Celebrating 40 years of Women’s Meet & Train

11/11/2024

Standing L-R: Sara Noureldin, Catriona Egan, Fionnuala Cogan, Dee Ni Chearbhaill, Emer Kenny, Joy Flaherty, Kate Murray, Carina Davidson, Louise O'Riordan, Anna Hernick, Olwyn Dunne, Darina Scully, Ellen Walsh, Lorraine McMahon, Laura O'Malley, Maria Jimena Ricci, Marie-Claire Daly, Michelle English, Ailish Hassett. Kneeling L-R: Tilde Martinsen, Fiona Shine, Amy O'Donoghue, Joanne Carey, Máirín Shine, Anna Shine, Mairead Cashman, Lisa Shine.

No fewer than 29 Crusaders turned out to run in the first race of the winter XC league of the WM&T on an overcast Sunday morning this weekend. It was a great showing and a fitting tribute to an event that has now been going since 1984, revived and organised since the hiatus of the Covid pandemic by members of the Shine family.

We had by far the biggest contingent of all the clubs taking part in the 2-mile cross country race, hosted jointly by Sportsworld and Bros. Pearse in two of the fields at the National Basketball Arena-end of Tymon Park on the western side of the M50.

The WM&T in general is a super idea, and a friendly introduction to cross country running. Several of our members were participating in such a race for the first time and, hopefully, will develop a taste for the form of racing which is so beneficial for us as runners in terms of building strength and endurance during the winter months. The race was followed by the traditional spread, which was copious, in the Faugh GAA clubhouse, also used from time to time by the BHAA when in Tymon.

The relatively firm course was not too challenging and avoided one or two of the hills that are often used in the location. It involved two and a half loops and the final distance was pretty much 3k with a bit of a drag coming away from the basketball arena end of the course. 151 runners contested the event, so that we represented nearly 20% of the field.

Runners’ finishing times have not yet been published and so for the time being we are just using Strava data where available. Once the times are provided officially, then the report will be updated (and amended if necessary). The clear winner of the race was Roisin McMahon of Sportsworld who covered the 3k distance in 11:19 and our first runner home was Luz Estevan who worked her way through the field to place 12th. Next came a steady run from Joanne Carey (21st in 13:14), followed by Dee Ni Chearbhaill who equally took in several places to place 24th in 13:15. Tilde Martinsen was next (27th in 13:16), followed by Louise O’Riordan (30th in 13:25). Kate Murray placed 34th followed by Ellen Walsh (43rd) and then by Laura O’Malley (44th), Emer Kenny (51st) and Darina Scully (56th in 14:18).

Further back, and following her NY marathon exploit, came Olwyn Dunne (73rd in 15:03), followed closely by Anna Hernick who ran 15:07 for 74th place, Fiona Shine (75th), Amy O’Donoghue (79th in 15:11) and Fionnuala Cogan (80th). Carina Davidson came next (86th in 15:28), followed by new member Ailish Hassett running her first ever XC race (95th in 15:53), Catriona Egan (96th), Anna Shine (100th in 15:56), Joy Flaherty (103rd in 15:51), Sara Noureldin (112th), Lisa Shine (113th in 16:34), Maria Jimena Ricci (119th), Cynthia Perucca (12th), Lorraine McMahon (127th) and Máirín Shine (128th in 17:20). The contingent was completed by Marie-Claire Daly (137th), Mairead Cashman (138th in 18:00) and Michelle English (147th) who had to run to the start line as the gun went and managed to work her way back to the field, passing some runners as she did so.

Once the smoke had cleared, the 6 Crusader teams were well placed in 6th, 10th, 16th, 19th, 20th and 32nd in a competition involving 43 teams submitted. It was a super spectacle and most enjoyable for runners and supporters alike!

Also, on Sunday, women’s club captain Kathryn Gibbons returned to her native Donegal where she took part once again in the Finn Valley AC-organised Remembrance 10k. In a field of 301 runners, Kathryn recorded a super PB time of 39:11 to place 18th overall and 3rd female finisher.

On the same day, we had a runner taking part in one of the 3 races on offer in Stook, Co. Kilkenny. There were 5k, 10k and 10-mile races available, the last incorporating a “flying mile”, perhaps the fastest downhill mile in Ireland, run between miles 8 and 9 of the race. Justin O’Connor joined the field of 178, placing 60th in a time of 78:06.

