Major Crusaders presence in the Race Series Half Marathon

18/9/2022

Thomas Vogée, Gillian Earley, Peter Somba, Amy Wright and Emily Quinlan

Another weekend, another series of half marathons to help everyone prepare for their Autumn marathons. This weekend, runners had a choice of Kilkenny, Belfast and Dublin. Doubtless, there were more on offer elsewhere.

Crusaders largely went for the Dublin Marathon Race Series Half in the Phoenix Park and we had more than 50 club-mates take part in the welcome return of this iconic event after a gap of 2 years. It was surprising how many of our runners recorded PBs in the race, given that the park does not generally provide the easiest of terrain, with its multiple hills.

As with the recent Frank Duffy 10-miler, the race organisers have been forced to change the route to accommodate the OPW’s requirements not to disrupt too much of the park. The start-time of 9 am is also a new norm for races in the park. Despite the early start, more than 5,500 runners turned out, albeit 20% down on the numbers who raced in 2019.

Most of the first 10 miles of the race incorporated the route used for the Frank Duffy and the remaining 3-4 miles took runners back down the Upper Glen Road for the second time, turning just below the hospital and back up on to the Acres Road where runners found themselves running side by side with runners several miles behind them in the race (and separated only by cones with no barrier tape), past the Papal Cross and turning once more to go north on Chesterfield Avenue up to the Castleknock roundabout, turning left for the third time down the Ordnance Survey Road and sharp left onto the finish straight on Furze Road. No part of the east side of the park or the entrance to the zoo is now impacted by such events.

The organisers will have learnt now that having runners on the relatively narrow Acres Road with, for most of the length of the Acres Road, only cones between those on what was technically their “first lap”, running side by side with those ahead of them on their second can be challenging, especially as initially there were no stewards placed there to keep the slower runners to the right of the cones. Barrier tape extending further than it did between the cones would probably have been the solution. Thankfully, the faster runners were largely able to get through without too much difficulty, but, at times, there was a risk of faster runners being impeded. In all other respects, given the challenges presented, the race was well organised, and, also, great from a spectator’s point of view, as we were able to support the athletes two or three times without having to move too far.

The two winners were Peter Somba (1:07:35), a week after his 2nd place finish in the Ratoath half, and the ageless Barbara Cleary (1:18:14).

We also had some really standout performances in the event. The large contingent from the club was led home by Daragh O’Reilly who placed 8th in a super PB time of 1:13:41. He was followed by another athlete recording a PB, Joe McDermott, who ran 1:18:18 for 45th place, just ahead of newcomer Barry McCarthy (53rd in 1:18:47). Kevin Fitzgibbon found the going tough but still was able to record a decent time of 1:23:41 for 161st, and he was followed by Thomas Vogée (163rd in 1:23:42), Cian Coughlan (164th in a confidence-boosting PB time of 1:22:58) and Kieran Martin (189th in 1:24:17). Interestingly, Thomas and Kieran were using the race as a training run, incorporating 3x5k with 2 minutes active recoveries into the event. They still managed excellent overall times, not so far off their PBs. Moreover, Thomas was able to push on ahead and help pace Cian to his PB time.

On the men’s side, Rory Goldsmith was next, in 283rd place, with the same chiptime of 1:26:30 as Rob Glascott who finished 50 places behind him in 333rd, reflecting different starting positions in the line-up, with Rob starting much further back than Rory. Further down the field, there was a similar story for Jamie Symmons who in recording a PB in running 1:33:27, placed 1037th, 348 places behind Paul Campbell who recorded a time of 1:33:11 for 689th. Ahead of Paul came Michael Fitzsimons (377th in 1:28:34) and Gerard Moore, making a welcome return to racing (594th in 1:31:23).

The male running contingent was completed by Enda Currid (760th in 1:34:26), Cormac McGuire (803rd in 1:35:39), David Healy (1131st in 1:40:07), John Cunnane (1203rd in 1:38:55), Robbie Moore (1212th in 1:40:13), newcomer Gustavo Andrade (1240th in 1:39:30), Brian McGuckin (1265th in 1:36:26), Luke Haran (1334th in 1:40:18), Karl Walsh (1374th in 1:42:49), Kevin Lambe (1398th in 1:41:26), Alan Kavanagh (1528th in 1:44:44), Gian Piero Allerta (1618th in 1:48:02), Mark Browne (1656th in 1:41:18), Neil Brown (2029th in a PB time of 1:46:49), Tim Purdy (2522nd in 1:51:30), Patrick Needham (2536th and still carrying a hip injury, in 1:55:22), Martin Joyce (2931st and 6th M65 in 1:54:55), David Tuohy (3013th in 1:55:10), Aitor Arribas Velasco (3098th in 1:56:11), Kevin Lynch (3256th in 1:54:32), Joe Dunne (3525th in 1:59:51, pacing the 2-hour runners), Frank Renehan (3528th in 1:58:59), Fiachra O’Cionnaith (3562nd in 2:00:14), Kevin Kenny (4385th in 2:06:56), Paul E. Kelly (4776th in a PB time of 2:16:30) and Lakshmi Prasad Gowda (5055th in 2:23:21).

