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Sportsworld Running Club

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Home Blog Page 75

Graded Meeting 5 – Morton Stadium, Santry

Report by Margaret Crowley

Thanks to Will Greensmyth for the photos and selfie!

Congratulations to all Sportsworld athletes who took part in Round 5 of Dublin Athletics Graded Meetings in Morton Stadium, Santry. It was a bright but windy (wind 15.2) summer’s evening and there was a good representation from the club competing. The evidence of Saturday morning track training sessions was there for all to see.

The night opened with the 200m and, here, the club was represented by Margaret Crowley. Margaret ran in the B Grade and completed the sprint in 32.25 sec. With some more practice on the track and starting from the blocks, this time should be easily lowered.

Next up was another female athlete, Catherine Mulleady. Catherine has only recently started competing in the graded meetings and her huge track potential is indisputable. Catherine was a newcomer to the Grade B 1500m but still ran it in a remarkable 05:21, a great achievement.

Next up was the Men’s Grade C 1500m where Sportsworld was proudly represented by both Will Greensmyth and Kevin Curran. Will is no stranger to the track and looked very comfortable finishing in 04:43. Kevin strategically paced himself for the entire race and finished strong resulting in a time of 04:46. Martin Keenan coming back from injury ran the Grade D 1500m in 4:45. Martin is targeting the National Masters Track & Field Championship on July 26th in Offaly; where he hopes to add to the National Indoor 1500m bronze medal he picked up in March this year.

The Men’s Grade B 1500m was the race of the night for Sportsworld where Gareth Murran won a well deserved gold medal. From the moment the gun went off, Gareth was in a strong position battling it out for the lead. In the final 400m Gareth was coming in second place to Sam Allen of Donore Harriers. With only 150m to go, Gareth had the strength to take the lead and sprinted it out to finish line. A remarkable win for Gareth and a great lesson on pace and control to novice track runners.

Last but not least was the 5000m races. Justin McKeever represented Sportsworld in the Grade C Category, which was combined with Men’s Grade B and the Women’s Championship race. Justin only recently started Saturday morning track training with the club and was extremely keen to enter in the graded meets. Justin achieved a PB of 17.43 in his first track race. Justin has since confirmed that he will be back for more PBs in the upcoming graded meets. The Women’s Championship race was won by renowned Ann-Marie McGlynn, with Siobhan O’Doherty strongly finishing second followed by Una Britton.

The final race of the night was the Grade A 5000m. This was where the true elite runners appeared to be completely invincible. Karol Cronin was running for Sportsworld and ran an outstanding race finishing in15.28. Karol’s strength, stamina and endurance was easily observed as he completed the 12.5 laps of the track, running each lap as strong as the previous one. Mick Clohisey from Raheny AC won the gold medal for this championship race. The Raheny runner was strong from the start but broke away from the group in the last 1000m passing the finish line in 14.30.

Many thanks to both Dave and Joe for all their words of encouragement and continued support on the evening. The support from Sportsworld members always exceeds expectations at events like this. If anyone would be interested in competing in the next graded met, it is scheduled to be on in Tallaght on the 01 July. Track training will continue on Saturday mornings at 9am on the Tallaght Track. Club members of all levels are welcome and encouraged to attend. The club pays the fees and everyone has the option to avail of the changing facilities afterwards.

For full results ref: Graded 5 Results

Details of Graded 6 Wednesday July 1st Tallaght Stadium: Graded 6 Program

Dunsaughlin 10K 2015

26 Sportsworld runners toed the start line this past Saturday for the annual 10K in Dunsaughlin. Thanks to all the supporters on the course.

We have two separate takes on the race from Gareth and Denis below. Click here for photos: Sportsworld Gallery

Gareth

The crowds come back to this race year after year. A combination of the June sunshine, relatively flat course and a great post race hospitality from Dunsaughlin AC.

