RACE NUMBER 6 GER WYLEY SPORTS / NIKE SUMMER SERIES 2008.
DEISE BAR CLASHMORE 5.
RECORD ENTRY AND NEW COURSE RECORD.
The 7th Annual Clashmore 5 took place last Friday evening with a huge record entry of 177 athletes taking part. The race this year saw a brand new sponsor in the guise of The Déise Bar Clashmore and we thank and welcome on board the Curran family of the Déise Bar with what we hope will be an ongoing partnership for the years ahead and we thank them most sincerely for their kind sponsorship of this local event, The Clashmore folk were out in big numbers last Friday and they were rewarded with a top class race with some of the countries top athletes to the fore. Entries and the prize presentation took place in the Déise Bar and we thank Liam Curran for being available on behalf of the sponsors to present the winners with their prizes. Our thanks to Clashmore G.A.A.club for the use of their club pavilion for changing and showers. The management and staff of the Déise Bar provided the runners with refreshments and sandwiches and we thank Aine for all their help on the night. The race went off superbly aided by the work carried out by road racing co odinator Gerry and our hard working crew on registration result’s etc our thanks to Brid, Liam, Bernie, for another A1 performance to Norma Wall who looked after all the prizes on the night, and Emer who was the official finish time keeper, Michael Tutty on van duty once again a great job done, thanks also to Gavin Whelan on water station duty and Jamie Mills for all his invaluable help. And finally to our local crew headed up by Edmund Ledingham and family along with his many stewards. Many thanks for all your help with this year’s event.
SANDIS BRALITIS REWRITES THE HISTORY BOOKS.
West Waterford’s Sandis Bralitis returned to his best form for many months as he gave a great display of tactical road running setting yet another course record to add to his long list of record’s held. The race which was held in ideal weather conditions was number six in the Ger Wyley Sports/Nike summer series 2008.Sandis set a new course record on this course last year of 25 minutes dead, after being pressed all the way last Friday evening he had to break that old 25 minute mark to take a deserving victory in a new record time of 24.58.This is Sandis third time setting a new course record in the past three years at this race. From the gun it was club mate and recent silver medallist at the Latvian Olympics over 10.000 meters Raivis Zakis who took the race out at a very fast pace going through the first mile in 4.35,by mile two which was clocked at 9.41 Raivis and Sandis had a 20 meter gap on Clonliffe Harrier’s Sergiu Turea, On the hilly section of the course it was all to change again when Raivis faded somewhat off the pace allowing Turea to join the leaders again, by mile three 15.17 Sandis and Sergiu were 20 meters ahead of Raivis and it seemed to be down to these two for overall honours .Sandis passed mile four in 20.26 and at this stage Raivis had found renewed energy and got himself back in contention and was now gone back into second place, with Sandis 10 meters ahead and this time Sergiu seemed to be coming under pressure to keep up with the two Latvian natives, over the final mile Sandis pulled away further using all his strength on the down hill section coming back into the village, He went on to win by three second’s leaving Sergiu and Raivis to battle it out for the minor placing’s and a great battle they had with the Moldavian athlete who runs with Clonliffe Harriers in Dublin just holding off Raivis to finish in 25.01 Raivis was a further three seconds behind in 25.04.From a top three finishers point of view this was one of the best races seen in the series for some time.Ferrybank’s John Cleary held off the earlier challenge from West Waterford’s Philip Harty to take fourth place in 26.18 with the weekly improving Philip fifth in 27.25. The master’s Categories were well fought for on the night also with the over 40 title going to Youghal’s Noel Curtin who finished tenth overall in a time of 28.45,The over 45 title was won by Waterford’s Larry Kennedy in 28.43,Larry was 11th overall. Larry Lacey St.Josephs Kilkenny took the over 50 title with a fine run of 29.34.Waterford Road runners Con Kelleher with a time of 33.45 won the over 55 title, West Waterford’s Pat Connaughton has in recent races made the over 60 section his very own and he recorded another victory hear last Friday evening with a time of 37.52 The Junior race was won by Declan Power West Waterford in 40.21.The Men’s team title went to host club West Waterford AC.with Sean Stilwell 7th P.J.Guinan 13th and Andrew Leary 15th a total of 35 points.
