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2017 National Intermediate Champions!

Race reports by Anna Delaney and Michael Cunningham 

Full Club results are below.

Womens Intermediate by Anna Delaney

This Sportsworld intermediate team are a talented bunch.  They’ve been picking up individual/team/county medals all season. This was to be their last outing and hopes were high.   I had planned to go to Tuam to watch them run but somehow I ended up running the race. And doing the race report.  Not sure how that all happened but it was great to be part of the excitement.  I can happily say that now.

I certainly wasn’t saying that on the drive to Tuam, or on the warm up or at the start line.  But on the plus side the sun was shining and there wasn’t a breath of wind as we were called to line up.  I felt really apprehensive at that start line, there were only 53 girls lining up.  Nowhere to hide here.  After a few encouraging words from Lucy we were away off around the 5k course.  4 laps, 2 short, 2 long.

It really was soft underfoot. And hilly, so many hills.  It was tough from the start.   The girls battled away up the front and I ‘ran my own race’ as was my instruction.   The field spread out a lot but with the twisty turney course I caught the odd glimpse of the girls in the distance doing what they do best.   It felt very long as the energy was being sapped out of my legs. I don’t know how many Killtipper Saturday mornings you’d have to do to make this easier.  Does it ever get easier?

As I was still navigating my last lap I could hear the announcer over the intercom listing off the girls as they crossed the finish line.  He very helpfully counted in the Sportsworld girls.  If I couldn’t watch the race at least I could hear it.   The finishing straight was on a bit of an incline so there wasn’t too much of a sprint finish from my legs but I was so happy to cross that line.    Sinead was already getting her silver individual medal when I came in.   She had another stunning performance.   Helen wasn’t too far behind her in 6th, followed by Catherine, Ruth, Noreen and Stephanie.   We had 5 girls in the top 15.

It was another bit of a wait before the team results were announced but it was looking good. And good it was.   Sportsworld were announced National Intermediate champions.   A really strong performance in what was a very competitive field.

Well done to all the girls who ran, and to the lads in their gruelling 8k race.   Huge thanks as always to Myles, Emily, Lucy and Paul for the encouragement all over the course and to Mr & Mrs Tangney who are no strangers to cheering on at cross country races.

Mens Intermediate by Michael Cunningham

A few years ago I wrote a little introduction to cross country races (To read that: Click here) because at the time we were trying to get more runners in the club involved in cross country and to try all have full teams in all the races. There were a couple of things I left out.

Jealousy – You’re going to have live with the women’s team being more successful then you

Lack of sympathy – For a lot of us this was the third Sunday in a row of cross country races on the back of a Christmas hangover but coaches like winners not whiners.

Transport – Some races like this one in Tuam is a 2 hour drive away. Pick the right car and you will travel in style in a top of the range BMW with homemade protein balls for the trip home, pick the wrong transport and you could be on a bus with a failing battery surrounded by people talking about food but not actually having any.

Not waiting for Michael at the clubhouse

So at 8.45am on a Sunday morning most of us met at the clubhouse to start the journey to the National Intermediate cross country in Tuam. There was no breakfast for the racers, no cheering crowd to see us off and we had to carry our own bags to the cars. After 2.5 hours we arrived in Tuam on a gorgeous January day with no wind, or rain just blue skies. The course is in a public park just like Bushy park with people walking their dogs and kids playing in the playground. Only the load speaker announcing the races and the tape and stakes gave away there is a cross country going on.

 

We watched the woman’s race first while doing our warm up and checking out the course. The men had an 8km challenging course of 2 small laps and 4 large laps. Watching the race the girls made the course look easy but there were 3 or 4 sharp hills and loads of twists and turns so you could never settle or get a rhythm. When I started in Sportsworld we used to struggle to get a full men’s team for the races but the last few years we have always had full teams with new people trying out the races each year.

The men’s team finished 6th in a national cross country with a good battle between Conor McCarty and Kevin Curran at the front with Karl Chatterton putting his park run pace to good use and an excellent first season run by Stephen O Donnell. Only two Dublin clubs managed to make it to Tuam with full teams which shows you not every club has an Emily or Myles to round up runners and get a team together. Thanks to all those with drove to Tuam and back for the race.

