Great Pink 10k Run Kilkenny
The Great Pink Run was held in around the grounds of the beautiful Kilkenny Castle on Sunday last. A huge fundraiser for Breast Cancer Ireland which saw big numbers turn up to run. One of those was our own Enda O'Sullivan who travels quite a bit taking part in a variety of runs of different distances, well done Enda.
Amsterdam Marathon.
As a club Menapians AC are not known for marathon running but the odd member here or there sets out to complete one.
Today our recent recruit to the club, Brian Smyth, travelled to Amsterdam to compete in his first challenge over the marathon distance. In almost perfect weather conditions, with only a slight wind to contend with, he set out on this flat course through the city. With a fantastic atmosphere & music playing along the course, it proved a great encouragement to all participants. A fantastic pacing job throughout as he did the Menapian’s vest proud & finished in a time of 3:35:19.
Congratulations Brian and enjoy the recovery.
The Solas Cancer Support Centre 10k fundraising run made a welcome return to the streets of Waterford on Sunday. A celebration of survivors of cancer and a huge fundraising event welcomed runners and walkers to take part. A number of club athletes laced up and turned up as Helen Sinnott, Orla Redmond, Louise & Tadhg Henderson, Enda O'Sullivan, Therése Byrne, Sinead Ryan & Paula Gondard all completed the 10k route.
Well done guys n gals, it's good to give back to such a worthy charity.
After the unusually fine day last weekend for the Novice CC, today the weather was cooler, a bit more of a breeze and a little damper as athletes headed to Adamstown for the Mr. Oil Intermediate Cross Country races. An 8k race over a 1k course awaited our 4 men who took to the line in the final race of the day. A fair course was laid on with thanks to Adamstown AC who kindly hosted the event in conjunction with Wexford County Board and another well organised event thanks to all who volunteered including our own Senan, Catherine & Padraig.
Well done to our four men for togging out and racing today Gavin Hayes, Rob Casey, John Dier & Darren O'Grady.
Thanks to our support crew on the day who kept our men's spirits up during the race.
Mr Oil County Novice Cross Country.
Cross Country season started today with an unusually sunny & warm day with a dry field, something Cross Country runners are not used to. Kindly hosted by Croghan AC they provided a course of a downhill and an uphill for competitors to contend with and was well received by all who raced. After the underage races were complete it was time for the ladies to step onto the start line and 4 were in our black & red vests. After pushing themselves throughout the 4 lap route they claimed team bronze so many congratulations to Ilze Bedrite 10th, Mary Gaynor 11th, Paula Gondard 12th & Helen Sinnott 16th.
Immediately afterwards the men's race started and it was eyeballs out and empty lungs for 6 laps of the field. Our 6 men who performed well on the day were Tony Harpur 8th,Brian Smyth 15th, Rob Casey 26th, Gavin Hayes 28th, Darren O'Grady 29th & John Dier 30th.
Thanks to those who supported us on the day and to Catherine & Padraig who volunteered also.
Thanks to the County Board and hosts Croghan Athletics Club for a well organised event.
The Mr Oil County Intermediate CC takes place next Sunday in Adamstown so look forward to seeing everyone again.
Taghmon Open Cross Country.
Taghmon AC held their very popular open cross country meet on Sunday the 18th of September. A nice introduction to the cross country season on a dry field, almost feels wrong when the ground is not muddy and sloppy.
John Dier & Gavin Hayes competed in the Men's 5k race and put on very good performances as we move closer to the Novice CC in Croghan in 2 weeks time.
Well done gents and well done to Taghmon Athletics Club for hosting a well organized event.
Kilmore AC Toddy Moore 10k.
On Saturday evening the Toddy Moore 10k hosted by Kilmore AC took place. A fast route which has long been a favourite on most people's racing calendar.
Three club members raced with Dermot Foley 25th in 42:41, Paul O'Meara 33rd in 46:35 & Michael Kinsella 37th in 48:18.
Well done gentlemen and thanks to Kilmore AC for their efforts hosting the race.
Mick Murphy 4 mile
Ferns was the destination on Saturday evening as athletes arrived for the popular 4 mile run around the village. A well known route which is well organized by SBR AC attracting athletes from all over the county and even beyond. 4 club members travelled up to run and luckily the predicted heavy rain held off.
Martin Kelly was our first member across the line in 28.58, Michael Kinsella not far behind in 29.51, next up John Dier crossed in 32.45 & completing the club interest newcomer Sarah Bermingham crossed the line in 35.50.
Nice to see the recent training paying off in the results, well done lady & gentlemen.
Clonmel Half Marathon
Early start yesterday morning for the lads heading to Clonmel as the race started at 10am. Lovely weather conditions for the first half as the route followed some quite country roads before the temperature increased as the race hit the Blueway for the 2nd half. Dermot Foley, Darren O'Grady & Enda O'Sullivan were joined on the Road trip by incoming member Brian Smyth for the race , a very scenic and enjoyable route.
Well done gents.
Oylegate Half Marathon & 10k
A fine day yesterday a race as members took a spin to Oylegate to run the 10k and Half Marathon Routes. Most drove up but Tony Harpur decided to cycle up as a warm up, race finishing 6th & 1st M40 then cycling home again.
Tony Harpur, Eamon Foley, John Dier, Sharron Dier & Bridie McGuire all competed well over the 10k route.
Jesse Kielthy & David Clancy were our competitors over the Half Marathon route which was 2 laps of the 10k route.
Another well organized event, well done everyone.
The Irish European Championship team has been announced to travel to Munich and Leon Reid has been selected on the 4x100m team.
Congratulations Leon.
On July the 31st, the National League day 2 was held in the Carlow SETU Campus and luckily the weather was kind so a really enjoyable experience for athletes.
Although the club did not have teams competing this year we had 4 athletes competing in the guest races.
Aaron Tierney Smith was at it again in his new favourite event the 400m coming home 1st with a time of 50.21
Clodagh Dunbar shot out of the blocks to come home 1st in the 200m in 26.74 and also ran the 100m in 13.19 for a 3rd place finish
Michael Deady ran the 100m in 12.04 for 5th place in Heat 2
Conor Wilson also ran the 100m coming home 2nd in Heat 2 in 11.43
Great to see the crew competing so well, congratulations to you all and thanks to those who officiated.
On Sunday morning the 2nd of August, the Leo Carthy weekend in Our Lady's Island hosted their 6k race. A good surface on a nice 3k loop saw runners take on the loop twice. John Dier & Bridie McGuire were our 2 finishers and Sharron Dier took on 1 loop on the morning.
Well done
On August the 3rd, the last of the summer racing for these two as they travelled up to Lucan for the Dublin Graded meet.
Michael Deady who normally races 100m & 200m stepped up to 400m and was very happy with his 57.84 which saw him home in 2nd spot for his run.
Clodagh Dunbar was also tackling the 400m and she showed her form claiming a pb for herself as she came home in 2nd with a 60.12 (so close to breaking the 60)
Consistent training pays off and these two are testament to that, well done to you both.
The Celtic Warrior weekend of racing took place in the County of Westmeath last weekend and our own Tony Harpur headed up to take on the 1/2 Warrior event which is a half iron man distance of 1.9km swim, 90km on the bike followed by a half marathon 21km to finish. If you follow him on Strava he gives a very good and honest account of his race which was to say the least was eventful. Lost watches, wet gear, lack of coffee and sleep and the dreaded blisters all combined to make a memorable day out finishing 10th overall.
Well done Tony.