With the demise of the legendary Ballycotton 10 after 40 successful years I found myself searching for a replacement race. I’d heard a lot of good things about the John Treacy race in Dungarvan Co. Waterford so I signed up as soon as it opened.

This turned out to be a good thing as the race sold out its 2000+ entries in one day. Anyway the big day rolled around and with 1.30pm start it meant plenty of time to get down from Dublin on the morning of the race.

There was some fairly biblical weather leaving Dublin but the weather got better the further south I went. By the time I reached Dungarvan it had warmed up to a balmy 8 degrees and was dry. Perfect running conditions.

Not knowing much about the route I didn’t really have any plan for this race except to try and set a good pace from the start and stick with it as long as I could.

The race starts with a small loop around the town before heading out along some nice country roads and back into Dungarvan. There are not much hills here but a few inclines here and there.

Once we came to halfway I was settling into a nice rhythm and started to push on. Around the 8 mile mark we head back out onto the main road where we are greeted with a strong head wind and the toughest part of the race.

Once through this section its back in towards the town and a final push towards the finish. I manage to muster a last bit of energy to give a little sprint to the finish.

My finish time of 67:04 is a good 4 mins faster than my 10 Mile race last August so I’m delighted with my result. After the race we get the famous T-shirt and goodie bag and head back to the hall for a pretty impressive post-race spread of goodies.

All in all this is a very good race, very nice course and we got very lucky with the weather. There is good support and everything is very well organised by West Waterford AC. The only downside is the 2 hour drive each way.

Sportsworld Results:

Will Greensmyth 1:05:12

Adrian Lanigan 1:07:03

Emma Barry 1:14:56

Madeline Byrne 1:20:25

Will Martin Smith

I woke up on Sunday feeling a bit sick and with what I thought must be tired legs from ‘Hills & Sprints’ on Tuesday. Delighted to have my excuses all lined up, I tucked into my first breakfast of the morning. 3pm races have their upsides after all!
Many hours and much faffing later, I was late-ish so I missed all the pre-race facilities and fun. After what was, frankly, a poor warm up, I arrived at the start feeling surprisingly good and hoping to bump into a non-running somebody to mind my phone and car key. I was advised to throw them into Lucy’s van at the start line. Thanks Lucy!
I joined a crafty gang of Sportsworld runners who had managed to break apart the sturdily built start cordon and we slipped into the front of the throng ready for the race. Good spirits all round, ready for the gun.

What giving 110% looks like

The race started and we set off at a good clip, downhill towards the sea. The crowd around us thinned out fairly swiftly and I settled into my stride. As I was a bit unsure where I was fitness wise, the plan was to go out quickly, blow up and then struggle over the line. The second and third parts of the plan were executed perfectly.

We had great support all round the course from the Raheny residents and supporters. The three toddlers on their little chairs, sitting like auld fellas at a cattle mart, running the rule over the field on All Saints Road was a personal highlight. On the way back up All Saints Road, I heard Emily and Myles shouting what I took to be encouragement. It may just have been the first part of an unheard threat, but whatever it was, I went bouncing on down the course with ‘Go on Will’ ringing in my ears. Plenty more ‘Go on Sportsworld’ shouts around the course helped to hoover up the miles.

Train of pain

The course was flat enough with little wind to speak of so conditions were ideal for hard running. So hard in fact, that I went out too quickly and lost a good bit of ground over the last mile. The park section and especially the out and back part were difficult as the noise of the finish is easily audible yet still disturbing far off. For all that, I did manage a modest burst of pace coming down the straight and finished under my goal time of 32 minutes.

Elsewhere, the massive Sportsworld crew of nearly 50 runners seemed to have had a successful day out. By my count we had 7 men coming home under 30 minutes, led by Michael in 28.21. In the women’s race, Maria Jones, Catherine Bambrick and Ciara Brady finished in 18th, 20th & 26th places respectively, which must surely have been worth a team medal. Lots of happy faces afterwards seemed to confirm that we had lots of runners pleased with their times.

