A Weekend to Remember

13/11/2023

Standing L-R: Susan Walsh, Emer Liddy, Jeanie Watson, Anna Shine, Máirín Shine, Darina Scully, Carina Davidson, Rebecca Fleming, Catriona Egan, Laura Gobbi, Hannah Jones, Cría Dowling. Kneeling L-R: Zara Lou McGrath, Louise O'Riordan, Joanne Carey, Tanja Narancic, Lisa Shine

On Saturday morning, continuing a recently-established tradition of Crusaders athletes participating in the annual British and Irish International Masters Cross-Country competition between age-categorised teams from Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales, we had two runners take part in the competition, hosted this year in Tollcross Park in Glasgow. Our two intrepid athletes representing Ireland were Brian O’Kelly in the M40 age category and Paul Cowhie in the M55 category. Both had qualified for the contest in the trials held in Abbotstown as part of the Autumn Open in mid-October and Brian was running in the Irish vest for the first time. It is great to be able to say that, on the day, both were members of bronze-medal-winning teams competing on what was quite a tough hilly course, held in otherwise dry and sunny conditions. Both had to run 8k and, in a field of 29, Brian, who is currently training for a Spring marathon, placed 13th overall and was 5th placed in the 6-man team, in a time of 26:51, whilst Paul placed 10th overall and was 2nd scorer in a time of 29:03, in a field of 20 runners in his age category. Many congrats to them!

Kathryn Gibbons travelled up to her native Co. Donegal over the weekend and competed in the Finn Valley AC-organised 10k Remembrance Run on Sunday morning. In rainy and chilly conditions and east-south-easterly breeze on a slightly undulating anticlockwise loop, Kathryn joined 359 other runners, placing 19th and 3rd female finisher in a super time of 39:42.

Also, on Sunday, we saw the start of the Women’s Meet & Train winter (cross-country) league. Sixteen of our fellow clubmates ran in Tymon Park alongside 101 other club runners on a 3k course, taking in three and a bit laps of the cross country course used for the recent novices races beside the national basketball arena. They were led home by Jeanie Watson in her first ever XC in 4th place in 12:23 and Jeanie was followed by Rebecca Fleming (11th in 12:40), Joanne Carey (16th in 12:48), Tanja Narancic (22nd in 13:09), Cría Dowling (25th in 13:12), Hannah Jones (27th in 13:16), Laura Gobbi (32nd in 13:26), Lisa Shine (37th in 13:30), Louise O’Riordan (40th in 13:32), Darina Scully (44th in 13:41), Emer Liddy (67th in 14:23), Anna Shine (82nd in 14:54), Carina Davidson (85th in 14:58), Catriona Egan (102nd in 15:42), Máirín Shine (108th in 16:25) and Zara Lou McGrath (117th in 20:01).

On Sunday morning we had at least 5 Crusaders take on the iconic Athens marathon which as one would expect is a point to point from Marathon in the north to Athens in the south, finishing in the original Olympic stadium. Conditions were extremely warm with a light headwind (which may actually have been more refreshing than a real hindrance) on what is a hilly course with a significant 200m climb over 12k from 19k (after a 75m climb over about 9k just before it), but ending with a 10k descent to the finish. Leo Lundy who ran just over 6 hours on little preparation but a veteran of 377 previous marathons, reported that he had never seen so many people walking after halfway. Joe McDermott found the last few kms really tough, finishing in a creditable 3:00:36 (chiptime). Guntime results were provided for Richie Phelan (3:08:57), Kevin Lambe (3:39:35) and Lisa Branigan (3:52:45). Lisa ran an amazing negative split of over 4 minutes in Athens, on top of completing a 3:46 result in the Dublin marathon only two weeks earlier.

Also, outside Ireland, Chris Russell ran in the annual Edinburgh University-organised Braids Hill XC 5k run on Saturday morning, where he completed the event, held on a golf course, in 17:31.

