Monday evening the weather is somewhat poor so rather than go for the run that’s on the training plan I stay in and watch some darts. That same evening a friend from Lanesboro phones me offering an entry to Wednesday’s Run into the Dark 10k. Initially I wasn’t very enthusiastic as not only was I looking forward to Tuesday’s hills and sprint session in Rathfarnham, but I reckoned it would also be difficult timing wise to get home Wednesday and then gt into the city in time.
The Run into the Dark is an event held in over 50 cities worldwide where tens’ of thousands of runners (and walkers) join with the Mark Pollock Trust to support ongoing research to find a cure for spinal cord injury. A charity well worth supporting.
So Tuesday evening I gave hills and sprints due respect and crawled home.
Wednesday after arriving home at 6:15pm there waiting for me was an envelope with a race number, bag tag, an armband with LED sparkles on it and a page giving all the necessary event details. Race start time is 8pm and bag drop closes at 7:20pm. Hmmm, sore legs and not much time left to get there so decision made. After a quick change, off I cycle the 15km to the bag drop area.
First impression is that this looks well organised and there are a lot of marshals on hand to help.
The evening was windy, cold but at least dry. I didn’t bother with a token warm up and headed to the race start area where I met two fellow club mates Peter Knaggs and Noel Lynam.
Noel, Peter & Anthony
We chatted a bit giving advice to each other – mainly don’t start too fast. When 8pm approached we danced on the spot a bit probably copying everyone else. 15 minutes later we were still dancing and wondering whether to put long sleeve tops back on. The MC was still winding up the crowd in the background so at 8:15 long sleeve tops were back on.
The race started at 8:16 in front of the Custom House along Dublin’s north quays and headed out in the direction of the Three Arena. I was nowhere near the front, so the first 500m was spent dodging slower traffic. The next 500m was spent trying to get to my target average km pace for the first km. So first lesson learnt, I must get up to the start line for the next race. Long sleeve top is now back off. And legs feel sore already and I had to force myself to think ahead and not about the previous night.
At this point we are turning left at the Three Arena and then it’s upwards to the next roundabout to return back the way we came. The route then takes us left over the Liffey via the Samuel Beckett Bridge and after a short loop we split from the 5k runners by going down Cardiff Lane, fortunately not left down Misery Hill, but left on Pearse Street and then onwards to Ringsend. The support from locals on this stretch was fantastic. I am sure a few were wondering what madness had gotten into us given the inclement weather.
So I soldier on sound in the knowledge that I was under my target time for the distance. Around 8km I found the going a bit tough and when my watch broadcasted the latest lap time it was time to dig deep and stay on the heels of some runners trying to edge away. Onwards towards the Eastlink Toll Bridge and over the bridge to the Three Arena turning left for the home straight.
At Samuel Beckett Bridge the 5k folks join us so the possibility of a fast finish is denied and the dodging match resumes. Finally the finish line appears and a token 25m sprint ensues taking me over the line in 39:39. My first sub 40 minute 10k!
Following the organiser’s instructions I kept moving back to the CHQ building picked up a goody bag containing some candy, picked up my bag and cycled home, uphill and against the wind, with the excitement that one feels from achieving a career milestone. Hooray for someone else’s entry. Thanks Marie!
For those of you who have run a Marathon you will be familiar with the empty feeling you sometimes get once you have completed the challenge , there is something missing. You have been training hard for weeks now all of a sudden you have no goal any more. Thats exactly the way I was feeling after Dublin so I decided to get back on the horse straight away and find a bigger challenge.
First step to find an event ,then some comrades , so I roped in Shay Brady (full marathon) and Stephen Willoughby (half-marathon) and we headed off to Co Down for this challenge, see video below!
See Sportsworld Running Clubs Cross Country Titles to date here:Cross Country Titles
Cross Country I Love You. Well one of us had to say it. The Cross Country season is fast approaching and there are a lot of new runners in the club who will hopefully be embarking on their first cross country love affair this year. But before the cross country haters pervert their minds some information needs to be passed on.
Michael Cunningham Loving Cross Country
Tell someone you couldn’t do a marathon and they would train every day until they proved you wrong. Tell people cross country is tough and can be hard work and they will instantly believe and agree with you and swear an oath never to do a cross country race, ever.
Some times its hard to understand why people don’t instantly like cross country.
You don’t need a watch as unlike track or road races, time is not important. Road races can blend into a blur but Cross Country races are memorable, the hill in Avondale or the mud bath in Santry are indelible and although there are team events in road races, a Cross Country race is all about the team.
Individual medals in cross country are like hens teeth so most runners are out to get their club a team medal even if it involves passing Usain Bolt on the home straight just to get one more place.
So if teams medals interests you there are 3 regions:
Your county (people born outside Dublin have been known to run for Dublin),
Your province (Munster supporters have been known to run in Leinster cross country races) and finally
The Nationals, the big time.
Within each region you have 3 levels (which are not always as they seem):
Novice
Intermediate
Senior
So simply 9 races: the three regions, each with three levels. See fixtures below.
There are also Masters races in each regions – these are races for those over 35 years old. But you can still race in the other levels. (i.e. compete in both the Dublin Novice and Masters races)
In theory Dublin novice is your starting point and National Senior is your end point with 7 races in between. Dublin novice is a fast 6Km for men and 4Km for Women and National Senior is 12Km endurance for Men and 10Km for Women. Some people prefer the faster shorter races where as others like the longer distance races.
The terrain is never predictable. As the weather, the number of previous races and the Gods decide if there are hills, firm ground or hot showers.
There is a move to get more people into cross country running with the Dublin Novice teams (October 4th 2015) needing minimum 6 runners to make a team with the top 4 scoring. So you need minimum 6 runners for your club to count, if you have 5 you have no team so that is why it can be so important for people to commit to doing races as the rest of the team depends on you showing up.