Further afield over the weekend, Liam O’Brien took part in the Athens Marathon in highly warm conditions, where he finished in a great time of 3:55:02 on what is considered a tough point-to-point course. One of our London exiles, Chris Russell ran in the Met XC League where, in an all-male field of 443, he placed 102nd in a time of 28:23 over the 7.8k course. Finally, in Spain, two of our exiles there, Esther Requena Ferri and Cristian Vilchez Ceballos, took part once again in the coastal Fuengirola half marathon, where Esther placed 3rd in the women's race in 88:43 and Cristian ran 79:49.

With there being few races taking place at this time, the parkruns were well-populated on Saturday morning, and included nearly 60 Crusaders.

Ciara Regan headed the entire field of 83 in the Tubbercurry Tail parkrun in a time of 19:35, whilst Julie McGrath placed 2nd overall and 1st female finisher in Bushy Park in a time of 19:57, followed by Kabir Sala in the field of 212 in 130th in 30:20. Dee Lawlor was the overall first finisher in Shanganagh with its field of 265. He ran a time of 17:26 and was followed by Orlaith de Burca (164th and 45th in 28:23), Máirin and Lisa Shina (217th and 81st and 218th and 82nd) in the same time of 34:00. Barry O’Mahony was also a first finisher in Enniskillen. In a field of 103, Barry ran 21:04. To round off our first finisher results, Kathryn Tomkins ran once again in her native Omagh, where, in a field of 115, she placed 4th and 1st in 20:53.

Felipe De Souza placed 2nd in a time of 19:36 alongside 67 other runners in Tolka Valley Park, whilst Raphael Crueyze recorded a PB time of 19:21 in placing 3rd in the 160-strong field in Fairview. Aoife Quigley took 2nd place (24th overall) in a time of 19:40 in the 551-strong field in Marlay Park. Aoife was followed by James Cottle (36th in 20:35) and by Mairead Cashman (377th and 117th in 30:22) and Aisling O’Connor (442nd and 151st in 32:59) in her first outing since the recent birth of her daughter Olivia. Alban Coghlan also ran, but his time and place were not recorded.

We also had a formidable showing in Poolbeg, led home in 2nd place by Ross Neill (18:34) in the field of 190. Zlatko Kulic followed, in 5th spot in 20:11, ahead of Emma Rowe (8th and 3rd in 20:49). Emma was followed by Louise Dobbyn (31st and 5th in 22:36) and by Jade Murphy (34th and 6th in 22:40, just behind. Kevin Kenny was next (43rd in 23:35), just ahead of Josie Ward (44th and 7th in 23:36), Fiona Bane (45th and 8th in 23:38) and Kenan Furlong (48th in 23:43). Next across the line came Yorkshireman Bo Chicoine (54th in 24:03), followed by Emily Glen (67th and 16th in 24:57) alongside Tanja Narancic (68th and 17th in 24:58) and just ahead of John Lohan (69th in 24:59). Franky Keane followed them in (72nd in 25:07), followed by Alan Martin (73rd in 25:11), Tara Murphy (81st and 22nd in 26:10), Ellen Walsh (82nd and 23rd in 26:13), Olwyn Dunne (85th and 26th in 26:50), Sharon Woods (97th and 32nd in 27:59), Marijke Beltman (100th and 34th in 28:12), Louise O’Riordan (101st and 35th in 28:13) and Maureen McGinley (106th and 37th in 28:51). Stephen Hurley accompanied his son Thomas around the course, placing 132nd in 30:32 and they were followed by Cynthia Perucca (136th and 52nd in 30:42).

One of our London exiles, Jeanie Watson, ran in Hackney Marshes, where, in a field of 473, she placed 64th and 3rd in 21:37. Another podium place was recorded by Susanne English who ran in Navan along with 121 other participants. Susanne’s time was 24:44 and she placed 19th and 3rd. Meanwhile, the same feat was achieved by Peter O’Toole, placing 3rd in the 528-strong field in St. Anne’s. Peter ran 18:04 and was followed by Luke Clarke (64th in 22:04) and by Michael Maughan (122nd in 24:09).

Eoghan Corrigan joined 86 other runners in Brickfields where he placed 10th in 22:28, whilst David Carter also placed 10th in 21:47 in the 155-strong field in Cabinteely. David was followed by Carina Davidson (143rd and 53rd in 44:21). Áine Crotty placed 57th and 12th in 27:18 in the University of Galway with its field of 124, whilst Lorraine McMahon took 23rd and 13th places in 29:28 in the Pobalscoile na Tríonóide parkrun in Youghal, Co. Cork, with its field of 47. In Mungret, Luke Haran finished in 13th spot in 21:59 in a field of 112, whilst Rob Glascott, another of our London exiles, placed 27th in 20:15 in a field of 876 on Clapham Common.