The power of letters of complaint

The racing done, we all retired to our respective homes to sit in the dark and gorge on the outrageous amount of protein chocolate in the finishers’ swag bags which was presumably hijacked by Raheny AC from a truck coming out of Dublin Port.
Being a recent joiner (hence being collared to do this report at the start) I may not know everyone’s name yet but it was great to see so many Sportsworld singlets out on the roads of Raheny. We’ve got a good road race marker set down now, so work hard and smash those times! Well done everyone who raced and see you at training.

Reports by Adélie Reinaudo and Enda Kerin

Photos by Sandra Gowran and Neil Purdy

Report by Adélie Reinaudo

Last Sunday was the cross country in Dunboyne.

Not an easy race: muddy in a farmer field with many holes which made it even more difficult. Moreover, the cold weather and wind were present to make it more challenging !

4 races for our incredible runners and they did amazing:

• Gold medal for the women master Team- 4k (2 laps)
• Bronze one for the men master team- 6k (3laps)
• Silver for the women intermediate team- 4k (2 laps)
• And bronze for intermediate men!- 8k (4 laps)

Many people from the club were present with an amazing support for all the races.

Next step? One more cross country to go: the national championship the 11th of February in Galway county.

Report by  Enda Kerin

The Pre-Race

Sunday 14^th January – Leinster Intermediate and Masters Championships had been etched on the clubhouse whiteboard since late November and after the success in Raheny last week, I knew there would be no room for the “too many mince pies” excuse a fortnight into the new year. After a light Saturday morning session at which Myles distributed the bib numbers to those present, for fear of a repeat of the Raheny rush, it was time for my favourite part of any race weekend, unwarranted carb-loading.

Half a loaf of multigrain bread (choosing the healthier option being January and all) the heavier, I awoke on Sunday to a glorious sun-filled morning – I must have overslept, I haven’t woken up to sunlight since the clocks went back in October. After a thorough stretch and foam roll, followed by more carbohydrates, I rocked up to the club at 11:30. Michael approached me with the now infamous lead-in, “you haven’t done a race report yet, have you?” He sweetened the deal by offering me a lift to the Royal County, assuring me that with the numbers we had running, I would have plenty of material to write about – and he wasn’t wrong!

Step 1: Set up the Gazebo

Arguably the only thing more successful than Sportsworld’s Masters teams in Raheny last weekend was the appearance of the tent and club flag. Travelling with Michael meant that I, Karl and Paul were fortunate enough to be the select few chosen to avail of the offer to receive free training on how to put the gazebo up. Unfortunately, such training was not provided and the three of us, along with Myles and Karol, illustrated a clear incompetence in basic gazebo-assembling matters. As we attempted to open the gazebo “like an accordion”, I couldn’t help but think of a certain scene featuring Eddie Kaspbrak from It (2017), but as this is a family-friendly report I will not elaborate any further.

By the time the gazebo was up, the majority of runners had arrived and it wasn’t long until the warm-up laps and strides commenced in earnest. “Nice course, muddy in the middle part of the 2km-lap” was the general consensus. “Great”, I thought, “sure there are only three races to go off before the Intermediate men get to do their four laps, it won’t be messy at all after the 158 masters men and co. complete their sacrament of penance”.

Step 2: Race

First off were the Masters Women. As always, Sportsworld fielded a very strong team and took home the Club gold in the O35 category! Next up were the Masters Men, featuring a transatlantic visitor, Gavin, eager to add some cross country miles to that relentless Boston training plan. It turned out to be worth the trip as Sportsworld took home the Club bronze with Karol finishing a strong fourth and also making the Dublin team that took County gold. The Intermediate women followed, Kate running strong as ever and battling illness to finish a fighting fourth and lead the club to a silver medal to add to her Dublin County silver. A special shoutout to Ciara also, who wasted no time in picking up her first medal for the club having only joined a couple of weeks back!