There were a couple of hill races organised by IMRA on Saturday around Powerscourt in Co. Wicklow. One of the courses, involving 2 loops over difficult terrain and including an overall climb of 860m, measured 15k (the “long course”) and we had at least four runners involved in that. Donatas Jocius led our contingent home in 15th place in a field of 161, running a time of 1:26:01. He was followed by Paul Flynn (46th in 1:36:39) and by Brian McGuckin (60th in 1:41:55) and Anna Gallo (63rd and 6th in 1:43:32). The other course (the “short course”) involved only one of the two loops and measured 7.5k. Warren Swords ran in that race, recording a time of 38:35 for the win, ahead of a field of 39 in total.

Dee Lawlor led home the field of 139 in the Cabinteely parkrun on Saturday morning, recording a time of 18:41. He was followed by Padraig Walsh (38th in 24:46) and Kevin Kenny, tailwalking. Ciara Regan was first female finisher in Poolbeg in a time of 19:48. She also placed 6th overall in the field of 168. Ahead of Ciara came Oisin Corish who placed 3rd in 19:25 and then behind her came Zlatko Kulic (15th in 20:57), John Lohan (29th in 22:32), Sharon Woods (31st and 3rd in 22:44), Pat Quill (33rd in 22:48), Josie Ward (44th and 4th in 23:26), Tanja Narancic (51st and 7th in 24:04), Franky Keane (63rd in 24:37), Kenan Furlong (66th in 24:50), Gillian Curran (69th and 11th in 25:13), Fanny Trébouet (92nd and 23rd in 27:24), Caitlin Ni Mhurchu (93rd and 24th in 27:31), Djinn Von Noorden (96th and 26th in 27:35), Linda Walsh (125th and 42nd in 29:55) and Una McCullagh (142nd and 52nd in 32:15).

Tara Murphy was also a first finisher, running again in her native New Jersey in the Delaware and Raritan Canal parkrun. The field there measured 55 and Tara placed 7th overall in 25:30.

Podium places were recorded by Tomás Bradley in Tolka Valley and Richard Morrissey in Brockwell, Herne Hill near London. Tomás placed 2nd in 19:55 in Tolka Valley where he finished ahead of Phelim Murray (8th in 22:16) and Sarah Lyons (38th and 11th in 31:26) in a field of 58, whilst Richard, more generally known as an international sprinter for the club in his day, joined a field of 447, placing 3rd in 18:11. Dave Carter ran in Strathclyde in Scotland where, in a field of 288, he placed 4th in 18:57, whilst Daniel Lowe also placed 4th in Bushy Park. In the field of 174, Daniel recorded a time of 20:08. Olwyn Dunne placed 24th and 5th in a time of 24:06 in the 100-strong field in Knocknacarra, whilst Dale Whelehan also placed 5th in the field of 66 in Glengarriff. Dale’s time was 22:53. Kate Murray placed 44th and 6th in 23:00 in Griffeen Park where the field measured 221.
Enda Currid took on Brickfields again, where, in a field of 69, he placed 10th in a time of 22:25, whilst Orlaith de Burca joined 40 runners in the Edwin Carolan Community parkrun in Mullagh, Co. Cavan, where she placed 19th and 7th in 30:20. In Strokestown, with its field of 79, Liam Lyster placed 28th in 28:47, whilst Brian Scanlan ran 26:47 for 31st place in River Valley Park where he joined 89 other participants.

We had 7 runners in the 184-strong field in Poppintree. They were led home by Julian Callan (37th in 24:05), followed by Diarmuid Byrne (43rd in 24:41), Emer Kenny (50th and 8th in 25:04), Máirín Shine (108th and 27th in 30:31), Fiona Shine (109th and 28th in 30:36), Lisa Shine (110th and 29th in the same time) and Maria Pertl (144th and 47th in 34:15). Andy Deuser took 9th spot in 22:02 in Fairview alongside 146 other runners, whilst Brendan Glynn placed 35th in the 212-strong field in Donabate in a time of 23:22.

