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Monday, September 1, 2025
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Dublin Graded 5 Tallght 2017

Report by Michael Cunningham

June 21st is the summer Solstice and for some people it’s a big deal marking the longest day of the year. Some people gather at the Hill of Tara or Stone Henge others headed to Tallaght track to take part in the Graded races.

This weeks graded involved 200m for those people who constantly feel like they have just had 10 cups of coffee, 800m for those that think 800m is not a long distance until the last 300m and the 3000m race for the marathon track runners.

We had 2 brand new track racers this week, John Flaherty and Aidan Curran. There is no incitation ritual for new track runners this year but it may change next year so you’re better off trying out a track race this year. No one ever regrets it, not publicly anyway, and you can check out all the previous race times on the Dublin Athletic website so you know where you will finish in the grade of race you enter.

Margaret Crowley was up first in the 200m (30.82) and John Flaherty in his first race block start (32.63). If anyone wants to practice using blocks on the track on Saturdays we can organise getting them set up.

Next was Catherine Mulleady Elliot in the 800m (2.40) Margaret Crowley (2.41). I don’t think Margaret and Catherine have missed a graded race this year, it’s their nightclub.

Then Sportsworld took over the 800m men’s D race with Anthony Gillen (2.25), Michael Lillis (2.26), Alan Hynes (2.28) and Aidan Curran in his first track race in (2.36). It is definitely easier if you are planning on doing a graded race to rope in other people from the club to race with. Sharing is caring.

At this point I want to point out Eoin O Brien the Bere Island no show, the Trinity track no show was also a Tallaght track no show. Anyone else notice when he does do a race he doesn’t wear the club singlet!!!!

Next up we had the 3000m, 7.5 laps. B and C grades where packed together to have 28 runners in one race which means you have to watch your heels don’t get clipped or run 3200m by running in lane 2 or 3 the whole race. Stephen O Donnell had another great race finishing in 3rd place (9.35), Karl Chatterton having a triple race week (9.56), Michael Cunningham (10.09), Conor Keating (10.40), Michael Lillis (11.12)

The next graded race is July 5th in Irishtown so start planting the seed in the head of the person you run with on Tuesday and Thursday.

Sportsworld Results

200m Grade B & C
8th 30.82 Crowley Margaret

200m Grade C
7th 32.63 Flaherty John

800m Grade C
4th 2.40.0 Mulleady Catherine
6th 2.41.1 Crowley Margaret

800m Grade D
5th 2.25.25 Gillen Anthony
7th 2.26.40 Lillis Michael
9th 2.28.79 Hynes Alan
12th 2.36.70 Curran Aidan

3000m Grade B
3rd 9.35.79 O’Donnell Stephen
9th 9.56.89 Chatterton Karl

3000m Grade C
4th 10.09.37 Cunningham Michael
10th 10.40.97 Keating Conor
15th 11.12.11 Lillis Michael

Irish Runner 5 Mile 2017

Report by Sibeal Waldron

Photos by Will Greensmyth. Full album on Facebook: Click here

On a blistering hot (270C) Saturday morning in the Phoenix Park the 15th running of the Irish Runner 5 mile was set to start.  I had been up early for breakfast and picked up my sister Naoise (the very fast one in the family) on the way. I had signed up a few months beforehand when I was going through a good patch of consistent training …..unfortunately this hadn’t continued so I knew I wasn’t in great shape going in but it was a nice day and thought sure I’ll give it a go.

Race reporter Sibeal with sister Naoise during their warming up routine

Myself and Naoise warmed up together and got a few strides in and met a few familiar faces along the way. This is where I made my big mistake…..getting into the waves, I was going to stay back I didn’t want to be dragged along at Naoise’s pace but as I was standing there with Patricia we decided sure why not move up and be with all the Sportsworld gang. Sure what’s the harm we can still run at our own pace? So we moved up to the first wave. This is also where I bumped into Eoin (who was not wearing his Sportsworld colours)….and somehow got roped into writing this report.

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Eventually the race got going, there was about a 10 minute delay, which didn’t help in the heat. We headed down Chesterfield Avenue turning left at the Áras and left again at Ratra House onto the North Road. Luckily this part was somewhat in the shade, however I realised I was running way too fast & I knew I couldn’t keep it up. On towards Chesterfield Avenue where we went down the road and did a turnabout.

It was good to see a lot of the other Sportsworld contingent around plus I had my supporters there to cheer me on. From there we turned onto Ordinance Survey Road and towards the Knockmaroon Gate, down into the Furry Glen. Up until this point the course was mainly flat and I was feeling fairly ok. My legs had started to feel heavy at around 3 miles but I was thinking sure I’m over half way it’ll be grand….how wrong was I.

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Coming out of the Furry Glen and on up to the Upper Glen Road was a steady uphill for the last 1.5 miles to the Furze Road. At this stage the heat was almost unbearable and the water station felt like it was 10 miles back rather than 0.5 miles. For me I just walk/jogged the end of the race…..and ended up with a time that I think could be a personal worst…if there’s such a thing.

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I think a few others had bad days with the heat being a big factor, however there were also some great performances as you can see by the times listed below, with a 3rd in her age category for Eileen Rowland and a PB for Naoise.