The scoring is the simple adding up of the positions of everyone on the team, and the top 3 teams are the ones with the lowest team score (1st, 13rd, 25th, 39th would have team score of 78).
Even if you don’t make it on to a the team your position could be ahead of a scoring runner on another team making their team score worse so every team members place counts not just the top 4.
By scoring on a gold winning county team or getting an individual 1st, 2nd or 3rd means you are no longer welcome at that race next year as you are now just too good. You need a Phd to work out what medals rule you out of what races so its best just to concentrate on getting the medals first.
We are going to try and advertise cross country race dates as soon as we have them and get people focused on having full men and womens teams in each of the 9 races. The first race of the season is the Dublin Novice on October 7th 2018 and we will let people know the rest of the dates as soon as we have them which should be at least a month before each race.
You don’t need any special equipment for Cross Country just a pair of spikes and a club singlet. As soon as the closing ceremony takes place at the Tallaght track we will be moving the Saturday morning training to Phoenix park or the ‘Field of dreams’ in Kiltipper.
The training is no tougher then the Saturday track training and some people may even enjoy it more. So if you have any questions about cross country racing the best thing is to try the Saturday morning training and as the Graded track relay race proved the training and races are more enjoyable the more people from the club that take part.
The 2018/19 cross country season could be a seriously successful year for both the men and womens Senior and Masters teams so make sure your name is down on the team list.
The Championship Season
(inc Masters Level*)
National Senior (The Inter Clubs)
National Intermediate
National Novice
National Masters
Leinster Senior
Leinster Intermediate
Leinster Novice
Leinster Masters
Dublin Senior
Dublin Intermediate
Dublin Novice
Dublin Masters
Other races:
Inter-Counties Cross Country (Athletes selected by their county board).
Autumn Open Cross Country (The Autumn Open was formally the Gerry Farnan XC. It’s a season opener that anyone can enter – all the other races above are only open to Athletics Ireland club runners and teams are entered via your club secretary.
* Masters Level is over 35 years old. But you can still race in the other levels.
(i.e. compete in both the Dublin Novice and Masters races)
See Sportsworld Running Clubs Cross Country Titles to date here: Cross Country Titles
A short note from the 30th Anniversary Ball organisers Paddy and Shona along with a gallery of photos is available here: Sportsworld 30th Anniversary
Celebrating 30 Years ~ special thanks to the author Conor Kenny
On Saturday night, September 21st, some 150 Sportsworld members, family and friends gathered to celebrate 30 years a growing.
A balmy Indian evening rounded off the most perfect summer in years. It was a fitting end to a new beginning.
Big smiles in tuxedos greeted beautiful women in ball gowns. One by one, the night air was filled with laughter, friendship and fun. It was unusual to see runners at their best when we are used to each other at our worst. Men were dapper and handsome in traditional black and white. But, our girls stole the show looking beautiful, fit and fabulous. If ever there was an advert for health and fitness, the slow parade into the ball room proved the point.
Almost accidentally, ‘trees’ became the theme of the night and, as it happened, an appropriate metaphor for growth, roots and legacy.
But, you see, these nights don’t just happen. Behind every successful event that ‘looks’ seamless, there’s a few quiet people who do Trojan work. The Ring Master was Shona Keane who sparkled her way through the night. Since March, she quietly kept her eye on the finish line and could not be distracted. Paddy Lynch was the visionary and recruited his team perfectly. Just like our first ever Bushy Park Meet & Train race, Paddy has an outstanding record of delivering his dreams. This was another.
Michael Cunningham is our very own ‘Quiet Man’ but don’t let that fool you. He’s built of everlasting steel and has a work ethic to prove it. It’s no coincidence that Michael recently took home a National Half Marathon Silver Medal. Tirelessly, behind the scenes, Michael just drove on until the night was ready.
We went to our tables and the red and white balloons bobbed happily along with ourselves. Just like the mood on a training Tuesday, the mood was good.
On a big screen some images started to play. Before long we were mesmerized by the framed photos hanging on a tree. “Oh look there’s …..” It was clever, compelling and the ‘tree’ was holding court once more.
On our tables, a branded disk. I couldn’t help thinking how symbolic it was of today, the future and how far we’d come from our leafy first steps. All of this would have done an international conference proud but, on this occasion, it was the long hours, ingenuity and dedication of Gareth Murran. That guided us through a time tunnel of memories.
With so many awards, time came to acknowledge the very special people who have been instrumental in building our club, our values, our brand and our purpose. The tree was to pop up again and again.
Yours truly had the honour of opening the awards and giving a little insight into how we gain much more from a club than the ability to run faster.
Mick Dowling followed and reminded us of very humble beginnings, the importance of our clubs culture and the bag full of medals too.
Us grey members were very eager to look into, and preserve the future. Who better to represent that other than Shona Keane? It was no surprise that she sparkled again and it was very much a case of old wisdom being reborn with a new generation.
It was time to present the awards.
They ran up and walked back, each proud and almost all surprised. The awards were a superb mix of achievement and athleticism and the constant theme of selfless endeavour and a commitment to our values reminded me of Warren Buffett’s quote;
“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago”.
The supporting act to the main event was the acknowledgement of our best athletes over the last year. To mere mortals (like me) their prowess continues to astound. Paul Duffy’s unbelievable 2:29 marathon, Caitriona Higgins’s rise from runner to serious racer. Orla’s Iron Man, Ann Higgins’s Half Marathon PB, the list went on.
If you are ever asked to make the keynote speech, there are a few little benefits to soothe the butterflies. Mine was to sit beside Emily who exudes the wonder of youth and life. It was almost time for the spotlight to shine brightly on her.