Darina Scully pushed her buggy around Malahide, where, in a field of 361, she placed 213th and 68th in 28:52, whilst Karl Walsh ran in Naas with its field of 171, placing 21st in 20:06. Aoife and Paul Kelly ran in Poppintree, where Aoife finished just ahead of Paul in 106th and 34th spots in a time of 30:28 and Paul placed 107th in 30:29. Gemma Cooper ran in Tramore Waterford, where she placed 102nd and 30th in a time of 39:31 in a field of 118, whilst Martina White took 129th and 65th spots in 38:16 in the 151-strong field in Porterstown.

Stook 10-miler (178)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 David Cullinane 1 00:58:09
4 Kealey Tideswell 1 01:01:16
Crusaders AC runner
60 Justin O’Connor 01:18:06
Full results here: https://myrunresults.com/events/stook_10_mile_10k__5k_2024/5293/results
Finn Valley 10k Remembrance Run (301)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Danny Mooney 1 00:31:34
9 Noeleen Scanlan 1 00:36:21
Crusaders AC runner
18 Kathryn Gibbons 00:39:11 (PB) (3)
Full results here: https://www.facebook.com/FinnValleyAthletics
Women’s Meet & Train 2-mile XC (151)
Overall place Name Guntime
1 Roisin McMahon 00:11:19
Crusaders AC runners
12 Luz Estevan
21 Joanne Carey 00:13:14
24 Deirdre Ni Chearbhaill 00:13:15
27 Tilde Martinsen 00:13:16
30 Louise O’Riordan 00:13:25
34 Kate Murray
43 Ellen Walsh
44 Laura O’Malley
51 Emer Kenny
56 Darina Scully 00:14:18
73 Olwyn Dunne 00:15:03
74 Anna Hernick
75 Fiona Shine
79 Amy O’Donoghue 00:15:11
80 Fionnuala Cogan
86 Carina Davidson 00:15:28
95 Ailish Hassett 00:15:53
96 Catriona Egan
100 Anna Shine 00:15:56
103 Joy Flaherty 00:16:00
112 Sara Noureldin
113 Lisa Shine 00:16:34
119 Maria Jimena Ricci
125 Cynthia Perucca
127 Lorraine McMahon
128 Máirín Shine 00:17:20
137 Marie-Claire Daly
138 Mairead Cashman 00:18:00
147 Michelle English
Full results here:
Omagh Parkrun (115)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Rob Gilchrist 1 00:19:17
4 Kathryn Tomkins 1 00:20:53
Crusaders AC runner
4 Kathryn Tomkins 00:20:53 (1)
Tubbercurry Trail Parkrun (83)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Ciara Regan 1 00:19:35
2 John McGuinness 1 00:20:13
Crusaders AC runner
1 Ciara Regan 00:19:35 (1)
Tolka Valley Parkrun (68)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Niall Sherlock 1 00:17:58
13 Kate Cleary 1 00:23:17
Crusaders AC runner
2 Felipe De Sousa 00:19:36
Poolbeg Parkrun (190)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Rob Cross 1 00:17:22
3 Roisin McMahon 1 00:19:06
Crusaders AC runners
2 Ross Neill 00:18:34
5 Zlatko Kulic 00:20:11
8 Emma Rowe 00:20:49 (3)
31 Louise Dobbyn 00:22:36 (5)
34 Jade Murphy 00:22:40 (6)
43 Kevin Kenny 00:23:35
44 Josie Ward 00:23:36 (7)
45 Fiona Bane 00:23:38 (8)
48 Kenan Furlong 00:23:43
54 Bo Chicoine 0024:03
67 Emily Glen 00:24:57 (16)
68 Tanja Narancic 00:24:58 (17)
69 John Lohan 00:24:59
72 Franky Keane 00:25:07
73 Alan Martin 00:25:11
81 Tara Murphy 00:26:10 (22)
82 Ellen Walsh 00:26:13 (23)
85 Olwyn Dunne 00:26:50 (26)
97 Sharon Woods 00:27:59 (32)
100 Marijke Beltman 00:28:12 (34)
101 Louise O’Riordan 00:28:13 (35)
106 Maureen McGinley 00:28:51 (37)
132 Stephen Hurley 00:30:32
136 Cynthia Perucca 00:30:42 (52)
Pobalscoil Na Tríonóide Parkrun (47)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Chris O’Connell 1 00:20:00
6 Becky Cassin 1 00:23:05
Crusaders AC runner
23 Lorraine McMahon 00:29:38 (13)
Naas Parkrun (171)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 John Anderson 1 00:17:15