 

Sportsworld Results

Intermediate Women
2nd Sinead TANGNEY 00:20:39 (Individual Silver Medal, Club Gold Medal and Dublin team Silver Medal!)
6 Helen BROUDER 00:21:11 (Club Gold Medal and Dublin team Silver Medal!)
10 Catherine BAMBRICK 00:21:59 (Club Gold Medal and Dublin team Silver Medal!)
11 Ruth KELLY 00:22:12 (Club Gold Medal and Dublin team Silver Medal!)
14 Noreen BROUDER 00:22:47
22 Stephanie BERGIN 00:23:34
29 Anna DELANEY 00:24:37

Intermediate Women Teams
1st Sportsworld A.C. 29
2 Youghal A.C. 37
3 North Sligo A.C. 84
4 Mayo A.C. 87
5 An Riocht A.C. 121
6 Galway City Harriers A.C. 127
7 Swinford A.C. 153
8 Tuam A.C. 173

Intermediate Womens County results
1st Cork
2 Dublin (Sinead, Helen, Catherine, Ruth)
3 Galway

Intermediate Men
38th Conor MCCARTHY 00:31:52
39 Kevin CURRAN 00:31:55
43 Karl CHATTERTON 00:32:22
48 Stephen O’DONNELL 00:32:41
50 Michael CUNNINGHAM 00:32:49
61 Sadanand MAGEE 00:33:16
76 Anthony GILLEN 00:34:49
77 Diarmuid O’SULLEABHAIN 00:34:59

Intermediate Men Teams
1st Clonliffe Harriers A.C. 62
2 North Belfast Harriers A.C. 66
3 North Sligo A.C. 81
4 Crusaders A.C. 106
5 East Cork A.C. 118
6 Sportsworld A.C. 168
7 Mayo A.C. 172
8 Longford A.C. 180
9 Tuam A.C. 190
10 Galway City Harriers A.C. 198
11 Tullamore Harriers A.C. 203
12 Castlegar A.C. 249

Gold Medals at Leinster Intermediate and Masters!

Race Reports by Aileen Melody and Alan Hynes

Photos by Conor Kenny and Joe Byrne. For the full gallery on Facebook: Click here

Full Sportsworld results at bottom.

Report by Aileen Melody

Leinster Masters Women

Gold medalist race reporter!

Sunday 15th January 2017 exactly one week after the Dublin Masters Cross Country Championships, the Sportsworld Masters Teams set off again this time to  the Leinster Masters .  It was taking place along with the Leinster Intermediate Cross Country Championships.  The venue was Cows Field Dunboyne.  I am not joking that’s what it was called and I think the only other  frequenters of the field besides  us cross country runners are cows judging by the underfoot conditions!

The magnificent seven

While warming up we watched the future of cross country running from around the province take part in some cross country relays.  The announcer on the Public Address System made regular announcements that the programme of races were all going to schedule and five minutes before the start he asked “ Would all the auld ladies make their way to the start” That’s what he said! I checked it afterwards in case this auld wan was hearing things!!! As you can see it was all very good humoured and at ten to one the masters women started off on a tough 2 lap course which wound itself up and down the fields.  The underfoot conditions were a bit better than expected but it definitely was very different than running in the parks!

In the first lap I tried to run steady and hold my place as much as I could and found I felt a lot more comfortable running than I did last week.  The course is fairly flat but was a very windy course with a lot of twists and turns  and very rough grass underfoot so when making some of the turns and trying to keep in the good ground there were a few skirmishes with a few elbows !!

No one told me this was a contact sport!! Into the second lap Sandra came up beside me and gave me a roar of encouragement as she ran past me.  It was what I needed and I went after her and we managed to work together and pick off a few but Sandra pulled away from me in the last 300 meters and finished strong but I think thanks to that roar and us battling I managed to get a bronze medal in my age category so thanks Sandra!

Everyone on the teams had great runs and finished strong and a big congratulations to Ruth Kelly who also got bronze in her age category and bronze on the Dublin team.

Can I also say a big thanks to Emily and Myles for all the encouragement and coaching and cajoling getting all the teams on the line.  Also a huge thanks to all our supporters who travelled on the day and were at every turn and twist of the course to shout us on with the rest of the teams waiting for their races.  A big thanks to Ann, Joe, Conor, Dave and Nick.  If I have missed someone out  I am sorry.

Leinster Intermediate Women

With the two Masters races out of the way the Intermediate women lined up and Sports world had a team of 4 on the start line.

The fantasic four

Right from the start of the race Sportsworld were in the mix with Sinead Tangey leading out a group that included Helen & Noreen Brouder and some stiff completion from a runner from Dunboyne.

With hopes of can she do it? Or fears of has she gone out too fast? We watched as they came around to go into the 2nd and final lap and Sinead was still just leading the group of now 3 of herself, Helen and the Dunboyne athlete.  As Sinead went into the second lap she started to pull away and the excitement was something else among us as we watched her stretch the gap and we knew when she came into the finishing straight she wouldn’t be caught and Sinead became the 2017 Leinster Intermediate champion.

