This past Wednesday evening, 18th of July, 1500 runners turned out to take part in the 10th-anniversary Liberties Fun Run in aid of St James’s Hospital. This unique 4-mile timed road race took participants through the heart of old Dublin. The race started and finished in the beautiful grounds of the Irish Royal Hospital Kilmainham. The route took in some of the most famous sites throughout the Liberties including St James’s Gate, Francis Street, The Coombe , and Fatima.

As a location to start a race on a summer evening, the 17th Century Irish Royal Hospital Kilmainham stands alone. There is no running venue in Dublin, or Ireland, like it. An event, concert, and museum it invariably impreses everyone that passes through its gates. This race is on many peoples favorites list, with Gavin Finlay being a former winner in the early years.

At 1 PM yesterday I was a little torn, should I do the graded or should I do the liberties? When I saw that Karol and Gavin were both running I decided it was worth doing the Liberties. After running a 10 miler and 5K race on Saturday, followed by 28K run in the Waterworks on Sunday morning, my legs were a little tired.

A good long warm-up was needed an hour before the race. I ran into a few familiar faces but my usual pre-race ritual is to stick the headphones in and get moving. When doing you’re warm-up your always on the lookout for some faces. You get to know the guys that are going to beat you and the ones that you can run with. It was great to have 4 Sportsworld vests up there yesterday with myself, Karol, Martin, and Gavin, on the start line. Sportsworld runners were out in force on a fine summers evening.

Freddy who runs with Raheny was the clear winner before the race started, despite jokingly telling me that he was bitten by a dog whilst doing his cool down the night before. The race went off on time. The starts have lots of twists and turn so it tends to be quite slow. There was a group of 15-20 runners for the first kilometer as the pace was slow, around 3.45 pace. As we came out the gates of the Hospital it was clear that Freddy was looking for an easy run with a slow pace. I would have been frustrated to finish in a slow time and not give it a go. I decided that rather than run behind Freddy I would keep pushing forward to move the pace on. As the pace got faster the number in the group dwindled. By the time we got out onto Thomas Street, there was only Gavin, Karol, Freddy and Myself.

The race almost came to a stop at the Robert Emmet Memorial with a line of cars blocking the road, luckily the police cleared them just in time.As we ran past Vicar street we swung a sharp right and entered a downhill section. I was still feeling good and happy with the pace. A quick look at the watch and I was running 3.05. It was time to back off a bit as there was still 3.4K to go. It was from there that Freddy started to stretch away. Karol was still just behind so I kept my focus on the man in front and tried to maintain 3.10 pace. The support on sections of the course was fantastic with kids running alongside and people shouting from the sidewalk.

We turned the corner up by the Guinness Storehouse and a quick glance behind showed I had about a 25 meter lead on Karol in 3rd. For me, the toughest part of the course was up along Fatima. Your battling the fact that you have 2K to go, the guy in front is quite far ahead and hoping you don’t hear the breathing or cheers for the guy behind. When I got to the top of the road there is a small uphill section followed by a downhill. I saw Brenda and Anna supporting. As I went past they weren’t calling out for Karol yet so I just wanted to focus on maintaining or closing, the gap on Freddy.

There were a few confusing parts of the course round South Circular road. It was a very long straight. After another 800m we turned a sharp right and headed back for the gates off the Hospital. One more uphill to get through before you get the first glimpse of the tree-lined finish straight. When I got sight of the finish line there was 300M to go and the clock was ticking toward 20.15. On very tired legs it took an almighty effort to cross the line in 20.57. I hadn’t had the chance to catch a breath but turnaround to see Karol finish in 3rd, followed by Gavin in 4th, who seemed very upset that there was no prize for 4th.  Eoin disguised as Martin got a PB in 7th. He’s flying with all the training.

There were great runs from the girls also with Mary Finn coming 1st and Maura 2nd. Maura described it as her crowning moment in athletics.  Just behind in 4th was Andrea who claims she would have run faster if she’d known Maura was just ahead. A bit of rivalry there I think! Well done to the ladies.

I’m sure there were some more PB’s good runs that I didn’t hear about as I had to go back to work whilst others were going for a cold beer. All of the proceeds from the 2018 Liberties Fun Run go to the Gynae Cancer Care Appeal to fund an Ambulatory Care Unit at St James’s Hospital. Pints of Arthur’s new alcohol-free beverages were on hand for the thirsty runners.

