Whilst the weather may not be living up to expectations, it’ now well into June and that means the track and road race seasons are in full swing. One of of the most successful races of the summer last year for the club was the Clonliffe 2 mile. The 120th Clonliffe 2 mile Road Race and Fun Run, Ireland`s Oldest Race, is now only a few days away. Next Wednesday night June 15th at 8.00pm.

It’s a great race that Emily is recommending people take part in.  The mens team created some obstacles for themselves last year so the advice is to write your club name on the entry form (Gareth) and not turn up hung over (Paul). The 2 Mile race has its own unique history dating back to the 18th century with this year marking the 120th running. The 2 Mile has had a number of venues since its was first held back in the 1890’s. For the past quarter of a century the race has finished at Eugene Kavanaugh’s pub (the Gravediggers) in Prospect Square, Glasnevin, adjacent to the famous cemetery. Eugene Kavanagh has been the race sponsor since 1986.

The race commences on the dual carriageway, opposite the “Bottom of the Hill” pub and them proceeds towards Glasnevin. The first mile is downhill. Thereafter there is a gradual climb for approximately 600 meters. The course is the flat as its passes Glasnevin Cemetery until the finish at the Gravediggers pub in Prospect Square, Glasnevin.

Race check in and changing facilities are located in St Vincent’s CBS School, Harts Corner, Glasnevin. Check in commences at 6.20pm. A fee of EUR15 (Juniors EUR10) is payable at check in. You should check in by 7.25pm, as it is a 25-minute jog from the check in point to the race start in Finglas Village.

Other upcoming races that are worth a look and sure to include some Sportsworld runners taking part:

June 11t – 26th Patrick Bell Memorial 5k Run & Family walk
June 16th – BHAA Trinity Track
June 21st – Dublin Docklands 8km Run
June 22nd – Dublin Athletic Board Graded Meet No. 5
June 25t – Dunshaughlin A.C. 10k Road Rac

Todays race report come courtesy of Enda Mcmorrow

There was a fine race at the Phoenix Park on Saturday when over 300 runners partook in the second ever Donor Harrers 5k race.  The race also had a unique twist to it as well in so far as there was a bonus prize for the leader of the mens and ladies race at 3K as well as at the finish. As it turned out the same people won both races – which was good news for Sportsworld’s own Catriona Jennings who had a great race to win the ladies title in a time of 17:06.

The course was very fast for the first 3k but then we hit the hills and to make it worse a very strong wind against us
which knocked back any hopes for most of us of getting a quick time.

Still there was some fine performances and as well as Catriona there was a masters victory for Lucy Darcy.
Also Aoife Brady finished a very creditable 5th in the ladies and with Jean Wilson 10th, the ladies team finished 2nd.

The best finisher of the men was Kevin Curran in an impressive 17:48.

All in all a very enjoyable race with exceptional goodie bags and great range of refreshments at the end.

Enfield was the location for the defense Bob Heffernan 5k road race on Tuesday evening. It’s part of the Meath race series.  On a fast flat course both the mens and ladies team took 1st place last year.

This time out our ladies team ran really well, coming up tops and went home with the trophy again. Sadly the mens race was a good degree more competitive than the same race last year and we didn’t factor in the team prizes.

Well done Aoife for winning the race  and Lucy who  won in her age category.  Full results are shown below.

Another Meet and Train race and and another great performance for the Sportsworld teams! The second race of the summer series took place in Tallaght Tymon Park on Sunday 8th of May. Although the morning seemed nice and warm the weather didn’t really spoil us.We got some rain during the warm-up and the whole race we all had to face up blustery wind which was particulary tough towards the end of the race.

Nevertheless, Sportsworld athletes did very well. For the second time we dominated the top ten. Rachel Mannion came home first, just ahead of Ruth Kelly in second place. Ciara Foster was third and Catriona Higgins forth. Additionally in the top ten were Natalia Sokolowska (6th), Orla Jordan (7th) and Orlagh Fleming (8th).

Thanks to all who came along to support us. It is always appreciated. After two races Sportsworld A team is first overall and our team B is second. Team C is in the fith position which gives us a good chance of winning thegold, silver and bronze divisions.

