County Schools Cross Country / Leinster Intermediate and Masters CC / parkrun
County Schools Cross Country
On Wednesday 16th January the County Schools Cross Country took place in Ferns. Fantastic to see some of our athletes stepping out in their school colours ( anything to get time off school)
In Wexford CBS colours Fiachra Mehigan and Josh Nolan ran excellent races with Fiachra 2nd place in his race and also on the gold medal team.
Orla Dolan had a strong run representing Presentation Girls School.
In St Peters College colours putting in good performances were Zac Dee, Lucas Page Redmond, Elijah Page Redmond, Alex Lonergan & Sean Timmons. Lucas Page Redmond had a superb run as part of St Peters College silver medal winning team.
Keep up the great work.
Leinster Intermediate & Masters Cross Country.
Birr in County Offaly was typed into the sat nav as Martin & Tony hit the road on Saturday morning. They arrived and surveyed the course noticing that 'its not too mucky but lots of turns'
Martin was first up in the M70 age cat and as fine wine gets better with age so does Martin.
He took gold in the race with an excellent run finishing in 18:02, congratulations Martin.
The men's race followed with Tony pushing himself hard running with the pack and was rewarded with 74th place in a tough competitive field of 124 hardy souls. Tony finished in a time of 28:31, well done Tony
parkrun
Another big milestone hit on Saturday as Mary Cronin hit the magic 250 parkruns. Congratulations Mary.
Nice to see Sharron back completing the full 5k after her recent leg break.
At Wexford Racecourse Parkrun Fiachra Mehigan, Dermot Foley, Eamonn Foley, Ryan Ellard, John Dier, Rob Casey, John Hyland, Enda O'Sullivan, Rob Mehigan, Sarah Bermingham, Helen Burrell, Linda Leacy, Mary Cronin, Michael Murphy, Bridie McGuire & Sharron Dier all completed the free 5k event.
AI U16 Indoor Pentathlon / Ferrycarrig "5" / parkrun
Athletics Ireland Under 16 Indoor Pentathlon
Fiachra Mehigan represented Menapians at the Athletics Ireland Under 16 Indoor Pentathlon on Sunday (12th January) at the National Indoor Arena in Dublin. He was 7th in the sprint hurdles, broke 4 metres in the long jump, set a new personal best in the shot put, cleared 1.30m in the high jump and was 4th in his 800m. He finished 7th overall in the national competition. He was the 3rd Leinster athlete in this competition which saw him rewarded his first Leinster Championships Indoor medal. Fantastic performance and we look forward to Fiachra’s achievements for 2025 and beyond!
Ferrycarrig 5 Mile
Due to the recent cold snap the organisers had to postpone the race for 1 week in the interest of safety. A correct call to be fair as the popular race attracts athletes and fun runners from near and far.
They were rewarded with a bright mild day which is suited to running and athletes turned up en mass to take part.
The popular wooly hats were available to all who completed the 5 miles. A gang of 24 club members made their way to the home of Wexford FC where the start/finish lines are located and they joined with many club members from Wexford and neighbouring counties. Congratulations to Martin who won the M70 age category, classy running as ever from Martin.
Nice to see so many colours on display. One of ours thought the 5 miles was a bit too easy so decided to push his child around in a pram to make it more difficult !
Club Results:
Tony Harpur 31:24
Brian Smyth 33:00
Dermot Foley 33:15
John Hyland 35:05
Eamonn Foley 35:54
Jesse Kielthy 36:20
Martin Kelly (M70 winner) 36:53
Helen Wallace 37:02
Tadhg Henderson 37:45
Conor MacAogain 38:39
Ryan Ellard 39:21
Micheál Kinsella 40:43
John Dier 41:26
Rob Casey 41:52
Gareth Lloyd 41:58
Geoff Hoffheinz 42:25
Sarah Bermingham 43:26
Ilze Bedrite 43:47
Enda O'Sullivan 44:14
Ger Mulhall 48:08
Ann Thomas 48:23
Siobhan Doyle 49:09
Helen Burrell 49:24
Bridie McGuire 1:07:05
parkrun
A special morning for Bridie on Saturday as she hit the milestone of 250 parkruns (with lots more as a volunteer). Well done Bridie hope you enjoyed the 2 cakes, most people would be happy with 1 cake !