A great race and highly recommended for 2019.

Thanks to Olive and Deirdre for making up the results they couldn’t find.

Last night was the 2nd last track graded meet of 2018 and we had perfect conditions for the 200m, 400m and 1500m races. Up first was Adam Moss who did both the 200m and 400m races recording some very fast times.

Next was Sinead Tangney making her track race debut in the 1500m. Then Diarmuid, Conor and myself in the 1500m, just before the sun went down, with Diarmuid recording a PB improving each time he has done the 3 x 1500m races over the summer.

Thanks again to Emily and Myles for the support and Maria Jones who job was to make sure Sportsworld runners got to the race starts on time.

Adam Moss – 26.51 – 200m

– 59.41 – 400m

Sinead Tangney – 5.02 – 1500m

Michael Cunningham – 4.36 – 1500m

Diarmuid O Suilleabhain – 4.51 – 1500m

Conor Keating  – 5.06 – 1500m

Report by Mark Herffernan

Friday the 13th can be ominous to some but to the three Musketeers, Jose, Marc and Jean it was they hoped the start of an adventure culminating in the Bere Island Midsummer 10k!

Following a leisurely journey down with the ubiquitous stop for coffee and cake, they arrived in Glengarriff situated at the top of the beautiful Beara peninsula. Following check in at the wonderful Eccles Hotel they went for the first of three swims! Jean and Marc showed Jose that the only way to swim in the Atlantic is to count to three, dive in and then swear!! Glengarriff was relatively quiet on Friday evening, presumably everyone was getting an early night for the big run the next day!

Saturday dawned and was a little overcast or so they thought until they returned that evening and realised they were all sunburnt! After a good healthy breakfast the Musketeers headed down the peninsula towards Castletownbere to catch the ferry to Bere Island, stopping to pick up some bananas en route! There was a healthy turnout of runners waiting to catch the ferry and while most were content to leave the car behind, the three Musketeers decided to bring their car across which required a tricky reversing manoeuvre onto the ferry to be one of three cars allowed on. Once on the ferry they realised that they were going to be part of something special as everyone was chatting and in great spirits! This was slightly dampened following the ferry’s first attempt to make land as low tide meant she had to go to another slipway where we managed to hang on until all cars and passengers were off safely.

Registration completed , Jose, Jean and Marc stopped to take in the amazing views from the island. Bere Island has a population of about 200 and there were plenty of volunteers out helping on the day. There was a 5k race which went off first and then they lined up for the start of the 10k to start ten minutes after the 5k. Having received their instructions from the race director they were off!!

The race consisted of 2 5k loops of one end of the island. The first 2.5k was pretty hilly and didn’t allow for much time to take in the amazing coves and views on the way. The second 2.5k started a little more downhill. However just when they thought they were safe there was another little sneaky hill. Luckily this was followed by a lovely downhill section into the village of Rerrin where there was great support to cheer them on to the 2nd 5k loop and all those lovely hills again.

Jose ran a blinder of a race to come in fifth overall in a great time of 43:13 followed by Marc and Jean in ninth and tenth in times of 44:13 and 44:20. Three top ten finishes!! After catching their breath all three retired to the local GAA clubhouse where there was a great spread of sandwiches and cake!! This was followed by races for kids from ages 6-13 in different groups. The craic was so good, the three musketeers didn’t want to leave! They all commented that the race was very well organized with lots of water stations along the way and the directions were crystal clear.

Following a very quick spin around the island it was time unfortunately for the ferry back to the mainland. There was a real carnival atmosphere on the ferry!! Following disembarkation there was just enough time for a swim right at the end of the peninsula and then home for a hot shower and great slap up feast in the hotel washed down with some well earned pints!

Although Sunday morning was rainy, Jose, Marc and Jean managed to get another perfect swim in before reluctantly saying goodbye to this wonderful part of Ireland!!

The general consensus on the drive back was that it had been one of the most enjoyable races they had ever done! The views, sea and all the amazing people they met along the way ensured a truly special and memorable weekend! It is already in the diary for next year!!

Report by Carmel Dolan

The Athletics Ireland 10-miler took place in the Phoenix Park on Saturday last, and what a hot morning it was!

I collected Bronwyn and Anne at 8.45 and we set off on our road trip to take on this daunting task.

As we knew in advance it was going to be a warm one, we drank water by the gallon (literally), apparently Irish water are pursuing Bronwyn having noticed the spike in her usage!