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After the 5 mile race came the serious business of the Family Race. I had entered along with my husband (and ex-Sportsworld member) Rory, our 2 boys Eamon (5) and Odhrán (3) and dog Rua. This was a 2.7km loop starting on Chesterfield Avenue up towards the Castleknock Gate, down Ordinance Survey Road and finishing on the Furze Road. The boys did a great job Eamon running the entire loop and Odhrán with a little help from Daddy’s shoulders. They were delighted with their medals and goodie bags.

 

The day as a whole turned out to be great fun and although my race didn’t go to plan I’m happy that I got out there, had a bit of banter with fellow club mates and seem to have passed my love of running onto my kids. Here’s hoping there will be a 3rd generation of the Waldron family to keep Sportsworld going into the future!

P.S Thanks to Eoin for doctoring my time and letting me beat Naoise for the first time in about 5 years.

Sportsworld Results

35th Karl CHATTERTON 00:28:35
43rd Kevin CURRAN 00:29:07
83rd Diarmuid ÓSÚILLEABHÁIN 00:30:46
124Denis MCCAUL00:32:18
157 Noel TOBIN 00:33:33
166 Declan BRADY 00:33:46
612 Sibeal WALDRON 00:33:48
169 Naoise WALDRON 00:33:49
259 Catherine MULLEADY ELLIOTT 00:35:51
306 Neil PURDY 00:36:55
309 Patricia FITZMAURICE 00:36:59
443 Francis MAHON 00:37:33
346 Andrea MCNAMARA 00:37:43
429 Paul CASSIDY 00:38:02
371 Eoin O’BRIEN 00:38:21
467 Katie NUGENT 00:38:41
402 Emma BARRY 00:39:08
575 Eileen ROWLAND 00:40:05 (3rd in age category!)
602 Ellen LAVIN 00:40:29
649 Rosie MULHERN 00:41:27
825 Audrai O’DRISCOLL 00:44:07

BHAA Trinity Track 2017

Race report and photos by Jim Browne

Photos by Jim Browne and Siobhan Clarke

Bambi fails to show.

The much awaited rematch between Eoin (Bambi) O Brien and I was set for the BHAA Trinity Track Races on the 13th of June (well much awaited by Eoin and I and pretty much nobody else).   After  12 months of ‘thrash talking’ by Bambi and the calm and  dignified  response that  is  expected of  all  great BHAA Grade 10 -14 runner ( us Munster boys do our talking on the field)  the scene was set for the much anticipated re-match .

 

Disaster struck for me on Sunday morning as I pulled up an hour into my long run with severe knee pain and had to walk/limp home.  With it being a mere 3 days to the showdown, drastic action had to be taken and an urgent appointment was sought and got with a  Physio on Monday morning.  After an extensive examination, the Physio’s face told me that he did not have good news. ‘I’m sorry Mr Browne but no running for at least three months’. ‘THREE MONTHS’ I screamed ‘but I have to race Bambi in 3 days’. ‘Do whatever it takes to get me on the start line ‘was my order to the physio and he reluctantly agreed to give me a couple of cortisone injections into the knee and he also strapped it heavily.

As a footnote he also suggested that I should seek psychiatric help regarding my  comment about racing a fictional character from a Disney movie.

The injury was not ideal preparation for the race but at least I was going to make it to the start line and so what if I limped around the track and was humiliated by Bambi, at least I had honoured my commitment to face him down in a rematch.  Hence imagine my horror when my phone beeps on Tuesday night. ‘Sorry Jim I can’t make it tomorrow night as I am just after getting free tickets to a Daniel O Donnell concert’, and some rubbish about see you next year.

After dealing with the injury and the Bambi no show I was determined to enjoy the evening and in fairness it is difficult not to enjoy these two races which this year were an 800m and a 2000m. It was a lovely June evening and the grass track was looking resplendent against the backdrop of the Trinity buildings. The camaraderie amongst the runners was great and you get to run two track races against runners of your own ability.  Please ignore any suggestions from Bambi O’Brien and Denis (they graded me wrongly) McCaul that the gradings of runners is questionable (see race report from last year: Click here).

Race reporter Jim Browne waiting for Bambi

There was a good turn out from Sportsworld  with Eileen Rowland, Audrey O Driscoll, Peter Knaggs, Liam Lenihan, Noel Lynam ( more about this fast finisher later)  Adrian Langan and myself all going to the line in our respective races.

Eileen and Audrey were first up in the 800m and both ran very well. Next up were the Kilkenny boys Adrian and Liam and I think both were still trying to come to terms to Kilkenny’s loss to Wexford on Sunday.  Don’t worry lads being a back door county isn’t too bad as us Limerick people know only too well.

Adrian blasted off and was quickly in the lead with Liam being more cautious and settling into a more conservative pace. Adrian made the running for about 500m but then did a Jim Browne special and imploded and began to struggle. Meanwhile Liam was working himself through the field and was catching Adrian. However Adrian held off Liam and both had given a good account of themselves in what was their first ever 800m race.

Next up was Peter, Noel and myself. The pace at the start of the 800m is always a shock to the system and after a 100m I found myself last of the 14  runners . However I was feeling comfortable and began to work through the field and by 500m I had gotten myself into 3rd. I felt I was closing in on 2nd but  unfortunately by 650m I had no further acceleration and two young lads (well relatively young) went flying by me on the home straight.

Noel finished was just behind me with Peter just a few seconds behind him.  Seemingly Noel finished Usain Bolt like and stormed up the home straight and little did I know I was to learn all about Noel’s finishing speed in the 2000m.