Everything kicked off at 7.30 with a fitting tribute the late great Robbie Matthews who was a well known and respected runners around the local scene. Robbie sadly passed away last year. Like any fast 10K course, if you go out too fast in Dunsaughlin for the first 5K you are going to pay for it later. With a good block of training behind me I went out with a plan to run 32.4X. That meant sticking to 3.15 per kilometer for the whole race. After a slow start I started to work my way through the field. Hitting my targets along the way.

I went through 5K in 16:10. The first half is easier so it was all going to plan. By 6K I was starting too fall off the back of the lads I had been running with. It’s frustrating when you start to slow down. In training, you listen to your body. In competition, you tell your body to shut up.It’s hard to remember that sometimes until after the race.

People always talk about the hill at 7K and 8K. In truth they aren’t that bad. But like most I had probably pushed a bit too hard in the first part of the race and now any hump in the road looks like Everest. Love it or hate it, this is the part of the course with all the classic running quotes “Pain is temporary..it may last for a minute,hour, or day or even a year..but it will subside. If i quit, however, it lasts forever” Personally I find them welcome distraction as I’m generally getting anxious around this time that I’m slowing down too much and going to run a crappy time.

I love the last kilometer in Dunsaughlin. You come out into a wide open area with great support from the locals handing out water (note to self: learn to not drop all teh water cups) on either side of the road. As you get back to the center of town the numbers increase. It’s a tired but strangely easy kick to the finish for the last 400M. I’m always left feeling I could have given more when I can run 3.11 for my last K after feeling like I was gone at 8K.

Racing to get under the 33 minute mark and left questioning why you didn’t push on just a tiny bit more. Running is not about instant gratification. You have to work hard for it, sweat for it, give up sleeping in on Sunday mornings.

The runner’s high is a sensational reaction to a great run! It’s an exhilarating feeling of satisfaction and achievement. It’s like being on top of the world, and truthfully, there’s nothing quite like it.

Well done to everyone. I know lots of the guys ran PB’s including Karol, Gareth, Kevin, Eoin, and Sean. Great to see Damien back also. Apologies to anyone I missed.

Denis
You know it’s the very middle of summer when you are at the Dunshaughlin 10k.
Like Dunboyne a few weeks ago it is all that is good about running.
Clubmates, sunshine, fresh air, country lanes, friendly atmosphere, lots of local support and the best of food and refreshments.
Gave a lift to Conor, Anne and Madeline which was a great idea as for once I was early for and managed to do a proper warm up.
They say it is a fast course, well it probably is if you are a fast runner but for the rest of us it is to fast as I am to tall.
You hear mention of a “bit of a hill” at 6k,
(it’s a small mountain, and just when you think you are over the top of it you turn a corner and its little annoying brother rises before you.)
“There is a bit of a drag in the second half” they say.
(It climbs for a few miles, a few in these parts being 4 ish)
“There is a downhill finish”
(Yes there is…… for at least 50 yards)
So no it’s not fast or easy but that’s not what makes it great, it’s the good weather, the country setting, the locals with water stations outside the houses and one even had a garden hose for the horses really feeling the heat.
Oh and one other thing,
THE RICE CRISPIE BUNS THAT THIS YEAR WERE MADE WITH m + m’s AND SPRINKLES.
You see the trick to successfully running Dunshaughlin is not the fitness or race planning or winning, it’s knowing not to hang around after the finish line vomiting and wheezing and gulping water while trying to better every story of how hard that was.
It is to get the 10k done as fast as possible, beat as many competitors as you can on your one good leg and then tear back to the sports hall cos they only make about 10 Rice Crispie buns.
Others may not know about them, some rumors say they don’t even exist, that’s because I speed eat them once I find them. Sorry rest of the field, you snooze you lose.
The Dunshaughliners make a reported 4 million ham sandwiches but only 10 Rice Crispie buns. I don’t know why, I just know my stomach feels sick cos’ I ate them, all of them, and the m+m’s.
10km’s as hard as you can go, lose about 3 pounds weight, quickly followed by putting on half a stone in buns and biscuits.
And that folks is what Dunshaughlin is all about!

