KATE VEALE TAKES DOUBLE GOLD AT 123.IE NATIONAL RACE WALKING CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Sunday last saw the last of the national athletics championships for 2022 when the 123.ie sponsored national Senior 20k and 35k and 10k junior were held in St Ann’s Park Raheny and hosted by Raheny Shamrocks AC. The event was also a World Bronze medal category event which is important for the athletes competing as points gained go on the ranking tables for other major competitions.In the 35 KM this year the 20 KM was also incorporated both starting together, Kate Veale was defending her 35 km (21.75 miles) title and also defending her 20 km (12.43 miles) crown also. She walked very evenly all through and came through the 20 km mark in 1.48.06 to take the gold medal and continued on to complete the double when also taking gold in the 35 km in a good time of 3.09.41. This time will set Kate up well over the 35k distance heading into a new year and season, The races were open to athletes from other countries also and in Kate’s 20 km race she was second to Noelia Vargas Costa Rica who clocked 1.38.33 and in the 35k she was a close second to Marya Vicentainer Brazil who clocked 3.08.28.In the open Juvenile race over 5km club member Eabha Hickey was 7th in the under 16 race. Well done to both Kate and Eabha.
FORDES DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE.
€1,300 RAISED AT FORDE’S DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE CHARITY NIGHT.
It was another great night good and dry but very cold for round 5 of our winter league last Wednesday evening, It was also of course our annual charity night at the league and the runners of the league once again as they always do, dug very deep and came up with a whopping sum of 1.300 Euro for our chosen charity this year Dogs for the disabled, Our sponsor Kevin Forde handed over the cheque on behalf of all the runners which we can be sure of will go to good use.We also had a very special visitor to last week’s league when the man of the moment Santa made a quick visit with some nice pressies for all our stewards and runners on the night. This Wednesday night the 21st is our final round for 2022 so make sure to come along to round off a great half way point of our winter league. Make sure to keep up the training over the break, even if it’s only the odd run or two it will make all the difference when the league resumes in 2023 on Wednesday, January 4th.For now from all at the Forde’s Daybreak winter league,may you and your loved ones have a lovely Christmas and we hope to see you all in the new year for the 2nd half with another 5 rounds to be completed.
CONDITIONS COLD FOR THE RUNNERS ON WEEK 5 OF THE SHORT COURSE.
It was a cool, crisp, still evening and again near perfect for running as the runners gathered for last weeks Fordes Daybreak Winter League. Once again a great crowd of 67 runners gathered in Dungarvan Sports Centre before heading out on the 2.3 mile run. Again this week there were more new people registering along with the league regulars. This section of the league has first timers and beginners in mind and is a manageable distance for most as it covers 2.3 miles in total. Even if you haven’t come along up to now, maybe it’s a challenge you could take on for the new year. This Wednesday (21st December) is our last night for 2022 before the league resumes on the 4th January.The overall tables are starting to take shape and will be available in the coming weeks. First back on the night was a young lady who’s family have a great tradition with the club and especially the winter league as her grandfather Paddy and mother Linda are club stalwards and of course not to mention the great help her uncle Conor at country stores has been to the club with the John Treacy 10 miler ever year, now the next generation Maeve Bradfield ran her very fist winter league night last week and celebrated the occasion by leading the pack home, Maeve ran a time of 28.20, Owen Power was next past the post Owen clocked a time of 22.33 with Brickey’s Walsh running a blistering time of 15.40 for 3rd.Well done to all who took part, and remember newcomers are always welcome. Just come along to Dungarvan Sports centre on Wednesday Night at 6.30 to register – Also thanks to all out Stewards out on the course and our crew in the hall and at the Finish Line. Tonight (21st December ) is our last night for 2022 with the league recommencing on 4th January 2023.
LEAGUE LEADERS ON SHORT COURSE.
Conor Walsh
John Organ
Kelly Shalloe
Phil Coffey
Cliodhna Foley
Owen Power
Colm Barry
Niall Walsh
Tomás Horgan
Jerome Maher
We currently have 7 from the top 10 placings field by the Men with just 3 Women in the mix, but plenty to play for yet ,early days. Full tables will be posted after Christmas break keep an eye on the club face book page.
LONG COURSE RUNNERS GET IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.