But the excitement wasn’t over yet! Helen and the athlete from Dunboyne had stuck together the whole of the 2nd lap and they turned into the finishing straight together and the excitement and roars as they ran up that finishing straight together who would do it and then it happened Helen pulled away and ran her heart out to the line to secure the silver medal.  Well done also to the athlete from Dunboyne as she fought hard and deserved her bronze medal.

Could it get any better well Noreen and Maria battled in the pack that was following hard on the heels of the medal winners to finish 9th and 18th and secured Gold Medals so Sportsworld are the Leinster Intermediate Cross Country Champions 2017.  Sinead and Helen also took Gold on the Dublin County Team.

What a day!  J

 

Report by Alan Hynes

Race reporter Alan in action

So with Cross Country season upon us it would be rude not to give it a go. The Leinster Masters Cross country in cow field (suitably named) Dunboyne was the venue.

The dirty dozen

My first Cross Country race in a long long time didnt phase me as I had obviously forgotten how tough they can be. Armed with a lot of great advice from my club mates it was only charging into the first corner I got a reminder of my favourite part of this type of racing, the argie bargie elbows out, all fighting for the same six inch bit of ground (great stuff).

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I went out a little hard and on lap two of three brought my pace back a bit but ploughed on, trying to blank out the thoughts of “I must be mad”, “Im dying”.  But thanks to the fantastic support and encouragement all around the course from Sportsworld members, I made it to the finish.
The famous five
I didn’t have a lot left in me at the end, but happy with my run. A big thank you for  the advice given by some seasoned runners  Ruth, Anna, Michael and Anthony to mention a few.
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A great day  with the Ladies providing another outstanding display ,some individual medals and strong performances by all!

 

Sportsworld Results

Intermediate Women
1st Sinead TANGNEY 00:15:26 (Race winner, club team and Dublin Team gold medals!)
2nd Helen BROUDER 00:15:47 (2nd overall and club team and Dublin Team gold medals!)
9th Noreen BROUDER 00:16:30 (Club team gold medal!)
18th Maria JONES 00:17:19 (Club team gold medal!)

Intermediate Women Team Results
1st Sportsworld RC 30
2 Dunboyne A.C. 41
3 Crusaders AC 63
4 Tullamore Harriers A.C. 70
5 Liffey Valley A.C. 87

Intermediate Men
17 Kevin CURRAN 00:30:01
19 Conor MCCARTHY 00:30:12
24 Sadanand MCGEE 00:30:40
29 Karl CHATTERTON 00:31:06
37 Diarmuid O’SUILLEABHAIN 00:32:46

Intermediate Men Team Results
1 Celbridge A.C. 18
2 Tullamore Harriers A.C. 38
3 Raheny Shamrock A.C. 57
4 Liffey Valley A.C. 74
5 Sportsworld RC 89
6 Civil Service A.C. 96

Masters Women
6th Ruth KELLY 00:15:56 (Bronze medal in age category and Dublin Team!)
21 Stephanie BERGIN 00:17:19
31 Anna DELANEY 00:17:50
52 Sandra GOWRAN 00:19:27
57 Aileen MELODY 00:19:39 (Bronze medal in age category)
64 Eileen ROWLAND 00:20:09
69 Audrai O’DRISCOLL 00:21:27

Masters Women Team Results
1st Tullamore Harriers A.C. 32
2 Drogheda & District A.C. 43
3 Sli­ Cualann 49
4 St. L. O’Toole A.C. 49
5 Sportsworld RC 54
6 Dunboyne A.C. 77
7 Donore Harriers 80
8 Raheny Shamrock A.C. 95
9 Balbriggan & District Ac 99
10 Mullingar Harriers A.C. 121

Masters Women Team O50 Results
1st Mullingar Harriers A.C. O/50 16
2 North East Runners Ac O/50 34
3 Tullamore Harriers A.C. 36
4 Sportsworld Rc O/50 44

Masters Men 6k
18th Gareth MURRAN 00:21:24
41 Phil KILGANNON0 0:22:08
56 Michael CUNNINGHAM 00:22:52
61 Justin MCKEEVER00:23:03
88 Anthony GILLEN00:24:00
99 Denis MCCAUL00:24:36
106 Johnny DWYER00:25:03
119 Alan HYNES00:25:34
129 Peter KNAGGS00:26:19
135 Jose CHAPA00:26:46
136 Brian CONWAY00:26:47
141 Noel LYNAM00:27:35
144 Adrian LANIGAN00:27:59
145 Aidan CURRAN00:28:05

Masters Men Team Results
1st Raheny Shamrock A.C. 33
2 Poartlaosie A.C 63
3 Ferbane A.C. 64
4 Donore Harriers M35a 87
5 Newbridge Athletic Club 93
6 Sli­ Cualann 181
7 Mullingar Harriers A.C. 181
8 Sportsworld 1 181
9 Dunboyne A.C. 214
10 Tullamore Harriers A.C. 230
11 Metro/St. Brigid’s A.C. 233
12 Balbriggan & District Ac 240
13 Lucan Harriers 246
14 Sportsworld 2 342
15 Navan A.C. 402

Adrian Lanigan

Meet the Runner is back! This week we have Sportsworld Committee member Adrian Lanigan baring his running soul!

