworld RC
222 Lisa MADDEN 00:29:21 00:29:30 5864 F (17) FS (15) Sportsworld RC
report by Laura Kenny (back row, 4th from right in the photo)
Sunday the 19th of January marked the 3rd of this seasons Meet and Train cross country runs. The misery of the stormy morning after the Christmas party now a hazy memory we pulled up to the Ballyboden, St. Enda’s GAA Clubhouse in the bright sunshine of a very crisp winter’s day. Being a part of Team F meant that half of our team , myself included, were donning the spikes for the first time and the ‘F’ was swiftly starting to stand for Fear, Frostbite and are we slightly F#@king Mad!
The carpark was packed and people were already warming up and checking out the course conditions. The course runs 2 laps of the pitch with a quick duck in and out of the woods. A few hilly spots but with zero mud in sight due to the Baltic conditions everyone was cheerful as we did a lap to warm us up. Michael had helpful brought the flag but not the gazeebo (as he didn’t want to spoil us!) and with the gear stashed we got in a couple of strides before heading to the starting line.
The atmosphere was buzzing as people jostled for positions but we were quickly brought back to earth when the race organisers called for a minutes silence to remember the son of a member of Blackrock Athlete who tragically passed away over the Christmas break. A silent tribute was paid and then it was back to focusing on what lay ahead.
The start was fast I and I could see members of Sportsworld teams flying off the line. With the sun starting to warm up and the ground still frozen the first lap passed in a blurr. The support from Sportworld club members and friends and family was fantastic. There didn’t seem to be a corner unmanned by someone giving a cheerful shout out. Shouts of encouragement from Emily and Miles really helped on the second lap when the going got tough and the legs started to fade. I had kept my teammate Deirdre in my sights and it really helped to push me over the last 300m.
Upon finishing and finally catching my breath I found out that Sportworld had yet again played a blinder. Team A finally snatched the lead from Crusaders Team A. It is now all down to the final race coming up on the 16th of February. There was great running from the rest of Sportsworlds Teams on the day as well and it really is all to play for.
There was of course the missing Gazeebo still to reckon with. But the lack of a tent was not going to stop Gemma and she made a bold stand and showed Crusaders what strong stuff Sports world women are made of……. I have a feeling that Emily may insist on the tent going up at the next meet and train!
Once the cool down was done and the spikes removed we heading over to the club house for a well-deserved cuppa and a piece of homemade cake. The Meet and Trains are a great way to meet club members and really makes you feel part of the Sportsworld family. So with the Fear and Frostbite a distant memory I guess team f had a pretty Fantastic morning in the end.
Whilst we still on occasion do the waterworks as a long run, I understand from Sean, Sportsworld’s historian, that it was Sportsworld’s ‘original’ regular long run.
The reservoirs at Bohernabreena were built between 1883 and 1887 for the purpose of supplying Rathmines with drinking water and also of ensuring a constant supply of water to the many mills along the River Dodder. At the time, there were forty-five mills served by the Dodder; fifteen were flour mills and the rest were paper, paint, cardboard, cotton, saw, glue and dye mills. Along the Dodder, there were also distilleries, breweries, malt houses, foundries, tanneries and a bacon curing factory.
Circa 1910
The two reservoirs originally had differing proposes; the upper one – the one we run past just before the turn towards the ‘Farm loop’ – was used for drinking purposes and the lower one to supply the mills. Peaty water from the mountainous boggy area bypassed the ‘drinking water’ reservoir and supplied the lower one (the one for the mills), while stonier land free from Peat supplied the upper one.
Today the waterworks is still vital to Dublin’s water supply and from it, water is pumped to the Ballyboden Treatment plant where it supplies the city with millions of litres every day.
The bird species present in the area include gulls, kingfisher, dipper, grey wagtail, heron and moorhen which you will also come across on a run down the dodder.
In this historical map, you can see the extent of the entire system from the mountains to Rathmines
This week we have reports from the Leinster Masters and Intermediate XC 2020. The reports come from Emma Meade and Tim Murphy.
On a lovely clear but cold day, the intermediate women began their usual warm-up of band work while playing catch with tennis balls… okay, maybe not the usual… but highly recommended keeping warm and distracted prior to the Master’s races kicking off!