 

I think all of us really enjoyed the 800m and were looking forwarded to the 2000m. There was a lovely relaxed atmosphere as we watched the higher graded 800m races  and soon it was time to warm up for the 2000m.

First up for Sportsworld was Audrey and she gave a very good account of herself in what is a challenging distance on a track.

Next up were the ‘Back Door Boys’ Liam and Adrian. Adrian ran brilliantly and was involved in one of the best finishes of the evening. Adrian got into an early lead and this time there was no implosion as he held off all comers until about 150m to go. A fast finishing competitor went by him with 120m to go and Adrian look dead in the water. However Adrian responded with typical Kilkenny grit and came back at his competitor on the home straight. For a moment it looked like Adrian had him but the other runner (probably a Davie Fitz inspired, Wexford Man) responded again and just edged Adrian out on the finish line.

Next up were Peter, Noel and myself. Again I went out fairly conservatively and worked myself through the field. At 1000m I had gotten myself into third and was feeling relatively comfortable. It felt like I was making headway on second but then one of the guys that went past me in the 800m went flying by me at about 1400m. I tried to hang on for dear life but there was no catching him. At a 150m to go I glanced over my shoulder and I was well clear of 5th place.

I put the head down and pushed as hard as I could up the home straight and was happy enough with my 4th place. Unfortunately Noel (fast finish) Lynam had other ideas and just as I was about to go over the line, he nipped in front of me. Where he came from I don’t know as he was at least 40m behind me with 150m to go.  Mr Fast Finish is a possible new adversary and I look forward to a rematch. Unlike others, I am sure he won’t let a Daniel O Donnell concert get in his way of his commitments.

Overall it was a great evening racing and next year I think as a club we should try to get as many runners out as possible. Joking aside the grading of the runners is excellent and you really get to run against runners of your own ability on a lovely grass track at a famous Univirsity.The BHAA has food organised in the Pavilion Bar directly after the race and you can also enjoy a beer. What more could you ask for?

Corrections

In the interest of fairness, I may have taken some liberties with the truth in the first couple of paragraphs of this report. The following is what actually happened.

  • I got some discomfort in my knee during my long run on Sunday. Definitely no severe pain or limping home.
  • There was no visit to the Physio or cortisone injections. I did a bit of stretching of my quad and I was grand the following day.
  • Eoin didn’t go to a Daniel O Donnell concert but an Aerosmith concert.
  • Unfortunately the bit about Usain Bolt (I mean Noel Lynam) is true.

Ah well never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

Results from the night: https://bhaa.ie/trinity-track-results-2017/

 

2017 Wicklow Way Solo 127km Race

The J. B. Malone memorial above Lough Tay in the Wicklow Mountains National Park

By Damien Kelly – Race Winner!

 

I had two races planned for the first half of the year, the first being the Donadea 50km and then I decided to give the Wicklow Way Solo a try this year.

The first race was the Donadea 50km on the 11th February.  It was a disaster for me as I went out too fast and bonked after 35km.  My main fuel during the race that day were Cliff Shot Blocks. I got to the finish with a mix of walking and running in a time of 3.57.36 which I was disappointed with.

This was a wakeup call for me and if I was to have any chance of finishing the WWS I had to get my nutrition right.  I booked an appointed with Barry Murray of the optimumnutrition4sport.com.  I had a 1 and ½ hr meeting with him and got brilliant advice on my diet and tips for my long weekend runs,   it was the best €159 euro I ever spent.  Thanks Barry.

Friday the 9TH June.

My two mates John and Ken arrive at my house to collect me at 9.30.  I said my goodbyes to my wife Carol and daughters Abbie, Isabel and Alex. A few tears were shed as they didn’t like the idea of their Dad going out running in the mountains in the middle of the night.

We arrived at Marley at 9.50pm and I get my gear ready for the Kit Check.  I then head over to the Tent to get it checked and disaster. My Inov 8 AT/C Storm Shell Waterproof Jacket was refused and I was told it didn’t comply with the required Kit, I was thinking to myself the race was over before it had begun.  I went back the lads and tell them that we might be heading to the pub instead of Clonegal.

I said to myself Damian calm down and think. Ken give me your phone for a minute and I clicked onto the INVO 8 Website and it confirmed that the Jacket was indeed waterproof, back over to the Tent phone in hand and the Jacket was accepted.  Ok I thought to myself forget about the Jacket and prepare to race Damian.

11.58 Jeff gives us a Race Briefing and off we go.  My plan was to breathe easy and stay as comfortable for as long as possible. If anyone wanted to Race ahead I was not going to push myself too hard as 127km is a long way to go.  It was raining hard enough from the start but I knew when we got onto the Hills it was going to get a lot worse.

My mate John and Ken were going to drive from Marley to Clonegal and give me some support on the course, which was brilliant.  Got through Prince Williams and over to Crone in around 2.20.  Now I was dreading the run up to Djouce and down the Boardwalk as I knew the wind and the rain would be bad but nothing had prepared me for what I was about to face head-on.