To see the Meet the Runner archive: Click here

 

When did you join Sportsworld?

I first came down to training in December 2014 but joined properly in January 2015.

Where do you work?

I work as the software test manager for an IT company in Clonskeagh.

What is your favourite club session?

My favourite sessions are the track sessions in the spring and summer and the mile repeats on the Mount Carmel lap in the winter.

What is your favorite race distance?

I prefer the longer distance races. I think the half marathon is my favourite distance as it’s a nice balance of speed and endurance. I find in the shorter distance races it’s tougher to maintain that high intensity the whole way. In the marathon I find the need hold something back for later in the race tough and I end up going too fast early in the race. So I think the half is a nice compromise distance with the best of both worlds.

What is your favorite meal before a big race?

Usually if it’s a morning race I have a big bowl of porridge with honey and blueberries. I always follow this up with a good coffee. It’s something I have before all my long runs too so I know it works for me.

My Favourite place to train/compete is?

I love the long runs in the Phoenix Park, particularly early morning before the crowds arrive. For races I love the Dunshaughlin 10k and the Ballycotton 10 mile, great race day atmosphere in both races.

What is your target for the next year?

The plan this year is to get better at the shorter distances, so hoping to PB at 5km, 5 Mile, 10K, 10 Mile and Half Marathon. Not as ambitious as it sounds as I haven’t raced a lot of these distances in a while. I’d also like to run a track race or 2.

What is your best Sportsworld memory?

It has to be the Lanzarote trip last year. It’s a great time of year to get away, the weather was brilliant and the races were a lot of fun. It was great to get to know a lot of people from the club over the week away.

What international events have you ran?

I ran the Berlin marathon last year as well as the La Santa Running Challenge.  Both great experiences and I would recommend everyone to do a destination race at some point.

What do you like doing when you don’t run?

I love to travel and I like to get away a few times per year. I love taking photos though they are usually not very good. I go to most of the Kilkenny hurling matches which I also really enjoy. I’m also a bit of a coffee snob and like to make great coffee to fuel my runs.

How/When did you start your adventure with running?

I spent a good few years not doing much/any sport or exercise. Around 2011 I started going to boot-camp 3 times per week and while I enjoyed it I found it hard to stay motivated with no real goal or indication of progress.

I ended up running a 5k and 8k in the docklands that year and I enjoyed the training for those more than the endless press-ups of the boot-camp so I decided to train for the 10k in the great Ireland run for the following April. By the end of that year I’d ran a good few races ending with the race series half marathon and just kept going from there.

Tell us about your PB’s / What is your biggest achievement?

A lot of my PB’s are from a few years ago and are there to be taken down but:

5km – 20:06 (May 2015)

10km – 42:08 (April 2015)

5 Miles – 35:43 (January 2015)

10 Miles – 73:57 (March 2015)

Half – 1:39:15 (November 2016)

Marathon – 3:26:56 (September 2016)

My biggest achievement I think is the 3:26 from the Berlin marathon. I got injured in the run-up to the 2015 race so I had to defer for a year so I was pretty much targeting this race for 2 years. I put in a lot of miles and I think I ran a really good race on the day. It’s one race where I don’t think I could have done anything any better, either in the build-up or on the day.

How often do you run / What is your typical weekly mileage?

I try to run 5 or 6 times per week. It depends on the time of year and what I’m training for but I usually aim for 35 or 40 miles per week but during marathon training it could be closer to 65 or 70 miles.

What would you say is the best thing about being in a Running Club?

I think the best thing about being in the club is the motivation to get out training 2 or 3 times per week. It’s easy enough to cancel a run if you are going by yourself but it’s a bit easier to get out the door when you know there is a big crowd from the club going to be there. There’s also good fun to be had after the weekend training sessions going for coffee or whatever.

What made you join a Running Club?

I’d been running 2 years and felt I was doing well enough by myself but I knew it would be tough to maintain that motivation while also feeling that the club training should enable me to improve my times.

What was your first day at the Club like?

My first day at the club was the occasion of the cake sale in 2014. I was told we’d run a shortened session because of this but it seemed pretty full on to me, twice around the Terenure lap and then 200m sprints.

I was disappointed to learn that there wasn’t cake after every session.

Why is running important to you?