Sportsworld results:

Karol Cronin 32:21
Gareth Murran 33:02
Gavin Finlay 33:40
Damian Kelly 35:24
Kevin Curran 36:11
Michael C 36:16
Joe Byrne 38:06
Olivier Privat 38:31
Ronan Masterson 39:27
Noel Tobin 39:33
Sean Donegan 39:49
Eoin O’ Brien 41:40
Denis Mccaul 42:24
Adrian Lanigan 42:55
John Flaherty 44:05
Anne Dalton 44:58
Ann Higgins 45:40
Killian Dirwan 47:16
Aileen Melody 47:45
Ray Carpenter 48:01
S Willoughby 48:14
Madeleine Byrne 48:13
Conor Kenny 48:42
Clare Paley 48:56
Emma Barry 50:21
Maria Finnegan 50:22
Sean O’Byrne 58:44

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Docklands 5k – 18th June 2015

Report by Will Greensmyth.

Thanks to Anna Delaney for the photos! Click here for album: photos

There was a sizeable Sportsworld turnout for the Docklands 5k on Thursday evening. The race was organised by Crusaders AC and, as is the trend for club-run races, was very well organised. Kudos to Race Director, James Cottle and all his gang.

The out and back boomerang shaped course started on Lime Street, named presumably after the presence of old lime kilns in the area, as opposed to the fruit. The first kilometre took us up Sir John Rogersons Quay and across Custom House Bridge. We then hurtled down the North Wall Quay towards the Point/the O2/The Three Arena and then back the way we came. The conditions were generally in our favour with the only gripe being a headwind to contend with on the return from the Point to the Custom House Bridge. Once we turned back onto the southside, it was just over a kilometre to the finish and an opportunity for all the Sportsworlders to show off their impressive sprinting ability, honed in the fires of the Saturday morning Tallaght Track sessions.

The finishing line was adjacent to the 270 foot Mexican tall ship, Cuauhtémoc (shown at top of page). Launched in 1982, the Cuauhtémoc was the last of four windjammers built by Bilbao shipyards and is named after the last Aztec emperor who was imprisoned and executed by the conquistador, Herman Cortes, in 1525.

Sportsworld Results at bottom of page. Apologies if we missed anyone.

Notable shout outs to the Real Paul O’Connell who finished an impressive 5th place. Catherine Mulleady and Margaret Crowley, who like myself, ran their 2nd race in 24 hours. Both are now regulars at the Graded Track meets and had great runs on Wednesday night in Santry; Catherine raced the 1500m while Margaret took on the 200m with an eye on Rio 2016. Well done also to Eoin O’Brien who was less than seconds away from a p.b., impressive going after a night of boogeying in a field in Kilmainham while listening to Beck on Wednesday.

Last night also heralded the returns of both Stephanie Bergin and Ruth Kelly. Great running as well from Chris Proby, a recent recruit to the red and white, albeit still officially an SBR runner til his big money transfer goes through in September – Chris will add serious talent to our cross country crew in the mud and gutter this winter.

Big Thanks to Anna, Ciara, Kevin, Orna and Paul for the shouts on the way around and to our friends from Crusaders for resurrecting and reinvigorating a great race.

Results:
Paul O Connell 16:32
Karl Chatterton 17:30
Will Greensmyth 17:50
James Brady 18:20
Chris Proby 18:27
Eoin O’Brien 19:33
Aidan Curran 19:45
Francis Mahon 20:16
Ruth Kelly 20:22
Stephanie Bergin 20:44
Joseph Haugh 20:47
Catherine Mulleady 20.52
Eileen Rowland 21:49
Margaret Crowley 22.59
Audrai O’ Driscoll 24:16
Alan Dignam 25:19
Stephen Willoughby 34:30
Sinead Mitchell 37:43

Sonia 5km Race Report

Sonia 5km Race – Sat 13th June by Madeleine Byrne

Many runners/walkers joined Sonia O’Sullivan in a 5km to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of her win in the 5,000m World Champs in Gothenburg 1995.

It was a beautiful evening for a run, conditions were a bit humid but we couldn’t complain. Nice course with a couple of hills thrown into the mix at 1k and then again at the 4-5km mark. Sonia described the course in her pre race speech as ‘an interesting course’ that made me worry when a world champ describes the course as interesting!