In 2000, I was a 3 year veteran of Sportsworld. A girl joined our ranks and wore big baggy football shorts. Like me, she wasn’t in peak condition. An immediate bond formed 13 years ago but sadly, our running paths did not run parallel. Sandra Gowran epitomizes everything that is good about Sportsworld and what makes us tick. From baggy shorts to Bristol (and an Irish singlet) it was absolutely fitting Sandra introduced Emily for her ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ as Sandra reeled off the medals, marathons and high achievement, Emily groaned with constant “Oh No, No …. “ You see, real achievers are often humble and avoid bright lights. Not tonight.
The tree was making another comeback. As Sandra pointed out, it was a fitting metaphor for growth, roots and branches. It was also where our club began.
For the older generation, ‘the tree’ is symbolic in many ways. It captures the soul of Sportsworld. To mark the occasion, Ciara Foster, artist, captured the tree. It is a beautiful painting that will evoke so much in the Dowling’s household in years to come.
With the formal presentations over, it was time to relax. Our very own (and superb) Paparazzi captured the glitz, the glamour and the fun. Eoin and Anna should take a bow.
The music started and Ray Carpenter made an entrance to the dance floor that would have trumped James Bond. Beautiful women clamored to accompany his every move…. at least that’s what Ray told me later!
Ellen Lavin took to the floor and a posse quickly followed.
Val Lacey, Queen of the dance floor, was rousing the resting troops. The promise of a fluorescent stick “if you dance” seemed to inspire a generation.
Friends chatted and new friendships formed. Slowly, the night wound down until little groups quietly left just as they’d come.
When it was all over, I reflected on one particular line. It was a line from Paddy Lynch. Just before the Ball began he told us that “he’d seen the future of the club. He knew it was in safe hands”
Isn’t that what leaders do?
Isn’t that why they see what the rest of us don’t see?
Isn’t that the role of a leader?
His prophetic words brought me back to Ronald Regan’s famous line. It’s not a bad compass for the future. Here’s to the next 30 years….and beyond.
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same”.
The great motivator! A magazine cover and article featuring Sportsworld head coach Emily Dowling in 1984 and who has been continuously coaching Sportsworld athletes for 35 years now!
1997 Leinster Novice in Gowran Kilkenny. From right: Joe Byrne in the white Sportsworld tshirt who was on the winning Sportsworld team. Beside him one Myles Nugent (704) along with Tommy O’Neill, Jack Tyrell and Brendan O’Connor. Myles and the lads won masters gold wearing those blue Dublin vests.
We are back with Sportsworld coaches Emily Dowling and Myles Nugent at the World Masters Championships in 1999!
Thanks to Sandra Gowran for these photos from the club trip to Lanzarote in 2004! See you on the plane on Saturday!
One week to go! Rachael Morgan racing in Lanzarote back in 2008!
The 2013 Leinster Intermediate Cross-Country Champions! From left: Gavin Finlay (thanks for the photo!), Gareth Murran, Karol Cronin (who won the race) and Paul Duffy (who along with Gav raced 13 days after the Dublin marathon!).
For the week thats in it, Paul Duffy on his way to capturing the Sportsworld marathon record by finishing in 20th place at the 2012 Dublin marathon in a time of 2 hours 29 min and 48 seconds!
Best of luck to all those running the marathon this Sunday! I hope you are all looking as relaxed and fresh after 23 miles as Anna Delaney and Brenda Egan did in 2013!
Club Social night in Birchalls of Ranalgh Sunday evening from 7.30pm!
Throwback Thursday: Coach Myles Nugent beating Packie Enright at his own game in Lanzarote in 2007! For all those going to La Santa next month you need to register yourselves in advance for the races here: Click here
Two of Sportsworlds fastest ever men, Paul Duffy (2.31 marathon time – like his race number!) and Phil Kilgannon (2.33 marathon time) racing in the 2009 Autumn Open Cross Country (then called the Gerry Farnan CC).
The 2016 Autumn Open starts at 2pm this Sunday at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown.
Thanks to Lucy D’Arcy for finding this. Sportsworld head coach Emily Dowling on Ireland duty in Brisbane!!!
The 2013 Dublin Novice Cross Country team getting their strides in pre-race! The 2016 Dublin Novice is on this Sunday 2nd October in the Phoenix Park. Sportsworld have two full teams competing, ladies 4k race at 2.15 and the mens 6k race at 2.45. Get out and support your clubmates!
Mick and Emily Dowling with Sportsworlds team warm weather training in Portugal in 2007. Photo bomb by Dermot Bates!
Throwback Thursday: The 2010 Dublin Novice Cross Country teams, who will be in the 2016 photo in 3 weeks time!
Cross country training this Saturday in the Phoenix Park!
We are going all the way back…..to 2 weeks ago as the Brouder sisters where featured in the Limerick Leader after their recent cross country success! Well done again ladies and thanks to our Munster correspondent Packie for the photo!
With the upcoming cross country season we have Paul O’Connell and Myles out on the Phoenix Park course at the 2009 Dublin Novice. See you all there in October!
Head Coach Emily Dowling showing the secret to her success!
Harry Gorman, who is currently in Rio at his 15th Olympics in a row, is waiting at the finish line for the winner of the Terenure 5 mile race in the mid-2000’s along side spritely looking Sportsworld runners Martin Keenan and Joe Byrne!
Thanks to Packie Enright for digging out this great photo of the 2005 Streets of Galway crew!
Back row L-R: Ray Carpenter, Dave Clarke, Nichola Bennett, Dermot Bates, Ilaria Sasscini, Noel Keenan, John McCormack, Eileen Walsh, Eimear Power (nee Martin), Amy Fitz, ?, Lisa Singleton, Seán Singleton, Nick Greaves, Tony McGann.
Front row L-R: Michael O’Grady, Lucy D’arcy, ?, Ruth McGann, Emily Dowling
Club chair Sandra Gowran and Lucy D’Arcy getting in some warm weather training in Monte Gordo, Portugal back in 2007!