It’s a great way to stay healthy and there is a great social aspect with being involved in the club. It’s also a wonderful way to see new places and to go exploring when on holidays. It’s also a constant challenge to improve yourself and see how much you can improve year on year. I love that you can run pretty much anywhere, all you need is a pair of running shoes and away you go.

Is there anything you would like to see more of or less of at the Club?

I’d like to see more people running Cross Country races and track races, they are great fun and people shouldn’t feel they are not good enough for them.

Who is the person in the club who inspires/drives to run better?

I think Emily and Myles are a great source of inspiration. It’s amazing to me that they barely ever miss a session and are always very generous with their time and their advice is always spot on.

Do you do any cross training / other sports on a regular basis?

I cycle a fair bit. Mainly just in and out of work but the odd longer cycle also. When I was injured in 2015 I did a lot of cycles of 60-100km which I really enjoyed, it’s a great way of seeing places you normally wouldn’t get to. It’s a great thing to do on holidays also.

To see the Meet the Runner archive: Click here

Dublin Masters Cross Country 2017

Race reports by Catherine Bambrick and Brian Conway

Photos by Eoin O’Brien. Fore the full album: Click here

Full Sportsworld results at bottom

Womens 3k Report by Catherine Bambrick

Race reporter Catherine on Sunday

It was the Sunday after New Year’s Day and the annual Dublin Masters was upon us. The mince pies, turkey and red wine, a distant memory. My New Year’s resolution was to embrace Cross Country running and all the pain & suffering it brings!! 🙂

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Despite getting lost yet again driving to Raheny, I was determined to stick to the plan. I am not sure what it is about St Anne’s Park/Raheny directions, but I always seem to get lost going over there. On meeting Anna & Stephanie and with my New Year’s resolution to the fore front of my mind, I prattled on about the race being a short 3km and wasn’t it a lovely day etc. On recollection, they didn’t look convinced.

It was cross country after all, so the positive attitude was only going to last so long, starting with the warm-up, where Ruth and myself discussed our heavy legs and questioned how we were going to get around this “short” 3km course.

Next thing I know we are on the start line and the gun was going off. (Note to self…..do not stand too near the starter again, I can still hear the ringing in my ears from his gun!!!!!!). Then we were off, me practically sprinting with the fright, only to very quickly realise that it is not possible to sprint 3km and so I settled back into some sort of normal pace, whatever that is for 3km!!!!!!

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The race was fast from the off and with burning lungs, Ruth & I pushed each other the whole way round to finish 4th and 6th. The team bronze was secure with Stephanie & Lucy having great races, coming in 25th & 28th respectively. Eileen Rowland also had a super race to take gold in her age category and the W50+ ladies, taking silver in the team. Not a bad day’s work for the first weekend in January.

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At this point, I must take the opportunity to apologise to Ruth for nearly taking her out during the race. I was in search of dry ground underfoot, not realising that Ruth was headed for that very same bit of dry ground. What are the chances in the middle of St Anne’s Park? Ruth was so traumatised afterwards she didn’t remember until I reminded her over a cuppa 🙂

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There is always a great atmosphere at this race but I think this year the supporters out did themselves. You could hear shouts of encouragement at every corner and for that I would like to say a big thanks. It really does make a difference.

Mens 6k Report by Brian Conway

Race reporter Brian in action Sunday

This year’s men’s masters drew an unusually large entry. Such was the case that the race start was much slower than previous years as runners tried to negotiate the narrow stretch to the first turn.

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After this the race followed a course through open field and then the wooded area and back out again onto grass. As cross-country laps go, the St. Anne’s park lap is relatively flat and fast and seems to feel shorter than it actually is.

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The Sportsworld team – made up of Gareth Murran, Phil Kilgannon, Paul O’Connell, Michael Cunningham, Justin McKeever, Martin Keenan, Denis McCaul, Peter Knaggs, José Chapa, Johnny Dwyer, Brian Conway, Noel Lynam, Adrian Lanigan, and Aidan Curran – came a strong 5th overall.

Notably, Gareth Murran was running in his first Masters cross-country. Congrats to Gareth!

Paul advising Gareth on pension options

After the race, Raheny Shamrock hosted tea/biscuits in the nearby local hall.

Sportsworld Results

Womens 3k
4th Catherine Bambrick 12.15 (W35 Team bronze medal and 2nd in Age Category!)
6th Ruth Kelly 12.20 (W35 Team bronze medal and 3rd in Age Category!)
25th Stephanie Bergin 13.16 (W35 Team bronze medal!)
28th Lucy D’Arcy 13.22 (W35 Team bronze medal!)
52nd Anna Delaney 13.58
81st Breda Browne 15.02  (W50 Team bronze medal!)
84th Eileen Rowland 15.04 (W50 Team bronze medal and 1st in Age Category!)
97nd Sandra Gowran 15.13
106th Aileen Melody 15.21 (W50 Team bronze medal!)
125th Audrey O’Driscoll 16.18 (W50 Team bronze medal!)

