Band On the Run - Tales from Home and Abroad

8/3/2022

Back row: Tanja Narancic, Grainne Regan, Joe Dunne and Cian Coughlan. Front row: Phelim Murray, Sarah Lyons, Miriam Logan, Liz Nixon, Aine Crotty, Maria Kennedy, Olwyn Dunne and James Cottle

It seems from all accounts that we were treated to much calmer conditions in Ireland this weekend than of late, which must have helped with recorded times in the races on offer, of which there were several. A few of us were also able to take a trip to marginally warmer climes in order to take part in half and full marathons. In addition, the weekend marked the last cross-country race of the season for the BHAA, with the usual solid Cru participation.

In fact, we start with the BHAA, which this weekend finished the season on the leafy campus in NUI Maynooth. The event and its flat course will be familiar to many Crusaders and this weekend appeared to have presented bright and crisp conditions for running there. As usual, there were 2 races, one of two miles (with 2 one-mile laps) for female runners and another of 4 miles on the same course for the men. The women’s race enjoyed a modest field of 33 runners, including 3 Crusaders who placed well. Léa Braud continues to produce super results, placing 2nd in a time of 12:49, followed by Danielle Hopkins who took 6th place in 14:16 and by Kate Murray who was just behind in 7th spot in a time of 14:27. Kate was also able to claim first place in her F45 age category. With a field of 85, the men’s race featured 10 of our clubmates, several of whom have likely run in every event this season. This was the second 4-mile race in a row for them and the times were generally a little faster than before without the twisty bends of the previous event in Wesley College. The Cru contingent were led home by Ger Forde (7th and 1st M40 in 22:22), followed by Joe Walsh (10th and 2nd M45 in 22:57), with Aaron Cashman hard on his heels (11th in 22:58). Michael Wycherley followed closely behind (12th and 3rd M45 in 23:01), with Joe McDermott (13th in 23:31) a little further back. Recent club member Gareth Phelan was next (24th in 25:47), followed by Karl Walsh (44th in 27:15), Robbie Moore (58th in 29:15), Tony Hackett (60th in 29:56) and Paul Kelly (81st in 39:33).

On the roads this weekend, there were a few longer distance events. On Saturday morning in Kinvara in Co. Galway, on a glorious day for running with little wind, we had one participant in the marathon there. The club was represented by newcomer Rebecca Byrne who placed 52nd overall in a field of 122. Rebecca was also 11th female across the line in a time of 3:57:08. We also had two clubmates in the half marathon there on one big loop. Unsurprisingly, the field was significantly larger than that of the marathon at 584 and our two runners placed well, with Daniel O’Mahony taking 60th spot in 1:32:57 and, coming off injury, Aine Kenny, 101st (and 16th) in 1:38:15. Finally, also on Irish roads we had 3 runners take part in the Naas 10 miler alongside 474 other runners. Cristian Vilchez Ceballos and Esther Requena Ferri continue to run well, with Cristian placing 10th in a time of 58:10, whilst Esther came home just behind Marty James (56th in 67:36) in a time of 67:37 for 57th and 4th places.

Further afield, recent new member Brandon Lai headed to Paris to run in the half marathon there alongside more than 41,000 other runners. Brandon acquitted himself well, running 1:28:09, and placing 2,265th. In addition, our Italian exile, Italo Giancaterina recorded a PB in the Roma Ostia half marathon with a terrific time of 1:08:38.

Readers of this report may not be aware that, two weeks before the events, an announcement was made by the organisers of the Malta full and half marathon that they were to be cancelled because of a disagreement between the organisers and Transport Malta (TM), a government ministry, over the race route (that had been used in every previous marathon without any issue having previously been raised) together with the time schedule for the races. TM refused permission to hold the races. As a consequence of the announcement, several of us who had been heading to run there, either pulled out of the trip entirely or changed our marathon plans. Then, TM turned round and announced that the races would be held after all, as a “charity” event but on a route that the original organisers had refused to use (over safety concerns). Also, the marathon start would be rescheduled to 6:30 in the morning. A few of us who were still intending to continue with the trip then decided to run in the races, with the half at 7:00, albeit not with a great deal of confidence in the organisation, which did not include any of those previously connected with the events.

So, although 17 or more of us travelled over to the island for the weekend, 8 of our number ran in the two races, 3 in the marathon and 5 of us in the half.

