Warm conditions for all forms of marathoning

3/6/2024

L-R: Dee Ni Chearbhaill, Joanne Carey, Paula Bradshaw, Emily Quinlan, Louise Dobbyn, Tara Gavin, Amy O'Donoghue, Cría Dowling. Front: Olwyn Dunne. Emer Kenny and Niamh Trihy in the background

Looking back over the last week or so, it really was to some extent a noteworthy time for the women in the club, on the roads and in the mountains. From winning IMRA races to participating in the Women’s mini-marathon and also in some long-distance events both here and abroad.

We start with the women’s mini-marathon that took place on the Sunday of the June bank holiday in conditions to which we have yet to become acclimatised. It was extremely warm, accentuated by the midday start, and not really much of a refreshing breeze except in parts of the second half. The course involves a start in Fitzwilliam Square in the city centre working its way through Donnybrook up to UCD where it turns for home and then down Nutley to the Merrion Road, veering off at Pembroke Road toward the finish on Baggot Street. The field, though much reduced from its heyday of 40,000 runners, and purporting at the time to be the biggest 10k women‘s-only race in the world, still exceeded 20,000 participants, among them at least 26 Crusaders to finish the race. The winner of the event, Ide Nic Dhomhnaill won by a country mile, at least 90 seconds ahead of Meghan Ryan who finished just ahead of the two sisters from Kilkenny who placed second and third in our Docklands 5k race last year (Maebh and Grace Richardson), although they reversed the finishing order in the WMM. The race used to incorporate the women’s national and regional 10k championships, but for a second year in a row this was not the case.

Our contingent was led home by Ciara Regan in 29th place in a super chip-time in the circumstances of 41:21, with Ella Quinn (53rd in 43:03) and Emily Quinlan (54th in 43:7) not too far behind. Next came Cría Dowling (60th in 43:24) with Tara Gavin hard on her heels (62nd in 43:32). Dee Ni Chearbhaill worked her way through the field to place 72nd in 44:21, followed by Rachael Yorke (76th in 44:28), who unfortunately experienced a continuous stitch throughout the race. Next across the line came Joanne Carey (89th in 45:13), with newcomer Tilde Martensen from Norway not too far behind (106th in 46:00). Further back came Paula Bradshaw (162nd in 47:22), with Olwyn Dunne not too far behind (193rd in 47:52) and Louise Dobbyn (309th in 49:24). Stepping in at the last minute, Aoife Quigley gamely managed to pace the sub-40 minutes runners for the first half of the race.

Our next cohort of runners was led by Caoimhe O’Halloran (459th in 50:56), who was followed by Kelly Brown (551st in 51:47) and Clare Bradley (589th in 52:04). Darina Scully was also not too far behind, running 53:17 for 774th place. Fanny Trébouet, who is preparing for a 34k trail run shortly, enjoyed a PB run of 55:08 for 1,150th place, ahead of Gabriel Segura (1,638th in 57:08) and Amy O’Donoghue (1,940th in 58:07). Those who ran beyond the hour mark (unsurprising given the numbers) were led across the finishing line by Marie-Claire Daly (5,750th in 68:14) who was accompanied by Luz Estevan (5,755th in 68:15) and then followed by Nialeen Tully (6,248th in 69:31), just ahead of Ellen McHugh (6,281st in 69:35), with Cynthia Perucca slightly further back (6,715th in 70:42). Máirín Shine was next (11,961st in 89:51), pacing the 90-minute finishers. Not given an overall finishing position in the results, Niamh Trihy nonetheless placed 3rd in the visually impaired competition. Ably guided by Emer Kenny, Niamh completed the event in a gun-time of 74:01. Hats off to them.

On the same day, we had several runners in both the full and half marathons in Cork, enjoying similar conditions, although the marathon did start much earlier at 08:15. In a race where the defending champion, Pawel Kosek, won again, along with Aoife Cooke who won the women’s race this year, we had four athletes taking part. They were headed by Mark Culleton who managed to place 180th in a total field of 1,856 finishers and followed by Sarah Diamond who placed 242nd overall and 14th female finisher in a time of 3:26:56. Our third runner was Lisa Branigan in her umpteenth event (681st and 75th in 3:56:38). Aitor Arribas Velasco completed the first half in 2:02:29, but did not continue after that point. Members may be interested to hear that Shane Collins, a one-time Crusader, now with Leevale, placed 9th overall in 2:32:20.

We had at least 5 club-mates taking part in the half marathon in Cork, that started later in the morning and won by William Maunsell ahead of Peter Somba with Niamh Moore leading the women across the line. Emma Rowe was our first runner home, placing 186th and 22nd in a field of nearly 3,500 finishers and in a time of 1:34:45. Ciara Lynch was not too far behind, in 213th and 26th places in a time of 1:35:46. Next came Julie McGrath (270th and 35th in 1:37:55), followed by Diarmuid Fahey (376th in 1:41:22) and Daniel Cullen (532nd in 1:44:45).