Finally, it was the Intermediate men’s turn to shine. Or rather, Diarmuid’s. As Kevin, Diarmuid and I stood in the unwavering gazebo commenting on how windy and cold it was, Emily’s voice came shouting from afar – the race was starting. Having flirted briefly with the idea of missing the start of the race – it would make great material for my race report – I ran to the line after Kevin. Diarmuid took a more leisurely approach, deciding it was now the opportune time to put on his club singlet before the adoring masses. As Emily audaciously stood in front of the field in an effort to delay the race, Diarmuid decided to join us and just about managed to slot in with the rest of the Sportsworld squad before the gun went and we took off.

I had planned on taking the first lap easy and picking up the pace from there, but then I remembered that I usually don’t make plans because I rarely stick to them. With the adrenaline flowing, Paul shouted at me to hold back and warned that I was up too far. This is undoubtedly one of the best things about Sportsworld; the sharing of wisdom and advice from excellent runners that comes when you need it the most. Pulling back and choosing to sit on the shoulder of others proved the right move as I ran an even-paced race and didn’t instantaneously combust at the end, as has been known to happen. As always, the shouts for Sportsworld runners were the loudest and made the mid-race slog all the more bearable, knowing that the next shout of support was never more than a couple of hundred metres away. Another race, and another Club medal: a further bronze illustrating that Myles’ Men still have a bit to go to catch up to Emily’s Golden Girls!

Step 3: Eat

Gazebo disassembled (I chose to sit this out and strategically went on a cool-down lap with the now fully-clothed Diarmuid), next stop on the Sportsworld agenda was Avoca (note that other cafés, food halls and handweavers are available). Carbs and chats with the rest of the club-members proved a great end to another successful day in Sportsworld land and as I attempted to run (read: hobble) out the door after Michael for fear of missing my lift home, I thought about the apt words of Zátopek – that I definitely didn’t have to google when compiling this report – (again, other search engines are available), “I was unable to walk for a whole week after that, so much did the race take out of me. But it was the most pleasant exhaustion I have ever known.”

Sportsworld Results

Intermediate Women
4th Kate KELLY 00:15:47 (Team Silver medal & Silver medal on Dublin Team)
13th Ciara BRADY 00:16:48 (Team Silver medal)
18th Adelie REINAUDO 00:17:02  (Team Silver medal)
19 Naoise WALDRON 00:17:04 (Team Silver medal)
26 Catherine MULLEADY 00:17:38
33 Deirdre O’CONNELL 00:18:20
36 Katie NUGENT 00:18:52

Intermediate Men
4th Enda KERIN 00:28:11 (Team Bronze medal & Silver medal on Dublin Team)
22nd Mark HOGAN 00:31:06 (Team Bronze medal)
23rd Andrew BRETT 00:31:14 (Team Bronze medal)
24 Kevin CURRAN 00:31:32 (Team Bronze medal)
27 Diarmuid O’SULLEABHAIN 00:32:25
33 Damien GERAGHTY 00:34:12
35 Conor KEATING 00:34:37

Masters Women
8th Catherine BAMBRICK 00:16:02 (Team Gold Medal & Dublin Silver Medal)
9th Ruth KELLY 00:16:08 (Team Gold Medal & Dublin Silver Medal)
11 Aoife O’LEARY 00:16:17 (Team Gold Medal & Bronze medal in age category)
26 Stephanie BERGIN 00:17:16
45 Anna DELANEY 00:18:21
46 Eileen BUTLER 00:18:27
65 Lucy DARCY 00:19:10
77 Eileen ROWLAND 00:19:50 (Gold medal in age category)
79 Irene O’CONNOR 00:19:59
82 Ellen LAVIN 00:20:58 (Bronze medal in age category)
83 Siobhan CLARKE 00:21:07
90 Audrai O’DRISCOLL 00:22:37
91 Aileen MELODY 00:22:44