Teams W35
1st Crusaders A.C.
2nd Donore Harriers
3rd Sportsworld A.C.
4th Raheny Shamrock
5th Clonliffe Harriers
6th Rathfarnham WSAF
7th Portmarnock A.C.
8th DSD A.C.
9th Lucan Harriers A.C.
10th Brothers Pearse A.C.
11th Civil Service Harriers
12th Tallaght A.C.
13th Balbriggan & District
14th Dublin Bay Running Club

Teams W50+
1st Raheny Shamrock
2nd DSD A.C.
3rd Sportsworld A.C.
4th Blackrock A.C.

Mens 6k
11th Gareth Murran 21.56
25th Phil Kilgannon 22.48
47st Paul O’Connell 23.41
53rd Michael Cunningham 23.52
73rd Justin McKeever 24.30
88th Martin Keenan 24.42
115th Anthony Gillen
118th Denis McCaul 26.05
170th Peter Knaggs 27.42
173rd José Chapa 27.51
183rd Johnny Dwyer 28.05
190th Brian Conway 28.17
213th Declan Brady
214th Noel Lynam 29.21
227th Adrian Lanigan 29.45
231st Aidan Curran 29.49

Team M35
1st Raheny Shamrock
2nd Donore Harriers ‘A’
3rd Crusader A.C.
4th Rathfarnham WSAF
5th Sportsworld A.C.
6th Balbriggan & District
7th Liffey Valley A.C.
8th Tallaght A.C.
9th Metro St Brigids
10th Bros. Pearse
11th DSD A.C.
12th Lucan Harriers
13th Clonliffe Harriers
14th Dublin Bay Running Name
15th Donore Harriers ‘B’
16th Blackrock A.C.
17th Portmarnock
18th Lusk A.C.
19th Dublin Front Runners

 

 

 

Pay club fees online this year

Its that time of year again, club fees are due. We are asking members to pay online by bank transfer if that is possible. Here are some details on making online payments.

Registration is quite a time consuming process for such a large club so members are encouraged to pay online to help the committee volunteers.

ONLINE RENEWAL:

Membership renewal is €90. If you paid online last year then all the details should be saved on your online bank account. Just make sure you put your name in the subject/reference when transferring the money to Sportsworld so we know who has paid!

FIRST TIME MAKING AN ONLINE PAYMENT:

Step 1: Register your details on this page: Fees

Step 2: You will then be directed to a page with all the club banking details.

Go to your online bank account and set up a bank transfer with these details. Make sure you put your name in the subject/reference when transferring the money so we know who is paying – this is really important!

There its that simple!

Note: We don’t use paypal or other payment processing companies as they charge a transaction fee (that you will have to pay). Once you have the bank transfer set up this year you never have to do it again (unless you switch banks) as you can save the details on your online bank account for next year.

NEW MEMBERS:

First time membership is €115 which includes a club race singlet. Club fees also cover such things as the clubhouse maintenance, your insurance, championship race entry and track rental for club training sessions. See steps above for paying online. After you pay ask Emily for your race singlet any night at training. The club fees cover insurance, clubhouse maintenance and other expenses such as renting a running track for training on Saturday mornings in the Spring/Summer. More info on Saturday training here: Training

St Stephens Day 10k Limerick Winner!

Keano is Queen Of Limerick

By Packie Enright

Shona continued her good run of form today with a very good run in Limerick at the annual St Stephens Day Caherdavin 10k in Limerick. Organised by Limerick AC, the race is an ideal plum pudding burner for local runners or for runners home for Christmas from Dublin, London or further afield.

Sportsworld had three runners in action fitting into this category, each breaking 40 mins, so twas a relatively productive bank holiday for all. We had Shona, Will Greensmyth and myself Packie Enright all representing our club with pride. And so that was it, back to our families in preparation for one of the biggest festive nights of the year.

Sportsworld results

18th  39.12.05 Patrick Enright
19th 39.15.83 Shona Keane – Winner of womens race by 3min!
20th 39.21.30 Will Greensmyth

Tom Brennan 5K 2017

There is no better way to ring in the new year than to put it all out there running a 5K in the beautiful Phoenix Park. It was a very cold day for the annual Tom Brennan 5K. However, despite the cold weather over 700 runners signed up for the New Year’s day event. So cold in fact that you look closely at the race photographs you will see an icicle coming out of my mouth. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

The race route is a two loop course which starts and finishes on the Furze Road in the middle of the Phoenix Park. Participants follow a clockwise, right-handed, route around Furze Road, Ordnance Survey and Chesterfield Avenue. It being the depths of winter there was a very strong wind into your face along ordnance Survey Road, making conditions tough for everyone on that part of the course.