All the red and white singlets gathered around the start chatting about going out slowly and drinking water at the stations, but not me – I snook off down to the back like a BOLDIKOVA to regroup by myself as I get very anxious at the start of a race, and particularly for this race as I hadn’t run 10 miles since 2011.

My longest run this year has been Carol’s Monday night plod in Bushy of 5.5 miles so my challenge was definitely the distance rather than the speed.

Bronwyn had said she would use it as her long run and run with me which was so nice of her, but I didn’t want to hold her back (sorry for sneaking off Bronwyn!)

Most of my fellow runners who gathered around at the start are regulars at the Sunday long run (while I’m at Mass) so they knew they had the legs to go the distance.

There was a slight delay at the start which played havoc with my nerves, then, after about 10 mins, we were off. I decided to stay with the 90 min pacers which was fine up until mile 4, and then I could feel my face getting burnt from the sun and knew that I was catching a few extra freckles! I had to ease back slightly and not think about all the uphill that was ahead of us. I was feeling ok until mile 8 where I had to stop and drink a full bottle of water and as I started up again I was seizing up like an old rusty tractor, but to my delight Maeve came up behind me encouraging me to push on and squirted water all over me (thanks Maeve!) I lost the 90 mins balloon but didn’t mind too much as at this stage I only had 2 miles left and, much to my amazement, I was gonna finish this 10 miler. I was completely buzzed running to the finish line screaming and sprinting at the same time!!

Race reporter Carmel

I sought out all the SportsWorlders to see how everyone had found it and it turned out they all pretty much ran together and used each other for pacing the whole race, which was great and very rarely happens.

Anne Sweeney ran an absolute blinder of a race as like me she hadn’t run the distance in quite some time and has been suffering injuries is just back and back with a bang so watch this space!

Val Power is seriously some operator – out gallivanting with Bruno on Thursday and able to boom out a great 10 miler – you’re just awesome!!

Maria Finnegan also ran a great race even though she was feeling a bit under the weather.

Bronwyn ran a super race  – and I’m glad I didnt hold you back!

Conor Kenny (CK) – well, where do I start – It all started with a BIG BANG!

I think I may finally need to do a long run, what do you think? After the gallons of water we drank at the start CK had to make a pit? stop after 400m into the race – I think he skipped the first 2 miles! Well done Conor you ran a fine race.

Olive (the non-runner) ran a terrific race and also hadn’t run the 10 miles before, so well done – you did amazing!

Well done to Anne, Mary, Audrai, Eileen, Emer, Derrick, Sean, Ray who ran brilliant races.

Finally superb running by  Garrett Murran who belted home in 57 mins (this meant I was only at the 10k mark when Garrett was finishing!)

Sorry if I left anyone out! Results can be found on Myrunresults.com.

Afterwards, we retired to the Visitors centre where we had coffee, cake, and considerable banter.

Overall it was a great day out and although the race itself was pure torture, I guess the whole raceday experience made it very worthwhile!

Sportsworld results:

11th Gareth MURRAN 00:57:19
12th Enda KERIN 00:57:28
29th Sadanand MAGEE 01:01:10
67 Ciara BRADY 01:07:28
92 Conor KEATING 01:09:38
99 Paul HAMILTON 01:10:25
102 Dermot BROSNAN 01:10:28
107 Sean DONEGAN 01:11:01
149 Karl SHEVLIN 01:13:58
207 Stephanie BERGIN 01:17:47
290 Katie NUGENT 01:19:19
302 Derrick LONG 01:20:01

370 Simone DI RICO 01:23:28

Ray CARPENTER 01:23:00
372 Eileen ROWLAND 01:23:48

397 Mary Colclough 01:24:33

419 Emer CASEY 01:25:30
425 Bronwyn MURPHY WHITE 01:25:42
429 Maria FINNEGAN 01:26:04
445 Anne BELTON 01:26:39
454 Olive FOGARTY 01:26:58
488 Conor KENNY 01:28:14
492 Kieran LONG 01:29:52
493 Mary O’HARE 01:28:40
516 Valerie POWER 01:29:16

606 Carmel DOLAN 01:32:56

621 Meave KEANE 01:31:42
757 Audrai O’DRISCOLL 01:39:26
855 Sean O’BYRNE 01:40:17

The ‘Day of Irish PBS’ was the inaugural running event organized by Pop Up Races, taking place on Saturday 14th July 2018. The venue of Le Cheile, Leixlip, Co. Kildare provided the perfect backdrop for this unique and competitive day of exciting athletics. The international level track is rarely used but provided the perfect setting for the event. Beginning at 2 PM, the first paced race (25 minutes) started proceedings. Each race then got one minute faster, with 2 pacers in each.