Going over the Dargle I got passed by Rory and Baterdene, then onto the side of Doujce we had rivers flowing down the trail, visibility ranging from 4ft to 8ft and gusts of wind well I can only imagine but it seemed like 100km plus.  I lost sight of Rory and Baterdene, then on to the other side of Djouce and onto the famous Board Walk that ended up in the High Court!  This part was brutal as you couldn’t really see where you were putting your feet and the planks drop a step every now and again, this is where your mental battles really start to kick in.  Carol (my wife) your mad doing that race Damian you will kill yourself, well Carol you are right and please transport me back to my cosy bed!!  Damian cop on and get off this section and down to Lough Tay and you are out of the worst of it and I did mission accomplished!!

 

Through the farmers field and over to the road to Oldbridge and the birds start singing, a smile came to my face.  I felt good but I had no idea what place I was in the race.  I met three runners heading down the hill to Oldbridge and they told me I am looking fresh and a lad is just ahead of me.

I passed Baterdene on the section of Paddock Hill on the way down to Glendalough.  I arrived in Glendalough around 5.20 and John and Ken are there with words of encouragement, I see Adrian and this surprises me as I thought he was well ahead of me.

Jeff and the lads are brilliant Bacon Sambo and bottle change and last out of the Station out of the three of us in 4TH Place. I am only aiming for a finish and a top 10 so happy days after 49km.

Up the long climb to Derrybawn, at one point I can see the three Leaders in view I’d say around 1 ½ km ahead.  Got to the top then myself, Baterdene descended down the grassy section and like Trapeze Artists both of us go up in the air and luckily we only landed on grass and not rocks!!

Now Fire Road for around 4km, going well now I said I will push myself a small bit on the downhills.  I passed Baterdene and then Adrian soon after which surprised me as Adrian is a top Mountain Runner.  I then meet two lads from base camp just at the end of Fire Road and they gave me lots of encouragement and let me know the leader Rory is not that far ahead (thanks lads).

I arrive into Ironbridge feeling good and see Rory just heading up the hill out of the checkpoint.  Again John and Ken are there giving me encouragement and off I go.

At this stage I am telling myself that you have a small chance of winning this, no not you Damian!!  Onto Ballycumber Hill and Rory comes into view.  I had a quick chat with Rory then I decided to push on but it’s a long way from the finish.

I arrived into the Dying Cow and the lads are there again, they tell me to get in and out of the Station so no time to take off my Rain Jacket as my number is pinned to it.  Quick bottle change 3 pieces of orange 2 jellies and a small banana and off again.

I arrive at the bottom of Coronary Hill and I had to walk around 95%  as I tried to run up a small bit but the legs refused.  Arrive at the last Aid Station and Ken and John tell me no time to stop in and out, so bottle change and two more Jellies and off.

Into Raheenakit Wood and I kept expecting Rory to come into view but no sign of him.  My plan for the rest was to walk and run up the hills and try and go fast on the downhills.

I went fast going town to Grassy Lane of Raheenakit Wood and when I looked at my watch I was doing 5 min km. Finally out of Urelands Hill and 5km to go on Tarmac to Clonegal.

John and Ken appear again in the jeep and shout more abuse at me sorry I meant encouragement.

I was still expecting Rory to appear but I was finally starting to believe that I could win this me No!

Around the last bend and touch and kiss the Wicklow Way sign in a time of 14.24.30.

Right sorry this has to be done now time for my Oscar thank you and don’t worry I will leave God and Jesus out of it as I thanked both of them enough while running around Doujce!! Thank you.

Jeff and Robbie and the Volunteers.

Amazing job done by all and to brace the elements at the checkpoints during the bad weather, it is nearly harder than running the race!

Ken, John,

Thank you for the support at the Checkpoints you were amazing lads.  It really meant a lot to me, even though you gave me a bit too much abuse at the business end of the Race, that’s what best friends are for.

Oliver

Thank for the Long Training runs we did together.

Richie Byrne

Sadly Richie passed away last year, many of you in the Mountain Community will know Richie.  I worked with Richie for around 5 years and It was Richie that introduced me to IMRA a big thank you to Richie up there!!

Richard  Healy Sculputre.

When I finally leave this world and I don’t plan on it being soon, I now have the 1st place Trophy for my Head Stone!!  An amazing piece of craftsmanship Thank you Richard.

Family

My wife Carol and daughters Abbie, Isabel and Alex.  Thank you for putting up with me and my training for the race and the support you gave me love you all loads.

Runners

Well done to all for participating and finishing, the training alone deserves a Trophy.

Thank you

DAMIAN

Sportsworld donate €6000 after the 2017 Terenure 5

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Sportsworld Running Club in Bushy Park, Terenure are delighted to donate €6000 to the PWSAI following another highly successful Terenure 5 Mile!

Sponsors Michael Sheehan from Bill Sheehan Motors, Anna Kelly and Tracey Gilbourne, both from Lisney Terenure are joined by Caitriona Jones from the PWSAI and Sportsworld Running Club Chair and vice-chair Sandra Gowran and Michael Cunningham from Sportsworld Running Club

The Prader Willi Syndrome Association of Ireland are a 100% volunteer organisation that receives no Government funding and we hope that the awareness raised and our donation will go some way to helping this organisation and the great work they do. Take some time to visit their website: www.pwsai.ie

Special thanks to our top class sponsors whose generosity and support enabled us to make such a big donation. So thanks again to Lisney Terenure, who have been behind the race for the past 3 years, South Dublin Vets and Mitsubishi Ireland Bill Sheehan & Sons! It really was great to see these local businesses getting behind this big community event!

