Back on Track

6/5/2019

Will Owens, Shane Collins, James Murphy and guest Cian Murphy

aWednesday saw the return of the Dublin Athletics graded track and field meets. The first track races of the season were held in the Morton Stadium in Santry on the Mondo track there and we had 11 intrepid runners turn out for the occasion, focusing on 800m and 3000m events. In the AB1 women’s 800m Fiona Shine took 4th place in an excellent 2:31.47, followed by Rachael Yorke in 2:33.23 and Serena Moloney in 2:35.31. Then in the grade C2 Rebecca Fleming had a good outing, even after a faster start than intended, to take 3rd place in 2:42.27, followed by Lisa Shine in 6th (2:48.00), Maria Kennedy (7th in 2:48.26) and Emer Kenny (9th in 2:55.63). In the men’s 800m grade D, Paul E. Kelly ran 3:15.54 to place 9th. We then had 3 runners in the men’s 3k grade C1 race and the field was led home by Michael Wycherley running 10:15.56, followed by Eddie Nugent (4th in 10:36.38) and Brendan Glynn (9th in 12:04.60). On the same evening we also had a Crusader competing in the mixed weights hammer. Morgan Brennan took 3rd place in the 5kg event with a throw of 38.46m.

Sticking with track and field, arguably the event of the week was the IMC meet held on Saturday afternoon on Greystones’ 6 lane track. The stadium is in a slight bowl, so it’s quite sheltered and for the most part well protected against any wind. So, runners enjoyed sunny and relatively calm conditions. For most of the athletes it would have been the first outing of the season, so they were generally looking to give themselves a benchmark from which to work and for several it was a most satisfactory outing. The IMC events are organised by coaches Mike McGovern and Susan Walsh, and thanks to their diligence and the assistance of several Crusaders the events generally go like clockwork. Saturday was no exception.

In the mixed 3000m Joe McDermott ran a super race holding on to Laura Shaughnessy and Barbara Cleary until the Donore Harrier surged away in the last lap. As a result with Barbara coming home in 4th in 9:38 and Laura (5th in 9:43), Joe was able to achieve a super PB of 9:46.91 in 6th place. In the men’s 3000m A2 race, Michael Kiely ran a solid 9:08.13 finishing in 14th place. Then, in the 1500m B standard, Michael O’Conor took on the distance for the first time, with an excellent 4:10.72 to take 6th place and passing a couple of runners in the home straight after being in mid pack for most of the race. We also had some good results in the 800m, with Mary Horgan recording a satisfying 2:14.34 and 6th place to start the season in the women’s 800m A, whilst Fearghal O’Hare also took 6th place in recording 1:54.16 in the men's A race. For Crusaders and others the blue riband event was the women’s 1500m A standard race, featuring Niamh Allen who took a few scalps in placing 3rd well clear of the pursuing rest of field in a great time of 4:27.84, behind Templeogue’s Nadia Power (4:21.07) and Michelle Finn of Leevale (4:24.23) and ahead of Jodie McCann of DCH (4:28.57). The race was also memorable for a world record from Anne Gilshinan in the F55 category. Up until the previous weekend the record stood at 4:51, but had been reduced in the previous few days to 4:48, so Anne had quite a mountain to climb, but she did it with aplomb, coming home in an amazing 4:45.65.

Moving onto road racing, the week started on Wednesday evening with the BHAA 5k held on a one loop course on the campus of Bristol Myers Squibb in Ballycoolin, Dublin 15. Joe Walsh led our contingent across the line in 20th place in a field of 279 runners. Joe’s time was 17:52 and he was followed by Karl Walsh (25th in 18:04) and Alma Hanevy who took 3rd place in the women’s race (48th overall, in 19:06). Alma is really getting back to racing form after a frustrating enforced rest with plantar over the winter. Paul F. Kelly was next (68th in 19:46, a possible PB), followed by Katie McElroy (84th and 8th in 20:21), Gavan Doherty (91st in 20:35), just ahead of Robbie Moore (93rd in 20:36). On the same evening, Irene Gorman ran in a race down in Midleton in Cork where, in a field of 566 runners, she placed 47th overall and a close 3rd in the women’s race in a great time of 31:36.