After cheering on the Master’s Men and Women while getting the actual warm-up in, it was time to get the spikes and strides on and toe the line. It was a small enough field with only 34 ladies competing. The course is the usual Gowran course for anyone who’s had the pleasure of running on it. It’s a quick almost downhill start, followed by some twists and turns, lots of muck, some boggy patches and a nice pull up into the second and third field before a bit of a downhill, more muck, twists and turns back into the first field. The Intermediate Ladies have the joy of completing this twice (4k total).
The Sportsworld team stuck close together right from the start, I knew Lorna was right on my tail the whole way round due to all the supporters cheering us on since I was too afraid to look around in case I face planted in the mud. With only 200m or so to go a Gowran Girl and Crusader Cailín flew passed, but try as I might, my legs wouldn’t move any faster. Finally, we were over the line and collapsed on the ground from the effort. Rumours of a team gold were rife and to the delight of everyone, turned out to be true.
Definitely a big improvement for me, going from 8th last for the same race last year (my third cross country race) to 10th place (would have sounded so much better if I had managed to hold off those other two girls for 8th place, ruining the symmetry… better go work on that finishing kick!).
Gold star for Gowran!
Men’s Report
Sunday Noon and I find myself in a field in Gowran, Kilkenny. Quite the adventure for me. I took my first step into this magical world of Cross Country last week in the Dublin Masters, at St. Anne’s. Start the Racing ‘20s (‘Roarin’ is so last century) with a jolt to the system.
Now here I was, on another sunny day, in the middle of a field, rotating 360 degrees (“Strictly” for me next year) and taking in the rolling hills, the Manor Houses, the Medieval Towers, and the sun sparkling on the puddles that I would soon be squelching through.
The Juvenile relays were in full swing, the atmosphere relaxed, and the Red and White Army were beginning to arrive in force. Number 324 given to me by a smiling Myles. I couldn’t help but notice that Myles had a glint in his eyes; at once at ease and slightly nervous. There was a big Sportsworld haul last week – the stage is bigger now. I could sense quiet confidence. Now, the medal zone was not where I was at. 272nd out of 287 in the Dublin’s, in a time of 31:42 for my 6k, my primary goal was not to come absolutely last; my secondary goal was to improve on my time; my tertiary goal was to be lapped less often than in Dublin (Truth be told, given this potentially demoralising maiden experience, I was quite impressed with myself that I even had to courage to reach the start line at Gowran); and my stretch goal was to actually pass someone on my third and final lap.
The Ladies (Masters) were up and running by now, and they were flying. I got a good warm-up in whilst cheering them on. Both teams in the medals and the gold was so so close. The way that these cross country races lend themselves to support was an absolute highlight of the last two races for me. It is wonderful to experience all this support in action.
Masters Men… oops… nearly missed the start. I did miss the preamble, but then again, as I start so far back, I rarely hear these. I find the Sportsworld gang strategically positioned to get the ‘non-bog’ running line. Claps on backs and we are off.
I have a great 50 metres (firm going) but then people start passing me. Once this unwanted overtaking ceases I nervously look behind me, as I turn the bend, praying to stay upright. Phew, there are at least 2 or 3 behind me. Settle down now. Relax. Thanks for the shout out. 1k done and I am sub 5 mins. I averaged 5:13/k last week. Umm… a bit of a climb in this second field… seriously, you can’t be overtaking me now Mr M….. oh, you have. At last, some downhill, don’t let that Mr M away from you. We both speed up and we catch up on a bunch of 3. I remain 40 metres behind Mr M. Lap 1 of 3 x 2k done – though I have slowed, there was the hill, and I am still ahead of last week. And hear the Sportsworld cheer. Mr M., with me trailing in his wake, pass the group of 3. My effort levels are increasing, but I have been following my race via the loudspeakers, which was a great distraction and excitement – seemed to be quite a battle between Karol and some Rathfarnham lads – they go flying down the final stretch with me running in parallel – a lap to go. Don’t go too mad Tim. The third k is slowest so far, and 4th k slower again at 5:18.