Brian Smyth, Enda O'Sullivan, Fran Power, Sarah Bermingham, Micheál Kinsella, Linda Leacy, Darren O'Grady, Michael Murphy, Gareth Lloyd, Dermot Foley, Bridie McGuire & Alex Parris all ran the Wexford Racecourse Parkrun.
Seasonal Update 2024
Quick catchup on a few things over the last few days.
The Clonmel 4 mile saw Brian Smyth put in another good performance finishing on 25:18
At the Rita & Robbie 5k in Navan Martin Kelly ran a superb 21:49 and was the M70 winner on the day.
The Goal Mile returned to Wexford hosted by Faythe Harriers on their grounds. Louise Henderson, Rory Henderson & Peter Mulvany took part while on Christmas Day Tadhg Henderson did the swim in Bray and he then joined Louise & Rory taking part in the Bray Goal Mile.
County Senior Cross Country
Mr Oil Senior Cross Country
The final County race of 2024 took place in Enniscorthy on Sunday as the counties athletes assembled in their club colours to compete on a course marked out by the hosts Slaney Olympic. As is customary ladies were first up and 5 of our athletes took the start line. Excellent running by each showing determination with each step to finish the 5k route. Helen Wallace was our first finisher in a fine 7th place and was backed up by Catherine O'Connor 18th, Ilze Bedrite 19th, Helen Sinnott 20th & Siobhan Doyle 24th place. Well done ladies.
After the ladies race was completed the men gathered at their start line as the wind picked up a bit to add to the challenge.
Two club athletes dug deep and put in energy sapping efforts to compete the 10k route. Tony Harpur 38th & Conor McAogain 48th in his first outing in club colours, well done men.
Another job well done to Tadhg Henderson & Helen Sinnott as County Competition secretaries, thanks to our officials Mary Gaynor, Senan O'Reilly, Louise Henderson and Martin Kelly and thanks to John & Sharron Dier for their support for all our athletes. Another smoothly run event by Wexford Athletics Officials with thanks also to host club Slaney Olympic.
There is one more cross country race which takes place on 26th January 2025.
National Novice Cross Country & Uneven Age / Waterford Half / Christmas Cracker
National Novice Cross Country & Uneven Age
Tramore hosted the National event on the well known Tramore Racecourse. A muddy loop on a mild day and good weather for the time of year with some nice climbs to test the leg strength. The club had 2 members in action today. Helen Wallace was our 1st lady to ever run National Novice and Fiachra Mehigan was only our 2nd underage boy to qualify for National.
Fiachra was running in U15 age category in a hugely competitive field. He ran his own race and settled into a good pace finishing 103rd in a large field of 138 athletes. A very creditable result for this young man.
Helen was 1st Wexford lady home finishing 93rd in a field of 120 ladies, no mean feat and a run to be proud of for the unassuming athlete who just gets on with the job in hand.
A huge round of applause for you both, great to see athletes performing well and seeing training work.
Also we had Padraig Kelly as part of the large crew of minions who ensure large events like this can take place. Padraig can always be found volunteering at these big race events, well done.
Waterford AC Half Marathon.
The final race of the year for so many as they grow their collection of different woolly hats. An excellently organised event by Waterford Athletic Club who have now settled on a scenic and fair route after a few changes over the years. The section on the Greenway takes athletes away from any traffic and tracks the river as the latter stages of the race hit the legs
Well done to our crew of 8 who completed the distance
Brian Smyth 1:33:06
Tadhg Henderson 1:42:58
Eamonn Foley 1:41:47
Jesse Kielthy 1:45:46
Paul Harpur 1:53:42
Ger Mulhall 2:11:16
Enda O'Sullivan 2:23:57
Jamie Jordan 2:32:35
The Christmas Cracker
Slaney Olympic held their Christmas Cracker event on Sunday. A unique and fun event where runners are told to put away their tracking devices, watches and phones and just run and everyone gets a prize.
They tell everyone the race distance on registration which this year was 4.71km and you have to predict your time. Winner is not the first over the line but instead the person whose prediction is closest to their actual time.