Earlier in the week, the BHAA made its annual visit to Dunboyne to organise the Govt. Services Group 5 miler. The field, which this year involved only 177 runners, was joined by at least 8 Crusaders. Men’s captain Joe McDermott, recently returned from warm weather training in Portugal, placed 10th on the flat course in a time of 28:08. He also placed 2nd M40 in the process. Joe was followed by Ollie McGrath (37th in 31:01), Eddie Nugent (49th in 31:45), David O’Donnell (88th in 35:52), Neil Brown (89th in 35:56), Robbie Moore (95th in 36:22) and Kelly Brown (130th and 33rd in 40:52). Members may be interested to learn that Sean Murphy, who trains with us, ran 31:28 for 42nd place.

Further afield, on Saturday morning Áine Kenny found herself running in what would be considered unusually balmy conditions (around 8 degrees) in the Spitsbergen marathon on the Norwegian island of Svalbard inside the Arctic Circle. On a course that required runners to climb a sharply steep hill of about 120m twice during the race, all the time keeping an eye out for polar bears (spectators carried rifles!), Áine, the only Irish person in the race, placed 17th and 3rd in a time of 3:39:21 in an otherwise international field. The prize for her podium effort was a large clock!

Also, over the weekend, Zlatko Kulic ran in the Gracanica Trail 22km race in Bosnia-Herzogovina, finishing in a time of 2:17, whilst Markus Rossel, who now lives in Sweden, ran 3:13 in the Stockholm marathon. In Italy, one of our exiles there, Italo Giancaterina, ran on Sunday in the Corri Marruvium 8k in San Benedetto dei Marsi, winning the street race ahead of 95 other runners in a time of 24:59.

There were two races last week, involving Crusaders. The first, in the Leinster League, and directed by Brian McGuckin with help from Warren Swords, Clare Sullivan and Donatas Jocius among others, took place on Wednesday evening on a course around Prince William’s Seat in Co. Wicklow. The looped course involved a climb of 405m over a distance of 9.4k and the women’s race was won by Becky Quinn in 63:13, finishing in 21st place overall in a field of 184. Becky was followed by Ian Clifford (85th in 76:23) and by Gavan Doherty (114th in 84:12), running in his 400th IMRA race.

There was a second race over the weekend involving at least two Crusaders, Donatas Jocius and Jason Kehoe and taking place near Mount Leinster on John’s Hill, Killbrannish, Co. Carlow. The race enjoyed a climb of 500m over a distance of 9k along forested trails on two loops, one large and one slightly smaller. With a time of 44:37, Donatas crossed the line in first place ahead of 39 other runners. Well done to him and to Jason Kehoe who placed 5th in a time of 46:45.

The club’s success in recording first finishes in parkruns was maintained on Saturday morning by Caroline Crowley in Avondale Forest with its field of 123 runners. Caroline placed 3rd overall in 20:19, followed by husband Eoghan Corrigan who placed 11th in 21:10.

We also had several podium finishes. Kieran Martin ran in Tolka Valley, where, alongside 62 other participants, he placed 2nd in a time of 18:39. Then, in the SETU Arena in Waterford, with a field of 50 runners, Gemma Cooper placed 7th overall and 2nd female finisher in 24:59. Down in Limerick, Kev Moore and Mary Donnelly ran in Mungret Park, where, in a field of 85, Kev placed 3rd in 19:36, followed by Mary who placed 12th and 3rd in 22:32. Closer to home, Miriam Logan placed 24th and 3rd in the 276-strong field in Shanganagh. Miriam’s time was 20:59 and she followed David Carter who placed 9th in 19:28, with Orlaith de Burca (186th and 64th in 30:11) and Niamh Quinn (208th and 77th in 311:32), further back.

Elsewhere, Piarais Neary took 5th place in a field of 83 in New Ross in a time of 22:03, whilst Emer Kenny ran in Father Collins Park, where, among 163 other runners, she placed 46th and 6th in 25:21. We had 13 runners in Poolbeg, with its field of 151, led home by Kenan Furlong in 4th place in a time of 18:08, just ahead of a resurgent Michael Wycherley (5th in 18:34). Next came Tim O’Donnell (12th in 20:18), followed by Michael Fitzsimons, getting back to form (25th in 22:06), Josie Ward (41st and 5th in 23:40), Franky Keane (53rd in 25:33), Kate Healy (55th and 10th in 25:44), Áine Crotty (74th and 19th in 26:55), Rebecca Fleming (75th and 20th in 27:00), Evelyn Neary (100th and 36th in 29:28), Maureen McGinley (107th and 41st in 29:58), Siobhan Russell (121st and 50th in 33:10) and Mari Hansen with a buggy (130th and 56th in 36:14).