12 Emma Boland 1 00:18:50
Crusaders AC runner
21 Karl Walsh 00:20:06
St. Anne’s Parkrun (528)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Anthony Sharkey 1 00:17:01
14 Bernadette Bruen 1 00:19:34
Crusaders AC runners
3 Peter O’Toole 00:18:04
64 Luke Clarke 00:22:04
122 Michael Maughan 00:24:09
Univ. of Galway Parkrun (124)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Justin Depalatis 1 00:16:40
21 Sorcha Delargy 1 00:22:57
Crusaders AC runner
57 Áine Crotty 00:27:18 (12)
Enniskillen Parkrun (103)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Barry O’Mahony 1 00:21:04
13 Marie Tapster 1 00:23:13
Crusaders AC runner
1 Barry O’Mahony 00:21:04
Navan Parkrun (122)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Conan McDonnell 1 00:20:07
15 Hannah McMahon 1 00:24:10
Crusaders AC runner
19 Susanne English 00:24:44 (3)
Shanganagh Parkrun (265)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Derek Lawlor 1 00:17:26
24 Lara Woods 1 00:21:18
Crusaders AC runners
1 Derek Lawlor 00:17:26
164 Orlaith de Burca 00:28:23 (45)
217 Máirín Shine 00:34:00 (81)
218 Lisa Shine 00:34:00 (82)
Fairview Parkrun (160)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Daniel Toal 1 00:18:30
19 Emily Rowe 1 00:22:55
Crusaders AC runner
3 Raphael Crueyze 00:19:21 (PB)
Bushy Parkrun (212)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Richard Pollitt 1 00:19:25
2 Julie McGrath 1 00:19:57
Crusaders AC runners
2 Julie McGrath 00:19:57 (1)
130 Kabir Sala 00:30:20
Cabinteely Parkrun (155)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Sean Terek 1 00:19:15
16 Emma Gunn 1 00:22:42
Crusaders AC runners
10 David Carter 00:21:47
143 Carina Davidson 00:44:21 (53)
Malahide Parkrun (361)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Jack Maughan 1 00:16:08
9 Annette Kealy 1 00:18:31
Crusaders AC runner
213 Darina Scully 00:28:52 (68)
Poppintree Parkrun (181)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Rory Hearne 1 00:17:41
17 Carol Gouldsbury 1 00:22:22
Crusaders AC runners
106 Aoife Kelly 00:30:28 (34)
107 Paul F. Kelly 00:30:29
Porterstown Parkrun (151)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Ronan O’Keeffe 1 00:19:52
9 Joan O’Callaghan 1 00:22:18
Crusaders AC runner
129 Martina White 00:38:16 (65)
Tramore, Waterford Parkrun (118)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Anthony Mannix 1 00:16:41
10 Ruth Comerford 1 00:21:34
Crusaders AC runner
102 Gemma Cooper 00:39:31 (30)
Marlay Parkrun (551)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Kahumburuka Ivan Tuahuku 1 00:17:13
20 Eilish Moloney 1 00:19:23
Crusaders AC runners
24 Aoife Quigley 00:19:40 (2)
36 James Cottle 00:20:35
377 Mairead Cashman 00:30:22 (117)
442 Aisling O’Connor 00:32:59 (151)
Mungret Parkrun (112)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Darragh Whelan 1 00:16:04
3 Susan Murnane 1 00:19:56
Crusaders AC runner
13 Luke Haran 00:21:59
Brickfields Parkrun (87)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Richard Twohig 1 00:18:51
7 Stephanie Bergin 1 00:21:59
Crusaders AC runner
10 Eoghan Corrigan 00:22:28

Standing L-R: Fionnuala Cogan, Catriona Egan, Ellen Walsh, Amy O'Donoghue. Emer Kenny, Tilde Martinsen, Olwyn Dunne, Luz Estevan, Laura O'Malley, Carina Davidson, Anna Hernick, Máirín Shine, Lorraine McMahon, Fiona Shine, Ailish Hassett, Marie-Claire Daly. Kneeling L-R: Sara Noureldin, Joy Flaherty, Kate Murray, Joanne Carey, Louise O'Riordan, Lisa Shine, Anna Shine, Dee Ni Chearbhaill, Maria Jimena Ricci, Cynthia Perucca