Masters Men
4th Karol-David CRONIN 00:20:32 (Team Bronze medal and Dublin Team Gold Medal)
13th Gareth MURRAN 00:21:07 (Team Bronze medal)
24 Phil KILGANNON 00:21:42 (Team Bronze medal)
30 Gavin FINLAY 00:22:03 (Team Bronze medal)
44 Michael CUNNINGHAM 00:22:30
57 Paul O’CONNELL 00:23:07
58 Justin MCKEEVER 00:23:08
67 Derek SEVILLE 00:23:25
79 Alan HYNES 00:23:59
83 Martin KEENAN 00:24:17
85 Ronan MASTERSON 00:24:22
97 John DWYER 00:24:34
103 Edward MCENTEE 00:24:48
104 Joe BYRNE 00:24:49
106 Noel TOBIN 00:24:56
112 Martin DOYLE 00:25:11
116 Jose CHAPA 00:25:40
125 Declan BRADY 00:26:03
128 Aidan CURRAN 00:26:16
129 Mark HEFFERNAN 00:26:18
132 Karl SHEVLIN 00:26:23
139 John FLAHERTY 00:27:03
142 Paul HAMILTON 00:27:09
143 Adrian LANIGAN 00:27:16
148 Padraic MORAN 00:28:34
153 Ray CARPENTER 00:29:33 (Bronze medal in age category)

Race reports by Grainne Lynch and Andrew Brett

Photos by Catherine Mulleady and MyRunResults.com

Grainne Lynch

Sunday January 7th saw 58 Sprotsworlders descend on St. Anne’s Park for the Dublin Masters Cross Country championship. After my dismal cross country debut at the Meet &Train this time last year I vowed never, ever again to take part in one.  I forgot to inform Myles of this vow and arrived at training just before Christmas to find he had already entered me!

I picked Irene up and we discussed race strategies – we had 2. Give it socks from the beginning and see how far we get before blowing up or take it easy at the beginning and try to pick up pace and make up ground in the second half. I went with option 1 and I didn’t get far before blowing up, 1500 metres to be exact. We were so busy discussing this that I took a wrong turn and ended up at the wrong side of the park. As we were jogging around aimlessly in a panic we were relieved to bump into a few other lost Sportsworlders. Martin Doyle and Thomas Kinsella among them, strolling around as if out for a Sunday ramble not like they were in danger of missing the entire race!

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Panic over we spotted the Sportsworld flag in the distance. Numbers pinned, spikes tried out on a few strides and were off! The course was relatively flat, the ground not too muddy and there was only 1 tree trunk to hop over. The sun was shining so conditions were perfect. I have to say, the atmosphere was great and the support from the lads who were waiting to run was really fantastic –  a big shout out also to those not running who turned up to support.  It made a big difference.  I was running alongside Martina until the end of lap one when Myles let out a roar “go on Martina, close the gap there” and that she did.  She found another gear, went off like a rocket and that’s the last I saw of her. Despite all reservations I finished with a smile on my face and had just enough left in me to cheer on the lads. The presentation of medals (Sprotsworld got a good haul) along with tea/coffee took place in the Raheny GAA club after.

Massive congrats to everyone who ran their hearts out! And well done to the teams and individuals who got medals.

Andrew Brett

Since joining the club last August I have managed to avoid running in the cross country events, but my luck finally ran out as somehow Myles found out that I snuck into the M35 category and he sent me a text telling me I was running. It’s hard to argue with a text so I accepted my faith and on Saturday morning I ventured down to Terenure Village to invest in a pair of spikes. The flashy blue and white Adidas spikes almost became an extension to the red & white singlet on Sunday, and it was easy to spot all the newbies in their pristine clean footwear some of which still had the tags on!

