On Saturday night the 32nd Michael Manning Memorial 10km Road Race & Fun Run too place in Dunshaughlin county Meath. A popular race for club member’s, Sportsworld was one of the most highly represented clubs on the night. The summer sunshine made the conditions a little humid but all the more enjoyable.

Both the mens and womens teams took second place in the team events, with Raheny taking first in each. Lucy and Helen also won age category prizes.

With so many taking part there was some great efforts and performances.  The biggest credit on the night had to be given to Paul Duffy who didn’t let the bumps in the road slow him down and kept within sight of the leading pack for most of the race, coming an  incredible 7th place.  Paul keeps getting better and punching well above what would have been  his weight 6 months previously.

7 173 Paul Duffy Sportsworld MS 00:32:53 00:15:59 00:16:53
12 513 Phil Kilgannon Sportsworld MS 00:33:36 00:16:41 00:16:54
30 342 Gareth Murran Sportsworld MS 00:34:43 00:16:48 00:17:54
33 506 Karol Cronin Sportsworld Terenure MS 00:34:58 00:16:50 00:18:07
51 146 Damian Kelly sportsworld MS 00:36:10 00:17:54 00:18:15
52 565 Trevor Sweeney Sportsworld MS 00:36:18 00:17:55 00:18:22
61 154 Kevin Curran Sportsworld AC MS 00:37:04 00:18:10 00:18:53
100 293 Anthony Ryan Sportsworld Running Club MS 00:38:46 00:19:09 00:19:36
106 618 Lucy Darcy Sportsworld F40 00:38:54 00:18:59 00:19:54
115 605 Helen White Sportsworld F45 00:39:24 00:19:15 00:20:08
164 400 SANDRA ARMSTRONG SPORTSWORLD F40 00:41:08 00:19:47 00:21:20
177 371 Stephanie Bergin Sportsworld FS 00:41:31 00:19:46 00:21:44
196 182 Phillip Kerr Sportsworld A.C. M50 00:42:23 00:20:37 00:21:45
202 501 Susan McDonnell Sportsworld Terenure FS 00:42:39 00:20:53 00:21:45
205 287 Ruth Kelly Sportsworld F35 00:42:43 00:20:35 00:22:07
220 234 Stephen Willoughby Sportsworld M45 00:43:25 00:21:15 00:22:09
222 181 Natalia Sokolowska Sportsworld FS 00:43:27 00:21:09 00:22:17
249 226 Conor Kenny Sportsworld RC M50 00:44:23 00:21:48 00:22:35
255 617 Ann Higgins Sportsworld F45 00:44:33 00:21:25 00:23:07
265 505 Enda McMorrow Sportsworld M50 00:44:48 00:21:45 00:23:02
295 628 Valerie Lacy Sportsworld F40 00:45:59 00:22:21 00:23:37
313 667 Mark McDaid Sportsworld AC MS 00:46:41 00:21:42 00:24:58
324 503 Eoin O’Brien Sportsworld MS 00:47:08 00:23:22 00:23:45
325 502 Nuala O’Connor Sportsworld FS 00:47:08 00:22:55 00:24:12

* Thanks to Peter Monney for the picture. Lots more available on Flickr.

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