We also some excellent results among the female members of the club. Our 17 runners were led home by Alma Hanevy who placed 340th overall, 4th F40 (awarded the prize for 3rd as Le Cheile athlete Jan Corcoran placed 3rd overall) and 14th woman across the line in a terrific time of 1:27:46. Alma was able to do some critically strategic drafting towards the end of the race, although wind was not really a factor in the sunny conditions, which could be considered as almost perfect for distance running. The next three runners home all recorded PBs, among them Áine Crotty who broke 90 minutes for the first time, running 1:29:21 for 482nd place overall and 28th female finisher. Áine was followed by Amy Wright who produced a 7-minute pb improvement to run 1:33:00 (662nd and 42nd), running alongside Gill Earley who was given the same chiptime (664th and 43rd). Jemma Lyons ran well for a time of 1:33:17 (694th and 46th) and she was followed by Emily Quinlan, another runner with a PB (735th and 48th), Rebecca Fleming (933rd and 71st in 1:37:19) and Rachael Yorke, who suffered a stitch for long parts of the race (980th and 78th in 1:37:44). Rachael was followed by Triona Quill (1096th, 91st woman and 4th F50 in 1:39:07). Another runner to record a PB was Ciara Lehane with an improvement of at least 2 minutes. Ciara ran 1:40:37 for 1271st and 125th and she was followed by Olwyn Dunne (2342nd and 369th in 1:49:44), pacing the 1:50:00 athletes, and Donna Barry, who also recorded a PB. Donna ran 1:58:08 for 3357th and 750th places. Behind Donna came yet another runner with a significant PB, Evelyn Neary (3505th and 799th in 1:59:10), and Evelyn was followed by Laura O’Malley (3677th and 878th in 2:01:28), Mairead Cashman (3763rd and 925th in 2:03:40), Christina Campbell (4204th and 1131st in 2:07:09) and Fanny Trébouet (4774th and 1446th in 2:14:22). Members may be interested to hear that Sean Murphy, who runs with us from time to time, placed 341st in 1:27:56.

One of the other half marathon choices on Saturday was the Kilkenny Mediaeval Marathon half. Conor Macguinness ran in that, on an out-and-back course that involved a climb for the first half and an inevitable descent for the return. Conor reported that, unfortunately, the course measured long by a about a kilometre and so his 1:30:05 should really be revised back to 1:25:55, the time on his watch. Conor placed 17th in a field of 257. The other races were also out-and-back with a similar profile and we had a runner in each of the 30k and full marathon races. There was also a 10k race. However, no Crusader entered that. Ronan Moynihan ran alongside 211 other runners in the 30k, placing 16th in 2:21:36, whilst Leo Lundy tackled the full marathon, alongside 178 other participants. Leo finished in 5:36:33 for 165th spot.

On Sunday, Donatas Jocius ran in the Belfast Half, where, in a field exceeding 3,500, he placed 421st in a time of 1:33:41. It is likely that there were other Crusaders in the race and the report will be updated once we hear their results.

Not so far away, Kathryn Gibbons ran in the Co. Donegal 5k road championships where she placed 53rd overall and 7th female finisher in a time of 20:40. Further afield, Esther Requena Ferri also ran in a 5k race over the weekend, in Spain, where our Spanish exile placed 1st in a time of 19:39.

Participation generally in the parkruns this weekend was down on previous weeks, possibly because of the half marathon in the Phoenix Park. Nevertheless, we enjoyed some good performances from those members of the club who chose to take part.

On the last weekend before taking on the Berlin marathon next week, Brendan Murphy and Kate Murray both recorded first finishes. Brendan ran in Tramore, Waterford, where he led home the field of 95 in 17:04, whilst Kate placed 16th overall and first female finisher in Mullingar with its field of 80. Kate’s time was 24:02. Other first finishers included Paul Cowhie who ran 17:24 in the 201-strong field in Malahide and Louise Dobbyn who placed 15th overall in Cabinteely in a time of 23:12. Also, in the field of 93 were Eddie Nugent who took 4th spot in 19:23 and Stephen Mulligan (20th in 24:06). Caroline Crowley returned to winning form in Corkagh Park where, in a field of 149, she also placed 3rd overall in 20:14. Her partner, Eoghan Corrigan, placed 21st in 23:57. In between came David Willis, preparing for his marathon in Berlin, in 4th place in 20:18 and Lorraine Healy (10th and 2nd in 21:27). Our final first finisher was Kathryn Sweeney who took 4th overall in Omagh in a field of 76. Kathryn’s time was 19:57.