Thanks also to all of you who ran this year! The Terenure 5 has sold out the past 2 years now thanks to your support. Sportsworld Running Club have been hosting this race every year since 1985 and have donated tens of thousands of euros charity!

If you’d like to continue your running adventure, why not join Sportsworld Running Club! We train from our clubhouse in Bushy Park every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm. Come along and train for 2 weeks for free to see if you like it. Any questions just email info@sportsworldrunningclub.com or visit our information page on this website: www.sportsworldrunningclub.com/join/

See you all in May 2018!

Dublin Bay 5 Miler

Race report Gareth Murran

Dublin Bay Running Club hosted their 5 miles around the Head of Howth this past Sunday morning. I have become accustomed to this part of the city, working in Sutton for the past year. The hills of Howth were a frequent site during the first 3 months of the year for early morning cross country training.

It was a last minute decision to take part in the race, only deciding late on Saturday night. having looked at the results last years race was won in a handy 34 minutes. I wasnt going to run too hard after a tough Saturday track session.  But with the chance of a victory it was worth retracing the daily commute for the chance of a victory and a chance to run on the beautiful Howth Head cliff path.

More than 180 runners took part in the race. This was a fabulous trail run along the cliff tops of Howth Head. The course had many up and down hills giving excellent hill training for runners. This was a very well organized event by Dublin Bay Running Club. Runners had a great experience from start to finish. The Registration and Finish area was located at the Summit Inn pub.

Also on the start line were 2  Raheny lads I know well, home club chairman Ger Copeland and Ronan Rogan of Bohermeen AC.  The first mile of the race was all downhill but quickly we found ourselves facing the 400-meter stairway to heaven with a 75-meter elevation. Not even the ridge run in Lanzarote could prepare you for this one.

I ended up in 4th place overall not wanting to split my head open on the rocks or fall over the side eek! The race was actually 100 meters short of 5 miles and it was wet in parts, these are my real excuses for not placing 3rd 🙂 The winner of the race was Ronan Wogan of Bohermeen AC with Damien Martin celebrating his 53rd birthday (Raheny Shamrock AC) 2nd and Ger Copeland (DBRC) 3rd. Credit to the organization and the club for putting on such a fantastic race. Word is sure to get around. I recommend doing a long run out here. I might take up hill running yet.

Tullaroan Races 2017

Report by Conor Keating

It seems that most running race ads in Ireland these days quote some form of the following: ‘fast flat course/no hills/PB course’.

However, you could argue that there are some flaws in that ideology such as:
– The elite will fly around seemingly barely breaking sweat, which will put you in your place in the running order and envious of their times.
– There’s the temptation to go out too fast which you start regretting near the finish line.
– Those long flat straights can be demoralizing.

In contrast, the slogan for the Tullaroan races, which features a 5k, 10k, half-marathon, marathon and ultra marathon, is ‘Tullaroan hills gave me some thrills’../

Race reporter Conor in the Tulluaroan Spring/Summer collection

I have a rich history of running the tulluaroan races. I first took part in Half-marathon in 2014. It was my first half-marathon, about 5 months after joining the club, as I progressed up in distance towards the Dublin marathon that October. I only ended up doing the race as the Cork half-marathon, on the same weekend, sold out too fast for me.

All the races start on the innocent flat village road but then the fun starts.

I remember stopping for a minute, around 6 miles in, I was nearly halfway and the course had gone like this: relatively flat for first 500m, hill, bit of a flat bit, hill, bit of a flat bit, hill repeat ditto. Thankfully, after that brief stop and after negotiating the latest hill we were met with an extreme downhill which lasted for over a continuous mile. The rest of the course however followed a similar terrain as the first 6 miles save for the flat last few kms to the finish line back in the village.

I will say however, I did get the thrill when I sensed the finish line having got around such a course which gave me a bit more kick to the finish. The nature of the course I also felt acted a certain leveller – everyone had to pace themselves well and I was able to kick on towards the finish and manage to finish 10th out of 78. I ‘good’ first half-marathon effort – the bar for judging such efforts has recently being significantly risen. Well done Sinead!.

I returned in 2015 to run the 10k – The same course description applies, as with the half-marathon, just replace 6 miles with 6k.

Tulloroan is home of hurling legend Tommy Walsh, I will give credit where credit’s due even being a Tipp man.


Tommy was running in the 10k as well and finished 5mins behind me – GAA fitness is of-course much more short sprints and is a different type of fitness to long distance running. However, Tommy was apparently making the excuse afterwards that there was a Tipp lad who seemed intent on following him around for the duration of the match, sorry race, and block him from making an impact – What are you on about Tommy?

Enough nostalgia already I returned to Tulloroan last Saturday. On hearing that Will was doing the 10k and had never before ran in Tulloroan I felt obliged to do my fiduciary duty and forewarn Will by wearing my previous Tullaroan race technical t-shirt, which has the aforementioned slogan, to training the Thursday before.


I had heard that the 5k was relatively flat and decided to take the easy option. How naïve/stupid am I? First 2kms of the race steep uphill. The 5k course is slightly more forgiving after that though, relative to the 10k and ½, as the last 3k consist of longer more sustained downhills, flat parts and the odd hill. I’ll be honest there was a lot of joggers in the 77 in my race, but some club runners all the same. I tried to keep in some sort of touch with the leader for the first few kms but he was a bit too strong, and pulled away to win in 17:59. I was second for most of the race but got pipped by 1 lad in the last 500m; 19:07 to 19:12. A decent run-out on a tough course.

