2.30 DEBUT MARATHON PERFORMANCE BY PAT HENNESSEY IN SYDNEY.
We were wakening last Sunday morning to news of an overnight sensational run by club member Pat Hennessey at the Sydney Marathon in Australia. Pat running his debut marathon crossed the finish line in 2.30.04 finishing 16th Male overall from the field of over 13.000 finishers, he was 7th in his age category. Pat who has been on his travels these past few months had been training with a group of athlets for his first attempt at the distance really did it in style with a 2.30 performance Clipping through the half way mark in 1.14.23 Pat kept the effort going well in the second half despite the severe heat where temperatures reached 32 degrees and organisers reported that at least 26 runners were taken to hospital in the heat wave conditions. The race started in Milsons Point before crossing Harbour Bridge taking in a lot of the city and finishing at the world famed Sydney Opera House.A huge congratulations to Pat may it be the first of many.The event also incorporated a 10k event and here we were also represented when Clodagh Dwyer kept the flag flying for our female members, Clodagh 1.04.39 Well done to both on keeping the WWAC club flag flying in
GOLD TEAM FOR ELAINE LANGLEY WHILE SEAN FOLEY LEADS IRISH TEAM TO 4TH.
The 22nd Annual World Mountain running Masters championships were held over 3 days last weekend in Madeira Portugal with a host of countries from around the globe competing. West Waterford AC delighted that two of its members were in Portugal competing for their country with both doing superbly well. In the Ladies over 35 category it was a day to remember for one of our newest club members Elaine Langley who ran a great race to finish 4th behind winner Ireland’s Dee Collins with Marina Quinlan 5th , these three Ladies brought home team gold for Ireland. In the Men’s uphill event over 9.2 kms West Waterford’s Sean Foley finished a creditable 8th place overall in a very competitive field of 37 starters, Sean lead the Irish team home who were unlucky to be just outside the medals when placed 4th team in the over 60 category from the 10 countries competing. Huge congratulations to both Elaine and Sean on wearing the Irish vest with distinction.
TOP 10 FOR GOUGH AND HEALY AT CLONMEL HALF.
284 competed at the rescheduled Clonmel AC half marathon last Saturday morning and the overall race winner was John Meade St Finbarrs AC in a time of 1.13.15 with the Ladies victory going to his club mate Clara Ryan 1.26.48.The club had 7 athletes competing and all did well, with Dermot Gough our first finisher in a time of 1.23.06 for an excellent 8th place overall. Dermot was followed home with another fine run from Padraig Healy 1.24.13 for 10th place. Tom Hogan broke the 1.40 marker when he crossed the finish line in 1.38.02,our club chairman Tom Leahy made a welcome return to half marathon racing with a time of 1.42.56 and shortly after came Liam Fitzgerald clocking 1.43.01, Peter Cunningham will be pleased with his time of 1.53.28 and likewise Brian Ormond running a time of 1.58.05.
STEPHANIE ILSLEY THIRD AT KILKENNY MEDIEVAL MARATHON.
The Kilkenny Medieval race event took place last Saturday and there were a host of distances available to athletes to compete at with a marathon, 30k,half marathon and a 10k option. The club had a sprinkling of athletes competing In the Marathon event 136 competed and among them were 3 WWAC athletes, Stephanie Ilsley finished a brilliant 29th overall and 3rd in a time of 3.39.01 in the Ladies section following her home was Mick Concannon clocking a time of 3.54.05 and the evergreen Terri Gough finished in 6.09.55.292 competed in the half marathon and Catriona Crowe was just outside the 2 hour barrier with a time of 2.01.30.235 ran the popular 30k distance and here from the club Richard Stilwell had a great run finishing 11th overall in a time of 2.03.04 also running well over the distance was Gareth Pope clocking a time of 2.38.02.243 ran the shortest option the 10k and here Onra Power completed the course in a time of 54.42.As no clubs are listed for athletes in the official results sheets we hope we haven’t missed anyone from the club and if we have please let us know for amendment.
PB FOR CATHAL REYNOLDS IN COPENHAGEN HALF.
There was a performance by one of our newest members Cathal Reynolds in the Copenhagen half last Sunday, Cathal ran a super time of 86:31 a 6 minute 30 second PB for the Abbeyside man.
CORK LADIES MINI MARATHON.
Well done to our ladies who ran last Sundays Cork 5km mini Marathon which had 2655 finishers.
Aisling CUSACK 28:42
Deirdre DALY 30:25
Patricia DALY 30:30
Edel CURRY 31:29
Niamh FENNELL 31:31
Geraldine BARRY MCGOVERN 31:45
29TH ANNUAL FORDE’S DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE.
With the summer road racing scene now behind us and our very successful half marathon completed with the evening light drawing in our thoughts start turning towards the club’s annual winter league event and this coming winter league see’s it entering its 29th year. The club committee have been working away behind the scenes in organising this year’s event and are delighted to say that Forde’s Daybreak on the Youghal Road have committed once again to sponsoring this great event for the coming league. Registration night this year will be on Wednesday November 8th.The following week the league will begin officially on November 15th. We will provide more information in the coming weeks but for now all you need do is pencil the date into your diary.
PLANS WELL IN PLACE FOR CLUBS 29TH ANNUAL FORDE’S DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE .
The clubs winter league which now enters its 29th year will begin in November. This year the registration night will take place on the Wednesday November 8th where you can register for this year’s league and we can answer any questions you may have and we will also explain the rules and regulations of the league as well as the two courses of the league .The first official night of the league will be the following week November 15th. For all those that won’t be able to make it to the sports centre on the first night of registration, you may register and get your number on the following night. In fact, it’s possible to join the winter league at any stage throughout the course of the league. Winter league payment is a once off payment,with club members paying 35 euro (this includes the 5 euro once off number payment) and for non-members you can pay a once off payment of 40 euro which also includes the 5 euro number payment charge. This amount will cover you for the full duration of the league.
SYMPATHY.
West Waterford athletic club extend sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Francis Connolly Knockacoola Ballymacarbry who passed to his eternal reward last week, may he rest in peace .