The crowds out along the route made it all the more enjoyable, many spectators leaving their Sat night pints on the bar to come outside and cheer us on.

Sportsworld was represented by –
1. Conor Kenny aka Sandra Armstrong 21.01
2. Anne Dalton 21.34
3. Patrick Killian McMorrow 22.20
4. Madeleine Byrne 22.53
5. Catherine Gilmore 23.57

Featured photo from Sonia 5km website: Sonia 5km

BHAA Trinity Track 2015

Report and photos by Eoin O’Brien

Wednesday 10th June 2015

Last Wednesday turned up the hottest day of the year so far and it set up the perfect evening for the BHAA to run their Trinity College Dublin track meet in the heart of Dublin City; held on the college park grass track in front of the Pavilion.

The BHAA Trinity Track is a great event, keeping a tradition alive and adding to the rich history of Trinity College. College Park was created in 1722 with the first recorded athletics event held in 1857. Back in the day, a way back in 1874, the Illustrated London News reported that 37000 tickets were sold for a two day athletics event on this very turf. While the BHAA didn’t pull in that kind of crowd, it was the perfect summers evening for students to have a drink sitting on the grass in front of the Pavilion bar (aka the track); so this was probably one of the largest supported, and most heavily wagered on, track meets in the country.

Two races where held across various grades, 1200m (3 laps) followed by 2000m (5 laps) with a gap of about an hour between races. The gun went off for the women’s 1200m at 7pm with all levels combined. Tara Ni Reachtagain was the sole club representative in a competitive field. As a combined race it was a very fast start with Kate O’Neill leading from start to finish to cover 3 laps in 3.52. Tara boxed clever and stayed with the pack for the first 2 laps as the top 3 stretched out and created large gaps. On the third lap Tara started moving up the field and finished in 8th place with 4:26.

With a one hour recovery Tara made a last minute decision into jump into the 2000m at 8pm. Again it was a combined race with Kate O’Neill comfortable winning in 6:51. On her second race in the space of an hour, Tara again stayed in touch with the pack before making her move and running a blistering final 200m to leave 3 runners in her wake and finish 6th in 7:55.

Next up was my good self and Peter Duggan in Division D. My sole motivation for showing up was to be Sportsworld’s only 1200m runner and thus get myself into the clubs record books. As I stood outside the door, the disappointment on my face became evermore apparent by the sight of each Sportsworld runner wandering into race registration. But I wasn’t to be denied my moment of glory on my track debut.

Lining up, we kept our heads on the opening laps as one runner went out solo like a grey hound. Biding my time, I started stretching my legs for the last lap. As I came down the back straight I started making ground on the leader (it was no coincidence that this was also the direction of the bar) before over taking him on the last bend to win in 4:16. Peter who is on the comeback trail had a steady race and crossed the line in 4.49. My first ever race win. Yes people. Pigs can fly.

Only returning to training didn’t deter Peter lining up again for the 2000m. I spent the hour long recovery period deliberating whether to retire from track running to keep my 100% record in tack. In the end I jumped in beside Pete for the 2000m. A similar race pattern to the 1200m ensued, however the gap from the eventual leader Martin Swift was a bridge to far for this champ who was pipped at the post and dropped in to 3rd place in 7.59. Peter clearly was just warming up in the 1200m, moved up the field in the second race and came in with 8.39 for 2000m.

Will Greensmyth had 2500 commemorative t-shirts printed up – available at the clubhouse

You would think the crowd couldn’t handle any more excitement after my win, wouldn’t you? Well they got it even if they couldn’t handle it. Next up was the men’s Division C with Sportsworld’s biggest participation. Division C was loaded with household names such as Will Greensmyth, Ray Carpenter (spotted wearing a cricket jumper in the Pavilion Bar afterwards; we expect to see Ray on TV3’s Xpose this week), the McMorrow Brothers and Killian Dirwan.