The 2009 Sportsworld Burren Half marathon team taking in the sights of Co. Clare #culturevultures
With the success of her daughter Carla at the U20 World Championships yesterday; this week we have Ann Sweeney showing her how its done on the home straight at the 2011 Mini Marathon!
For the day thats in it, Paul O’Connell on his way to winning the old Docklands 8k in 2009! 35 Sportsworld runners will be taking on the newer 5k course tonight! Post race refreshments in the Ferryman after, see you all tonight!
Sportsworlds Helen White in action at the European Mountain Running Championships held in Austria in 2009!
Photos by by Gerry Brady imra.ie
The 2010 Sportsworld 5 Mile Classic (now Terenure 5) winning teams being watched over by Mick Dowling! Clockwise from top left: Aoife Brady, Lucy D’Arcy, Crona Brady, Jean Wilson, Trevor Sweeney, Phil Kilgannon, Paul Duffy, Paul O’Connell
Throwback Thursday: The winning 4x400m relay team at last years club championship! This years race is THIS SATURDAY at 9am in Tallaght. Help is required so if you can’t run come along to give a hand. Tea, coffee and food will be put on by the club during the prize giving afterwards. Post race drinks in the The Odeon on Harcourt Street in town from 8pm. See you all Saturday!
The Dublin Intermediate Cross Country team who got silver medals on October 15th 2000 in Tymon Park! Thanks Paddy Lynch for digging this one out!
What else people, what else did you expect? The final sprint to the finish line by the BHAA Division D 1200m Champ back in 2015. Such a monumental moment the BHAA actually retired the 1200m distance for 2016.
As graceful as a gazelle sprinting across the plains of the Serengeti one international commentator was overheard saying. A terrible beauty is born said another. The 2016 BHAA Trinity College Track Races are NEXT WEDNESDAY at 7pm on the grass track out front of the Pavilion Bar. See you there!
This week we have Myles Nugent finishing the 1987 Belfast marathon in 2hrs 39min! He returned in 1988 to run 2:36 and finish 17th!
This week we have new Sportsworld committee members Killian McMorrow (94) and Aileen Melody (5) racing in Wexfords Kilmore Quay 10k road trip back in 2008! Running along side Killian is Susan McDonnell (19).
After sending in his first race report in 7 years yesterday from Jamaica we will stick with Trevor Sweeney. After running a PB in the 2009 Dublin marathon of 2 hours 48min, Trevor won a hair straightener for his efforts at the cake sale the following month! Trevor is back for a holiday in June to tell you ALL about it.
Some previous winners of the Terenure 5/5 Mile Classic! In 1993 we had the World 5000m Champion Ismael Kiriui run 22:07 for the distance, a world record at the time. And in 1994 Irelands own Catherina McKiernan ran 25:43!
Other great winners where:
1986 Ailish Smyth 26:50,
1988 Jill Hunter 25:24,
1989 Jerry Kiernan 23:06,
1991 Eamon Martin 22:17,
1994 John Treacy 23:06,
2000 Magdalen Chemjor 26:13.
We are only going back a year this week to the 2015 Terenure 5! This will give you some impression of the crowds that will descend on Terenure in 10 days! Don’t miss out this year, enter the 2016 edition here: Click here
With Novembers plane to Lanzarote filling up it had to be a La Santa photo this week! The Sportsworld Team photo after completing the International Running Challenge in the early 2000’s!
Throwback Thursday: Phil Kilgannon after finishing his leg at the National Road Relays in 2009! Phil will be racing in the same event THIS Sunday afternoon in Rahney! Photo by David Bradshaw.
Myles Nugent appears on YouTube on his way to finishing 6th in the Sunday World New Years Day 10k in 1990 in the Phoenix Park! Great to hear the comments at the end about how tough the Kyber pass was back then too! Below are screenshots of Myles and RTE coverage of the race with commentary by George Hamilton!
Myles appears in a yellow singlet at 1:00 to 1:17 sec and again at 2:40 to 2:49.
Throwback Thursday: For some inspiration for returning to track training this Saturday; this week we have two more of the clubs most successful athletes, Aoife & Crona Brady (running a PB that day), in 1500m action at the National Senior Track & Field Championships in Santry in 2009!
Totally forgot to post last week and we had this great photo picked of Sportsworlds Lucy D’Arcy and Helen White in St Patricks Day green, racing the 2012 British & Irish Masters CC! Better late than never!
As we leave the cross country season behind we have a picture this week of Dave Clarke and Pat at the National Half Marathon circa 2004!
We have another Sportsworld legend this week with Jean Wilson in cross country action! Thanks to Sandra Gowran for sending it in!
Jean features in a number of places on the clubs records listings here: Records
Two of the fastest people to wear the Sportsworld vest. Eimear Martin (494) who holds the clubs women’s 5k record of 16:58 and Bernadette White (492) who holds the 400m record in 63:02!
With the week that’s in it, with Sean O’Byrne writing the club history (click here), here is a picture of Sean, Mick Dowling, Paddy Lynch and Dave Clarke in 2005 standing outside the brand new clubhouse!
After a brief hiatus last week (i.e. I forgot) we are back with another classic Sportsworld picture. This week we have Sean O’Byrne and Paddy Lynch down the track with what appears to be a stop watch and a pint of Guinness!!!
Sportsworld legend and long serving member Shelia Champion in T&F action and with Emily at last months cake sale!
The Sportsworld Clubhouse from 1983 – 2005 until our current home was built!
Sportsworld President Mick Dowling boxing Cuban Orlando Martinez at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico city and the two men sparing again in Havana, Cuba in 2015!
Head Coach Emily Dowling eyeing up the competition back in the 1980s!
Dave making his new years resolution back in 2009! Ok its really the post race party after the Sportsworld mens senior team won the Dunshaughlin 10k in 2009. Happy New Year!
