TQS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.
MARIONS A “KEEN” WINNER!
The fifth stage of the TQS League attracted over 60 participants to a sun-drenched St Augustine’s College last Tuesday evening.36 runners finished faster than the time they predicted with a further 25 finishing on the right side of the clock.
A perfectly timed run by Marion Keane ensured victory for her, which gave her a 30 points bonus to help Marion climb up the league table. Marion is enjoying her summer running in both this league and the one-mile league as well as improving her fitness from week to week. Marion had two of the Tutty tribe directly behind her, Michael and George, the latter moving up to ninth spot on the league table courtesy of this performance. The Ring contingent are judging this league to perfection as next to finish was Josie Ui Chuirrin giving her 27 points her second time to receive this figure. Newcomer to the league J.J. Henley finished fifth just five seconds outside a perfect run.
CAROL JUST MISSES OUT
As the song says “Oh Carol”. A run which was just one second too fast cost Carol Whelan the maximum 30 points bonus last week. It was a near perfect run which was also the case for Josie Harty (-0.03) and the husband and wife combination Chizhikov Diana (0.06) and Yevgeniy (0.05).
O MUIRIOSA BACK ON TOP.
After five stages of our TQS league Pat Morrissey has regained top position on the Champions League Table. He claimed a 22-point bonus last week to give the Ring man a total of 92 points, closing in the whole time on the league record of 115 points.
Newcomers to the top ten after last week are Pearse Moloney Josie Harty and George Tutty while running partners Richie Kelly and Tomas Coleman are currently demoted. Over 90 participants currently feature on the TQS Champions League Table. Three ladies follow Pat closely with just 8 points separating the top 4. In second and third position on the table are Onra |Power (90pts) and Brid Veale (88pts) respectively Consistency seems to be the order of the day for both these ladies as they have scored points on each night of the league. Josie Ui Chuirrin follows with 84 pts and just a slight gap to the next two competitors Martin Veale and Pearse Moloney both on 77pts. Here the table gets very interesting as just 5 points separate the next 5 runners with Earl Navin (74pts), Brigid Coffey another consistent points scorer (73pts), George Tutty (72pts) and filling the number 10 and 11 spots are Josie Harty (71Pts) and John Foley (70 pts) respectively.
HEROES AND HEROINES.
MEN- Alan Thomas ran the league for the first time and on his debut he managed two laps without too much difficulty. His fitness will improve with more outings to the Friary.
LADIES- Another debutant Emer Cullinane gave the three laps a go and she was well on her way to full fitness before she arrived as she covered the distance in under 32 minutes.
ATHLETIC AUGUST.
The league continues on Tuesday nights at 7pm for the month of August. Newcomers especially welcome. Advice and a welcome guaranteed. Entry fee €2 each night.
THE GREEN MILE LEAGUE.
The penultimate stage of the club’s Green Mile League witnessed two records and a number of personal best times. Most participants’ times have improved from Day 1 and it shows the value of racing this distance in order to improve fitness and times for the five-mile races.
SUB SIX-MINUTE MILERS.
In the juvenile club race, Des Sheehan (5.26), Brian Hallissey (5.29) and Joe Conway (5.31) all recorded P.B.’s while the run itself was won for the second consecutive week by Daniel Mc Carthy (5.19) who now leads this category. In the adult race Corrina Walsh recorded a personal best time of 5 mins 55 seconds having improved by one second in each of the three weeks.
SUB SEVEN-MINUTE MILERS.
Young David Early set a new league record when he clocked a very impressive 5.51 for the four laps. His previous best was 6.02 and David put in a huge effort to set the new record and he now leads this category. Very close to breaking the magical six minutes as well were Kate Veale (6.04) and Elma Nugent (6.09) both of whom ran personal best times. League newcomer Jenny Hurley did well to clock 6.43 on her debut. In the adult club section, another league newcomer Liam Kavanagh was a clear winner in 6.28 but the league record of 6.12 set by Jason Dee remains secure with just one week to go. Tom Scanlon also making his debut in this league finished second in 6.44, three seconds ahead of Brid Veale who recorded a 6.47 P.B. and who now leads this category.
SUB EIGHT-MINUTE MILERS.
Emer Scanlon and Hugh O Connor produced a thrilling race in the sub 8-minute section with Emer prevailing by 2 seconds in a time of 7 mins 11 sec. Hugh has the considerable consolation of recording a P.B. by 35 secs and he also now leads this category with a combined two-race timing of 15.01. Another fine performance by Emer in the final run next week will see this category go right down to the wire.
EIGHT MINUTE PLUS MILERS.