It has to be said that the registration process did not inspire enormous confidence, with little information being provided. We were told to message or email the organisers if we had any questions (such as will there be transport to the start, given that the race was a point to point and we would all be coming from near the finish line, and if there would be a bag drop). Finally, an email arrived late on the eve of the races telling us that buses would be provided at the finish line at 5:00 for the marathoners and 6:00 for the half marathoners who would be starting their races from different points. Right up until the morning of the race there was no evidence anywhere of preparations being made for the races and it wasn’t really clear as to where the finish line was! We were also told that there would several buses and they would depart as they filled.

Those of us running the half marathon duly turned up just before 6 on Sunday morning to wait for the bus, only to find several of the overseas marathoners, including our 3, still there wondering where their transport was. A lady in a high viz vest then had to call a friend to provide a car to take them to the start. A car suitable for the driver and 4 passengers then sped off with 7 occupants, Phelim Murray and Olwyn Dunne stretched out across the knees of other passengers. Even so, at least one marathoner (not one of ours) was left behind. When eventually the bus for the half marathoners arrived we all climbed on board and were duly dropped at the start line next to a line of portaloos which were accessed immediately, but which contained no paper. It seems that the Maltese know to bring their own!

Despite the beautiful sunrise it was quite cold at the start and we did not have long to warm up before the gun went off. Nearly 400 runners contested the half marathon (the original event may have expected 3x that) with just over 100 in the marathon (possibly even more greatly reduced), and at times on the route because we were quite spread out one wondered if we were following the course correctly. However, it was quite well stewarded and arrows painted on the ground from time to time were a helpful aid. The point-to-point route was essentially a net downhill, (at times playing havoc with the quads!) starting out in the countryside within sight of the ancient city of Mdina and finishing on the seafront in Sliema at the coast to the east, but it was not without its significant climbs, one or two being slip roads up on to dual carriageways (few of the roads were actually closed to traffic, so that we were separated from passing traffic by the odd barrier in places, but the early Sunday start was also helpful) and one major hill where some runners were reduced to walking at the 18th km for the half marathoners (39th km for the full marathoners). We were helped by not having particularly windy conditions, and every now and again, as we headed into the wind, it was more refreshing than a hindrance.

Ultimately, everything went well and our pre-race concerns were largely eliminated. However, given the early start, there were no spectators on the course until we got to within the last km (where we were met with a wall of sound from our raucous clubmates!) and also, although we were told that there would be water stations every 5km on the course, the half marathoners saw none, whilst the marathoners apparently had no issues as they joined the half marathon course behind us. We were told afterwards at the rather grandiose prize-giving ceremony in the grand hall of the Knights of St. John that the water had been stolen (but appeared to have been sourced by the time the marathoners came by). That could well have been the case (it happened once to the Dublin race series half marathon when it was held at Newbridge House in Donabate). However, for the half marathoners there was no evidence of tables having been set up or volunteers to man them and so this may just have been face-saving. Thankfully, it was not too warm.

The races themselves were successful for us. In the marathon, Phelim was our first runner home, in 15th place and a time of 3:18:03 and he was followed by Joe Dunne, who, on the back of little training, ran 3:33:27 for 32nd place. Olwyn was our last runner across the line, but she ran a super 3:38:41, placing 2nd female finisher (38th overall) and uncontested in her F55 age category.

The half marathon was won in a time of 65 minutes and 34 of the first 37 finishers were Maltese. In placing 3rd female finisher and 37th overall in a super time of 1:22:40, Catherine Thornton was also only the third runner from overseas. Indeed, there were only 5 non-Maltese in the top 50. James Cottle came next, in 75th place and a time of 1:29:02, winning his M65 age category, and James was followed by Rebecca Fleming who enjoyed a brilliant race, taking PBs at every distance from 10k to 21k, in a time of 1:31:04 for 86th place overall and 8th female runner home. Aine Crotty also placed in the top 10 with a strong run of 1:31:51 and 92nd place overall and she was accompanied across the line by her partner Cian Coughlan in the same time for 93rd. When the smoke had cleared three of us walked away with large elaborate (and heavy) glass trophies without which no home is complete and which posed a challenge for our hand baggage on Ryanair! It turned out to be a super weekend in Malta, with wonderful company and the usual great support from the Cru. Rebecca, who had spent two and a half years on the island, gave us great advice on where to eat and on the nightlife, of which we took full advantage. By the way, we have yet to find out what charity or charities were actually being supported by the events!