A podium spot was recorded by Sharon Woods (12th and 2nd in 22:59) in Tymon Park where she ran with 64 other participants, and Darina Scully ran 24:30 for 16th and 4th in River Valley Park. Brian Scanlan also ran there, where, in a field of 91, he placed 13th in 23:54. Tara Murphy returned to her native USA where she placed 13th and 5th in the Delaware and Raritan Canal parkrun with its field of 64. Tara’s time was 25:08.

Josie Ward was our first runner home in the 78-strong field in Poolbeg. She ran 23:44 for 23rd and 7th places and was followed by Hector Jimenez, another Berlin-bound runner (although he may be trying to go for the world record for a marathoner dressed as a tree!). Hector ran 27:28 for 53rd place and he was followed by Maureen McGinley (59th and 22nd in 28:32), Liann Leech (73rd and 35th in 33:03) and Gillian Curran, tailwalking. In Pollok Park in Glasgow, Aidan Hudner joined 242 other runners to place 65th in 25:05, whilst Kevin Flynn ran 32:15 for 23rd place in the field of 38 in Porterstown. We had 4 runners in Poppintree. Paul F. Kelly was our first runner home in a field of 85. Paul placed 21st in a time of 24:21 and he was followed by Diarmuid Byrne (36th in 27:29), Aoife Kelly (44th and 15th in 29:25) and Maria Pertl (76th and 36th in 38:45). Members of the Shine family ran in Tramore Valley, Cork, with its field of 89 runners. Mairin was first across the line (54th and 13th in 28:18), along with Lisa (55th and 14th in the same time) and just 1 second ahead of Fiona (56th and 15th in 28:19). Finally, Carina Davidson joined 114 other participants in Shanganagh where she placed 61st and 16th in 28:02.