There were also several road races over the bank holiday weekend. On Saturday morning the National 5k took place in the Phoenix Park as part of the Irish Runner 5k. The race took place on a one lap course involving the Ordnance Survey Road, Furze Road and the Fairy Glen, so not particularly flat. We had just 3 runners in the race. Sharon Woods was first home in 25:57 (in 382nd place overall and 103rd woman) behind women’s race winner Catherina McKiernan, followed by Paul E. Kelly (483rd in 26:43) and Lorraine Fitzsimons (712th and 265th in 34:57) in a field of 875. The overall winner (but presumably not national champion) was Peter Somba who went on to race in Limerick in the half marathon the following day.

On Sunday, Brian Scanlan recorded a PB in the Yapstone Drogheda 10k. In a field of more than 600 runners, Brian took 34th place in a time of 38:18, a 7 second improvement, on a bumpy course with a tough hill at the 7k mark. Then, we had several of our club-mates travel to Limerick for the Great Limerick Run events held there. We had just one member take on the marathon. Karl Walsh recorded a super time of 3:06:06 to place 62nd in a field of 837, whilst, in the half marathon we had 7 runners in a field of nearly 2,200. The overall race was won by Peter Somba, with the first woman home being Siobhan O’Doherty (something inevitable about both victories!). Our first runner home was Eugene McDonough, overcoming a recent injury and running an excellent 1:21:44 for 29th place. Eugene was followed by Ciarain Kelly (35th in 1:22:50), Bob Cahill (93rd in 1:27:50), Brian Kelleher (220th in 1:35:24), Dee Ni Chearbhaill (338th and 42nd in 1:37:33), Liz Nixon (690th and 126th in 1:48:41) and Leanne McAndrew (1968th and 768th in 2:23:56). Finally, in the 6 mile run, it was good to see Limerick native Rob Cross back to racing where he placed 9th in 36:28 in a field of over 5,400. Rob was followed by Paul Reidy in 12th (36:43) and Luke Haran (47th in 40:39). However, the story of the day was the Crusaders’ men’s marathon relay team which won the event in 2:32:16. The team was made up of Will Owens, James Murphy, Shane Collins and guest runner Kerryman Cian Murphy.

On bank holiday Monday, we had just one runner in the ARC 10k held in the Phoenix Park. Emily Feighan distinguished herself, however, by winning the women’s race in a time of 45:09. In a field of 132, Emily placed 31st overall.

Over the weekend, and on a holiday trip to Italy, Olwyn Dunne decided last minute to sign up for a marathon in L'Escala. Owing to gale force winds the marathon was cancelled but the half marathon went ahead all the same. Despite the horrendous winds, Olwyn finished the (Maratao Empuries) race in 1:47 and 3rd in her age category. Our intrepid runner reported that she loved the race, despite the conditions. Moreover, the goody bag contained anchovies. What more could one ask for?

There was also some mountain running last week. On Wednesday evening, we had 3 runners in the Downshill Trail race. On easy terrain over a distance of 9.6k with a climb of some 400m, Ollie McGrath was our first runner home in 37th place in 54:21. In a field of 147, Ollie was followed by Laura Flannelly (48th and 3rd woman, in 55:28) and Berndt Heim (138th in 76:34).