ANOTHER OUTSTANDING RUN FROM CORINNA WALSH.
West Waterford’s Corinna Walsh took back to back wins over an eight day period on the local running scene when winning the Ras Na Rinne the previous Friday for the very first time she went on to recorded her very first win at the Clashmore 5 also last Friday when recording a time of 31.42.The overall Ladies Ger Wyley Sports/Nike summer series Ladies winner for 2008 is now very much now in the melting pot with very little between Corinna and Kilmore’s Jackie Carty, next Friday nights Dromana 5 could very well have a big bearing in this years competition. Corinna has had earlier in the season some injury worries but now it seems that she is back to her very best and will battle all the way for the overall title in this year’s series. Jackie a four times former winner of the series title has currently 2 wins and 3 seconds while Corinna’s tally reads 3 wins and 2 second placing’s. With three races remaining we are in for a great battle right up till series end in August. Diane Behan West Waterford had one of her best runs for a while when finishing 2nd last Friday evening with a good time of 32.36.Diane is seldom outside the top three Lady finishers will also be a top three series finisher in this years event. Mary Burke Waterford AC finishing third another Lady who is much improved this year she was just 21 seconds behind Diane in a time of 32.57. The Ladies over 35 section was won by St. Senans AC runner Cait Caulfield in 33.20,West Waterford’s Anne Whelan ran her usual good 7 minute pace coming home winner of the over 40 section in 35.20,Incidently this was Anne’s fourth over 40 win in her last four starts. The over 45 winner was Eilish Ní hAodha West Waterford AC with a time of 33.49 and the over 50 category was won by Ann Fitzgerald Waterford AC in 34.55.Terri Gough West Waterford won the Ladies over 60 section in 48.35.The first Junior was Tara Roche West Waterford AC 48.35.The Ladies team award went to West Waterford AC.Inese Melne 95th Brigid Coffey 98th and Josie Uí Chuirrin 100th a total of 293 points.
Next race in series Dungarvan Leader Dromana 5 Friday next June 27th.
CLASHMORE 5 RESULTS.
Men;
1st Sandis Bralitis West Waterford AC 24.58 (new course record)
2nd Sergiu Turea Clonliffe Harriers AC 25.01
3rd Raivis Zakis West Waterford AC 25.04
4th John Cleary Ferrybank AC 26.18
5th Philip Harty West Waterford AC 27.25
Over 40 Noel Curtin Youghal AC 28.41
Over 45 Larry Kennedy Waterford AC 28.43
Over 50 Larry Lacey St.Josephs AC 29,34
Over 55 Con Kelleher Waterford road runners 33.45
Over 60 Pat Connaughton West Waterford AC 37.52
1st Junior Declan Power West Waterford AC 40.21
Team-West Waterford AC.35 points, Sean Stilwell 7th P.J.Guinan 13th and Andrew Leary 15th.
LADIES;
1st Corinna Walsh West Waterford AC 31.42
2nd Diane Behan West Waterford AC 32.36
3rd Mary Burke Waterford AC 32.57
Over 35 Cait Caulfield St.Senans AC 33.20
Over 40 Anne Whelan West Waterford AC 35.20
Over 45 Eilish Ní hAodha West Waterford AC 33.49
Over 50 Ann Fitzgerald Waterford AC 34.55
Over 55 Terri Gough West Waterford AC 47.35
Junior Tara Roche West Waterford AC 48.35
Team-West Waterford AC.293 points, Inese Melne 95th,Brigid Coffey 98th and Josie Uí Chuirrin 100th.
16th ANNUAL DUNGARVAN LEADER DROMANA 5 THIS FRIDAY.
FOR THE MICHAEL C. NAGLE MEMORIAL TROPHY
The 16th Annual Dromana 5 mile road race takes place this Friday the 27th June
At 8 p.m.starting in Villiarstown and finishing in Cappoquin, for the 16th year Dungarvan Leader will kindly sponsor the event one of the clubs most supported races on the athletics calender. Please note this is the last opportunity to enter this years Ger Wyley Sports /Nike summer series as entries close on Friday evening.