We had another superb night last week for our league which was also our Christmas charity night at the Forde’s Daybreak Winter League with just this coming week remaining now before we take our annual Christmas break. Well done to all the runners for their generosity on our charity night.The regular course last week on the long run was back in action and Joanne O’Neill lead the troops home in ideal conditions in a time of 50.47 and Joanne was followed in by Paul Casey in 48.03 with Mick Ahearne fresh from his sub 3 hour Marathon three weeks ago in Valencia in a very fast time of 40.29 the fastest league time on this course for this year.Just a quick reminder to all our runners to be careful out on the course and obey the stewards at all times. REMEMBER THAT THE ROADS ARE NOT CLOSED SO BE CAREFUL OF TRAFFIC. For safety, high vis must be worn. Also the rules of the league prohibit the wearing of watches. Anyone not wearing high vis or caught wearing a watch won’t be included in the results. Best of luck to all tonight the final round for 2022 .
LEAGUE LEADERS ON LONG COURSE.
John Gleeson
Johnny Coney
Richie Fitzgerald
Conor Mc Grath
Jack Ahearne
James Whelan
Jack Mc Carthy
Triona Shalloe
Linda Foley
Alice Fitzgerald
After 5 weeks of the league we have 8 men and 2 ladies in the leading 10 position’s, but as we know the real test comes after the Christmas break and you can expect to see many changes at the top end of affairs before this league is finally over, we will publish the points totals and divisions over the break period keep a check on face book for these.
32ND ANNUAL COLLIGAN CUP ON SUNDAY 15TH JANUARY.
Date for the diary and one of the most popular events on our calendar is the 32nd annual Kiely Monumental Colligan Cup which will be held on Sunday 15th January.The Juvenile race starts at 11.00 pm and the Senior event will be at 12 noon. The senior race is over the usual 5 miles Colligan wood circuit and Juveniles will have a single 1-mile circuit to run. The Colligan cup is a unique event in that it is run on a handicap basis where you simply predict your finishing time over a 5 mile run, with the winner being the person who is nearest to that predicted time. This makes the race open to all no matter what your standard is, everyone has the same chance of taking the title. Now in its 32nd year we would like to thank sincerely our sponsor for all of those 32 years David Kiely of Kiely Monumental for his on-going support for the local running club West Waterford AC. So for a great fun event on the yearly running calendar Colligan is where you need to be come Sunday 15th January.
- STEPHEN’S DAY RUN/WALK IN AID OF MERCY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION.
The Dungarvan GAA club annual St. Stephen’s Day event will go ahead once again this year and all monies collected with benefit the Mercy Hospital Foundation, Cork and all are invited to participate. We are delighted to be back in person with our friends in Dungarvan GAA club for their annual Charity St Stephen’s day run. Please all come along to the Dungarvan GAA Club grounds Clogherane at 11am St Stephens morning and walk or run off all that turkey!! Look forward to seeing you .
MUNSTER INDOOR DATES ANNOUNCED.
The 2023 Munster Junior, Under 23, Senior and Masters Indoor Championships will be held at the Nenagh Indoor Arena.
Junior and Under 23 Championships will take place on Monday 2nd January Closing Date for entries will be Thursday December 22nd 2022.
3000m for Junior/U23/Snr and Masters will be held on this date Monday January 2nd ,
3000m walk for all categories will be held on Sunday February 12th
Senior and Masters Championships will be held on Sunday 12th February 2023,Closing Date for entries here is Thursday February 2nd 2023
Just a reminder to anyone wishing to enter any competition after 31st Dec… You must renew your membership first to be eligible to compete.
ANY MEMBER WISHING TO TAKE PART PLEASE HAVE YOUR ENTRY IN ON TIME TO JAMES 086 8184762.
BUTLERSTOWN 5 Km.
Ninety competed in the “Arachas” Sponsored Butlerstown 5 km road race last Sunday, held in wet conditions the overall winner was David McGlynn Waterford AC in a time of 14 minutes 34 seconds, First lady home was Emer Mc Glynn Waterford AC in18.54. The club had two athletes competing James Whelan ran a time of 19.04 and right on his heels was Joe Gough 19.13.Proceeds to WLRFM / St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. Well done to all who competed.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.
On behalf of the officers at West Waterford Athletic Club we extend season’s greetings to all our members, sponsors and friends. Remember when running over the Christmas season be safe and be seen. Blessings to you, your families and all your loved ones.