John Dier was only 18 seconds out and Bridie McGuire 23 seconds out which is good going when unable to track your progress
Well done to you both.
Kilmore Winter League / parkrun
Kilmore AC Winter League
A super series of underage races organised by Kilmore AC took place over the last number of weeks.
Our own Fiachra Mehigan had some great runs finishing 2nd in today's race which helped him to 3rd place overall.
Fiachra appears to love the longer races that pop up and is regularly seen finishing high in the results of the Racecourse Parkrun. Keep up the good work Fiachra, well done.
parkrun
Brian Reilly completed the Monaghan Parkrun.
Jamie Jordan completed the Avondale Forest Parkrun.
Janette Mulvany completed the Gorey Parkrun.
Fiachra Mehigan, Brian Smyth, John Hyland, Dermot Foley, Martin Kelly, Paul Harpur, John Dier, Gareth Lloyd, Rob Mehigan, Enda O'Sullivan, David Clancy, Mary Cronin, Linda Leacy & Michael Murphy all completed the Wexford Racecourse Parkrun.
Chase the Moon 10k / Leinster Cross Country
Chase the Moon 10k
Many take some time off after running a marathon, this wasn't the case for Brian Smyth.
While spending a couple of days relaxing in London, he set his sights on a 10K around the iconic Olympic Park. He ran the 4 lap course in a time of 40:39. The race was aptly called Chase The Moon, highlighting the madness of this thought.
Leinster Cross Country.
Great running for our U15 athlete Fiachra Mehigan at the weekend at the Leinster Cross Country up in Tinahealy. Decent conditions considering the time of year. Fiachra put in a strong and brave run claiming 21st place which as part of the Wexford Team qualified for the All Irelands. A proud day for our athlete.
Keep up the good work Fiachra.
Menapians 4 mile 2024 / Franfurt Marathon / Dublin City Marathon / parkrun
Wexford 4 Mile Road Race in aid of Wexford Women's Refuge
This morning athletes gathered from near and far to take part in our 4 Mile Road race. Some were in town for the World renowned Wexford Opera Festival and joined us while here, others more local and members of our neighbouring clubs. Perfect weather conditions for running and route was complimented by all as fair and enjoyable.
On to the business end and our winner this year was DJ Dempsey from United Striders, 2nd Paul Gibbons SBR and 3rd John McGrath United Striders.
Ladies 1st was World Masters Champion Fiona Kehoe Kilmore, 2nd Niamh Murphy and 3rd Ann Marie Doyle Slaney Olympic.
U20 male was Josh Monaghan and lady Aoife Lyng United Striders.
Thank you to our sponsors without whom the event would not have been possible Gallagher Insurance, Ornella Insurance, Dulann, O'Connor Mullen Solicitors & MW Hire.
Our wonderful marshals did a fantastic job between directing traffic, encouraging athletes and feeding everyone afterwards and to Bryan on the motorbike leading the way, thank you and well done.
The Gardai were most helpful with their advice and presence at the Race so thank you and thanks to Wexford Civil Defence for their presence.
Finally thanks to the unseen roles of Race director Brian & Tadhg and the crew setting out and taking down the course cones and signs John, Padraig & Darren.
Frankfurt Marathon
Brian Smyth decided to hop on a plane and fly to Frankfurt for his next marathon and tick another off his list.
He had a super run while there of 3:30:32
Congratulations to Brian on another great run. In his own words " that's me on the right" in the photos.
Dublin City Marathon
The Holy Grail of running for a lot of athletes is the Marathon distance and today 9 of our athletes travelled to Dublin to compete in the Dublin City Marathon. It takes a huge commitment to train for a marathon so firstly well done for getting to the start line ready for action. Each athlete has their own reasons for taking on the distance, some stubbornness, some for the achievement, some fundraising and some even just for the craic but finish it they all did with the same amount of pride and joy.
Congratulations to all 9 of you and enjoy the recovery ahead.
Club results:
Tony Harpur 3:10:45
Dermot Foley 3:38:56 P.B.
Eamonn Foley 3:51:32
Paul Harpur 3:53:07
Ryan Ellard 4:00:13 1st
Enda O'Sullivan 4:50:25
Jamie Jordan 5:42:24
Janette Mulvany 5:44:14
Peter Mulvany 6:45:37
parkrun
Special mention this week to Brian, Enda & Ryan who completed their parkrun 5k on Saturday, before running a marathon on Sunday morning.