Elsewhere, we had 4 runners in Marlay Park. Olwyn Dunne placed 291st and 85th in 30:00, followed by Anna Shine (305th and 97th in 30:34), Mairín Shine (440th and 180th in 44:27) and Lisa Shine (442nd and 181st in 44:50). The field there measured 479. Meanwhile, in Bushy Park in London, our exile there, Thom Martini, ran 30:57 for 1,227th place in a huge field of 1,921, whilst in Dublin’s Bushy Park, Luke Corcoran joined 154 other participants, placing 45th in 25:28.

Brendan Glynn ran in Donabate with 155 other runners, where he took 33rd spot in a time of 23:49, whilst, in Griffeen Park, Colm Foley ran alongside 221 other participants, where he placed 49th in 23:54. In Poppintree, with its field of 181, Paul F. Kelly placed 42nd in 24:21, followed by Diarmuid Byrne (51st in 25;16) and Maria Pertl (123rd and 37th in 32:29), whilst, in Fairview, in a 207-strong field, Andy Deuser ran 22>54 for 29th place. Finally, Carina Davidson took 123rd and 39th spots in the 152-strong field in Cabinteely. Carina’s time was 36:20.

VHI Women’s mini marathon (20800)
Overall place Name Chiptime
1 Ide Nic Dhomhnaill 00:33:22
Crusaders AC runners
29 Ciara Regan 00:41:21
53 Ella Quinn 00:43:03
54 Emily Quinlan 00:43:07
60 Cría Dowling 00:43:24
62 Tara Gavin 00:43:32
72 Deirdre Ni Chearbhaill 00:44:21
76 Rachael Yorke 00:44:28
89 Joanne Carey 00:45:13
106 Tilde Martinsen 00:46:00
162 Paula Bradshaw 00:47:22
193 Olwyn Dunne 00:47:52
309 Louise Dobbyn 00:49:24
459 Caoimhe O’Halloran 00:50:56
551 Kelly Brown 00:51:47
589 Clare Bradley 00:52:04
774 Darina Scully 00:53:17
1150 Fanny Trébouet 00:55:08 (PB)
1638 Gabriela Segura 00:57:08
1940 Amy O’Donoghue 00:58:07
5750 Marie-Claire Daly 01:08:14
5755 Luz Esteran 01:08:16
6248 Ellen McHugh 01:09:35
6715 Cynthia Perucca 01:10:42
XXX Niamh Trihy 01:14:01 (guntime, visually impaired)
XXX Emer Kenny 01:14:01 (guide)
11961 Máirín Shine 01:29:51 (pacer)
Full results here: https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/en/results-embed.php?event=4015
BHAA Government Services Group Dunboyne 5-miler (177)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Ieuan Hopkins 1 00:25:10
31 Glenda Shaw 1 00:30:44
Crusaders AC runners
10 Joe McDermott 00:28:08
18 Karl Walsh 00:29:25
37 Ollie McGrath 00:31:01
49 Eddie Nugent 00:31:45
88 David O’Donnell 00:35:52
89 Neil Brown 00:35:56
95 Robbie Moore 00:36:22
130 Kelly Brown 00:40:52 (33)
Full results here: https://irp.cdn-website.com/15e8030f/files/uploaded/Government_Services_5m_2024_Results.pdf
Cork City Marathon (1856)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Pawel Kosek 1 02:23:54
50 Aoife Cooke 1 02:56:33
Crusaders AC runners
242 Sarah Diamond 03:26:56 (14)
180 Mark Culleton 03:19:45
681 Lisa Branigan 03:56:38 (75)
Full results here: https://www.popupraces.ie/race/cork-city-marathon-2024/#1_AFF7BC
Cork City Half marathon (72)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 William Maunsell 1 01:08:13
18 Niamh Moore 1 01:21:21
Crusaders AC runners
186 Emma Rowe 01:34:45 (22)
213 Ciara Lynch 01:35:46 (26)
270 Julie McGrath 01:37:55 (35)
376 Diarmuid Fahey 01:41:22
532 Daniel Cullen 01:44:45
Full results here: https://www.popupraces.ie/race/cork-city-marathon-2024/#2_2513D5
IMRA Prince William’s Seat 9.4k (184)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Mark McAdden 1 00:54:32
21 Becky Quinn 1 01:03:13
Crusaders AC runners
21 Becky Quinn 01:03:13
85 Ian Clifford 01:16:23
114 Gavan Doherty 01:24:12
Full results here: https://www.imra.ie/events/results/id/2502
IMRA John’s Hill Killbrannish 9k (40)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1Donatas Jocius 1 00:44:37
16 Katie O'Brien 1 00:57:12