Final lap starting. Now 50m behind Mr.M, who in turn is 70m behind Mr G. We have lost the group behind us. I am feeling reasonably comfortable, all things considered. The support is really appreciated. Mr M is now my sole focus. He is going wide to stay on firm ground. I had been following him but not gaining on him at all. I decide to go kamikaze option. Legs seem strong enough. Just about. Fifth consecutive slowing kilometre! But now 40m. Gives me encouragement. And the hills are gone. Go, Tim. Myles shouting ‘200m to go – go Tim go go’ and I am gaining. Really enjoyed the final run-in. Sneaked in under 5 min for the last kilometre for a time of 31:20. 22 seconds ahead of last week. Caught my Mr M.. Finished ahead of 6 – 1 of those was even younger than me ????. Congrats to Liam and Bruce was sooo close to a medal.
What an amazing gold for the Inter Women! Just 13 seconds separating the team members – that train is enough to strike fear in any team – and made a good attempt at besting the Masters grouping earlier.
Last up was the Inter Men – highlight for me was the supercharged final stretch battle with Padraig Looby emerging victorious. Deserved a medal in its own right.
Sambo and coffee at Applegreen to cap off a great day – a real ‘team’ day – in which absolutely everyone played a starring role. Emily, (who I heard urging the women on – every place counts – from the far-field) I am sure is still smiling. I’d say we all are.
We have two reports to wet your appetite for the XC season ahead. Bruce and Maura give their take on last weekends Dublin Masters. Both had excellent races so read on.
Bruce Campbell
Peter Knaggs approached me as we were about to take to the line for the start of the race and asked me would I be happy to write today’s race report. Caught completely off-guard, I politely agreed… so here goes…!
I’m a Sportsworld member for a full year now, I made my debut in the red and white singlet back in January 2019 at this exact race. I’m relatively new to the running scene, prior to spikes and muddy fields I spent my free time playing hockey mostly as well as a bit of adventure racing and triathlon. I’m typically introduced to most Sportsworlders as Jean Wilson’s husband so if there was ever going to be a running club… it could only be Sportsworld!
After navigating my way northside I found a car space very close to the finish line and the new high profile Sportsworld gazebo. It was a beautiful January day, dry and sunny, just perfect for racing around the lovely St Annes. Met Myles with his stash of race numbers and safety pins and then it was time to warm-up; which takes substantially longer these days. The odd shout out to the girls as we crossed paths before heading back to the gazebo to strip off and don the spikes, still caked with last years muck.
Down to the start line. There was a crowd of about 300 men with all clubs well represented. Grand national how are you. We shuffled our way towards the start line. The chatter stopped when the man with the gun started to talk! We were advised to avoid the metal GAA posts – there was only going to be one winner there. No “on your marks” or “get set”, off went the gun and the stampede ensued. Managed to avoid the spikes and sharp elbows up to the first corner and that sharp left turn down through the game of thrones tunnel of trees. The atmosphere was electric, the girls with their race done as high as kites roaring us on. Out onto the soccer field and I could see the leader, a 50m gap at this stage already –needless to say I didn’t see him so clearly again until the medal ceremony afterwards! Some running.
The 6km course comprised four laps (the women ran two) but you don’t get to see many runners other than those you are immediately beside/behind. I gave the puddle in the soccer pitch corner a wide berth before heading down through the trees towards my favourite single track section with the infamous log. All of the sections under the trees are very firm and dry, more trail than cross country. Up through the finish line for the first time and a shout “three laps to go”, so I do my best to settle into a steady pace. By lap 3, Myles wants me to pick up five or six places…dear god easier said than done! Plenty of Sportsworld encouragement all around the course and I managed to pick off a few thankfully and hold them off which didn’t happen last year! The Tuesday evenings are clearly paying off (my wife will be delighted).
After the pain in my chest subsides all the lads gather for a team photo, some with their fourth lap still to do! There was a great turnout of 35 men. At the time, the girls were rumoured to have team silver, then word was that they may have taken gold.
Back to the GAA club for tea, a few biscuits and prize giving. Sportsworld had a fantastic day with what seemed like a podium finish in all of the age groups across both the mens and womens teams. The girls won team gold ( Ciara Foster, Ruth Kelly, Maura Ginty and Lorna Quinn) and the men took bronze. I was delighted to learn I was the fourth scorer for the mens team, in the elite company of Karol (who was third overall), Andrew and Gareth. My first cross country medal, wahoo. Liam Lenehan also got an age group podium. The Women over 50 team were also on the podium (Eileen Rowland, Breda Browne, Ann Higgins and Eileen Lavin) and individual podium finishes for Maura Ginty, Ciara Foster and Ruth Kelly, chapeau ladies.