There will be a large array of prizes on offer for the race with the 1st 10 men, 1st 3 men’s teams of 4, 1st 5 ladies and 1st ladies team of 4,A 100 Euro bonus will be awarded to the first Man to break the course record of 23.49 (set by John Tracey) and another 100 Euro will be awarded to the first Lady to break the Ladies record of 29.08.The usual spot prizes will also be given out at the presentation to the winners which this year will again be held at the central bar Cappoquin by kind permission of Danny and Nora Flynn, also shower facilities will be available for all here and refreshments will be provided for the runners. Our race directors for this event Trevor Mason has everything in place for what will be another great night’s road running. Please note a bus will depart from the Cappoquin G.A.A. club grounds at 7.00 sharp on Friday evening to the start line in Villiarstown for any one who might like to leave their car at the finish in Cappoquin. Through to the generosity of our sponsor The Dungarvan Leader, a special commerative T-shirt will be awarded on the night, It’s this year 30 years now since Villiarstown favourite son John Treacy won the first of his two world cross country titles in Bellahouston Park Glasgow and to commemorate that occasion The Dungarvan leader are presenting the first 200 entrants at Friday nights race with a T Shirt which will be a collectors item in the years ahead. Remember it’s the first 200 to enter get the T-Shirts. Race entry 10 Euro.
GER WYLEY SPORTS/NIKE SUMMER SERIES FINAL OPPORTUNITY TO ENTER.
A reminder to all athletes that the Dungarvan Leader Dromana 5 is the final opportunity to enter this year series, with a record entry already received all participants will receive a 25 euro voucher for Nike product for competing 6 of the 10 race programme, and thanks to our sponsor an added attraction this year for the first time is that all athletes who complete the full 10 race programme will receive a 75 euro sports voucher for Nike produce, Its our policy in West Waterford to look after and encourage all levels of runners,-winners, middle of the pack and down the field runners. So this great award is open to all levels to attain and you must agree it’s a great reward for completing the full series. So don’t forget Friday evening is your last chance to enter.
RAIN FAILS TO DAMPEN SPIRITS AT MINNIE’S BAR FIT4LIFE RUNNING LEAGUE
The heavy rainfall at the beginning of last week’s league failed to quell or dampen the enthusiasm that was the order of the night at the Minnie’s running league. In fact, all runners present were there to break records and once again all duly obliged with many exceeding well beyond their own expectations. With it being the penultimate night many were out to give it their last shot at reaching a certain time and all are to be accredited with wonderful performances. Luckily the rain eased off as the league progressed and the fairly strong breeze half way around the laps failed to have any effect on the times recorded. With the divisions taking shape, it provided the momentum some of us needed to reach our goals. The success of the league can surely be measured by the record number present each night and also on the fitness levels now reached by one and all. The ease at which this league can be done may send a message to many that it really is manageable to incorporate exercise and fitness in to our routines and for all the newcomers we sincerely hope that this will continue into the future. This league has been in operation with the past few years and the majority of those that took part at the very first league have been regulars at the club’s many other running leagues and events and for many they have never looked back since taking up the running. It’s a relative cheap way to get fit, the only fee being the two euro fee each night that you run, it’s certainly value for money and there’s not a better deal to be had. By the time this goes to press, the final stage of the league will have been held and with the end of this league we have our other leagues to look forward to. We sincerely hope that we will see you all out at the Friary College for our upcoming events and we would like to encourage you to bring along a friend or two and let them see for themselves just how easy it is to take up running. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for participation and co-operation and to congratulate you for making the league the success that it was.
SUCCESS FOR THE ONE LAPPERS
All the one lappers produced some fantastic performances for round 8 of the league. At this stage, there are quite a few that have broken the magical ten-minute barrier and have been doing so with a number of weeks. Declan Hayes dipped under nine minutes for the second week running with Kevin Curran exactly on the nine-minute mark. Sandra Ellard once again reached her target of 9.30. It was extremely close between Diana Chizhikova and first timer for this league Mary Ryan as both really gave it their all to get to the finishing tunnel as the clock ticked down to ten minutes. Both were successful in doing so. They were closely followed by Siobhain McKenna who was a mere two seconds outside of ten minutes, this she will surely have achieved by the end of the league. Aisling Hourigan showed immense improvement to reach 10.22 with Clare Cotter hot on her heels. All will be delighted with their times they achieved and will build on this for future leagues.