Having absolutely zero previous experience with cross country racing I genuinely had no idea what to expect. I sought advice off a few of the more experienced runners and the advice was identical. Don’t go out too fast, don’t get clipped, don’t let any one pass you, & don’t give up.

After arriving in Raheny, and collecting our race numbers, we did a couple of warm up laps to familiarise ourselves with the course before the ladies race started. Michael must have not noticed my brand spanking new pair of runners as half way through a warm up lap he asked me was it my first ever cross country master event. When I told him it was my first ever cross country event of any age/grade/description his eyes lit up as he responded “good for you, you’re writing the race report”. My first rookie error of the day.

The ladies took to the field at 1pm and put in an outstanding performance over the 3km, in what was an extremely fast paced race. Individually they were all excellent, and looked so strong throughout, but collectively as a team they were untouchable romping home to the overall team gold medal. Another fantastic result to add to the novice national gold win from December. There is some serious talent amongst the women in the club at the moment and their success in these events is a testament to that.

Once the ladies race was completed it was our turn so after a few strides we all huddled in a bunch, like penguins sheltering each other from the cold, as Myles gave a rousing motivational speech which was reminiscent of Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday. After that it was race time and as we made our way to the start line it reminded me of the start of the Grand National at Aintree with some thoroughbreds and plenty of donkeys jostling for position at the front.

There was to be no false start and we were away at the first time time of asking. As we trotted off to the first corner the going was good, good to soft in places. The race was 6km, or 3 miles 6 furlongs, and Raheny Shamrocks were the odds on favourites but it was Sportsworld’s own Gareth Murran who took off like Shergar and lead the field out reaching the turn in the lead. I settled in amongst the chasing pack taking on board the advice about not getting clipped whilst trying to get in to some sort of a rhythm. Michael was just a bit ahead of me so my plan was to try keep him in sight. As we approached the first tricky part of the course, Beecher’s Brook, I began to get an understanding as to what a cross country steeplechase was all about. Having safely navigated that we turned in towards the Canal Turn and the then onto the Open Ditch. Myles was at this point screaming at me to catch the group in front. Then the course loops back around and you have to negotiate The Chair, then over the Water Jump and lap 1 of 4 four was completed as 279 stallions hurtled past the grand stand.

Karol “Hedgehunter” Cronin had made a move and was pushing the Raheny geldings all the way, with Shergar Murran in hot persuit. The Sportsworld support was fantastic throughout the course. Will “Mullins” Greensmyth was at the first roaring out words of encouragement, whilst Maria Jones seemed to be at about 8 different places cheering us on. Enda and Neil were out too whilst the fillies, fresh from their victory, were dotted out around the course which really provided motivation to attack the horses in front. Passing by Myles again I heard the usual scream “catch that group in front Andrew”. I’m not sure if he thought it was the same group as the previous lap or if he’s just a tough a task master but either way it worked as I did my best to put in a burst.

Two laps down and two to go. The rest of the race followed in a similar pattern, although the field did spread out a bit more. Going through the last lap it clogged up again as we had to navigate our way past some of the seniors, who I’m sure were looking forward to retiring to stud, whilst trying to earn every last position for your club. With about 800 metres to go I overtook a Colt from Crusaders  who didn’t seem too impressed as he upped the pace. We ended up battling to the finish and with about 100 metres I went to empty the tank leaving him behind and picking off two runners on the home stretch. Race over, lungs burning, and legs feeling more than a bit wobbly.

The Club put in a fantastic effort lead home by “Hedgehunter” Cronin who finished a magnificent third place overall, just a nose behind the two geldings from Raheny (who rumour has it share the same vet as Waterford Crystal so perhaps something untoward might come back in their blood tests). A length back was Shergar Murran who was the next club stallion home, followed by Phil “Rule the World” Kilgannon, with Karl “Silver Birch” Chatterton completing the men’s team top 4. Kevin “Kaoto Star” Curran was 5^th club man home followed by Michael “Mr. Ed” Cunningham in 6^th, and myself in 7^th. In what was a talent packed field Sportsworld provided 13 of the top 100 finishers which on another day could have yielded a team medal but after a stewards enquiry there were a few long faces as we had to settle for 4^th.