Dublin Race Series Half Marathon (5652)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Peter Somba 1 01:07:35
44 Barbara Cleary 1 01:18:14
Crusaders AC runners
8 Daragh O’Reilly 01:13:41 (PB)
45 Joe McDermott 01:18:18 (PB)
53 Barry McCarthy 01:18:47
161 Kevin Fitzgibbon 01:23:41
163 Thomas Vogée 01:23:42
164 Cian Coughlan 01:22:58 (PB)
189 Kieran Martin 01:24:17
283 Rory Goldsmith 01:26:30
333 Robert Glascott 01:26:30
340 Alma Hanevy 01:27:46 (14)
377 Michael Fitzsimons 01:28:34
482 Áine Crotty 01:29:25 (PB) (28)
594 Gerard Moore 01:31:23
662 Amy Wright 01:33:00 (PB) (42)
664 Gillian Earley 01:33:00 (PB) (43)
689 Paul Campbell 01:33:11
694 Jemma Lyons 01:33:17 (46)
735 Emily Quinlan 01:34:02 (PB) (48)
760 Enda Currid 01:34:26
803 Cormac McGuire 01:35:39
933 Rebecca Fleming 01:37:19 (71)
980 Rachael Yorke 01:37:44 (78)
1037 Jamie Symmons 01:33:27 (PB)
1096 Triona Quill 01:39:07 (91)
1131 David Healy 01:40:07
1203 John Cunnane 01:38:55
1212 Robbie Moore 01:40:13
1240 Gustavo Andrade 01:39:30
1265 Brian McGuckin 01:36:26
1271 Ciara Lehane 01:40:37 (PB) (125)
1334 Luke Haran 01:40:18
1374 Karl Walsh 01:42:49
1398 Kevin Lambe 01:41:26
1528 Alan Kavanagh 01:44:44
1618 Gian Piero Allerta 01:48:02
1656 Mark Browne 01:41:18
2029 Neil Brown 01:46:49 (PB)
2342 Olwyn Dunne 01:49:44 (369) PACER
2522 Tim Purdy 01:51:30
2536 Patrick Needham 01:55:22
2931 Martin Joyce 01:54:55
3013 David Tuohy 01:55:10
3098 Aitor Arribas Velasco 01:56:11
3256 Kevin Lynch 01:54:32
3357 Donna Barry 01:58:08 (PB) (750)
3505 Evelyn Neary 01:59:10 (PB) (799)
3525 Joe Dunne 01:59:51 PACER
3528 Frank Renehan 01:58:59
3562 Fiachra O’Cionnaith 02:00:14
3677 Laura O’Malley 02:01:28 (878)
3763 Mairead Cashman 02:03:40 (925)
4204 Christina Campbell 02:07:09 (1131)
4385 Kevin Kenny 02:06:56
4774 Fanny Trébouet 02:14:22 (1446)
4776 Paul E. Kelly 02:16:30 (PB)
5055 Lakshmi Prasad Gowda 02:23:21
Full results here: https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/event-results/events
Kilkenny Mediaeval Marathon 30k (212)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Raivis Zakis 1 01:53:11
5 Isobel Oakes 1 02:005:8
Crusaders AC runner
16 Ronan Moynihan 02:21:36
Full results here: https://www.myrunresults.com/events/medieval_marathon/4357/results/3051
Kilkenny Mediaeval Marathon Half Marathon (257)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Jason O’Byrne 1 01:20:24
42 Marie Joyce 1 01:41:24
Crusaders AC runner
17 Conor Macguinness 01:30:05
Full results here: https://www.myrunresults.com/events/medieval_marathon/4357/results/3051
Kilkenny Mediaeval Marathon (179)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Enda Cloake 1 02:38:16
13 Francine Copy 1 03:17:16
Crusaders AC runner
165 Leo Lundy 05:36:33
Full results here: https://www.myrunresults.com/events/medieval_marathon/4357/results/3051
Naas Parkrun (97)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Adam Veighey 1 00:18:06
18 Claire Brady 1 00:22:59
Crusaders AC runner
74 Michelle Geoghegan 00:30:01 (22)
Poppintree Parkrun (85)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Anthony Dorran 1 00:16:52
20 Eavan Trainor 1 00:24:13
Crusaders AC runners
21 Paul F. Kelly 00:24:21
36 Diarmuid Byrne 00:27:29
44 Aoife Kelly 00:29:25 (15)
76 Maria Pertl 00:38:45 (36)
Malahide Parkrun (201)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
2 Paul Cowhie 1 00:17:24
5 Annette Kealy 1 00:18:12
Crusaders AC runner
2 Paul Cowhie 00:17:24
Poolbeg Parkrun (78)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Alex Bradford 1 00:17:33
4 Laura Behan 1 00:20:12
Crusaders AC runners
23 Josie Ward 00:23:44 (5)
53 Hector Jimenez 00:27:28
59 Maureen McGinley 00:28:32 (22)
73 Liann Leech 00:33:03 (35)
78 Gillian Curran 00:44:00 (40)
Tymon Parkrun (65)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Maria Jones 1 00:19:18
2 Ian Feighery 1 00:19:34
Crusaders AC runner
12 Sharon Woods 00:22:59 (2)
River Valley Parkrun (91)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
2 Michal Kowalski 1 00:20:21
3 Cecile Ollagnier1 00:21:05
Crusaders AC runners
13 Brian Scanlan 00:23:54
16 Darina Scully 00:24:30 (4)
Cabinteely Parkrun (93)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Killian Mooney 1 00:16:26
15 Louise Dobbyn 1 00:23:12
Crusaders AC runners
4 Eddie Nugent 00:19:23
15 Louise Dobbyn 00:23:12 (1)
20 Stephen Mulligan 00:24:06
Mullingar Parkrun (80)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Enda Claffey 1 00:19:03
16 Kate Murray 1 00:24:02
Crusaders AC runner
16 Kate Murray 00:24:02 (1)
Corkagh Parkrun (149)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Cormac Whelan 1 00:19:45
3 Caroline Crowley 1 00:20:14
Crusaders AC runners
3 Caroline Crowley 00:20:14 (1)
4 David Willis 00:20:18
10 Lorraine Healy 00:21:27 (2)
21 Eoghan Corrigan 00:23:57
Omagh Parkrun (76)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Tomas Haigney 1 00:17:28
4 Kathryn Sweeney 1 00:19:57
Crusaders AC runner
4 Kathryn Sweeney 00:19:57 (1)
Shanganagh Parkrun (115)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Drew Donohoe 1 00:18:36
7 Maeve O’Grady 1 00:21:15
Crusaders AC runner
61 Carina Davidson 00:28:02 (16)
Tramore Valley, Cork Parkrun (89)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Barry Walsh 1 00:18:10
26 Kathleen O’Regan 1 00:24:15
Crusaders AC runners
54 Mairin Shine 00:28:18 (13)
55 Lisa Shine 00:28:18 (14)
56 Fiona Shine 00:28:19 (15)
Porterstown Parkrun (38)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Damien Carbery 1 00:19:12
11 Veronica Mullen 1 00:26:04
Crusaders AC runner
23 Kevin Flynn 00:32:15
Tramore, Waterford Parkrun (95)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Brendan Murphy 1 00:17:04
11 Janet Quinlan 1 00:21:45
Crusaders AC runner
1 Brendan Murphy 00:17:04