Crusaders AC runners
1 Donatas Jocius 00:44:37
5 Jason Kehoe 00:46:45
Full results here: https://www.imra.ie/events/results/id/2475
Avondale Forest Parkrun (123)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Karl Milligan 1 00:19:51
3 Caroline Crowley 1 00:20:19
Crusaders AC runners
3 Caroline Crowley 00:20:19 (1)
11 Eoghan Corrigan 00:21:10
SETU Arena Parkrun (50)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 David Halligan 1 00:19:12
5 Ciara Losty 1 00:23:08
Crusaders AC runners
7 Gemma Cooper 00:24:59 (2)
Shanganagh Parkrun (276)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Conor Downes 1 00:18:07
11 Sarah Baryga 1 00:19:30
Crusaders AC runners
9 David Carter 00:19:28
24 Miriam Logan 00:20:59 (3)
186 Orlaith de Burca 00:30:11 (64)
208 Niamh Quinn 00:31:32 (77)
Fairview Parkrun (207)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Andrew Patterson 1 00:18:14
69 Lorna St. Ledger 1 00:25:11
Crusaders AC runner
29 Andy Deuser 00:22:54
Poolbeg Parkrun (151)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Malcolm O’Connell 1 00:17:38
28 Anne Marie Guiney 1 00:22:31
Crusaders AC runners
4 Kenan Furlong 00:18:08
5 Michael Wycherley 00:18:34
12 Tim O’Donnell 00:20:18
25 Michael Fitzsimons 00:22:06
41 Josie Ward 00:23:40 (5)
53 Franky Keane 00:25:33
55 Kate Healy 00:25:44 (10)
74 Áine Crotty 00:26:55 (19)
75 Rebecca Fleming 00:27:00 (20)
100 Evelyn Neary 00:29:28 (36)
107 Maureen McGinley 00:29:58 (41)
121 Siobhan Russell 00:33:10 (50)
130 Mari Hansen 00:36:14 (56)
Marlay Parkrun (479)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Jevae St. Lewis 1 00:17:11
51 Alison Clarke 1 00:21:40
Crusaders AC runners
291 Olwyn Dunne 00:30:00 (85)
305 Anna Shine 00:30:34 (97)
440 Máirín Shine 00:44:27 (180)
442 Lisa Shine 00:44:50 (181)
Bushy Parkrun (155)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Seán Cahill 1 00:18:43
2 Emer Perkins 1 00:19:34
Crusaders AC runner
45 Luke Corcoran 00:25:28
New Ross Parkrun (83)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Ian Kennedy 1 00:19:16
15 Emma Somers 1 00:24:03
Crusaders AC runner
5 Piarais Neary 00:22:03
Donabate Parkrun (156)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Al O’Dowd 1 00:19:46
32 Aoife Kelly 1 00:23:48
Crusaders AC runner
33 Brendan Glynn 00:23:49
Tolka Valley Parkrun (63)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Niall Sherlock 1 00:18:22
16 Laura O’Malley 1 00:26:02
Crusaders AC runner
2 Kieran Martin 00:18:39
Father Collins Parkrun (164)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Arnaud Benjacar 1 00:17:11
13 Grainne Egan 1 00:20:35
Crusaders AC runner
46 Emer Kenny 00:25:21 (6)
Cabinteely Parkrun (152)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Eoin Healy 1 00:16:56
20 Rachel Murdock 1 00:22:56
Crusaders AC runner
123 Carina Davidson 00:36:20 (39)
Mungret Parkrun (85)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Seamus McCarthy 1 00:18:28
11 Clare Coleman 1 00:20:17
Crusaders AC runners
3 Kev Moore 00:19:36
12 Mary Donnelly 00:22:32 (3)
Poppintree Parkrun (181)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Paddy Quinn 1 00:18:23
14 Maura Matthews 1 00:21:21
Crusaders AC runners
42 Paul F. Kelly 00:24:21
51 Diarmuid Byrne 00:25:16
123 Maria Pertl 00:32:29 (37)
Griffeen Parkrun (222)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Oliver Warren 1 00:18:13
25 Niamh Murphy 1 00:22:24
Crusaders AC runner
49 Colm Foley 00:23:54

Caoimhe O'Halloran

Ciara Regan

L-R standing: Tara Gavin, Fanny Trébouet, Aoife Quigley, Cría Dowling, Rachael Yorke, Ciara Regan, Dee Ni Chearbhaill, Emer Kenny, Niamh Trihy, Kelly Brown. Kneeling L-R: Paula Bradshaw and Joanne Carey