Overall it was an enjoyable day out and definitely a different experience than what I’m used to. These days are all about teamwork and running for your club as opposed to running for yourself so it’s a great feeling to put on the singlet (on a cold winters day in January!!!) and represent the club, and also to try give something back to Myles & Emily who are so good to all of us with their time. The ladies are on a roll at the moment, so long may that continue, and there are so many talented male runners in the club that team success can’t be too far away…..

Sportsworld Results

Woman 3k

4th Aoife O’LEARY 00:12:28 (Team Gold Medal and Silver Medal in age category!)
5th Catherine BAMBRICK 00:12:32 (Team Gold Medal and Bronze Medal in age category!)
8th Ruth KELLY 00:12:40 (Team Gold Medal!)
12 Mary FINN 00:13:10 (Team Gold Medal!)
19 Naoise WALDREN 00:13:19
21 Stehanie BERGIN 00:13:22
23 Catherine MULLEADY 00:13:33
33 Deirdre O’CONNELL 00:13:50
63 Anna DELANEY 00:14:35
70 Eileen BUTLER 00:14:48
71 Natalia O’GRADY 00:14:48
80 Martina NOLAN JONES 00:15:09
93 Grainne LYNCH 00:15:31
96 Lucy DARCY 00:15:34
97 Eileen ROWLAND 00:15:35 (Team Silver Medal and Silver Medal in age category!)
98 Bronwyn MURPHY WHYTE 00:15:35
111 Irene O’CONNOR 00:15:50 (Team Silver Medal!)
127 Ellen LAVIN 00:16:29  (Team Silver Medal!)
132 Siobhan CLARKE 00:16:38 (Team Silver Medal!)
139 Ann HIGGINS 00:16:54
145 Audrai O’DRISCOLL 00:17:19

Mens 6k

3rd Karol CRONIN 21.12 (Individual Bronze medal!)
10th Gareth MURRAN 00:21:49
25th Phil KILGANNON 00:22:43
29 Karl CHATTERTON 00:22:53
34 Kevin CURRAN 00:23:08
37 Michael CUNNINGHAM 00:23:18
44 Andrew BRETT 00:23:38
54 Paul O’CONNELL 00:23:54
80 Justin MCKEEVER 00:24:37
82 Martin KEENAN 00:24:42
94 Diarmuid O’SUILLIBHEAN 00:24:59
96 Derek SAVILLE 00:25:00
101 Martin DOYLE 00:25:07
113 Alan HYNES 00:25:21
117 Noel TOBIN 00:25:28
120 Anthony GILLEN 00:25:29
123 Ronan MASTERSON 00:25:41
124 Liam LENEHAN 00:25:42
131 Johnny DWYER 00:25:49
141 Wesley HARRISON 00:25:59
144 Declan BRADY 00:26:00
147 Joe BYRNE 00:26:03
148 Ed MCENTEE 00:26:04
154 Jose CHAPA 00:26:15
185 Paul HAMILTON 00:27:12
188 Karl SHEVLIN 00:27:16
189 Aidan CURRAN 00:27:19
195 Padraig LOOBY 00:27:28
196 Mark HEFFERNAN 00:27:28
217 Adrian LANIGAN 00:27:54
231 Peter KNAGGS 00:28:30
233 John FLAHERTY 00:28:43
240 Padraic MORAN 00:29:13
255 Derek LONG 00:30:03
258 Thomas KINSELLA 00:30:11
259 Ray CARPENTER 00:30:13

Report by Packie Enright

The Annual Caherdavin 10k Run took place on St Stephens Day once again hosted by Limerick Country Club A.C. Weather conditions were ideal, cold but dry, and little or no wind; which meant that the run was enjoyed by all 140 participants. The race also incorporated the Limerick Athletics Association Road Championship.