A great day out for all. Under starters orders for the challenge in Gowran next weekend for the Leinster Championships, no pressure. #
Maura Ginty
This is probably the largest women’s XC participation event in the country and to be honest, it really has it all. Nice and snappy 3k, no hills to speak off, absolutely outrageous tour de France like support and perfect fixture date as damn near impossible to find an Emily-proof excuse – like who organizes a christening, hen party or orchestra recital on a Sunday at the start of January?
This Masters scene is all relatively new to me as I was more concerned about novice/inters and indeed am still awaiting that crucial elimination from National Inter which is my life focus now. In any case, for all you casual fans, in recent years SW women have won o35 team gold, bronze, gold and silver in the years 2016 to 2019 respectively – with last year being a narrow loss to Raheny despite our 4 scorers finishing top13. Interestingly 2015 was the only recent year we lost out on a team medal – and had won team silver and gold, gold in the previously 3 years. In 2012 there were only 28 women taking part and the next year 51 – so fair play to organizers Raheny for building this up to about 200 today.
So we rock up as usual to Emily for the race numbers & strategy and get a list of ailments and injury and well, we certainly wouldn’t have been classed as favourites. I was kinda happy and confident though – Ruth was there who is a magnet for bling, and here was Ciara Foster warming up as if she had never left us. Team depletion also meant that I would be a scorer (last year I was 20th).
Start of XC race is one of those few moments in life where you are in flow – the mind can not process anything else but survival for like 200meters. Then you steady yourself, look around and try and figure out what’s after happening. Generally, for me the realization is– uh oh, I am beside Annette Kealy here… there will be some unholy payback for this insanity.
Well, today, I ended up beside Ruth Kelly and baby, I felt good. Gilding past us was the gazelle-like Ciara. This was the first time we had run together since around 2013. Turns out like personality, people don’t really change their run style – hers is easy, fluid and fast – running near her (or indeed alongside her, as some supporters recalled) was like being transported in time.
I dug in happy out with the new company I was keeping. I figured that I would be able to broadly sustain it for the duration.
So the normal XC craic of pain-cry-face and Emily advising (shouting) about who I needed to fend off, keep together with, or go up to, really just did not materialize. I think she was as surprised as me, so I was just getting “good run” type comments with me thinking “yeah, it really is – isn’t it?”
Obviously, my pace strategy of “broadly sustain it”, would turn out to err on the side of reckless and I was savagely overtaken by a Raheny singlet on the final straight. Now in my defence, I had heard her but thought she was another girl who I had passed in my glory first lap. If I had known… well, there is nothing that makes us keep it together more than the shout of “Raheny girl”.
Though when your luck is in, it’s in. We won team gold from Raheny on countback with Masters newbie Lorna the crucial decider. And fun fact – I was actually the newest member of the club sports world on the team. Girls may go off for a few years with babies, travel or hassling Dolores off Fair City – but the Sportsworld XC scene will always be there for us with its warm, cosy welcoming fields.
The win was sweeter as we denied Raheny the clean sweep of club medals. They had gambled with team selection and a different strategy here would have won them both female golds. Our o50 team won bronze, another ridiculously consistent medal showing here – bronze 2017, silver 2018 and bronze 2019. It was great to see Breda Brownback with a championship medal around her neck.
Actually what really made the day was the circa 25 Sportsworld women lining up, with girls like Anna and Olive returning after long boring injuries along with the reliables such as Eileen leading the team home for the third year in succession and Ruth with her eight top 10 finish in succession. Gleaning motivation, inspiration and idle gossip from all angles. Start of the year, optimism, racing – life itself. Seemingly that all epitomized Maeve Devlin, the Raheny club stalwart who died suddenly over the holidays. Dick Hooper paid tribute to her at the start line, some didn’t know her but she sounded like the best of everyone lined up combined. A round of applause and we were off.
Wednesday opened the first page of a new decade and, likewise, Liffey Valley AC opened this year’s racing calendar to 772 participants with the Tom Brennan 5k in the Phoenix Park.
Needless to say, the red and white vests of Sportsworld Running Club were there in abundance to help mark the occasion.
The conditions for a fast and enjoyable race couldn’t have been better if you penned a begging letter to Santy himself: the course was flat as a pancake (a triangular pancake) and the weather was ideal: cool, calm and dry (I swore I heard the birds tweeting in the trees between 1k and 2k).
