29th ANNUAL FORDE’S DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE.
ASTOUNDING NUMBERS TURN OUT FOR ROUND ONE.
Round 1 of the 2023/24 29th Annual Forde’s Daybreak winter league saw a massive turnout of runners taking part for the first night of the league last Wednesday evening at Dungarvan sports centre Quanns. It’s astonishing as to where the runners come from year in year out for this league but come they do and this year is off to the proverbial flier,our sponsor Kevin Forde got both leagues under way as is traditional on the first night they go off in two groups short course first followed by the long course runners, of course the runners head off in two separated directions with short course taking in the Fr Twoneys Youghal road side while the long course takes in a trip to the Village.The winter league will continue for 10 more nights 5 before Christmas and 5 after Christmas with a 2 week break over the festive season. Despite the inclement weather these past couple of week, we got round 1 off to a flyer with hardly a breeze but a little colder than recent days, all said it was an ideal night for running. Dear I say it but usually if the first night of the league starts off on a good foot weather wise the trend seems to continue throughout the league, fingers crossed anyway. A huge crowd of 239 took on the 5.2 mile long course last Wednesday evening and looking at the runners return from the long course it ceases to amaze the number of new faces along with many old friends again this year, this number was the largest number ever to run the long course on the first night .There was a massive number out for the first night last Wednesday on the short course also when 143 took up the challenge, this was the largest entry in the 39 years history of the event ever on the short course which is astounding.We have to go way back to 2013 when on the 3rd round that year we had 393 competed between the two routes and last Wednesday this number was 382, so unbelievable that 39 years on we are seeing numbers this high still coming to the league.Its brilliant to see so many coming along and running the league for the very first time, we hope they keep it up now over the winter and enjoy the run and make many new friends along the way.As usual for the winter league, the first night was a mass start with all runners going off at the same time. From week 2, the handicap system will kick in and you starting time will be posted on facebook on Tuesday and also on the wall when you arrive down to the sport centre. Well done to all who completed the long course last week. Remember to spread the word about the winter league and we can all help each other to get fit, stay fit and healthy over the winter months. If you haven’t registered to date you can still join us at any stage just enter online and come to sports centre to collect your number.Hi Vis is compulsory for all runners. Your winter league number is the number you have for all the league. It should be worn to the front, be clearly visible and secured with a pin in each corner to stop it flapping. Also a huge thank you to all of our stewards out on the course and to all our crew in the hall and at the finish line. Well done to each and every runner who got through the first night and remember there is a long way to go and aim to slowly improve. It is important to feel comfortable during the run and as you are coming near the finish line you can increase the pace and finish your run with a push. Best of luck to all tonight and why not bring as friend along.
TONIGHT’S ROUND 2 OF THE WINTER LEAGUE- PLEASE NOTE STARTING SYSTEM.
- Last week was a mass start but from tonight on, the league kicks in properly with everybody heading off at different times. There will be intervals between each group of runners tonight. Your starting time tonight will be based on the slowest time last week which means that the fastest person last week will be the last to head off tonight and the last people to head off will be trying to catch as many people as they can and those that headed off first will be trying not to get caught by those coming from behind them.
2.Clock will start at 6.40 sharp- it’s up to you to be there on time for your start.
- Your starting time for tonight will be posted on facebook on Tuesday please take a peep at Facebook and remember your starting time, We will also post starting time sheets on wall of sports centre. Whatever time is beside your name that is your starting time for tonight. If it says 2.00 that means when the clock reads 2 minutes you must start running, if it says 7 it means that when the clock reaches 7 minutes you must start running.
- New Comers -Running for the 1st time tonight on the short course will leave at 5 minutes and new comers running the long course for the 1st time will leave at 10 minutes.
- With a huge amount of runners at the league, it’s important that you are ready to start running when it’s your time to go, we will not be able to adjust the results for those that miss their starting time.
- Don’t forget your running bib and number.
WINTER LEAGUE PARKING.
A huge number have registered for this year’s league, from a parking point of view there are ample parking spaces available at Scanlon’s yard, Strand Street and also at the look out. Each of these is only a short distance from the sports centre. We also ask that you refrain from parking in front of anyone’s house. We have a good relationship with the people living in the area and we would like to keep this intact.
32nd ANNUAL JOHN TREACY DUNGARVAN 10 LAUNCHED.
RACE ENTRY AT FIRST 3.750 RECIEVED.