Representing Sportsworld were myself (Packie Enright) along with Will Greensmyth. It has become a ritual of ours to run this one every St Stephen’s Day, and, despite the cold, most people are more than willing to burn off the previous day’s excesses of food and drink. Results are below:

Full results can be found here http://www.athleticslimerick.com/wp-content/uploads/10k-Results-2017.pdf

Reports by Maria Jone and Michael Cunningham

Photos by Gareth Murran. For the full album: Click here

Maria Jones

Sunday 17th December….the day I was waiting for all season….all year really. After taking part in all the cross country races last year and seeing all the gold medals +success come into the club from Emily’s Golden Girls, I wanted some of this too. I told myself in Dundalk last December after the novice Nationals that next year we could do the same, I wanted one of those medals. A year later…a summer full of injury and in+out of training…determination was going to have to get me through. I’d say the girls were sick of listening to me going on about the Nationals..they were all warned back in September to keep December 17th free,they were needed in Waterford. And what an amazing bunch of girls ran through muck,sweat and hills last Sunday to regain the Novice National Title…theres a new group of Golden Girls on the block.

Off the the changing rooms (they were very posh until we realised the showers were a dribble). We all genuinely didn’t think we had even placed in the team rankings so the presentations weren’t even in our minds. Next thing a text comes through from Gareth saying “ye won”. We seriously thought he was joking,a quick ring and it was confirmed we were Novice National Champs. Well the screams and jumps around the changing room were just gas. We honestly couldn’t believe it. Then Emily runs in with the medals. We were genuinely over the moon. Such a great moment. The New Golden Girls had arrived

Michael Cunningham

Report and photos by Dermot Sullivan

As soon I heard that there was a half marathon taking place in Angkor Wat our travel plans quickly formed around being in Siem Reap on December 3rd.

The race weekend approached quickly while trying to squeeze in a few longer runs to adjust to running in the tropics. The day before the race we collected our race packs and then proceeded by tuk-tuk to our guesthouse closer to the start line as a 6am race start meant a very early morning. Initially, the morning plan allowed a quick warm from our guesthouse to the start line but it was put out of reach by a last-minute course change. This also meant that we wouldn’t begin from Angkor Wat, but from another nearby temple.

So, we boarded our tuk-tuk in the dark at 5am and proceeded down a small dusty dirt road towards the start area. On the way we passed Angkor Wat, specially lit up for the government organised ‘political stability’ event (some bed time reading: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42219982).  Even our tuk-tuk driver who passes the grand temple every day was in awe.

Congestion closer to the start forced us to disembark our tuk tuk and jog the remaining 2km to the start line as dawn approached. 5,000 monks on route to the political event add to this congestion.

The start area was hectic with almost 10,000 runners in a small area (and competing for 10 portaloos!). The congestion delayed the start by almost a half hour, and everybody was eager to get started a few minutes after the wheelchair section.

The course began in front of the Bayon Temple in Angkor Thom (aka Angkor Kinsella) with 216 stone faced spectators. We proceeded up a tree lined avenue towards the victory gate.  The most scenic section of the course then routed around and alongside some incredible temples and ruins. conveniently signposted in case we missed them. It then proceeded into a sweeping bend from 7km onwards. Water stops every 2km provided much needed hydration in the 25°C heat, and local kids were on standby after each to collect the bottles.

At around 9km my pace started to slow as the humidity took its toll. Encouragement and high fives from spectators got the spirts back on track after the 10.5km turnaround.  Runners who  on route to the turnaround point then added to the encouragement on the return leg. The km’s became more labourious in the final third and I was thrilled to see the 20 km marker. My hopes for a Martin Doyle inspired finishing sprint failed as my leg cramped up, and I came over the line with a limp. A mist spray provided cooling as congratulations went around and medals were distributed. Several bottles of water and a much welcomed massage and I was beginning to walk normally again.