Like the Ghost of Races Past, I rattled onto the scene and was delighted to see some ever-familiar faces and one or two new ones. Everyone was in great spirits with hugs, handshakes and New Year best wishes rapidly making their way through the crowd, intermittently disrupted by the odd well-orchestrated photo session (fair play to ye Peter!).
One thing struck me, however: the lack of pre-race nerves. Instead, everyone seemed relaxed and at ease warming up and naturally transitioning into their strides in eager anticipation for the starter’s gun.
But, being that seasoned ‘comeback runner/racer’ that I am (someone once commented that I had more comebacks than Rocky), I could spot the little butterflies fluttering about the gang (relax lads, no names will be given) as the buzz was infused with that concentrated near- the silence of runners tiptoeing their way into position. These subtle, almost imperceptible-to-the-untrained-ear spurts of nerves manifested themselves in a few ‘starting-line confessions’, volunteered without provocation to some invisible yet omnipresent god of racing, such as: [Bless me, Father, for] I stuffed myself with 100s of Heroes in the last two weeks;[Bless me as well Father for] I was partying ‘til 2 o’clock last night; [Father, same here, I’m afraid, for] I feel like I swallowed the Turkey, his family and his cousins the Hams…
Then BANG!!! the gunshot off and took my teammates with it; I’ve never seen better impressions of Houdini performed live in the Phoenix Park: they were there and then they weren’t.
Obviously, everyone immediately slipped into their race pace as comfortably as Anthony’s lámha fuar slipped into their cosy, cotton-padded, black leather gloves with the three splayed points decorating the upper faces (hmm, if only there were a prize for the best-dressed hands…).
Somewhere around the 1k mark, young Pádraig Looby (who finished nicely with 19:02) came cruising past me so effortlessly that all my brain could register was ‘he’s a bit long in the tooth to be getting a hoverboard off Santy’.
Andrew Brett and Louise Jackman brought the club home with 16:38 and 21:11. Conor McCarty and Martin Doyle backed Andrew up with 17:13 and 17:38, respectively, while Elaine and Nichola had a close battle with only 4 seconds separating them on the line with 21:26 senior lady) and 21:30 (19th senior lady), respectively.
Maria Finnegan finished 21:56 and Gráinne Lynch was in Finnegan’s wake 31 seconds later with 22:27. Between these two, however, featured Kate Nugent with 22 minutes flat.
Eileen Rowland with 22:43, Bronwyn finished in 23:57 while Audrai O’Driscoll smiled home in 24:09.
12 hours, 24 minutes and 12 seconds after the bells ding-donged the New Year in, the ‘Thelma and Louise’ of Sportsworld Running Club ended their own ding-dong in a flat-out dash to the white line with only milliseconds and the width of a shoelace separating them: it was Anne Sweeney’s lace that brushed the line first while Valerie Power was still on its descent. Carmel Breen finished with a decent 26:03 and the great Ellen Lavin closed the ladies’ book on this race with 27:46.
The Three Wise Men (Peter Knaggs, Anthony Gillen and Noel Tobin) gifted us with a prelude to this Sunday’s main event in St. Anne’s Park, Raheny with times of 19:27, 19:34, and 19:57, respectively. Watch your backs (ish) lads as, admittedly with the help of a little Christmas miracle, yours truly floated across the line in 21:20 trailed closely by the Three Wise Seans: Donegan (21:43), Brett (23:47) and O’Byrne 27:32.
Many thanks to those encouraging voices supporting us from the sidelines (of which I heard Emily’s and Sandra Gowran’s) which lifted us at crucial points in the race.
This was a cracking start to 2020 and I have a good feeling about this year and I wish all of our members every success in their goals, be it 800s, 1,500s, 5ks or marathons, and let’s try to get some more silverware for Emily and Myles to polish.
Good luck to our Master’s lads and ladies who will no doubt do us proud on Sunday! Wishing you all a healthy, fit and fruitful 2020, Dave.
The Ardagh 10 mile challenge took place in the scenic village of Ardagh in Co. Longford on Saturday 28th December. The weather this year was mild with only a little breeze which was perfect for running.
The course is certainly challenging with a continuous climb for about one mile from the two mile mark. This is followed by rolling hills, a stretch of relatively even roadway and some downhills. However, the climbing is not over and the final mile involves another climb which brings the runners back into the village.