We will have to rename this category after some brilliant running all-round with four participants breaking the 8-minute barrier. First to smash the old record of 8 minutes even was Carol Whelan who improved her time by 25 seconds to set a new league record of 7.44. Well done to Carol who is now leading this category. Hot on her heels were Onra Power (7.47) and Andrea Gaffney (7.49) while only for a mistake in counting from 1 to 4 Marion Keane would surely have run faster than her very good 7.55, thinking the third lap was the fourth lap. Don’t worry, the club will provide a giant abacus for you on the top of the van next week Marion!
Other impressive P.B’s were recorded by Tommy Lenihan 8.15 (-13 sec) and Alice Shanley 8.33 (-9 sec).
RESULTS GREEN MILE LEAGUE DAY THREE.
Sub 6-minute milers
Juvenile club-1. Daniel Mc Carthy (5.19). 2.Des Sheehan (5.26). 3. Brian Hallissey (5.29). 4.Joe Conway (5.31)
Adult club- 1.Corrina Walsh (5.55).
Sub 7 minute milers
Juvenile club-1. David Early (5.51). 2.Kate Veale (6.04). 3.Elma Nugent. (6.09). 4.Jenny Hurley (6.43)
Adult club-1. Liam Kavanagh (6.28). 2.Tom Scanlon (6.44). 3. Brid Veale (6.47). 4.Brigid Coffey (6.53). 5.Josie Ui Chuirrin (6.57)
Sub 8minute milers
Juvenile club-winner Emer Scanlon (7.11)
Adult club-winner Hugh O Connor (7.13)
8 minute plus milers
Adult club-1. Carol Whelan (7.44). 2.Onra Power (7.47). 3. Andrea Gaffney (7.49). 4.Marion Keane (7.55). 5 Tommy Lenihan (8.15). 6. Alice Shanley (8.33)
FINAL NIGHT.
Forty runners have participated in this league to date and it is being enjoyed by all concerned. This Thursday night is the last stage of the league and so it is your last chance to record a Green Mile time for 2007. Entry fee is €2. The juvenile prizes for the winners of the sub 6 minute and sub 7-minute categories will be presented on the final night with the adult winners being presented with their prizes at the TQS league presentation night.
THERES NO GETTING AWAY FROM IT.
No not even on holidays can you get away from it, a little birdy was trawling the net and came across a race last week in France the Jog Club St.Hilaire 14 k to be precise and there is was in black and white on the results page one West Waterford finisher in 35th place with a time of 57.40.Well done Paul Brunnock.I think you should get double athlete of the year points.!!
RUNNING QUOTE.
I have to race. I’m like a Ferrari. You can’t keep it in the garage. Michael Tutty.
SINEAD AND JOE AMONG THE WINNERS IN CLOGHEEN.
Sinead Crotty was once again the victor on the road racing scene last Thursday evening when she was the easy winner of the Clogheen 5k race recording a time of 18.14 also among the winners was Joe Gough who took the over 50 section with a splendid time of 18.10.well done to both.
BABY BOY.
Congratulations to Eibhlis O’Brien and her husband Ray on the birth recently of a son. Health and Happiness to all.
CLUB COMMITTEE MEETING.
The Senior clubs monthly meeting will take place in Minnie’s Bar, Abbeyside on this Thursday evening at 8.30 pm.
DEADMANS 5 ON THIS SUNDAY.
The final race in the three race Carrick road runners organised and Outfield Sports/Asics sponsored summer series take place this coming Sunday with the 2nd Annual Deadman’s 5 mile road race. The event has a 12 noon start and entry is 8 Euro with registration at the Carrick Swan Hall from 10.30 am. There will also be changing and shower facilities at the same venue. Prizes will be awarded in all the usual categories and of course the overall series prizes will also be presented to the various winners. Presentation of prizes will be held at the Carraig Hotel. A walk will precede the race and this will get under way at 11.30 AM.
CLUB TRACK AND FIELD NEWS.
The club have made a huge break through on the National Track and Field scene this year and with all the work going on behind the scenes at committee level, and of course the huge effort by the athletes themselves we have now got official confirmation that we are heading to Tullamore this coming Saturday for the National Finals of the E.S.B.leagues.we came through the two qualifying rounds in great fashion and we were the leading club from the two pools of clubs taking part in division one. We were in the southern section and there were many clubs also competing in the northern section. As it stands going into the finals on Saturday we will bring in the maximum 9 points as leaders after the first two rounds with Ballymena and Antrim taking 7 with them as they are in second position, St.Abbans are third and will take 6 points with them and so on down the field of eight qualifying teams. As already mentioned 8 teams qualified with 6 not making the cut so this in itself is a good achievement for us, however competition will be of the highest calibre in the finals Saturday with many very strong northern clubs also competing. This said we will be at full strength and team manager Tony Ryan will have his charges in top shape for Tuullamore. With a bit of luck we can finish well up the pecking order and with another bit of luck we could even sneak in among the medals. Any athlete looking for a lift to Tullamore are asked to contact Tony on 087-7657805.Best of luck to all concerned.