The 1200m started strongly with Killian Dirwan going out hard to stretch the field early. Will Greensmyth is coming into fine form and this was his first outing since breaking the 30min barrier, and getting a PB, at the BHAA Dunboyne 5 mile a couple of weeks ago. That confidence came through in style as once he took the lead on the second lap he never looked back, winning in 3:44. Next home was Killian in 4.41 who just pipped Ray Carpenter in 4.43. Bragging rights in McMorrow household went to Enda who came home in 4.48 to Killian’s 4.53.

All the lads lined up again later in the evening for the 2000m. This time Will took the race lead from the first corner and did a solo run unchallenged to the chequered flag in 6.53, a clear 15 seconds ahead of second place. Although most people are tired from the exertions of the 1200m, it does loosen the legs up with everyone running strongly in race 2. Next up was Killian Dirwan in 7.59, Xpose Ray in 8.06 and Killian McMorrow in 8.44.

Race Winners!

The second last category was men’s Division B. Martin Keenan and Noel Tobin where the two brave men who set off with the high standard in the 1200m. The lads ran a steady opening lap before falling into respective groups. Martin, who in March won a bronze medal in the 1500m at the 2015 national indoor championships, showed his class in the last lap to break from his group and leave 6 runners in his wake to claim 3rd place in 3.50 with Noel just in behind him in 4.07.

Noel was on his own for the 2000m race with Martin only returning from injury. Noel is clearly built of the same stuff as Enda McMorrow and kept the best for last. He warmed into the opening laps but had a blistering final lap, taking the last 400m flat out to finish in 7.14. Noel was clearly inspired by the spirit of A.C. Courtney, who in 1873 set the first recognised world record for a flat race by running 1000 yards in 2.23 on college park. Also the benefits of Saturday morning track training clearly coming to the fore.

Finally we had Paul O’Connell as the lone ranger from Sportsworld in the Division A 1200m. You wouldn’t know he was racing with the sun hat, waves and smiles as seen in the image below. Mr BHAA worked at registration earlier in the evening, then had a clip board in hand organising all the race starts but still found time to run two highly competitive races. Ronan Dolin lead start to finish in the 1200m in 3.31 with Paul coming home in 10th in 3.38.

With the sun setting for the final 2000m race, the hat was gone and Paul was ready to race. A small field of just 9 started this final race and Luke Forde was the pace setter leading start to finish in 6.01. A group of 4 trailed Luke and quickly broke away from the final 4. Paul dug in with this group who tore around tightly packed lap after lap, with Paul holding on to jump up to 5th place in the 2000m in 6.18.

Full Photo Album click here: Sportsworld BHAA Trinity Photos

Full results click here: BHAA Trinity Results

Back in the day

Crusaders Dockland 5km & Dunshaughlin 10km

There are two great upcoming club races next week.
Sportsworld would encourage members to get out and support the races of fellow running clubs.

This Thursday evening, 18th June, Crusaders AC will be hosting a 5km race at Dublins Docklands.
Crusaders brought a huge contingent to our Terenure 5 mile so we hope to repay the favour and see you at the start line!
Click here for race details: Docklands 5km

On Saturday evening, 20th June, its the Dunshaughlin 10km which is a staple of our race calender and always brings a great turn out from the club.
Just search for ‘Dunshaughlin’ on the website for previous race reports!
Click here for race details: Dunshaughlin 10km

Women’s Mini Marathon

Women’s Mini Marathon 1st June 2015
Report by Catherine Mulleady

On Monday 4th June a number of Sportsworld members took part in the annual women’s mini marathon. It wasn’t ideal running conditions with black bin bags being a popular fashion choice on the day. There were walkers, joggers and runners all wanting to complete the 10km course at their own pace.

Lucy Darcy was the first of the Sportsworld women home in a fantastic time. Next was Catherine Mulleady, while Aggie Buckey, Audrai O’Driscoll, Carol Lynch and Katie Nugent followed closely after. Caroline Galligan chose to walk the course with her sister and came home in a great time.