I arrived just in time to get a number and jump into the starting pack before we were off. My last two months of training was not ideal, as I was managing some niggles! I planned to do the 10 mile race as my long run for the week and try and work on getting some fitness back. I have opted for the 5k race option (that also is offered) for the past two years.
Gareth Murran who had ran a fantastic race less than 48 hours earlier in Wicklow also took part this year and ran a fine race against a very competitive field of runners. Gareth was the race winner in Ardagh last year. This year the race was won by a very on form Barry Shiel of Longford A.C. in a course record time of 53.35. Barry had won the Longford marathon only a few months previous.
I took part in this 10 mile race in December 2016 and just managed to creep inside the 90 minute mark with a time of 1.29.22. I think I was scarred by that experience for nearly two years after it! I only attempted a 10 mile again in summer 2018 when I did the Irish Runner 10 mile race, achieving my goal of getting in just before the 80 minute balloon.
I had no massive expectations last Saturday and I was just happy that I was starting to regain some strength and fitness. I made sure to pace myself, as I expected to tire towards the finish, particularly given the testing hills. I somehow managed to bag myself a nice PB at 1.15.42 to finish a year where I got a PB in every race distance I took on. I am very grateful as I reflect at the end of the year.
As we start to ease our way into a New Year and new decade, I know a lot of you will be considering what resolutions you may wish to make. You might be planning some running goals or even just life goals, as the case may be. I hope 2020 is a great year for all of the Sportsworld members and their families with lots of success stories, but most importantly healthy and happy runners.
According to both the Oxford and Cambridge English Dictionary , the following was noted;
Novice
/ˈnɒvɪs/
noun
a person new to and inexperienced in a job or situation.
Similar:beginner, learner, inexperienced person
After competing in last Sundays National Novice XC Championships I have realised that the running world have a COMPLETELY different understanding of novice!!! I now know that amongst XC community the following definition applies
young, strong, experienced athletes who have the tenacity and ability to manoeuvre through deep muck with agility and speed, while resiliently endure the elements of bitterly cold weather conditions!
On a crisp Sunday afternoon we set out for Dunboyne. Leaving the clubhouse we were greeted with a beautiful backdrop of snowcapped Dublin mountains as we merged onto the M50..perfect XC weather!
As we came into Dunboyne the area was thronged with people from all over the country. It really was fantastic to see so many clubs, athletes, families and supporters out in force to either compete or support! The race venue was the same field that our ladies had ran in for one of the Meet and Train races, however, the field was now unrecognisable to the memory I had from it only a few weeks prior. We were greeted with the smell of charred burgers and deep fried chips from the food van, and our eyes were drawn to the array of colourful club tents, along with flags and signs from Athletics Ireland. The field was alive with energy, radiating from an eclectic mix of sources including, cold anxious athletes yet to run, layered up proud parents, coaches and supporters shouting words of encouragement to the current runners and the elated athletes high on endorphins after completing the taxing and gruelling course!
We embarked upon our warm up lap, and soon realised that the venue name “Cow”park field was aptly chosen, as we jogged along in parts ankle deep in muck! But we were well aware now that this was going to be no run in the park!
Sportsworld had a great turn out with 10 female athletes and 11 male athletes. All runners deserve a huge buladh bos for navigating themselves safely through all that muck and finishing the race in one piece. Each and every one our athletes ran with great effort and determination, and were a great representation for Sportsworld Club. A standout performance was had by Lisa Madden , finishing in a brilliant 13th place, out of a field of 134 runners. Our two female teams placed 13th, and 18th out of a total 20 teams.
The mens 6km race had a huge field of 216 participants, with our teams placing 15th and 25th out of a total 26 teams.
A huge thank you to Emily and Myles, and all the supporters we had to cheer us along the course. The words of encouragement really do help! It was also really nice to have our own tent- muchos gracias to those who transported, assembled and disassembled it for us! As always the comradery and team spirit amomgst the Sportsworld crew was a joy to be apart of and negates the cruelty that XC is!!
Definitely the girls turn next time to put up the tent
Men’s report – Brian O Murchu
The afternoon races in Dunboyne were held at the warmest part of the day; 4 degrees. This was definitely cold comfort. The course was held at Cow Park in Dunboyne and the race lived up to it’s name, absolutely the muckiest race I’ve ever done. I am reliably informed it’s not the muckiest, with Clarinbridge holding that title. I don’t like running in muck, although I do seem to go well in it but I have no plans to test out others courses on the muck-able scale.