The Sportsworld crew out for their St Stephens Day run in 2001!
We weren’t having such mild weather this time back in 2010!
Lucy D’Arcy tearing it up at the 2008 Mini Marathon!
Sportsworld crew at the log where we start training in Bushy Park back in 1992
Thanks to Will Greensmyth for digging out this photo showing some youthful looking club members from the 2007 Lanzarote trip!
Sportsworld 1984!
Lucy Darcy, Helen White, Eimear Martin & Sandra Gowran with coach Emily Dowling at the 2004 European Clubs 15km Road Race, Italy
Paddy Lynch & Mary Whelan racing for Sportsworld in the 1988 Dublin Marathon
Sportsworld Head Coach Emily Dowling on her way to winning the 1981 Dublin Marathon
This time three years ago Packie Enright (the only person with his own name on his singlet), was commissioned to write a short report on the graded track and field events that happen over the summer, and answer any common questions that people might have about them. He may have thought he was getting paid by the word, but the final result is a very complete explanation of these events. Its a great piece that’s relevant for any year.
Dublin Athletic County Board Graded T&F Meets.
What?
This presents a unique opportunity for club runners young and old with only a passing interest in the sport to test themselves against other club members of their own ability from around Ireland, but predominantly from Dublin clubs.
Who can compete?
Absolutely anyone of any age, race, colour or religion with any interest in athletics can compete.
Is there an entry fee?
The Dublin Athletic County Board has to live on something so yes there is an entry fee. You can pay separately on the night for one night (I think €8) where you get a temporary number. Better still you can register for the series at a reduced rate per evening (I think €45), hereby getting one number which you must bring with you to each subsequent evening.
Are there medals/cash prizes?
With the exception of the Dublin County Championship (Sat June 20th), these are non – competitive events. All you will gain is valuable experience. And a time/distance/height that is universally accepted and comparable to an athlete in Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong or Denmark. You can’t make such assertions with road or cross country events as the distances are approximate and terrains differ. However there are ‘Development’ races incorporated into some evenings. These are designed to improve the standard of Irish athletics and there are cash prizes for these.
Who will I be pitted against?
You will be against competitors at your level as each event is ‘graded’. Grades range from grade A to grade D. Yes grade A or development races can contain some of Ireland’s greatest current competitors, but the other grades certainly do not. Grade D typically contains Master (over 40) athletes. Each grade has an approximate standard allocated to it for each event. For example senior mens 3000m – 9:00.00 is the grade A standard (72s all the way around). If you feel that you are this fit, then this is your race. Otherwise you can go into grade B (which maybe 10 mins or whatever), or the next grade down (which could be 11 mins). This prevents any mismatches. You’ll know from your sessions or road races what shape you’re in. Provided you are in the correct race based on these guidelines, you won’t be out of your dept. It is important that you’re in the correct race. Too high a grade and you’ll get isolated and be racing against the clock (which you could do in training on your own). Too low a grade and you’ll win too easily, gain nothing from the evening; and this is disrespectful to your fellow competitors in that race. If you’re in the correct grade, you will perform to the best of your current ability.
What sort of events have they?
On each evening there are typically 3 track events and 3 field ones. Not all of the 19 T&F events are catered for time reasons, there’s only so much that you can get done in 2 hours. So no decathlon! Hurdles or steeplechase events are rarely laid out either. Remember the organisers are amateur people like you or I who work a day job and are giving up their free time (just like BHAA); and while some may come across as being rude and short tempered they’re grand if you comply with them. For track there is one sprint, middle distance and long distance event each evening, in that order and with 4 grades in each for both sexes. For field there are generally one or two jump/vaults and one or two throwing events per evening.
Where & when?
There are 8 meets in total, typically every 2 wks. The fixtures are listed below. There is also the Dublin County Championship (held on a separate Saturday evening), so 9 meets really. Each meet is held of a Wednesday evening from 19.00 to 21.00 at 2 different venues alternating between Morton Stadium, Santry; and Irishtown Stadium, Ringsend. Note: Tallaght track on the Greenhills road was used in 2015 while Irishtown Stadium was being upgraded (see map at bottom).
Transport?
Morton Stadium is on the way out to the airport, so the 16A, 33s, 746 or any of the Swords or Rush busses (41s) will do from the city centre or southside. Irishtown is a bit trickier to find as it’s hidden off the main Ringsend – Sandymout Rd, but it’s 800m from Ringsend Dublin Bus terminus where the 77, 50 and 56A end (most busses end there); but the 2 and 3 leave you outside.
Why?
Mainly for 2 reasons – experience and personal pride. You can learn more on one evening than you ever would watching the Olympics. Especially if you enter a few events on the one evening, this is advisable. If you try many events you may get to discover your niche. While we are a distance running club mainly for road and cross country events (so are most of Irelands clubs), this may not be everyone’s forte for a number of reasons. For example, Paul Hession joined Athenry AC as a teenager and often wondered why he languished at the back of the field of over 150 at the Connaught Underage Cross Country Championships. Now he is certainly in the top 8 200m runners in Europe; black, white or whatever race. Upon finding an event that you like, you can see if can you improve on it year after year. No one can ever take a performance away from you and you’ll always have that to be proud of. Some of the events for the Dublin County Championship are poorly attended, so the chances of winning a medal can be quite high.
How will I get on?
Do not get intimidated about the surface or the atmosphere surrounding a track or field event. While we at Sportsworld don’t have the luxury that other clubs have in owning our own track/stadium, we train just as hard and are as good as any other club when it comes to distance running.
How are the running events timed?
There is no human error involved in the timing of track events. As soon as the gun goes off, this is linked by a cable to the timer (so no need to manually start the clock). As soon as your torso crosses the laser beam at the finish line, this is your finish time. Photo finish facilities are also provided.