Will ran a solid 41:19 in the 10k, worth a sub 40mins on a ‘flat, fast course.’

The marathon is two laps of the half-marathon course. For anyone hoping to run the 2:59:59 marathon this may not be the best course – the course record for this marathon is 2 hours 55 mins.

The ultra-marathon is only 3 laps of the half-marathon course.

The races are superbly organized and there is a great atmosphere around the village and good water stations on the course. There is plethora of coke and other refreshments in the village as the marathons and ultra’s come through ½ or 1/3 way and at the finish to the races.

The finish line is outside the GAA ground in the village and parking is provided in the GAA grounds. In my two previous outings the GAA clubhouse was the hub for the changing facilities, most race refreshments etc. Strangely the clubhouse was out of bounds this year. This year there was marquee style post race refreshments afterwards. A well organized event and I will definitely be back again: sure I just have the marathon and ultra to do to complete the set: eeh watch this space?!

Anyway there are merits to doing such a race:

– It will make you pace yourself well and you should feel a great sense of accomplishment in the latter part of the race which will push you to the finish line.
– It is great hill training which will build up your stamina and strength which will help you get that PB once you return to the flatter races.
– Instead of those boring long flat straights you are intrigued to find out what lies on the top of the next hill including secrecy and if it’s a roundabout course, in the knowledge that everything which goes up must come back down.
– Gain comfort in the knowledge that all competitors are finding it tough: in the case of these races you’d want to be on something pretty strong, or alternatively have a fair bit of sauce still in ya, not to feel it.

I’ve run 3 half-marathons and I can say that Tullaroan is more tough than the rock and roll half-marathon and running the ½ half-marathon in Lanzarote last November with a big blister on my left foot and an infected big right toe and it being the 4th race in as many days.

Yeah, I put in the last paragraph as a cue to bring in my dog. We have made up at this stage after that incident involving her teeth and my toe. Further to my previous comment in my last race report, my dog is not quite as mad these days. Having put most her toys in their place,she has met a good match– an ‘indestructible bone which has a 10 year guarantee.’ At the time of writing she has destroyed nearly half it in 3 months. Before I give her too bad a reputation she is good fun and cute. She would make a great play mate for travel George – you’d barely be able to separate them.

Butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. A toe would though

I think that people should try some tougher races instead of just focusing on flat courses. I intend doing the extremely fast and flat docklands 5k, for the first time, at the start of next month and am confident that Tullaroan acts as good preparation to try to break my 18:14 PB then.

P.S: I prepared this race report voluntarily. I was in no way influenced/shamed by Eoin O’Brien posting me not wearing the club singlet in the weekly email. I simply wanted to share my (crazy/deluded/piss-taking) wise advice.

Disclaimer: Conor Keating wacky running tips Ltd accepts no responsibility for any injury or grief, howsoever caused, by anyone acting on the advice given above. The company is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules.

Tullamore to Laguna

I’m a bit late getting my race report together for these 2 recent races.race report by Gareth Murran.

An 11-hour flight from Amsterdam to Los Angelas gives you plenty of time to reflect on where to go with your training. On Wednesday night after the graded Emily recommended that I give the Irish Milers Club (IMC) a go at the weekend. Following directions, I went home and decided to enter into the 1500M. When your season’s best is 12 seconds off your personal best every race is an opportunity to improve, get race fit and inch towards that bucket list time before it’s too late. I left work at 8 PM on Friday after a busy week and had not bothered to look at the weather forecast. Not having enjoyed the Irish summer at all I woke on Saturday morning feeling somewhat sorry for my poor club mates running around in circles up in Tallaght. Stretching and quick jog done, by 11 I was on the road to Tullamore which was even wetter than Dublin. The IMC races are a step up from the graded it’s like having all A and then an A+ race. I was drawn in the slower 1500M B race which went off at 2.16 on the button. Although it was my first IMC race it was 3rd time running the Tullamore track. They have a fine setup down there with great facilities for warming up and a covered stand for spectators. The covered stand was especially useful on Saturday.

All of the IMC races are paced by a faster runner. You are then assigned a number based on your seasons best. My seasons best as mentioned was 12 seconds slowed than my 4:04 PB set two years ago so I was one of the first (slower) names called to line up. After all the runners were assembled on the line we were told the pace would be 65 seconds a lap, then off we went. I got a poor start but after 50 meters went around the outside and slotted nicely into 5th position. The first lap went through in 66 a bit slower than planned but feeling comfortable. I was feeling good so moved up into 3rd after 600 meters. When we came around to the 800-meter mark in 2:12 I was still feeling strong. It was at that point that I got the tactics a bit wrong and paid for it. Instead of sitting in I decided to push the pace and take the lead. That surge only lasted for 300 meters as with 450 meters to go I was starting to feel the sudden injection of pace and losing a few places. 1200 meters went by in 3:21. I had already lost 3 seconds over the last 200. Along the back straight I knew I was slowing and the last 200 meters felt like an 800-meter race. I came across the line in 6th having race 52 for my last 300 meters. Happy with the effort.

Super efficient the results were up within the hour on the IMC site. I finished in a time of 4.14 knowing a more sensible 3rd lap could have seen me run a 4.11 or even contend for the win which was 4:09. More lactic threshold work needed to be able to push on in that last 600 meters. I would not recommend the IMC races for everyone but for the faster people in the club it beats sessions any day of the week.