The race today was also part of the very popular Lord Mayor’s 5 Alive Challenge, which promotes a healthy lifestyle and encouraging people to take part in series of events in the Dublin region. All types of runner, jogger and walkers came to the park to ring in the new year, by taking a healthy step forward.

The race start is down near the corner of ordnance Survey Road. This was one of the toughest parts of the chorus as there is a sharp right turn which slows you write down. How much is the first lap I was running with a group of eight but by the time we came around to the halfway point two of the guys had moved out ahead? The pace was fast but I was now committed and was holding on to the chasing group ready to make a move at

The pace was faster than I had run in 2 years but I was now committed and was holding on to the chasing group ready to make a move at 4k, if I last that long. I have run enough of these types of races to know that the pain is temporary but the disappointment of not having given it you’re all lasts a lot longer.

 

 

 

We hit the 4K mark so I decided to make a move. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much there in reserve. I struggled down chesterfield Avenue with the finish line getting ever closer. When we turned the corner third place was gone. I fell over the line, happy knowing that if I can stay injury free there is a great year ahead. But still a little disappointed to not run under 16 minutes.

Unknown to me there was quite a battle with only 19 seconds separating Sandra, Eileen and Conor. Well done to everyone running for the club, even if most of you had forgotten you singlets. Full results below. Apologies if I missed anyone.

Host club Liffey Valley AC along with my run results.com put on a great race. All the supporters out on the course made it all the more enjoyable. Thanks to Dennis, Johnny, Madeleine and Emma for their post long run support and photos. More photo credits go to Peter Mooney and Thomas Grealy.

Gareth MURRAN00:16:0200

Sandra GOWRAN 00:23:1200

Eileen ROWLAND 00:23:2100

Conor KENNY 00:23:3100

Grainne LYNCH 00:23:4800

AudraÍ O’DRISCOLL 00:24:4800

Valerie POWER 00:25:2500

Wicklow 5K 2016

Despite having nothing to do it’s taken me almost a week to write this race report. On the 26th of December every year I go to Wicklow town for the annual 5K. It’s not the fastest but is a fast course if you can manage the hills. It’s a great way to blow way the Christmas excess and soak up the local race atmosphere. This year the weather conditions were fantastic. The scene was set for a fast race with very little breeze and a high winter sun.
I try to run this race every year but last year I was injured and unable to run. Standing on the start line in 2016 with a little over three months running in my legs I wasn’t brimming with confidence that I could repeat my only road race victory to date from, two years ago. Looking around  I spotted a few familiar faces, i.e lads that I think will beat me. Doubts aside I decided I’d get a fast start because the first 2K of the race is a steep uphill, followed by a long downhill section.
Once things got going that all went out the window. Just after the 1k mark there was a man standing at the side of the road indicating that we should turn left. Surprised I said to the guy beside me they should really tell you when they change the course. He politely respond that  they change the course last year. There goes my tactics! I started catching people as we wen through the first 2K including the guy wearing the GAA jersey and long shorts, a few kids, your women with the headphones 🙂 we’ve all seen them.
When we got to 3K I was starting to feel the lactic but for some reason those nagging  doubts in my head were gone. I said to myself that I have ran faster than this before so there is no reason I cant do it today. Now having made my way up to 3rd position I was unsure who was behind me, or how close they were, I kept focusing on the Crusaders runner in front of me. There was a nice stretch along the waterfront to pass the time.
Once you hit 4K in a 5K race you hope to god that it’s partially downhill. The new course did not disappoint with the same finish as the old one. Anything that will distract you from the suffering you choose to embrace.  With 800M to go the competitive instinct kicked in as I started to catch the guys in front and cheered on by the local crowd I felt like I was flying. With the finish in site 2nd was a step too far, a quick look behind and that was it. I came across the line in 16:09 met by a friendly face. Lucy Darcy handed me my finishing time and  told me to ]write a race report. Fair play to Lucy and team and the host club Inbhear dee Wicklow Ac on the great event. A  good race to compensate for the lack of a session Christmas week.
I went in to Wicklow with 16.29 as a target bit I’m now going into the new year with a 15.59  target and a new 5K PB the summer, things are going in a good direction after nothing but injuries and disappointment in  2016.   The next day at the crack of dawn I headed from my parents house in Rathfarnham up to the back gate of the water works for a 25K loop with a spring in my step .