We had two first finishers in the parkruns on Saturday. Stephen Hurley beat the field in Poolbeg in a time of 17:53, whilst Luke Davis did likewise in Cabinteely in a time of 19:43. There was also a podium place for Ronan Moynihan (2nd in Malahide in 18:19). Further afield, Ali May Hann ran in Hout Bay in South Africa, where in a field of 97 runners, she placed 14th and 3rd in 26:08, whilst Michael Wycherley took 2nd place in a field of 322 in Bognor Regis and a time of 18:27. In Australia in Paradise Point Kris Ryan joined 238 other runners to pace 31st and 4th in 23:02, whilst in Victoria Park in Glasgow Aidan Hudner plaed 97th in a field of 470 in a time of 22:08. Joining Stephen in Poolbeg were Kenan Furlong (6th in 18:47), Zlatko Kulic (11th in 19:22), Lisa Shine (51st and 7th in 23:21), Fiona Bane (54th and 8th in 23:35), Ava Rose Clarke (78th and 15th in 24:44), Gillian Curran (81st and 17th in 25:06), Donna Barry (85th and 19th in 25:15), Anna Shine (92nd and 22nd in 25:33), Maureen McGinley (137th and 42nd in 29:25), Mari Hansen (142nd and 44th in 30:01) and Mairin Shine (183rd and 65th in 43:33), working her way back from a long term injury. Joining Ronan in Malahide was Darina Scully (363rd and 143rd in 54:23). Mairead Cashman ran in Poppintree where she placed 66th and 20th in 27:40, whilst Brian Scanlan warmed up for the following day’s 10k with a 13th place in 22:54 in River Valley. Aisling O’Connor placed 268th and 63rd in 26:47 in Marlay Park, whilst Colm Foley placed 47th in 24:10 in Griffeen Park. Aoife and Paul F. Kelly ran in Letterkenny on Saturday morning, where Aoife placed 34th and 8th in 26:58, with Paul just behind in 35th in 26:59.