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Despite the weather there was a great atmosphere in town on Monday and a huge well done to all the ladies (and men) who completed the mini marathon. A big thanks, to all those who came out in the wind and rain to cheer us on. Your support was much appreciated. Until next year ……

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Results:
Lucy Darcy – 43:44
Catherine Mulleady – 44:20
Aggie Buckley – 50:18
Audrai O’Driscoll – 50:35
Carol Lynch – 51:10
Katie Nugent – 52:42
Caroline Galligan – 1:15:01

Thanks to Paddy Lynch for the photos!

Graded Meet 4

Graded Meet 4 – Wednesday June 3rd at Tallaght AC
Report By Joe Haugh

Well after a blustery start to the week, the Sportsworld running crew decided to run in pastures familiar. Saturday morning track training in Tallaght AC , was put into test with this graded event. My first time at the event and to give people a flavour of what is on offer, there is Javeline, Long jump, Shot, 100m, 800m and 3000m events, something to suit everyone’s abilities. There are numerous clubs represented, and it a great way to get some speed and fitness training in, which will compliment the Saturday morning training here.

There where a number of club members, who competed. For the running events, there are a number of categories so participants can enter in a category which they feel suits their running speed at that point. As you progress you can move up or down ( hopefully not down 🙂 !) , depending on what you feel.

First up was David Saunders who ran and won the 100m D grade, well done David, this is your second time at the event.

Next we had the 800m event, and David Saunders represented the club well, finishing second in the D grade, well done David, good running.

In the 3000m B & C grade, Michael Cunningham and Karl Chatterton finished 7 & 8 respectively. Both rang excellent races in a tough and competitive field.

In the second B & C grade, Gavin Finlay ran and came sixth, another strong performance.

Finally Karol Cronin ran in the 3000m A grade, and this was a strong field, Karol managed to finish 5th, and marginally missed a top 3 in the last 100m, but ran an excellent sub nine minutes.

On the support front we had a good contingent from the club, cheering on the gang, as well as a number of midgets who certainly kept us on our toes, maybe running next time round, will keep the midgets away!!

Thanks to Eoin O’ Brien for taking pictures , which should hopefully be shared (click here!), and to Myles for helping with the timing and position gathering.

Next race 17th June in Santry, and it includes mixed relays, start getting your teams together (Details at bottom of page).
Till then,
Joe

Click on the picture below to see the Graded 4 Photo Album.
(Note: Sportsworlds Gallerys are now linked on the main menu at the top of the page.)

Graded 5 Details – Wednesday 17th June – Santry

BHAA Dunboyne 5 mile.

ON ONE LEG AND TWO NUROFEN! by Denis Mcaul

The sun came out as usual for the best race of the year, the BHAA Dunboyne 5 mile.

Around 15 to 20 Sportsworld members ran in perfect conditions on winding country roads and all had happy faces at the end while speed eating sambos, buns and cakes!

A crash on the m50 meant it took many, including me about 90 mins to get here but it’s worth it.

I have to thank Nurofen for temporarily suspending the knee pain. It’s amazing to feel the excitement of racing again. Obviously not as fast as normal but I wasn’t missing this for the world.

It has the perfect mix. Flat course, winding rural roads, country hospitality and atmosphere.

Once you run this once you will be back every year.
Will be back in 364 days time with 2 working legs and def going to break 30 mins.
Already in the diary!

Plenty from the club running with results here: Full Results

Denis Mccaul, Conor Kenny, Stephen Willoughby, Ray Carpenter, Noel (builder)….., Brian (Maynooth College)….., Will Greensmyth, Eoin O’Brien, Sandra Gleeson, Orna Dilworth, Alan Dignam, Paul O’Connell, Maria Finnegan, Audrai Mulvin O’Driscoll, Paul Cassidy and Enda McMorrow

Ellen got wrong directions from hubbie and missed the race by 3 mins but cheered on the masses.

Club Awards 2015

Tuesday 19th May saw the great and the good of Sportsworld Running Club receive awards for outstanding displays over the last 12 months. Emily and Myles reviewed the years performances and selected the winners while Chairman Paddy Lynch presented the awards on the night. Congratulations to all the well deserved winners!

Athlete of the Year: Karol Cronin