Up in the mountains this weekend, in Co. Wexford, we had a super result with both Conor Greenan and Lean Ni Chiobhain both winning their respective races in the IMRA-organised 10k on two loops around Forth Mountain. The race had a 200m climb on what was described as moderate terrain. Conor led the entire field of 48 home in a time of 41:13, whilst Lean placed 9th overall in a time of 50:18.

Lastly, again there were several Crusaders in action in parkruns on Saturday morning. Sharon Woods was even able to find one in Treviso in Northern Italy. In a small field of 20 runners, our masters athlete was a first finisher, placing 5th overall in a time of 25:01. Thomas Vogee was also a first finisher in Fairview, where he led 75 other participants home in a time of 19:08. Kenan Furlong led a contingent of 10 Crusaders home in Poolbeg where he finished in first place in a time of 17:49. Following right behind Kenan in the field of 129, came Stephen Hurley in 2nd spot one second behind in 17:50. Further back came Paul Campbell (29th in 22:42), Russell Murphy (35th in 23:16), Emily Glen (36th and 3rd in 23:18) and Josie Ward (37th and 4th in 23:19) just behind, Gillian Curran (45th and 9th in 23:46), Fiona Bane (82nd and 24th in 27:10), Maureen McGinley (83rd and 25th in 27:14) and Aisling O’Riordan (93rd and 30th in 28:10). It was great to see that recent new mum, Caroline Crowley, placed 2nd female in Griffeen Park, where she also came home in 11th overall in a time of 21:41 and in a field of 136. Daniel Lowe joined 86 other participants in Tymon Park where he placed 3rd in 19:18, whilst Fiona Shine also placed 3rd (18th overall) in a time of 21:40 in Shanganagh with its field of 165. In the same event, Fiona was followed by Lisa Shine (29th and 4th in 23:13), Carina Davidson (61st and 12th in 25:00), Mairin shine (92nd and 24th in 28:40), Jill Nason (98th and 27th in 29:04) and Orlaith de Burca (107th and 33rd in 29:40). Brian Kelleher took 23rd spot among the 399 runners in St. Anne’s in a time of 20:28, whilst, in Poppintree, Paul F. Kelly came home in 28:47 for 65th and Aoife Kelly placed 67th and 21st in 28:49 in a field of 143. Toby Benham ran in Brickfields with 66 other participants where he placed 10th in 22:30, whilst Darina Scully got back into parkrunning after her recent pregnancy. Darina tailwalked in Malahide. Finally, we had two results from Scotland and as usual one from Australia. In Perth, John Reidy placed 54th in a time of 23:49 in a field of 194, whilst Andrej Kujikis ran in Edinburgh where, in a field of 454, he placed 70th in 22:07. Kris Ryan ran once again in Paradise Point where she placed 55th and 7th in 23:41 in a field of 296.