Irish Runner 5k (875)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Peter Somba 1 00:14:36
35 Catherina McKiernan 1 00:17:15
Crusaders AC runners
382 Sharon Woods 00:25:57 (103)
483 Paul E. Kelly 00:26:43
712 Lorraine Fitzsimons 00:34:57 (265)
Full results here: https://www.myrunresults.com/events/irish_runner_5k_2019/2992/results
BHAA BMS 5k (279)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Sean Doran 1 00:15:14
27 Lynne Hennessy 1 00:18:09
Crusaders AC runners
20 Joe Walsh 00:17:52
25 Karl Walsh 00:18:04
48 Alma Hanevy 00:19:06 (3)
68 Paul F Kelly 00:19:46
84 Katie McElroy 00:20:21 (8)
91 Gavan Doherty 00:20:35
93 Robbie Moore 00:20:36
Full results here: https://bhaa.ie/race/bms-5km-2019/
Midleton 5 mile race (566)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Neil Shanahan 1 00:25:17
29 Fiona Santry 1 00:29:44
Crusaders AC runner
47 Irene Gorman 00:31:36 (3)
Full results here: https://www.corkathletics.org/latest-results/2019/89-may/1326-midleton-5-mile-road-race-results-may-2019.html
Great Limerick Run Marathon (837)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Sergiu Ciobanu 1 02:20:26
42 Elaine Walsh 1 02:59:56
Crusaders AC runner
64 Karl Walsh 03:06:06
Full results here: https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/event-results/events?event=3135
Great Limerick Run Half Marathon (2196)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Peter Somba 1 01:06:24
13 Siobhan O’Doherty 1 01:18:41
Crusaders AC runners
29 Eugene McDonough 01:21:44
35 Ciarain Kelly 01:22:50
93 Bob Cahill 01:27:50
220 Brian Kelleher 01:35:24
338 Dee Ni Chearbhaill 01:37:33 (42)
690 Liz Nixon 01:48:41 (195)
1968 Leanne McAndrew 02:23:56 (768)
Full results here: https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/event-results/events?event=3136
Great Limerick Run 6 miles (5434)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Eoghan Beary 1 00:31:17
3 Grace Lynch 1 00:34:36
Crusaders AC runners
9 Rob Cross 00:36:28
12 Paul Reidy 00:36:43
47 Luke Haran 00:40:39
Full results here: https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/event-results/events?event=3137
Yapstone Drogheda 10k (616)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Paddy Hamilton 1 00:31:39
20 Emma Mitchell 1 00:36:58
Crusaders AC runner
34 Brian Scanlan 00:38:18
Full results here: https://www.myrunresults.com/events/yapstone_drogheda_10k_2019/2961/results
ARC 10k (132)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Darren Foley 1 00:34:23
31 Emily Feighan 1 00:45:09
Crusaders AC runner
31 Emily Feighan 00:45:09 (1)
Full results here: https://www.popupraces.ie/race/arc-5-10k-run-2019/#2_9D70EA
IMRA Downshill Trail race (147)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Peter Bell 1 00:45:31
19 Elizabeth Wheeler 1 00:50:09
Crusaders AC runners
37 Ollie McGrath 00:54:21
48 Laura Flannelly 00:55:28 (3)
138 Berndt Heim 01:16:34
Full results here: https://www.imra.ie/events/results/id/1714/category/O/
Malahide Parkrun #339 (364)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 unknown 1 00:18:04
11 Eimear Griffin 1 00:20:12
Crusaders AC runners
2 Ronan Moynihan 00:18:19
363 Darina Scully 00:54:23 (143)
Full results here: http://www.parkrun.org.uk/malahide/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=339
Marlay Parkrun #303 (582)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 James Quinn 1 00:18:24
6 Rachel Riordan 1 00:19:14
Crusaders AC runner
268 Aisling O’Connor 00:26:47 (63)
Full results here: http://www.parkrun.ie/marlay/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=303
Griffeen Parkrun #308 (206)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Richard Bruce 1 00:18:44
22 Emma beglin 1 00:22:28
Crusaders AC runner
47 Colm Foley 00:24:10
Full results here: http://www.parkrun.ie/griffeen/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=308
Letterkenny Parkrun #169 (76)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Conor Farrell 1 00:19:24
10 Evelyn Boyle 1 00:22:49
Crusaders AC runners
34 Aoife Kelly 00:26:58 (8)
35 Paul F. Kelly 00:26:59
Full results here: http://www.parkrun.ie/letterkenny/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=169
Poolbeg Parkrun #89 (187)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Stephen Hurley 1 00:17:53
31 Katie Nugent 1 00:22:10
Crusaders AC runners
1 Stephen Hurley 00:17:53
6 Kenan Furlong 00:18:47
11 Zlatko Kulic 00:19:22
51 Lisa Shine 00:23:21 (7)
54 Fiona Bane 00:23:35 (8)
78 Ava Rose Clarke 00:24:44 (15)
81 Gillian Curran 00:25:06 (17)
85 Donna Barry 00:25:15 (19)
92 Anna Shine 00:25:33 (22)
137 Maureen McGinley 00:29:25 (42)
142 Mari Hansen 00:30:01 (44)
183 Mairin Shine 00:43:33 (65)
Full results here: http://www.parkrun.ie/poolbeg/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=89
Poppintree Parkrun #233 (134)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Cathal McHale 1 00:16:59
9 Ciara Donaghue 1 00:22:02
Crusaders AC runner
66 Mairead Cashman 00:27:40 (20)
Full results here: http://www.parkrun.ie/poppintree/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=233
Cabinteely Parkrun #212 (168)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Luke Davis 1 00:19:43
21 Geraldine Lacey 1 00:23:22
Crusaders AC runner
1 Luke Davis 00:19:43
Full results here: http://www.parkrun.ie/cabinteely/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=212
River Valley Parkrun #144 (121)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Ciaran McCarthy 1 00:17:48
4 Cecile Ollagnier 1 00:20:51
Crusaders AC runner
13 Brian Scanlan 00:22:54
Full results here: http://www.parkrun.ie/rivervalley/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=144