YEVGENIY BREAKS 15 MINUTES FOR TWO LAPS
Round 8 saw some super running from the two lap runners. Martin Hayes led the field home in a time of 14.45; a great run indeed and not his first time breaking 15 minutes in this league. Yevgeniy Chizhikov had to really work hard and did his best to hold the pace set by Martin and came up trumps recording 14.57. Michael John O’ Mahony was another to deliver a super performance, knocking 16 seconds off his time from the previous week to dip under 17 minutes for the two laps. Johnny Murphy, Christopher O’ Grady and Tommy Moore had a battle on their hands with all three keeping a watchful eye on each other in their bid to break 18 minutes, all managed it with seconds to spare. With the finishing line in sight, Aine Lynch had perfect 20.20 vision, recording this time with style and panache. Running partners Alice Shanley and Marion Moloney helped each other to complete the two laps in just over 21 minutes with Betty Sheehan and Tommy Lenihan both improving significantly on the previous week’s run.
COLEMAN CRUISES AHEAD
The three-lap league has been very close since the outset. With each passing week, there is never more than a second or two separating any of the runners and this in itself makes the league all the more interesting. It gives each of the runners that extra little push as they complete each of the three laps. Last week Tomas Coleman did very well to record 24.11 but for round eight he certainly went one step better and came home in a time of 23.48, well under 24 minutes. He had to really push on at the last stretch as hot on his heels was Colm O’ Brien who also managed to dip under 24 minutes as did Mark Cahill. Ray Burke will be pleased to learn that he was a minute faster for round eight of the league. Michael Roche is improving with each outing and was well under 26 minutes for the course. Carol Whelan had a fantastic run to knock almost half a minute off her time, as did Pearse Moloney. Onra Power can rightly claim the title for best improver on the night as she recorded 30.29, a huge improvement on her previous time of 33.40, now that’s what I call improvement. Mary O’ Riordan in the space of one week has made the leap from under 38 to 37 minutes, that is some leap in such a short space of time and well deserved I might add.
BRIAN’S BEST
Raivis Zakis had company for the four-lap league for round eight. Brian Byrne who is in terrific form of late ran a blinder to complete the four laps in a time of 29.33, a mere five seconds behind long time leader Raivis. To break 30 minutes for four laps is great running indeed and well done to Alan Lyons who was also under 30 minutes. Patrick O’ Riordan was just outside of 30 minutes and with only one night remaining he will surely make sub 30 his target. Just twelve seconds separated the next four determined athletes who were all very focused in their bid to break 32 minutes. These were Kenneth O’ Donnell, Jim Fleming, Hugh Walsh and Gary Collins. Timmy Foley broke 35 minutes and even had a few seconds to spare in doing so. Triona Wall, Micheal Callaghan and Dermot Ryan egged each other along the route and all were happy to break 37 minutes. Libby McGinn Murphy, JJ Henley and Amanda Mansfield were among the best improvers of the four lap runners and all will be delighted with their finishing times.
SPONSORS
The O’ Brien family of Minnie’s Bar, Abbeyside, are the league sponsors once again this year. We are delighted to be associated with then again and their support and co-operation is greatly appreciated by all at the club.
PRIZE-GIVING NIGHT AT MINNIE’S BAR
The prize-giving for the Minnie’s Bar Fit4Life running league will be held this Wednesday night June 25th in Minnie’s Bar. The prize-giving night will begin at 10 p.m. and prizes will be awarded to the leader of each of the divisions in the one, two, three and four lap league. All are most welcome to attend; it’s a night for all participants and not just prizewinners.
UPCOMING LEAGUE-TQS RUNNING LEAGUE
Now that you are in the habit of running every Tuesday night and if you’re wondering what you’ll do with your time now that the league is over –look no further as the ever-popular TQS running league will be held every Tuesday night beginning on July 1st at 7 p.m. It will be held every Tuesday night for the months of July and August for a total of eight nights altogether. This has always proved to be very successful and it has the usual one, two, three or four laps on offer. It is ideally suited for beginners and an interesting feature of this league is that it’s not the fastest person that wins but the person that accurately predicts the time it will take them to run the distance. For this type of league the clock works in reverse, counting down to 0.00. When the clock reaches the time you think it will take you to run the distance, you start running and the first person to cross the finishing line after the clock has reached 0.00 is the winner. The winner might be the person with the slowest time, which opens the league up to everyone. Registration for this league begins at 6.45 in the grounds of the Friary College and the entry fee is just two euros. All participants are asked to park at the rear of the college. See you all out there and why not bring a friend or two along to join in the fun.