Helen Wallace grabbed a 5k PB in Elgin Parkrun in the UK.
Brian Smyth completed the Nidda Parkrun in Frankfurt before his marathon the following day.
At Wexford Racecourse Parkrun Fiachra Mehigan, Ryan Ellard, Geoff Hoffheinz, Rob Casey, Gareth Lloyd, Rob Mehigan, Sarah Bermingham, Mary Cronin, Helen Burrell, Martin Kelly, Linda Leacy, Michael Murphy, Bridie McGuire & Enda O"Sullivan all finished their 5k.
Well done to you all.
Fighting Blindness Trail Run / Cairde Conor - St. Ibar's 6K / parkrun
Glendalough Fighting Blindness Trail Run
A very scenic venue for a run as Tadhg and Louise Henderson travelled to Glendalough. The Fighting Blindness Trail Run took place passing Glendalough lake with some spectacular views as they both completed the 8 km route.
Congratulations to you both.
Cairde Conor / St Ibars 6k
The GAA grounds was a busy place as almost 300 people gathered to complete the 6k route. The fundraiser was in aid of the care of a young local man Conor and was well supported.
As is customary in local races Menapians AC had a presence there. Great to see our crew out supporting a great cause.
Results :
Eamonn Foley 26:35
John Dier 30:03
Geoff Hoffheinz 30:57
Gareth Lloyd 31:23
Helen Sinnott 35:16
Ann Thomas 35:22
Siobhan Doyke 40:11
Bridie McGuire 50:57
Well done everyone, a bit windy but luckily the rain held off.
parkrun
Good to see Martin Kelly return to form after his recent lay off.
At Clonmel Parkrun Brian Smyth was in action completing his 5k.
Marion Galvin was over in Riddlesdown Common for a cross country type Parkrun.
At Wexford Racecourse Parkrun Peter Mulvany, Michael Murphy, Linda Leacy, Janette Mulvany, Mary Cronin, Dave Clancy, Enda O'Sullivan, Rob Mehigan, Geoff Hoffheinz, Dermot Foley, John Dier & Martin Kelly all completed their 5k.
Solas Run for Life / County Novice Cross Country / Gaelforce Howth 10k / parkrun
County Novice Cross Country
The rescheduled event took place in Coolgreany kindly hosted by Croghan Athletics Club on Sunday. The weather was kind, not too cold and no rain so athletes were happy with the conditions as they faced a 1k loop 4 times for ladies and 6 times for men. 4 club athletes showed dedication to represent the club with 2 in each race.
In the ladies race we had 2 athletes putting in good solid performances. Helen Sinnott was 4th in 23:11 and Siobhan Doyle was 6th in 23:37. Well done ladies.
In the men's race Tadhg Henderson finished 20th in 28:46 and John Dier just behind in 21st in 32:34. Well done gentlemen.
Thanks to Wexford Athletics & Croghan AC who along with Tadhg & Helen as competition secretary ensured the event ran smoothly
Solas Run for Life
Well done to our 3 members who took part in the Solas Run for Life 10k held in Waterford today. This is a huge fundraising event for the Solas Cancer Support Centre and Jesse Kielthy, Ger Mulhall & Paul Donovan all comfortably completed the 10k route around Waterford City with over 600 finishers.
Gaelforce Howth 10K
The Gaelforce Howth 10k trail run was where Ilze Bedrite spent her Sunday and she described the route as 'amazing' saying it kept her entertained all the way through. Ilze had a great run of 1hr 1 min on the tough route, congratulations Ilze
parkrun
At Wexford Racecourse Parkrun Fiachra Mehigan, Eamonn Foley, Martin Kelly, Brian Smyth, Alex Parris, John Dier, Gareth Lloyd, Enda O'Sullivan, Tadhg Henderson, Rob Mehigan, Sarah Bermingham, Dave Clancy, Mary Cronin, Helen Burrell, Louise Henderson, Linda Leacy, Michael Murphy, Bridie McGuire & Dave Percival all completed the 5k course.