Training?
You might ask how can we compete against people who train on the track all the time, when we train in a park or on roads. Well that’ll change for the summer. Because instead of cross country practice at Phoenix on a Saturday morning; for the summer’s Saturday mornings we practice on a track. It’s usually 9am at Tallaght stadium, we warm up in the park beside it. The idea of these sessions is not about hammering or racing your own club mates. It’s more about staying within yourself, control, and familiarising yourself with the atmosphere, layout and markings of a track.
The message is to get involved. You are good enough!
Since this is an AAI club event you are expected to wear your club singlet.
Sportsworld Track training is at Tallaght AC on Saturday mornings during the Spring/Summer.
This is for all club members and abilities.
Sessions are coached just like Tuesday or Thursday evenings.
Great for improving fitness or if you miss a weekday training session.
No cost – club pay the track fees for all members.
Coffee and cake after!
Sportsworld have structured and supervised training sessions every Tuesday, Thursday AND Saturday. These training sessions are open to everyone and all are welcome.
Saturday training sessions are no more difficult than Tuesday or Thursday evenings, if you are able for them you are well able for the Saturday sessions.
Saturday training sessions are coached by Emily and Myles so all levels of experience are looked after, like weekday training sessions.
Saturday training is also excellent for improving fitness levels, especially if you missed a session during the week.
These Saturday sessions are in various locations. During the Spring/Summer (track season) we go to the running track at Tallaght AC and in the Autumn/Winter (cross country season) we usually train in the Phoenix Park along with a couple of other locations.
Most importantly each session finishes with coffee and cake afterwards in a local establishment!
Get updates on weekend training by signing up for the Sportsworld email sent every Friday morning; subscribe at the bottom of this page. This will give you information on that weekends training location, time and meeting point.
This week we have one of the best meet the runner interviews yet with Shona Keane. Shona has an impressive 5 marathons to her name and a great story about her first experience running through Terenure with the Sportsworld supporters shouting loud. She is one of a small group ladies in the club to have gone under 40 minutes for 10K in recent years.
When did you join Sportsworld?
I joined Sportsworld in January 2012 having moved back to Dublin from London. I think I ran my first Meet & Train cross country race in Raheny a few weeks later….and yes of course I was a rookie and ran it in runners!
Where do you work?
I work for AIB
What is your favourite club session?
I like the Winter cross country sessions in either the Phoenix park or Myles’ famous field. There is a huge sense of achievement in completing those sessions on a Saturday morning and you really feel the benefit of them during the Winter season. I always feel fresher running first thing in the morning rather than evening sessions after work so I like the weekends and getting out there early.
What is your favorite race distance?
I have ran 5 marathons and love the test of endurance that comes with distance running. I also enjoy very short races like the Road Relays last year was a race I really enjoyed and got a great buzz from the speed out there. The 10k is probably my least favourite distance.
What is your favorite meal before a big race?
I dont have the best stomach in the world so the plainer the better. Ideally if its a long race, porridge, plain bread or maybe a banana. Before a short race I would eat less.
My Favourite place to train/compete is?
I think we all love Bushy Park when the clocks go forward and we get back on the grass and have bright evenings from April to October. We are blessed in Dublin with beautiful venues like the 10 mile Phoenix park lap, the Waterworks and the Hellfire club. My hometown is Limerick and I think the finish of the Great Limerick Run is one of the best around and definitely one of my favourites. The Club La Santa 4th race (in 4 days!) is up there as well.
What is your target for the next year?
Firstly I would like to get back training consistently now and to manage weaknesses and stay injury free. The appetite for another marathon is starting to come back so I would love to get back to a good half marathon time and then do another marathon in the next year or two.
What is your best Sportsworld memory?
Just before I joined Sportsworld I ran the Dublin marathon that October and I remember running near 2 girls who appeared to be cruising along. I was more chasing than cruising!! I remember as we ran through Fortfield Road and all the way to Terenure village, these two girls received tremendous cheers and incredible support! I remember thinking that must be their club in the park and I looked at their singlets for the name of the club and saw Sportsworld. I thought to myself I’ll join that club in the new year. The following October I ran the Dublin marathon in a Sportsworld singlet and along with Orla Jordan and Lucy Darcy we won the womens team silver in the national marathon championships. It is one of the medals I am most proud of.
What international events have you ran?
I did the Paris marathon in 2011 and the Edinburgh Marathon (relay) and Brighton half marathon while I was in the UK. I think the popularity of club events away like the Frankfurt marathon 2014, New York marathon 2014 and Berlin half marathon 2015 speak for themselves and it is a very enjoyable to go somewhere new for an event.
How/When did you start your adventure with running?
I ran my first marathon in 2008 for fun for the Irish Cancer Society in 3:36. The next marathon was not until 2011 and with very little running in between those 3 years the time turned out to be exactly the same again!
Tell us about your PB’s / What is your biggest achievement?
We achieved alot of team success in 2012 and 2013 and that was the most rewarding time for me. Along with Ruth Kelly, Maura Ginty, Catriona Higgins,Erin O’Connell,Stephanie Bergin and Orna Dilworth we had a really strong team and won team medals in the Meet and Trains, Dublin novices and intermediates in cross country and on the road. I loved the team spirit in training and then racing together. My best marathon is 3:05, best half is 1:27, best 10k is 38:50.
How often do you run / What is your typical weekly mileage?
Currently I am getting back to doing 2 sessions a week and running 2 other days along with 2 cycles a week. I hope to get back to a good level of running fitness over the next few months.
What would you say is the best thing about being in a Running Club?
When we train with others we naturally find our training group and then we start to improve and feed off the runners around us. In Sportworld there is a great sense of inclusion and you meet people from all walks of life. I have made great friends in Sportsworld that I will have forever. For the 30th Anniversary Ball Gareth Murran made a slideshow to music with 30 years of Sportsworld photos. When you watch this you see the running memories that are ingrained by friendships in Sportsworld. (I think its still on youtube and well worth a watch)
What made you join a Running Club?