DAVID MC CARTHY IN SPARKLING FORM.
West Waterford’s David Mc Carthy was in sparkling form recently at the British Milers club 1.500 meters race in Watford. David finished 6th with a time of 3.43.94 which was a new personal best for the distance for David, The Ballinamult youngster followed up this great performance in the European cup in Mannheim, Germany last Sunday when competing in the same 1.500 meter event his first in this competition at Senior Level David was 3rd with a time of 3.58.28,this wasn’t a very fast race like the previous week in Watford but it was a very tactical one with Latvian Girts Azis taking the win in 3.57.69 with Estonian athlete Nikolai Vedehin second 3.58.16.David can be well pleased with this run as he prepares for the upcoming Cork City sports on Saturday week where he will compete in what should be a great 3.000 meters race with some very fancied Americans due to run, The following week he will run the National 1.500 meters in Santry Stadium.
RUNNING QUOTE.
It’s at the borders of pain and suffering that the men are separated from the boys.
SHANAGARRY 5 .
Our second trip to Ballycotton this summer will take place on tomorrow evening
Thursday 26th June for race two in the Ballycotton running promotions Nike summer series when the Shannagarry 5 takes place at 8 P.M.The following are the prize details for the race.
PRIZES: First 10 men (M); First 3 M40; First 3 M45; First 3 M50; First 2 M55; First M60; First M65; First M70; First 2 under 20 (MJ).
First 2 teams (3 to score, excluding prize-winners).
First 6 women (F); First 2 F35; First 2 F40; First 2 F45; First F50; First F55.
First team (3 to score, excluding prize-winners).
JAMIE COSTIN TAKES SILVER AT NATIONAL 20K CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Irish Olympic bound race walkers Jamie Costin and Colin Griffin (Ballinamore AC) were in action at Leamington Spa on Sunday week last where the National 20k event was held.both walkers confirmed that their preperations for this summer’s Games in Beijing are well on target with little seperating them both at the finish line,However
the 26-year old Leitrim man, who will compete in the 50km in China along with Jamie on this occasion finished ahead of his Olympic bound rival by just 15 seconds,with both athletes coming off a high milage training block they will be well pleased with their perfomances Colin dipping under the B qualifing time for Beijing and Jamie just outide the mark but he did set a seasons best 1.24.37.Carlow’s David Kidd took bronze in a shade over 90 minutes.The event, which was held for the first time ever outside of Ireland, was the result of an initiative by Athletics Ireland to provide a higher quality of competition and was hailed a major success by the athletes.
Results
Irish National 20km Walk Championships, Leamington
Spa, England Jun 15 2008
20km Men
1 Colin Griffin Ballinamore 1.24.22
2 Jamie Costin West Waterford 1.24.37
2 David Kidd St Laurence O’Tooles 1.30.01
4 Brendan Boyce Milford 1.32.57
5 John Egan Bree 1.36.46
6 Sean Pender 2.10.28
WEST WATERFORD LOOSE OUT ON NATIONAL LEAGUES FINAL SLOT.
Our Senior Mens Track and Field team were in action recently at round two of the National Track and Field championships which were held in Santry.Despite the best efforts from those who traveled who did cover the required 15 events we finished in ninth place with eight to qualify for the finals in Tullamore.So unfortunitaly this year we narrowley missed out by a hand full of points,However there were many positives that can be taken from the league for the club and there were many good individual performances on both days,It must be said also that we had some traditional household track and field named clubs finish behind us in the competition in round two with the likes of Raheny Shamrocks,Crusaders,Donore Harriers and Abbey finish in positions behind ourselves,We will remain in the premier divison now for 2009 when hopefully we can have another crack at making the finals which is well within the grasp of this squad,Well done to all athletes who participated on both days and to Tony and Michael who looked after the teams on both occassions.
SYMPATHY.
West Waterford Athletic Club extends sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cora Queally O’Connell St.Dungarvan who passed to her eternal reward last weekend may she rest in peace.