Phil Sykes ran in Marlay Park, where, alongside 496 other participants, he recorded a time of 23:06 for 92nd place, whilst Helena O’Keeffe took 86th and 18th spots in 27:14 in the field of 236 in Tralee. A large field of 524 in St. Anne’s included Eoghan Corrigan who ran 23:04 for 39th spot and he was followed by Caroline Crowley and Irene Gorman, both of whom are in various stages of pregnancy. Caroline placed 363rd and 136th in 31:25, alongside Irene who placed 364th and 137th in 31:26. We had two runners in each of Tramore Valley in Cork and in Shanganagh with similar size fields. In Tramore Valley, Toby Benham placed 32nd in 22:50, followed by Mairead Cashman (113th and 24th in 28:29). The field there measured 203. Then, in Shanganagh, Jill Nason ran 29:10, placing 134th and 34th, with Carina Davidson taking 196th and 75th spots in 38:01. The field there measured 209.

Finn Valley AC 10k Remembrance Run (360)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Danny Mooney 1 00:32:43
19 Leoni Cooke 1 00:37:50
Crusaders AC runner
29 Kathryn Gibbons 00:39:42 (3)
Full results here:
Women’s Meet and Train 3k (117)
Overall place Name Guntime
1 Sophie McGovern 00:11:49
Crusaders AC runners
4 Jeanie Watson 00:12:23
11 Rebecca Fleming 00:12:40
16 Joanne Carey 00:12:48
22 Tanja Narancic 00:13:09
25 Cría Dowling 00:13:12
27 Hannah Jones 00:13:16
32 Laura Gobbi 00:13:26
37 Lisa Shine 00:13:30
40 Louise O’Riordan 00:13:32
44 Darina Scully 00:13:41
67 Emer Liddy 00:14:23
82 Anna Shine 00:14:54
85 Carina Davidson 00:14:58
102 Catriona Egan 00:15:42
108 Máirín Shine 00:16:25
117 Zara Lou McGrath 00:20:01
IMRA Powerscourt Ridge Long Course (161)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Killian Mooney 1 01:13:25
6 Sarah McCormack 1 01:19:04
Crusaders AC runners
15 Donatas Jocius 01:26:01
46 Paul Flynn 01:36:39
60 Brian McGuckin 01:41:55
63 Anna Gallo 01:43:32 (6)
Full results here: https://www.imra.ie/events/results/id/2335/category/O/
IMRA Powerscourt Ridge Short course (39)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Warren Swords 1 00:38:35
5 Niamh Murphy 1 00:43:46
Crusaders AC runner
1 Warren Swords 00:38:35
Full results here: https://www.imra.ie/events/results/id/2335/category/O/
Strokestown Parkrun (79)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 John Feeney 1 00:21:09
7 Sarah Dixon 1 00:24:44
Crusader AC runner
28 Liam Lyster 00:28:47
Donabate Parkrun (212)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Conor McGuirk 1 00:16:16
10 Dara Ann Harford 1 00:20:20
Crusaders AC runner
35 Brendan Glynn 00:23:22
Knocknacarra Parkrun (100)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Joe Warne 1 00:16:58
8 Aining Zhan 1 00:21:24
Crusaders AC runner
24 Olwyn Dunne 00:24:06 (5)
Bushy Parkrun (174)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Edwin Keville 1 00:18:03
19 Victoria Hepburn 1 00:23:01
Crusaders AC runner
4 Daniel Lowe 00:20:08
Cabinteely Parkrun (139)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Derek Lawlor 1 00:18:41
3 Robyn Kennedy 1 00:19:47
Crusaders AC runners
1 Derek Lawlor 00:18:41
38 Padraig Walsh 00:24:46
139 Kevin Kenny 01:02:07
Poolbeg Parkrun (168)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Seán Cahill 1 00:18:51