Meet and Train Tymon Park

Race Report by Sandra Gowran

Photos and video by Gareth Murran. For for photo gallery: Click here

About 6 weeks ago Sportsworld was asked to host the last Meet & Train cross-county race of the year – we willingly agreed and set about to get the necessary permission from the Parks Department of the County Council.
Race reporter Sandra….before she decided to race
Having only received official confirmation from South Dublin CC that we could hold the race in Tymon with less than a week to race day a trusty team of Sportsworld Committee members got together to plan for the race; if our racing standards ever drop there’s a definite business possibility for lastminuteraces.com such was the standard of organisation of today’s race.
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A big shout-out to all those who helped in organising – Aileen Melody and Breda Brown for getting all the paperwork in order; Dave Clarke for ensuring that we had loadsa tea and biscuits, etc for the post-race chat; Michael Cunningham, Eoin O’Brien, Catherine Muleady, Adrian Lanigan, Paul Duffy and others who set out the course; Emily Dowling for organising for the use of Faugh’s GAA Club and only setting off the alarm once to my two times this morning! Gareth Murran for the amazing photos and video. Thanks to everyone else who turned up early clad in the red and white of Sportsworld to help out.
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It was a glorious morning, more like a day in early May than December and the underfoot conditions were equally as welcoming.
Yours truly rocked up to help with the hosting of the race without any intentions of racing – in fact I said several times that I wasn’t racing, it went something like this:
Sportsworld Member at the start of the M&T season: Sandra are you doing the M&T?
Me: Probably not
Sportsworld Member about 6 weeks to today’s race: Sandra, are you racing?
Me: I don’t think so
Sportsworld Member about 2 weeks to today’s race: Sandra, are you racing?
Me: No, definitely not.
Sportsworld Member about 2 days to today’s race: Sandra, are you racing?
Me: Absolutely not, I have a litany of excuses that I could give but really I just don’t want to!
Emily less than 60 secs before the starting whistle this morning: Sandra, are you racing?
Me: Ah sure feck it, I will!
What is it they say about a woman’s prerogative to change her mind?!
Anyway just before my change of mind I had controversially set my Santa hat on the top of a course stake to mark the finish – that it was at the brow of a hill is where the controversy arises as it seems Eoin O’Brien had not long before told everyone that the finish was ‘lovely and flat’ – the course was a bit short so I lengthened the finish to bring us closer to the 2 mile mark – not my fault there just happened to be a hill there!
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So, back to me changing my mind – I arrived at the start line just to witness the girls in the front row chomping at the bit like greyhounds ready for the off – I tucked in close to the rear happy not to be attempting to catch the hare today, and we were off.
It’s been so long since I ran a M&T race that I had forgotten just how ‘low pressure’ they can be – there were loads of women around me which allowed me to work my way through a little as we tackled ‘the hill’ (it was a slope really) for the first time. The race was well dotted with Sportsworld supporters and stewards who offered great encouragement – most even recognised me despite the fact that shame of all shames, I wasn’t wearing my Club singlet (hence my punishment in writing the race report!).
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There was a lovely steep downhill in the second field and only one wet and mucky patch for about 50 metres, before we knew it we were back to the beginning of the second lap. There was a great number from Sportsworld Racing – many who had recently completed the 4 day La Santa Challenge series (there was also  a good few absent due to the excesses of Christmas – we’ll say no more) and there were some great performances and markers set for the rest of the season.

Before I knew it I was entering the final field and the finish was in sight – one last effort up the slope/hill and I had completed my first M&T race in about 13 years (yes, 13!) and joined my club mates in the post-race glow analysis – it was at this point that I learned that Maria Jones was just pipped at the line for 1st place – the controversy being had I not lengthened the finish she may have held onto 1st place, however had I continued on up the hill/slope to get to 2 miles exactly (yes the race was still a little short!) the outcome- well we’ll never know – Maria will just have to have another go next time.
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Well done to all my club mates on racing, cheering, organising, photography, videoing, pouring, sharing, etc. Wishing you all a lovely holiday season with loved ones and a wonderfully rewarding and enjoyable 2017 running and racing with Sportsworld Running Club.
P.s. there are two morals to this story – 1. Always pack your club singlet even if you have absolutely no intention of racing, ever (otherwise you’ll end up doing the race report) and 2. Be emphatic – just say ‘No’ and stick to it (….unless of course there’s the potential to get an endorphin hit and then it’s perfectly reasonable to say Yes…..!)
The New Meet & Train Trophies

Eoin Keith wins Special Achievement Club Award

Special congratulations to Eoin Keith who capped off an amazing year by picking up Sportsworlds Special Achievement Club Award tonight! Eoin also won the 2016 Athletics Ireland Ultra Athlete of the Year Award 2 weeks ago but he said this one was better!

Earlier this year Eoin won and smashed the non-stop Northern Traverse Race record in the UK, where he had to run from the Irish Sea to the North Sea across the UK!

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