On arrival I am greeted with the sight of a very clean Sportsworld gazebo. As a new member I am sure it takes such pride that it’s regularly cleaned, and that it is much older than it looks…. I had been given some advice beforehand to sprint the first 400m to get to the first turn early so as not to get boxed in. Once the race started it seemed everyone else had this same idea, and avoiding getting boxed in was not going to happen. The first part of the race is quite surreal, it is like being pulled along on a fast flowing river. There are so many runners surrounding me, I cannot see where/what I’m stepping on, let alone the course. People move in unison veering left or right as the course goes. Once the field started to spread out, I was able to start picking my own routes through the mud. Something that makes quite a difference as I lost 10 seconds on the 3rd kilometre with a bad route choice, which was reinforced by x3 people quickly passing me out (I also have the garmin data to back this up!).
When I did cross country races at school I use to hate the repetitiveness of laps. Now as a club runner I really appreciate the atmosphere that can be created on courses with multiple laps as the spectators see everyone pass regularly and can see who’s moving forward/backward through the field. From encouragement, to positional information, and motivational slogans, who knew laps in the muck could create such a exciting buzz?
With the results being held by Athletics Ireland for now, I don’t have any to report. What I can say is that each lap my split times were slight slower than the previous, however I was slowing down less than most which meant I was making up a lot of places each lap. Maybe getting boxed early on in worked in my favour…..
The Sportsworld ‘Meet & Train’ ladies were back in action again last Sunday, and we had a new recruit. Namely, Atiyah. When looking up this unique name, the dictionary informs me that it means ‘gift’, ‘modest’, ‘caring’, ‘beautiful in appearance’, ‘always cares for others’. Hhhmmmm, interesting. The weather forecasters had warned us that this “beautiful” stormy presence would be making herself felt during the weekend, and we ‘Meet and Train’ ladies, and all the supporters on the day, certainly felt her colder and perhaps less “caring” side! It was bitterly cold!
The ‘Meet and Train’ race series is a brilliant opportunity for all female runners to meet in a friendly, less pressured race environment. There is a light-hearted rivalry between clubs. Of course we all want to do well, and we enter each race hoping to do really well, but I think the focus really is on taking part, being part of a team and of course, getting to enjoy the chat, tea and gorgeous cakes and biscuits afterwards! The hosting club also have a raffle where all runners race numbers are randomly selected and the lucky winners receive books, running gear and all sorts of gizmos and gadgets.
So, to the race itself. All ‘Meet and Train’ races are two miles long. Sunday was the second in a series of four races. Sportsworld are currently holding second position in the club charts. Crusaders Athletic Club hosted this race. The two mile course consisted of a figure eight like route in Irishtown, with beautiful views of Sandymount beach to distract us from Atiyah’s brisk wind and cutting cold temperature! We all got off to a flying start with the winner of this race setting a very fast pace from beginning to end. We had such wonderful support throughout.
Okay, maybe not quite that many. But we did have the ever supportive and super encouraging Emily and Myles cheering us on, along with Olive, David and Padraic. Thank you!
Once we got to the finish line and cheered on all the runners as they made their way to race completion/body-numbness/near collapse……..we gathered our belongings and made our way to the ‘Star of the Sea’ National school, where a banquet of cakes, biscuits and hot teas and coffees were laid out. Atiyah was a distant memory. Well not quite. Being soaked through and wearing wet runners was a pointed reminder that our stormy friend hadn’t quite left us!
By 11.30am, the race was over and we could return home with a perk in our step having completed our second ‘Meet and Train’ race in rather testing conditions! All runners had really strong performances and Sportsworld continue to be a leading club in the ratings. It must be said that the club Christmas party was the night before in a local Indian restaurant……there is a lot to be said for a Tikka Masala pre-race!
Congrats to Sportsworld on yet another fine racing day! Our next ‘Meet and Train’ day out is on January 19th, hosted by ‘Brothers Pearse’ followed by the fourth and final race of the series in Abbotstown on February 9th.
We might even find a singlet for Atiyah. Judging by her strength and gritty display last weekend, she could be quite the asset on the racing circuit!
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