All in all, it was the most memorable race I’ve ever ran and I would highly recommend anyone who has the chance to do it to jump at it. It’s also for a great cause, raising funds for the victims of antipersonnel mines still widespread in Cambodia. There was a great atmosphere at the race and around the town where the race was widely promoted.

Later we discovered that the real temple is actually spelt ‘Angkor What?’ and much more conveniently located on Pub Street.

Dermot Sullivan  – 1:40:27

Report by Naoise Waldron

Myself and fellow club member Nessa came to the States for Thanksgiving to visit family in the small town  of Goshen, Indiana. Having never been here for Thanksgiving before, I wanted to experience all aspects of it and after a little searching on Google, I found the local Turkey Stampede was taking place in nearby Concord, in aid of Faith Mission who support homeless people. The event starts and finishes in the car park of the Concord Mall, with a 10k run, 5k run/walk and 1 mile family walk options. I decided to enter the 10k, whilst Nessa and my aunt Aileac completed the 5k walk.

The race was preceded by a prayer of thanks, before the countdown to the 10k start. It was a crisp -1 so I was wrapped up head to toe, as opposed to my usual shorts/singlet combo. There were a few brave souls shivering in their shorts as we awaited the start. I did not envy them. The route took in a lap of the car park before heading out to a residential area, and then the 10k turned off on to country roads past corn fields, farms and finally the local high school (with an impressive running track) before heading back to join the 5k route again and finish at the mall. This part of the states is fairly flat so the course was not demanding, however the concrete roads offered no cushioning underfoot.

By the time I got to the finish line, I could not feel my hands and I wondered were my teeth going to shatter with the cold, but I was glad to have taken part in the local event supporting such a good cause. Nessa and Aileac crossed the line not long after, with Ailiac wondering had she accidentally entered the run rather than walk, so fast was Nessa’s walking pace…race walking might be in Nessa’s future! Now bring on the dinner!

Report by Will Greensmyth

A small but unswerving crew took part in the Run in the Dark Dublin last night, in aid of the Mark Pollack Trust. The race was postponed by a week due to the clash with the second leg of the Ireland v Denmark playoff game (sigh).

Although 9,000 had entered according to the MC at the start, the horrible rain and cold westerly winds clearly forced some softer entrants to seek purgatory elsewhere, with just over 5,000 foolhardy souls toeing the line. The start was delayed by about 15 minutes in order to allow traffic to clear the course. Enda and myself queried our sanity in wearing only our Sportsworld singlets and shorts. Always representing, yo.

When we got going, and after avoiding the risk of getting clotheslined by the start tape, the course took us down North Wall, before swinging around Sherriff Street, past the Point (of rescue), back up North Wall and across the Samuel Beckett Bridge. After this, the 5k and 10k routes diverged, the 5k runners for the finish and relative warmth while the 10k horde looped around Grand Canal Dock. On into Ringsend, and towards the East Link Toll. Once we were across the tollbridge, there was a last 1500m slog into the wind criss-crossing the 5k back markers up to CHQ and the finish line.

Sportsworld results from the 5k and 10k below – well done to the rapidly returning Helen Brouder, who was first lady home in the 5k and to both Andrea and Neil who snared pbs in the 10k. Apologies if we missed anyone from the results. Best of luck to everyone racing in La Santa next week, hopefully in better weather conditions.

Results

5K
#15 Helen Brouder 19.24 (First Lady)

10k
#6 Enda Kerin 34.52
#21 Will Greensmyth 36.50
#35 Andrew Brett 38.07
#41 Martin Doyle 38.18
#151 Andrea McNamara 41.25 PB
#180 Neil Purdy 41.56 PB
#1837 Audraý O’DRISCOLL 55:23