Two days after Tullamore I was in LA for work which happened to coincide with Memorial day weekend and decided to look for a race to run. Laguna Hills is a picturesque neighborhood in Southern California famous for being the location of a certain MTV TV program. They were having a half marathon to commemorate some young local Marines that had died in an IED attack in Kabul in 2011. A good cause coupled with me being in need of a run. I wasn’t taking it too seriously knowing I had been on an 11-hour flight from Amsterdam the day before but when I arrived in LA I was greeted with the news that my suitcase was still in Amsterdam. My singlet and shorts were in the suitcase but I had runners and a watch on me. A quick trip over to Dick’s Sporting goods store and I was ready to line up.

Memorial day began with a 4.30 AM drive down the coast to Laguna Hills for the 5.30 registration at the local mall. I arrived in good time to pick up my number, race t-shirt and get some strides done. At 6.45 the patriotism kicked in, flags were flown and national anthems were sung with hand on heart. The race itself was a 3 in 1 with a mass start. As a well as the half there was a 5K and 10K. The atmosphere was great at the start with a good mixture of families, serious runners and local run runners.

I set my mind on a conservative 3:45 per kilometer, not much faster than a Sunday long run. When the gun went a few of the guys in front flew off. The course was set up in such a way that you could not tell who was doing the 5K or the 10k. starting off slow is great, especially in a longer race. You start to pass people that went off too fast with a smile. When I got to the turn off for the 5k finish line a good few of the 1500 or so runners were no longer in the race. I continued to plug away and picked off a few more guys and when I reached the 10K finish line there looked to be only 3 guys in front of me. I stuck to the 3:45 pace like clock work well and despite the first few hills the majority of the course had been very manageable so far.

Around the 10K mark I noticed we had been going downhill for a good 8-10 minutes. They didn’t call the show the hills for no reason. What goes done must come up and after 7 miles we turned to an off-road section of the course that just kept spiraling down and down in the Laguna Hills Canyon. Going down into the Canyon I was now a comfortable 2nd place and the local support was behind me. It was like five mile day in Terenure Village. At the bottom, we looped back around and started the climb. Within a few miles, I was finding the grade pretty steep and despite keeping the pace under 4:00 minutes per kiloemeter I was losing a bit of ground on the guy in first. The next 3 miles was spent climbing, climbing, climbing.

The 10 mile marker went by in 59.52 but by that stage I was invested, getting competitive and also a little frustrated that I could not close the gap. I continued to push on the flat but struggled up the remaining hills. I knew the race was slow having seen the previous year’s winning times were listed in the 77-82 minute time frames. The last mile in a half seemed like hell on earth. At this point, I’m telling myself to man up but it felt more like I was at the start of the Hills music video than the TV show.

I had an escort for the last 2 miles of the race, a friendly local girl who had warned me that they were saving a killer of a hill for the last mile. It did not disappoint! I came over the line in a little over 80 minutes having lost a couple minutes in the last 2 miles. Despite consciously sticking to a pace it was hard not to get into race mentality. The wheels came off big time at 12 miles only dumbfounded by having not spotted Lauren. The post race expo was something we could borrow from with lots of vendors giving out free samples of new and existing products in stalls. There was a virtual goodie bag this being California.

The rest of the day was spent driving down the magnificant Pacific Coast Highway and meeting some colleagues for a family BBQ. A fun day, not a PB effort or course but a great Memorial day running in the California sunshine none the less. Next day it was on to San Antonio to run on its famous Riverwalk and numerous forest trails.

2017 Womens Mini marathon

By international race reporter Maria Jones

It’s Tuesday after yet another bank holiday. My feet have barely landed on the runway in sunny Lisbon when my phone beeps. It’s Eoin O’Brien. There’s only one thing he can want. Race Report. So here we go!!

Race report inspiration

June Bank Holiday Monday has arrived.. It can only mean one thing….40,000 women taking to the streets of Dublin to showcase once again this amazing annual event in our capital city where woman of every age come out to run, walk, support charities and just take part.

This is traditionally a big day out for the ladies in my family and it is our fifth year in a row to take part in this wonderful event.

Our charity of choice is “Fighting Blindness” which is close to our hearts. Myself, my mam and my sisters gathered early on Monday morning just off Baggot St .I managed to steal Sinead for the day too +got her to swap the red & white of Sportsworld for the bright orange “Fighting Blindness” singlet. After all this is really what this day is all about supporting all the wonderful charities + raising awareness!

Race reporter maria in center 

Come 1pm it was time to get going. Sinead and I headed off to meet up with the other Sportsworld girls togging out for the 10km race. This being my first year doing it as part of Sportsworld made it extra nice to have friendly faces in the starting area.

It was also my first year getting in as an elite entry and my god is it very different up there. We practically had our own portaloos and so much space to warm up. Emily would have been proud of the strides being done by her Sportsworld girls.

The race took off at 2pm sharp…here we go again. This year was the 35th anniversary of the Women’s Mini Marathon and to mark this anniversary they decided to run the route in reverse so it was all new territory for everyone involved.

This race is always a tough one. It can get very lonely out on that Stillorgan dual-carriageway but the support is always brilliant and there is always a great buzz along the way. We all managed to get around in one piece.