I played camogie and always had a club involvement. I had dabbled in a bit of running and on moving back to Dublin I decided to join a running club.
What was your first day at the Club like?
It was January and dark and miserable! Paddy welcomed me at the door and showed me where to go. A few weeks later he was showing me the route around Raheny meet & train.
Is there anything you would like to see more of or less of at the Club?
It is great to see new talent coming on now with Tara, Margaret Crowley, Catherine Mulleady, Catherine Bambrick and Andrea McNamara. I hope this season we will have a strong girls team again and stick together for the season. There is strength in unity…particularly for cross country!
Who is the person in the club who inspires/drives to run better?
Our coaches Emily and Myles’ commitment and never ending enthusiasm for nurturing sport in others is just an incredible gift. There are several.others so I will concentrate on a few representing the ladies. Ruth Kelly – for her work ethic and determination. She never lets up and is such a reliable training partner. Sandra Gowran – for her outstanding achievements and her wonderful modesty. Lucy Darcy – for her words of encouragement. Lucy took me under her wing in 2012 and really showed me the marathon ropes.
Do you do any cross training / other sports on a regular basis?
I love to cycle and was lucky enough to do some of the best Irish sportives this Summer.
Race Reports By Catherine Mulleady & Conor Keating
Photos by Aggie Buckley, Emily Dowling and Paul Mitchel.
Congratulations to Kevin Curran and Conor McCarthy who won silver medals for the Dublin team! Full results below.
Report By Catherine Mulleady (A+ for the fastest report submission yet!)
Catherine (centre) with Maura and Margaret
On a very wet and windy Sunday morning we set off from Bushy park in the hope that the weather might be better in the sunny south east. With Myles in the lead car we followed close behind on the long road to Wexford. As we got closer to Wexford we realised the weather wasn’t going to be on our side.
On arrival in JFK Park we hadn’t much time to spare. We made a mad dash for the toilets and then started our warm up. As we watched the underage runners covered in muck make their way around a very soggy course we realised it was going to be a tough day. I hadn’t worn spikes for the last few races due to a dodgy calf but it was obvious spikes were going to be necessary to meander this course safely.
We made it to the start line with seconds to spare which left little time for nerves. The 4km course consisted of one small lap and 2 big laps. The front runners went off hard as usual and after an initial mad dash we settled into our stride. The course was wet and mucky under foot so it was hard to get into a rhythm.
When we got the bell on the last lap I wondered how I was going to make it round another energy sappy lap. It’s at this point I really appreciated having team members nearby to keep me going. The support on the course was amazing the whole way round, which also kept me going.
Tara had a great race and was the first of our team to finish followed closely behind by Naoise and Maura. I finished next with Margaret hot on my heels and Anna close behind. It was a great team effort by all the girls.
It was a great feeling to finish, but as soon as we had caught our breath, the lads race was off. We took our positions around the course to cheer the lads on their grueling 8km race. (See Conor’s report for the low down on this race).
With the races done and dusted we wondered how what we were going to do about our muck covered legs, but we found Will had sorted the bathing arrangements for us in a nearby water feature.
After washing our muck covered legs in mucky water and changing out of our filthy clothes we headed back to Dublin but not before stopping off for some much deserved refreshments.
Report by Conor Keating
Conor down the sunny South East last Sunday
Last Sunday I went on my first road trip with the club. Sportsworld entered full men’s and women’s teams in the Leinster Intermediate Cross Country held in JFK Park, Wexford.
We’ve had a fairly mild autumn which makes me think that maybe it doesn’t rain quite as much in Ireland as the stereotypical outsider would think. Saying that however, when it does rain it tends to pour and alas, with the weather forecast being correct, the heavy rain was starting as we met outside Bushy Park before the long trip down South. We knew that we were in for a proper cross country race!
Karl, Kevin and I travelled James’ car. Myles and Emily and the girls following behind and finally a few based further south making their own way. The motorway, along with a little help from the Sat Nav towards the end, meant we reached our destination in plenty of time even with our coffee break halfway down.
Thankfully the rain had abated as we drove south but we soon got our first taste of the damp conditions as we parked up in the field before the entrance to the park – though it wasn’t bad enough to have thoughts of having to give the car a push afterwards.
Having met up with everyone else, a warm up around the outside of the course soon had my feet drenched and us ready for the task ahead. The men’s 8k race consisted of two shorter of 1k laps followed by four longer 1.5k laps.
The course itself wasn’t too bad with it being reasonably flat most of the way round before a bit of a climb back to the start line. The extra 500 metres in the longer laps brought us downhill towards the end of the lap and that increased the drag back up to the start line. The muddy conditions did make it tough with the odd spot being fit for a hell and back race.
The race was competitive but everyone ran well and we were led home by Kevin in a highly credible 20th place followed by Conor McCarthy, Karl, James, Will, myself and Eoin. Thanks to Myles and Emily and the girls for their support along the route.
Well done to the girls in their race. Unfortunately there were no showing facilities afterwards, but at least there was the fountain to wash off our legs. I didn’t get mucky from head to toe, like one junior boy that I saw before the race, so I didn’t have to dive in.
This was my second cross country race with the club, the first being the Dublin Novice in Phoneix Park last month. There is a great sense of camaraderie that comes from running in a team. Cross Country is also a good way to increase your strength and fitness so I’ll definitely be doing a few more before Christmas and would encourage everyone to give it a go at some stage.