West Waterford athletic club are delighted to announce that entries for our 32nd annual 10 mile event will open on Friday December 1st for registered AI members and then a week later on Friday 8th it will open to all other runners wishing to take part . The entry will be online only on eventmaster.ie The event now in its 32nd year has established itself as a must run race on the Irish road running calendar with participants from all four corners of the country and beyond participating. The race has grown year on year from humble beginnings 32 years ago. This year the organisers due to the demand for entries for the race will keep the entry number to 3,750 entries, this we hope will see all runners wishing to run the event in 2024 getting an entry to do so. Please note that this event usually sells out well before closing date so do get your entry in if you intend running on Sunday February 4th 2024.The John Treacy Dungrvan 10 bring’s together the ideal race combination of fun runners, joggers, club athletes and top class internationals who compete over a fast flat 10 mile course around the historic town of Dungarvan as we all look forward to an even bigger and better event on Sunday February 4th next. To stage such a big event of course requires good sponsor’s and we are fortunate to have the support many associate sponsors and many local businesses and individuals who are all giving valuable support helping to make the day a great occasion for the town of Dungarvan.
All race details can be found at www.dungarvan10mile.org
JOHN TREACY DUNGARVAN 10.
KBRT ANNOUNCED AS RACE BENEFACTORS.
THE KEVIN BELL REPATRIATION TRUST..
West Waterford athletic club are delighted to announce our race benefactors for the 2024 John Tracy Dungarvan 10 mile road race KBRT. Monies donated by the runners and the club will be donated to this very worthy national cause. The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust aims to alleviate the financial hardship of bereaved families repatriating the body (bodies) of loved one(s) who have died abroad in sudden or tragic circumstances back to Ireland.KBRT was founded out of a family tragedy when, in June 2013, Kevin Bell died suddenly in New York. Following an outpouring of support from Kevin’s friends, family and colleagues, a significant amount of funds were raised to repatriate his remains back to Ireland. As a permanent legacy to Kevin, the Bell family decided to use the funds to establish a charity to help other families who find themselves in a similar situation. Help comes in the form of financial support as well as advice and guidance on getting the remains of loved ones home as soon as possible.KBRT is a volunteer organisation, led by Colin Bell and a team of volunteer Trustees. KBRT is regulated by the Charity Commission in Northern Ireland (NIC100314) and Irish Charity Regulator (20102937).Since 2013, KBRT has repatriated the remains of over 1600 people back home to their families (as at January 2021)When entering the race online you will have the opportunity to donate any sum of money you wish, we ask you to be as generous as possible for this very worthy cause when entries open on December 1st.
123.IE NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS .
TOP 6 FOR LUCY HOLMES.
SOLID PERFORMANCE FROM MARK BLACKWELL.
The 123.ie national Even ages, under 23 and senior cross country championships for 2023 were held last Sunday in Gowran Co.Kilkenny and huge numbers took part on what is the Irish red letter event of the cross country season. Held on a tough course, not for the faint hearted the venue brought the cream to the top as they say with some outstanding performances right through out all the age right through to the senior events. The club was well represented at Juvenile level here and some did bring home national medals to their credit. In the Senior races we had Lucy Holmes in the Ladies under 23 and Mark Blackwell in the same category for men. Lucy put in sterling run to finish 6th overall with the fourth and fifth scorers finish in the two places directly ahead of her, so a very good performance by Lucy who now goes onto run the Novice in Navan in two weeks’ time .Mark Blackwell was unlucky to have been among the many who lost a spike very early on in the race which didn’t help his cause in any way, however Mark battled on well finishing 37th overall in a very competitive race.Well done to both Lucy and Mark.
WATERFORD HOSPICE TO BENEFIT FROM 15th ANNUAL AN SEAN PHOBAL MEMORIAL TURKEY TROT.
On Sunday December 10th the 15th Annual Paddy Joe Curran Old Parish Turkey Trot 5 mile run and 4 mile walk will take place at the Marine Bar, Pulla, Dungarvan. All proceeds from this year’s event will go to Waterfrod Hospice. The event is once again kindly sponsored by Cleanzone Technology Ltd of which were most grateful. The 4 mile walk will begin at 11 am, while the 5 mile run will get under way at 11.30.The Annual Paddy Joe Curran Memorial Old parish Turkey Trot was set up by the late Paddy Joe Curran in 2007. Unfortunately Paddy Joe passed away in 2011 after a short battle with cancer. Paddy Joe dedicated his life to promoting athletics in the As Sean Phobal and An Rinn areas. After his passing a group of Paddy Joe’s friends came together with the aim of growing the event and raise funds for local cancer charities in his memory. All proceeds from this year’s event go to Waterford Hospice who support patients and their families with cancer in Waterford City and County. Registration online for 10 euro or on the day its 15 euro number collection from 10:30am on the morning at the Marine Bar located on the N25. Prize giving and refreshments will take place at the Marine Bar following the event. Please note there will be no mass start for walk. Once walkers have registered and signed in, they will be allowed to begin the event. For health and safety this helps to reduce the volume of participants in the route at one time.