On the road or the cross, you have ups and downs but running 5K on the track requires an increase in concentration. You have 12.5 laps over which to pace yourself. The idea behind having an experienced pacer is that they take all the hassle out of having to do that for yourself. That allows you to focus on the race and use up less energy up.

Saturday was probably the warmest day in July so far and temperatures of 25 degrees come 4 PM. This meant there wasn’t going to be too many personal bests out there. There were tonnes of small water bottles being handed out on each lap. Something some of the bigger races could learn from. You cant properly drink out of cups when running at speed.

I arrived fresh as a daisy from the Irish Runner 10 mile. I had wanted to run the Bere 10K, but when training for the marathon you have to make some sacrifices. My plan was only to take some photos and enjoy the sunshine, despite having my running gear on. I saw Will Greensymyth and fiance, Siobhan, doing their warm-up and had my arm twisted to jump in the 16.30 race. Five minutes later I had a had handed over my money, had a bright orange t-shirt on me and was starting the warm-up shuffle. It was quite the shuffle! but the 16.30 pace is comfortable so I’m all for taking a few risks. Nothing can substitute experience. Tom and Neil, having run earlier were giving is socks, shouting at the runners, regretting their decision to drive and not have free beer. The atmosphere was excellent, tunes were pumping, crowds cheering and post-race beers flowing.

There was around 15 in my race. 5 doing the 16.30 and the remainder doing the 17.00, paced by Mick Clohisey. The pacing was perfect 80 seconds a lap through 2K. I was sitting in 4th for the first 2K and trying to bridge the gap between the group behind and the pacer in front, to bring the guys and gal back up. When running comfortably its much easier to play with form, tactics etc. Getting a tiny bit faster for the next kilometer I found myself in 3rd with the pacer and 2nd place runner starting to pull away. With 2K to go, it was time to put an injection of pace in whilst the legs were still feeling ok. Sitting in second the pacer was asking if I was comfortable? ‘Great job keeps going’ I replied. We got to the line with 800 (2 laps to go) we were two seconds off the pace. Will and Tom were on the sidelines telling me to go now, but legs were starting to feel fatigued. We got around for the final time and were 10 seconds off, what happened. The cheers and atmosphere were fantastic at this point with the 100+ people all standing around the finish line cheering us on in the summer sun. Normally this would be time to stick the afterburners on but there wasn’t too much there. A small injection of pace with and then the legs went. To his credit, the pacer kept shouting at me to go again. Getting within 50 meters of the line I could see the clock ticking ever closer to 16.30. Crossing the line in 16.28 was a great feeling. The last lap in 68 was tough going! You can see who consistent the pacing was below.

# Measurement Lap
1 0:00:41,35 0:00:41,35
2 0:02:03,04 0:01:21,68
3 0:03:21,80 0:01:18,76
4 0:04:39,47 0:01:18,66
5 0:05:57,96 0:01:19,49
6 0:07:18,01 0:01:20,05
7 0:08:40,66 0:01:20,64
8 0:10:02,06 0:01:20,40
9 0:11:22,34 0:01:20,27
10 0:12:42,79 0:01:20,44
11 0:14:02,07 0:01:20,27
12 0:15:19,87 0:01:17,80
13 0:16:28,33 0:01:08,45

Whether you are a 15 minute 5k runner or a 35 minute 5k runner, this event is superb and I give it a glowing recommendation as you chase that new 5k personal best in 2019!

Full results are on the website and more photos https://www.popupraces.ie/day-of-irish-pbs-2018

Tom 21.39
Adrian 22.003
Gareth 16.28
Siobhan 17.15
Will DNF due to injury
Neil DNS

The third last graded track race took place in Morton Stadium last night. Being the 4th of July someone decided to set a truck close to the stadium on fire and it was an unusual setting as runners in the early races had to contend not only with the summer heat but some pretty bad smoke fumes.

Of course this did not phase any of our track runners with Margaret relishing the fact she was the only Sportsworld girl competing and the Sportsworld men eager to take on the 800m sprint and the 12.5 lap marathon.