6 Ciara Regan 1 00:19:48
Crusaders AC runners
3 Oisin Corish 00:19:25
6 Ciara Regan 00:19:41 (1)
15 Zlatko Kulic 00:20:57
29 John Lohan 00:22:32
31 Sharon Woods 00:22:44 (3)
33 Pat Quill 00:22:48
44 Josie Ward 00:23:26 (4)
51 Tanja Narancic 00:24:04 (7)
63 Franky Keane 00:24:37
66 Kenan Furlong 00:24:50
69 Gillian Curran 00:25:13 (11)
92 Fanny Trébouet 00:27:24 (23)
93 Caitlin Ni Mhurchu 00:27:31 (24)
96 Djinn Von Noorden 00:27:35 (26)
125 Linda Walsh 00:29:55 (42)
142 Una McCullagh 00:32:15 (52)
Tolka Valley Parkrun (58)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Matthew Dunne 1 00:17:27
13 Grace Haughey 1 00:24:23
Crusaders AC runners
2 Tomás Bradley 00:19:55
8 Phelim Murray 00:22:16
38 Sarah Lyons 00:31:26 (11)
Shanganagh Parkrun (209)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Nickolas Colyn 1 00:16:01
23 Sheelagh Jones 1 00:21:37
Crusaders AC runners
134 Jill Nason 00:29:10 (34)
196 Carina Davidson 00:38:01 (75)
Poppintree Parkrun (184)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Bobby Bedford 1 00:18:19
20 Kate Cleary 1 00:21:58
Crusaders AC runners
37 Julian Callan 00:24:05
43 Diarmuid Byrne 00:24:41
50 Emer Kenny 00:25:04 (8)
108 Máirín Shine 00:30:31 (27)
109 Fiona Shine 00:30:36 (28)
110 Lisa Shine 00:30:36 (29)
144 Maria Pertl 00:34:15 (47)
St. Anne’s Parkrun (524)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Evan Reid 1 00:16:20
8 Fiona Stack 1 00:19:02
Crusaders AC runners
39 Eoghan Corrigan 00:21:16
84 Michael Maughan 00:23:04
363 Caroline Crowley 00:31:25 (136)
364 Irene Gorman 00:31:26 (137)
Fairview Parkrun (147)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Seán Byrne 1 00:18:55
16 Aine Ni Ghloinn 1 00:22:53
Crusaders AC runner
9 Andy Deuser 00:22:02
Glengarriff Parkrun (66)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Peter Little 1 00:19:27
6 Alice Coppinger 1 00:23:19
Crusaders AC runner
5 Dale Whelehan 00:22:53
Brickfields Parkrun (69)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
2 Christopher McMahon 1 00:19:19
18 Sinead Tyrrell 1 00:23:41
Crusaders AC runner
10 Enda Currid 00:22:25
River Valley Parkrun (90)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Viktoras Kuzminas 1 00:20:37
3 Cecile Ollagnier 1 00:22:14
Crusaders AC runner
31 Brian Scanlan 00:26:47
Edwin Carolan Community Parkrun (41)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Gerry O’Connell 1 00:19:56
8 Shirley Farnan 1 00:25:14
Crusaders AC runner
19 Orlaith de Burca 00:30:20 (7)
Griffeen Parkrun (221)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Gary Farrell 1 00:18:21
22 Ruby Kelly 1 00:21:18
Crusaders AC runner
44 Kate Murray 00:23:00 (6)
Tralee Parkrun (236)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Tadhg Connolly 1 00:17:18
12 Mary Kilkenny Barrett 1 00:21:03
Crusaders AC runner
86 Helena O’Keeffe 00:27:14 (18)
Marlay Parkrun (497)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 August Benedicto 1 00:16:37
37 Muirna Twomey 1 00:20:53
Crusaders AC runner
92 Phil Sykes 00:23:06
Tramore Valley, Cork Parkrun (203)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Ben Leen Smith 1 00:15:46
20 Katie Walsh 1 00:21:26
Crusaders AC runners
32 Toby Benham 00:22:50
113 Mairead Cashman 00:28:29 (24)