BHAA AIB/NUI Maynooth Women’s 2-mile XC race (33)
Overall place Name Guntime
1 Laura McDonnell 00:11:52
Crusaders AC runners
2 Léa Braud 00:12:49
6 Danielle Hopkins 00:14:16
7 Kate Murray 00:14:27
Full results here: https://irp.cdn-website.com/15e8030f/files/uploaded/AIB%20NUI%20results.pdf
BHAA AIB/NUI Maynooth Men’s 4-mile XC race (85)
Overall place Name Guntime
1 Sean Doran 00:20:50
Crusaders AC runners
7 Ger Forde 00:22:22
10 Joe Walsh 00:22:57
11 Aaron Cashman 00:22:58
12 Michael Wycherley 00:23:01
13 Joe McDermott 00:23:31
24 Gareth Phelan 00:25:47
44 Karl Walsh 00:27:15
58 Robbie Moore 00:29:15
60 Anthony Hackett 00:29:56
81 Paul E. Kelly 00:39:33
Full results here: https://irp.cdn-website.com/15e8030f/files/uploaded/AIB%20NUI%20results.pdf
Naas 10-mile road race (477)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Brian Martin 1 00:54:26
19 Maria McCambridge 1 01:02:11
Crusaders AC runners
10 Cristian Vilchez Ceballos 00:58:10
56 Marty James 01:07:36
57 Esther Requena Ferri 01:07:37 (4)
Full results here: https://www.popupraces.ie/race/naas-10-mile-2022/
Kinvara Marathon (122)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Andy Goulding 1 02:45:02
6 Linda Sullivan 1 03:01:27
Crusaders AC runner
52 Rebecca Byrne 03:57:08 (11)
Full results here: http://www.redtagtiming.com/rockandroad2022_42km.html
Kinvara Half Marathon (584)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Paul Keane 01:16:44
21 Grainne Ni uallachain 1 01:25:25
Crusaders AC runners
63 Daniel O’Mahony 01:32:57
101 Aine Kenny 01:38:15 (16)
Full results here: http://www.redtagtiming.com/rockandroad2022_21km.html
IMRA Forth Mountain Wexford 10k race (48)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Conor Greenan 1 00:41:13
9 Lean Ni Chiobhain 1 00:50:18
Crusaders AC runners
1 Conor Greenan 00:41:13
9 Lean Ni Chiobhain 00:50:18 (1)
Full results here: https://www.imra.ie/events/results/id/2139
Brickfields Parkrun (67)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Tom O’Dwyer 1 00:18:43
9 Brigid Reilly 1 00:22:21
Crusaders AC runner
10 Toby Benham 00:22:30
Malahide Parkrun (205)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Anthony Dorran 1 00:17:18
3 Annette Kealy 1 00:18:24
Crusaders AC runner
202 Darina Scully 00:52:55
Griffeen Parkrun (136)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Sarah MacMahon 1 00:18:11
2 Alan Maher 1 00:19:32
Crusaders AC runner
11 Caroline Crowley 00:21:41 (2)
Marlay Parkrun (342)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Owen Graham 1 00:16:53
12 Amy Moran 1 00:18:29
Crusaders AC runner
140 Stephen Mulligan 00:25:20
Fairview Parkrun (76)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Thomas Vogee 1 00:19:08
21 Katie Davis 1 00:25:07
Crusaders AC runner
1 Thomas Vogee 00:19:08
Poppintree Parkrun (143)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Mick Bermingham 1 00:18:56
3 Eva McNelis 1 00:19:52
Crusaders AC runners
65 Paul F. Kelly 00:28:47
67 Aoife Kelly 00:28:49 (21)
St. Anne’s Parkrun (399)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Jack Renyard 1 00:17:10
10 Siobhan Cassidy 1 00:19:27
Crusaders AC runner
23 Brian Kelleher 00:20:28
Limerick Parkrun (88)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Shane O’Sullivan 1 00:17:28
7 Karen Raine 1 00:21:00
Crusaders AC runner
64 Mairead Cashman 00:28:45 (18)
Poolbeg Parkrun (129)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Kenan Furlong 1 00:17:49
14 Ava Rose Clarke 1 00:21:03
Crusaders AC runners
1 Kenan Furlong 00:17:49
2 Stephen Hurley 00:17:50
29 Paul Campbell 00:22:42
35 Russell Murphy 00:23:16
36 Emily Glen 00:23:18 (3)
37 Josie Ward 00:23:19 (4)
45 Gillian Curran 00:23:46 (9)
82 Fiona Bane 00:27:10 (24)
83 Maureen McGinley 00:27:14 (25)
93 Aisling O’Riordan 00:28:10 (30)
Tymon Parkrun (87)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Paul Nagle 1 00:18:35
6 Sinead Tighe 1 00:20:06
Crusaders AC runner
3 Daniel Lowe 00:19:18
Shanganagh Parkrun (165)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Ben Mitchell 1 00:17:44
5 Sarah Baryga 1 00:19:02
Crusaders AC runners
18 Fiona Shine 00:21:40 (3)
29 Lisa Shine 00:23:13 (4)
61 Carina Davidson 00:25:00 (12)
92 Mairin Shine 00:28:40 (24)
98 Jill Nason 00:29:04 (27)
107 Orlaith de Burca 00:29:40 (33)
Waterford Nature Parkrun (49)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Shane Scadding 1 00:18:48
9 Ciara Losty 1 00:23:25
Crusaders AC runner
5 Alan Kavanagh 00:20:48