Sportsworld Results
Women 4k Tara Rhatigan 18:06 Naoise Waldron 18:29 Maura Ginty 18:41 Catherine Mulleady 18:47 Margaret Crowley 18:53 Anna Carrigan 20.11
Men 8k Kevin Curran 30:32:00 – Silver medalist on the Dublin team! Conor McCarthy 31:45:00 – Silver medalist on the Dublin team! James Brady 32:45:00 William Greensmyth 33:21:00 Conor Keating 5:22:00 Eoin O’Brien 36:25:00
Get involved and join in, sign up for the weekend training email (bottom of website homepage) and try the Saturday cross country training sessions. Also have a read of Michael’s piece explaining the cross country set up, click here: Cross Country I Love You
After talking to her sister Crona a number of weeks ago, this week we meet another one of Sportsworlds most successful athletes Aoife Brady. From a 5k PB of 17:02 to picking up silver and bronze medals at the National Senior Track and Field Championships to selection for Irish International Cross Country teams, this popular runner has represented the club with distinction since 2007.
When did you join Sportsworld?
I joined Sportsworld in 2007. After starting work in Dublin and doing a couple of longer races for fun I decided I’d like to get back into training and wanted a group to run with. Stephen Willoughby, who worked in the same company as me at the time suggested I come down to Sportsworld so I thought why not? I’d heard about Emily and Mick Dowling and had seen the red and white singlet at a few races so I headed down to Terenure one Tuesday evening.
Where do you work?
I work as an Actuary for Standard Life, a savings and investment company based on Stephen’s Green
What is your favourite club session?
I have so many of them but would have to say that my favourite is the Saturday morning winter session in the phoenix park either over the Munich lap or on the polo grounds. Km or mile reps are my favourite.
What is your favourite race distance?
I like the middle distance events and my favourite is the 3k on the track. Off the track my favourite is the 10km
What is your favorite meal before a big race?
Usually something plain and familiar, a bowl of porridge and two boiled eggs.
My Favourite place to train/compete is?
That has to be the Phoenix Park without a doubt. I love the Saturday morning sessions there and the long Sunday runs. We are so lucky to have such a great park in the city. The fact I live close to the park on the north side is also a bonus!
What is your target for next year?
I’ll just continue running to keep fit and for the enjoyment, doing a few races along the way.
What is your best Sportsworld memory?
I have lots of great memories with the club, most of which involve the team events! Winning the National Intermediate cross country individual and team titles in Tymon Park in 2009 with my twin sister Crona on the team was really special. Crona had only take up distance running two years before that (after being a very successful triple jumper!) so I was especially proud that she’d come so far in such a short space of time. She didn’t thank me for helping her to become ineligible for novice or intermediate after that though!
Over the years we have tried so hard to win the national senior inter-clubs cross country team title, coming agonisingly close on two occasions. The most memorable being in 2010 in the Phoenix Park when myself, Crona, Eimear, Lucy, Jean and Helen gave our all but were beaten by a very narrow margin. That’s one team title that I’d have loved to have won, particularly for Emily who put so much time and effort into getting us in shape for those races. Competing in the European clubs in the red and white would have been a great achievement for all involved.
What international events have you ran?
I’ve run the international Lotto Cross Cup Mol, Belgium twice and also ran for the Irish Universities on the track and cross country. I also try to jump into the parkruns in any cities that I visit
How/when did you start your adventure with running?
I always ran as a child starting in primary school where schools athletics was pretty big. I was into all sorts of sports as a child and teenager playing basketball, badminton and football competitively. I ran sporadically in university before getting back into it more seriously after I started working full time.
Tell us about your pbs/ What is your biggest achievement?
My pbs are 4.26 for 1500m, 9.35 3k, 17.02 5km and 36.21 10km. Like most people I always thought that once I’d set my pb I would definitely run faster on another occasion, starting with the track times! I’m probably most proud of winning silver and bronze medals at the national senior track and field in 2009 and 2011 and finishing fourth in a high quality national 1500m in 2009. Winning the national intermediate cross country individual and team titles and two top 6 finishes in the national senior cross country were other good days.
How often do you run/what is your typical weekly mileage?
At the moment I get out running when I can. I aim do the club session on a Tuesday and a log run on a Sunday with a few runs in between.
What would you say is the best thing about being in a running club?
The club spirit is great. Running as part of a team motivates you to work hard and get the best out of yourself. The quality of training in Sportsworld is fantastic and the sense of comradery really pushes you on. I’ve made some close friends and also met my husband through running so it’s been great for me for a number of reasons!
What made you join a running club?
I love the structure of a running club and the organised sessions. I lived in Monaghan for a few years when I was a teenager and had a great coach and training group there so when I moved to Dublin I wanted to try to re-create that.
What was your first day in the club like?
I loved it right from the start. Everyone was so welcoming and Emily was really encouraging. I didn’t know what to expect so I just jumped into one of the groups and started from there. Not long after I found myself on the start line of the interclubs cross country- a baptism of fire for a newbie! The rest of the girls on the team that day – Jean Wilson, Lucy D’arcy, Sandra Gowran, Lisa Dowling, Kathleen O’Callaghan and Helen White– were so friendly and welcoming and it really encouraged me to train harder after that.
Is there anything you would like to see more or less of in the club?
I think the club is great and we are so lucky to have great coaches, great team spirit and a clubhouse. If there was one thing I’d like to see more off it would be more people representing the club at championship races. The club have a long history in championship racing and it would be brilliant to see more and more people keeping the club at that level. I’d also love to see the senior women winning that elusive national club cross country title some day! The men’s teams have gone from strength to strength over the last few years with some great individual and team performances which is great to see and long may it continue.
Who is the person in the club who inspires/drives to run better?
That would have to be Emily. Her dedication to the sport and her enthusiasm is so inspiring and she is someone that I really look up to. She is so encouraging to everyone in the club and her endless energy is infectious. Myles is also someone who gives so much to the club sessions and has always been very encouraging to me, and not afraid to say when you should be running faster!
Do you do any cross training/other sports on a regular basis?
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