There are only 2 more graded track races left in the season so if it was your New Years resolution to try a graded track race in 2018 get a group together and enter the race.

Margaret Crowley 800m 2.43

Martin Keenan 800m 2.18

Timothy Morahan 800m 2.23

Stephen O Donnell 5000m 16.37

Gareth Murran 5000m 16.38

Michael Cunningham 5000m 17.16

Justin McKeever 5000m 18.10

Conor Keating 5000m 19.01

Report by Liam Lenehan Wednesday 3rd July

Not realizing that he was this weeks email editor I made the mistake of messaging Jose from Chamonix to tell him that his fellow countryman, hero and world numéro uno trail runner Killian Jornet, had just won his 5th Marathon du Mont Blanc. Thrilled as he was to hear the news live from the Alps, I had of course walked myself into a race report.

To the race – many of you probably know of the UTMB which happens in August in Chamonix (Eoin Keith told me he will race it again this year) but the iconic Alps town also has the Marathon du Mont Blanc weekend of trail running every June. The centre piece is of course the Marathon (42k with 3,000 metres of ascent, which Killian won in 3h:54) but the festival also includes an 90k/3,000 metres race, the Cross (my race) with 1,650 metres, a 10k/350 metres and the notorious Vertical KM! (1k straight up 3.8k of switchbacks from the town centre to the Brevent ski station – winners time was 35mins). A favourite for the spectators is the recently added Duo Étoile (17k/1200m) where you run as a pair and must finish together. It starts at dusk so the waiting crowds back in the town can watch the runners making their way down through the valley forests by dint of the pairs of head torches/stars.

10,000 runners and probably another 5,000 supporters from across the globe invade Chamonix for the long weekend creating an incredible atmosphere in the town. 2,000 took on the Cross at 8am on a beautiful but already very warm sunny Saturday morning. Starting from Chamonix town (on the valley floor but already at 1035m) our route climbed steadily towards the upper Chamonix valley, progressively passing through the alpine hamlets of Les Bois and Lavancher before reaching Argentière (1250m). We passed the lower ski stations for Grand Montets and Le Tour and reached the half way point and feeding/watering station (distance not time as the steepest climbs were still to come) in the hamlet of Tré le Champ, a pretty village based right before the Col des Montets. From there we hit the Balcon Sud (south balcony trail with amazing views of the valley and Mont Blanc). The final watering point is at Flegere ski station (1850m) from where you take on the final push to the summit at Brevent (2016m).

As you can gather from the race profile, this race is up, up and more up so pacing is critical as is hydration and keeping cool. The heat frazzles the brain as well as the body. My camel pack takes a litre and between filling it and drinking at the stations, I reckon I drank 4+ litres though the race. We were encouraged to avail of the mountain streams to cool down and soak your cap/bandana. Sunglasses were a must.

The trail is both beautiful and challenging. From steep climbs where you are hiking to fast technical downhills (I had one fall but no cuts, just bruised!), from open mountainside narrow stoney paths to deep forest single tracks and even a few snow drifts in the higher shaded sections, the Cross has super variety.

Winning man was 2h:17 and first woman came home in 3h:07. For the record I finished in 4h:04 which earned me position 476 out of the 2,000 runners and 40th out of 160 in the V2 H category (over 50s!). Amazingly, my time was within 22 seconds of last years but 100+ places better. Definitely the last few weeks unforeseen but ideal training in the Irish heat prepped me for the Chamonix temperatures. This was my third year in a row getting a race entry (you enter a lottery draw for race entries the previous October). The challenge doesn’t get any easier but the experience of managing your race in the heat counts bigtime.

Trail racing high in The Alps, beneath Mont Blanc is awesome. Although trail running is not a focus for the club I know from my efforts at it before joining Sportsworld two years ago that I wouldn’t be fit for the races I take on now without the support of Myles and Emily and training with all of you who put up with my chatter around Bushy, the track and The Park. Special mention for the Sportsworld IMRA gang who run up and down the Wicklow hills and Mount Leinster with me, Michael for picking me (have you noticed his twisted arm!) on his Wicklow Way Relay Team and all you guys on the team for your encouragement, and last but not least my fellow Sportsworld Masters buddies who inspire and motivate (your words Jim) me from week to week.

Liam

Ps. Thanks if that’s what one can call it to Michael O’Grady for his physical/pain! therapy the day before I travelled and his ongoing sessions which prepare my aging legs for and helps them recover from the tough ones.