First home for the club was Sinead Tangney right up there in the mix coming in in 15th position with a time of 37.51…almost 5minutes faster than her time in this race last year.

Next up was Kate Kelly with a time of 41.49. I think everyone will be delighted to see Kate back in top form after a hard 6months in and out of injury. This is Kate’s first race back and she proved what a talent she is with her performance on Monday. Great to have you back Kate.

Next up was Lucy D’Arcy running in her 29th consecutive Women’s Mini-Marathon and still showing the rest of us how it’s done with a time of 43.25.  Myself and Anna were up next, having run a lot of the race together. It was great to have Anna’s company to get around the course.  We were followed quickly behind by Katie, Val, Sandra, Bronwyn and Orla.

We all gathered at the end to see how everyone did and managed to attract a few newspaper photographers for some club photos.

Straight to change out of the singlets and round to Bruxelles for a few “quiet” beverages.

I think everyone enjoyed the day. It was great to have so much support around the course from other club members. And of course Emily at the 600m mark to give us that extra kick to get us to the line.

Val is already on a mission to get as many Sportsworld ladies as possible to take part next year. It’s also being charged to the Sunday so if you’re interested in a fun day out with lovely ladies keep your diary free for the June bank holiday 2018!

Sportsworld results (Apologies if anyones missed – the results can’t be searched by club!)

15th Sinead Tangney 00:37:51
46th Kate Kelly 00:41:49
78th Lucy DArcy 00:43:25
80 Maria Jones 00:43:28
91 Anna Delaney 00:43:48
247 Katie Nugent 00:47:43
357 Valerie Lacy Power 00:49:16
459 Sandra Kelly 00:50:32
582 Bronwyn Murphy White Dublin 00:51:53
900 Orla Greaves 00:53:55

Cork City Half Marathon

Report By Diarmuid Ó Súilleabháin

Sunday was a great day, not just because I was in Cork, but because it was a lovely summer day and there was a terrific atmosphere in the city with all the bank holiday festivities taking place. Damien Geraghty and I had signed up to the ½ marathon and I was extra happy to meet Damien in the starting chorale, not because he is a sound bloke or anything, but because he had forgotten his singlet as well. They say great minds think alike. Fortunately, no one from the club was around, so I think we pretty much got away with it 🙂

(Above: The two of us only delighted with our choice of outfits)

I was worried that writing about Cork would result in a pro-Cork biased piece but luckily I’d Denis McCaul’s race reports to call upon as an example of balanced and objective writing about all things Corkonian. His recent race report for the Dunboyne 5 Mile reads particularly well in this regard. I shared my concerns with Thomas Kinsella who said he wouldn’t blame me for a small bit of bias anyway as, “Cork is incredible in fairness”.

The course profile is not as hilly as you hear. There are some minor enough hills in the middle ½ but the first and last ¼s are flat so it allows you to settle into a rhythm at the start and finish strongly. The bad reputation the event has for people underperforming stems from the hot summery weather you get in June. Summer Marathons are the hardest for this reason. Typical of Cork people to give themselves a challenge.

Damien and I were aiming for a sub-90 time, so we decided to stick with the 90 minute pacer for the first ¾ and push on from there once the hills were behind us. The race began bang on time and we were off and feeling very comfortable. As we ran along I took it upon myself to point out all the landmarks in the city to Damien. He politely listened but next time he’ll have the headphones in.

(Above: Cruising along at the start, and Damien striking down Pana)

The locals were out in good numbers with lots of vocal support and generous offers of sliced oranges, jellies and cups of water from their outstretched arms. One lad near the Model Farm Road was spraying runners with the garden hose to cool them down… at least I think that’s what he was doing. We spotted two familiar faces en route, Thomas Kinsilla was out on the 1½ mile mark with big shouts, and Anna Delany gave us a lot of encouragement near Victoria Cross. Thank you.

We stuck diligently to the plan, and after passing the ¾ point we pushed on comfortably. Running up the Carrigrohane Straight, we could see the pacing strategy had paid off as we passed people clearly struggling. Damien kicked on with a mile to go and was very happy with his 87 minutes, knocking over 2 minutes off his previous PB. That’s now 3 PBs in a row in Cork for the man from the Orchard County, coincidence?

The event has a very relaxed atmosphere about it. All sorts of runners tog out on the day, may of whom are doing their first race. I get the impression that it is a good starting point for the beginners. This year the marathon was moved forward to the Sunday from the traditional Monday. A great idea as it makes it easier for people from further afield to attend, and one of whom only went and won the Marathon. Chris Mocko, an interesting character from San Francisco (The twin city of Cork), who quit his office job to run full time had his decision validated as he literally limboed under the tape in 2:26.

Local girl, Jill Hodgins from Douglas, won the ladies in 2:48.

The ½ Marathon was won by Peter Samba with 67 minutes in the men’s. In a textbook Somba move he pipped crowd favourite and national marathon champion Sergiu Ciorbanu in a sprint finish on the final straight after Sergiu led for most of it. I’d love to know what the likes of Sergiu and Mick Clohissey think when they see him toe the line with them. Claire McCarty won the women’s in 76 minutes.

Lastly, I must complement the organisers for their water stations. They were very frequent and well managed. Made things much easier for people on a hot day. Unwinding after the day, I felt like I should make this an annual outing.

(Above: Mise crossing the line… in 88 minutes, not 3:12, that the marathon clock 😀 )

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