Cross Country Runners are a Hardy Bunch
Kilmacow was the venue for cross country action last Sunday and despite the rain warnings 16 young athletes from West Waterford turned up to compete. The course was in excellent condition as the ground is high and there was not a muddy patch in sight. The programme got under quickly at 1pm and most of the juvenile races were run before the heavy rain started to fall. There was a good turnout on the day. As well as the Waterford clubs you had a lot of clubs from Kilkenny and Wexford and even as far away as Kildare competing
First Cross Country for Under 9 Girls and Boys
Our 2 under 9 girls and four under 9 boys got their first taste of cross country and all were still smiling at the end of the 500m race. In the girls race Ethain Ní Mhurchadha was 19th with Harriet Byrne just behind in 20th place. Our boys were very strong in the under 9 race being led home by Ruy de Arce Calvo in 4th place followed by Andy Zakis in 5th place, Richard Ahern 6th and Tello de Arce Calvo in 12th place.
Sinead Donnolly was our only under 10 athlete competing and she ran strongly to the finishing line to take 12th place.
West Waterford Athletes Run Well out of Age Group
After the under 10 race we moved to the under 12 and all the races were then in the even ages so all of the West Waterford athletes had to run out of their age groups. First up was Leah Kiely who finished in 21st place. In the boys under 12 Lope de Arco Calvo was first home in 13th with Seb Byrne not far behind in 18th. In the under 14 race Ava Kiely finished strongly picking up three place in the final 300m to finish 18th. While in the boys race Fergus Donnolly 12th and Peter Ahearne 14th were also picking up place in the run to the finish.
Noah Commins was our top finishers taking silver in the boys under 16 race. Noah was well up in the leading bunch for the first 2000m and the latter stretch of the race was a two man battle for the title with the Wexford athlete stronger in the closing stages of the race.
The under 18 girls race was run with the junior womens , seniors and masters so had a very big and very strong field with the home club St Senan’s very prominent. Grainne Moore who had a very good summer running the road race series was 4th in the under 18 race and newcomer Clodagh Stapleton got her first taste of cross country running and showed she was well able for the hilly course.
Well done to all the athletes parents and our mentors who turned out on the day.
Day 1 of the County Championships on Sunday Next OCT 1st in the Friary.
As the cross country action switches to St Augustine’s College next Sunday we will be hoping for better weather and a big turn out of our athletes. Cross Country running is all about the team event and you need at least 4 athletes in each age group to score as a team. Events next Sunday will be in the even ages but it will be a good run for those out of their age as their events will take place the following week at the same venue.
Under 10 (born 2014 & 2015)
Under 12 (born 2012 & 2013)
Under 14 (born 2010 & 2011)
Under 16 (born 2008 & 2009)
Under 18 (born 2006 &2007)
See you all @10.15 for registration and warm up fist race gets underway at 11am and the juvenile programme should be completed by 12noon when the senior races get underway.
Primary Schools Cross Country Sponsored by John White Accountants
The West Waterford Run Primary Schools Cross Country will take place in St Augustine’s College on Friday Oct 6th with a 5.30 start time. Registration will open at 4.45. Please come early as parking is limited and we ask those in the Abbeyside and Ballinroad areas to walk or cycle to the venue.
There will be races for 2nd,3rd 4th,5th, 6th and First and Second years Secondary Schools. The races will start at 5.30 sharp so please come early