The third and last race (4 mile) will take place on Sun 22nd of May in Raheny at 11am. Due to many date changes many athletes cannot participate in that last race so please whoever can make extra effort to make our teams score at their best.

Lots of good picures on www.lindie.zenfolio.com or in the club gallery
Full results as usual on www.womensmeetandtrain.blogspot.com

Sportsworld’s dominance in meet and train was shown again Sunday when Rachael Mannion just out sprinted Ruth Kelly to win the second race in this year’s Meet & Train Summer League held in Tymon Park Tallaght. The two ladies were given the same time – that’s how close it was.

On the day strong winds made fast running difficult. The three-mile route around the park’s many paths proved quite demanding. Of the first 8 runners home Sportsworld had an incredible 7 runners,well done all who took part. A full race report with all  places and names to follow. Thanks to womensmeetandtrain for the image.

First 8:
1 Rachael Mannion SW A 19.29
2 Ruth Kelly SW A 18.29
3 Ciara Foster SW A 19.43
4 Caitriona Higgins SW A 20.13
5 Sharon Tighes Tallaght 20.19
6 Natalia Sokolowska SW B 20.27
7 Orla Jordan SW A 20.47
8 Orlagh Fleming SW A 20.56

Track training began in earnest for the majority at Tallaght stadium but the Dublin graded series has been in full swing for two weeks now.

Last Wednesday the night began with the Dublin 10000 metres championships at a windswept Irishtown Stadium. With Richard Corcoran, Eddie McGinley, Brian Maher,Tomás Fitzpatrick and Sean Hehir in action the scene was set for a battle over 25 laps. The race did not disappoint. Going through 5K in 14:58 the pace for the first half was fast and only got faster as the second half unfolded. As the bell was passed in 28.47.14 it was Richie Corocran who proved he had the best kick with an impressive 62.04s final lap.

The club only had two runners taking part on the night. Paul Duffy and myself ran the 1500M B standard. After both running hard on Monday in Gowran it was tough to inject any speed in the important 3rd lap. We went around neck and neck for over three and a half lap finishing in 5th and 6th place in 4:19 and 4:20. Lots of work to be done considering the A standard was won in 3:53 and B in 4:09 but it’s early days.

The Summer Meet and Train league kicked off on Sunday 17th of April with a 2 mile race in Irishtown hosted by Crusaders.

On a sunny morning five Sportsworld teams came along to give the best ever performance of our club in M&T league. We had eight Sportsworld athletes in the top ten. Also all top five ladies wore the familiar red and white singlets. Ruth Kelly was 1st, Ciara Forster 2nd, Rachel Mannion 3rd, Catriona Higgins 4th and Natalia Sokolowska 5th.Orla Jordan (8th), Ann Higgins (9th) and Katherine Reynolds (10th) were also in top ten. We are still awaiting full results.

The course which lead along the seaside was truly scenic but the middle mile was quite muddy and surprisingly hilly for the road race. But beautiful weather definitely made up for inconveniences.

After the race we also received prizes for winter races when Sportsworld’s A Team was first and B Team was second in gold division. We were also second in bronze. Mairead O’Callaghan was the overall individual winner of the winter series. Well done!

Next two races are pencilled for 8th and 11th of May. Updates and pictures as usual are available on www.womensmeetandtrain.blogspot.com. Keep an eye on this website for race venue and date confirmations.

The Leinster Novice and Masters championships took place in windy conditions in Gowran county Kilkenny this morning with the first race going off at 12.00 noon at a pace for akin to the local race course. The masters and senior ladies ran together over two laps of the 1.5k course.

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Sportsworld athletes put in strong performances with the senior ladies and masters teams taking gold. Mairead was first finisher in the senior ladies and  continued a great run of form taking 2nd place in the senior race.  Helen did equally well in the masters race. Everyone else taking part for the club gave 110% and had excellent individual races.

In the mens 6k race the team came home in second place being narrowly beaten for first by just two places in the end. Paul Duffy after putting in almost all of the early running was outpaced on the final hill and took 2nd place in the senior mens.

It was a great day out and highly recommended  as a good spend of a sunny  bank holiday Monday for everyone’s

Full results with names, finish times will be up on Athletics Leinster over the next few days.

Initial results (Ladies) from the road race in Gowran on 2nd May. Download here and the mens

Photos are up in the Gallery or on Picasa