WEST WATERFORD MENS TEAM FOR NATIONAL FINALS.
Brendan Moran, Patrick Palmer, Alan O’Brien, James ledingham, Dzintars Klava, Mark Shalloe, Sandis Bralitis, Raivis Zakis, Liam Houlihan, Seán Stilwell, Pádraig Healy, Jamie Costin, Joe Gough, Steven Dunne, Frank O’Brien, Morgan Hamm, Shane Scanlon, Michael Morrissey, Donnie Rockett, Michael Morrissey. Team manager Tony Ryan.
FINAL TEAM FINISHING POSITIONS AFTER QUALIFING ROUNDS.
JOE GOUGH WINS GRADED 800.
Joe Gough won his first 800 of the season last week in the Dublin graded meet with a time of 2.14.This was a good sharpener for the upcoming Masters championships for Joe.
SANDIS AND RAIVIS TAKE NATIONAL MEDALS.
Back in their native country Latvia last weekend West Waterford athletes Sandis Bralitis and Raivis Zakis were in action in the Latvian national championships with the 5.000 meters on Friday and the 3.000 Meters on Sunday. Unlike our weather in Ireland they had to endure temperatures of 35 plus the two days. Both ran exceptionally well with Sandis taking gold in 5.000 meters on Saturday and he was narrowly beaten for the gold in the 3.000 meters steeplechase the following day. Sandis ran a very comfortable 14.44 for the 5.000 to retain the title he won last year and his time for the steeplechase was 9.21.Raivis was well pleased with recording a personal best time of 8.40 in the 3.000 meters taking the bronze medal for his troubles and the previous day he also participated in the 5.000 meters where he also took bronze with a time of 15.24. Well done to both and we await there return this week and their participation in the E.S.B. leagues on Saturday.
GER WYLEY / NIKE SUMMER SERIES RACE NO.10.
AN TOBAR ARDMORE 5 TO ATTRACT BIG FIELD.
The 11th and final race in this years Ger Wyley / Nike summer series of road races is down for decision on Friday 17th August next when we travel to Ardmore for the An Tobar sponsored 5 mile road race. Please note the race gets under way at 7.30 pm.because of the fading light. This will be the 11th running of this event and local organiser Michael Hennessey has all at the ready for yet another great evening’s sport in the Village which like all the other races in the series this year will attract a huge field of some of the South East’s best road runners.
LOCAL RUNNERS COMPLETE NEW YORK CITY HALF MARATHON.
There were at least three local runners taking part in last Sundays New York City Half Marathon.Gerry Cantwell ran yet another New York event and is becoming a regular in running circles in the big apple.Gerry finished 249th overall with a very good time of 1.26.Also running was local man Alan Harnedy and Alan finished 2,517th in a time of 1.48.Well known local architect Sabine Witmann also completed the course in a time of 2.17 giving her a finishing position of 7.758th.well done to all.The race up from saw the legend Haile Gebrselassie’s the man known as “the Emperor” take a resounding victory. Gebrselassie ran with two-time U.S. Olympian Abdi Abdirahman and World Marathon Majors Series leader Robert K. Cheruiyot of Kenya for seven miles in Central Park.As the trio left the park on Seventh Avenue, Gebrselassie answered a brief move by Abdirahman with a devastating counterattack, then widened his lead throughout the last six miles to win by one minute and five seconds and slash 1:58 from Tom Nyariki’s 2006 course record. His time of 59:24, achieved on a challenging course with a constantly undulating first half, has been bettered by only seven men in history (not including his own personal-best 58:55), and his win extended his undefeated record in half-marathons to eight-for-eight. Abdirahman, whose 1:00:29 was a personal best by 38 seconds, improved from third in 2006 to second. Cheruiyot held on to round out the top three in 1:00:58; The women’s race was a much closer affair. A pack of six remained intact through the park loop, after which Ndereba, Kibet, and Mexican marathon record-holder Madai Perez established a slight lead, which they held until the nine-mile mark. As they turned south off 42nd Street onto the West Side Highway, Ndereba pushed the pace hard; the move dropped Perez, but Kibet hung on and attempted her own breakaway, which Ndereba covered. Fearing the Kenyans’ finishing speed, Rillstone let her momentum take her to the front. Ndereba and Kibet drew level with her as they entered the final 400 meters, and the three sprinted for the line. Kibet prevailed in 1:10:32, Ndereba followed in 1:10:33, and Rillstone clocked 1:10:35 to lower her own New Zealand national record by 14 seconds.What a city what a race.
