Durkin displays Iron resolve in Lanzarote
THE bucket list of Duleek & District AC’s Kevin Durkin has just been reduced by one after he successfully completed the Club La Santa Lanzarote Ironman.
A 3.8k swim, followed by a 180km cycle and a 42km run combined - 226km in all - is a huge test in its own right, but Lanzarote is known one of the most physically gruelling events on the circuit. Crosswinds and the undulating landscape of the island make the cycling leg particularly tricky.
Howevr, over the last 11 months Durkin has carried out a rigorous training programme to ensure he was in peak physical condition for the event. What makes his achievement all the more remarkable was that it was his first attempt at the discipline, completing it without the safety net that comes with prior experience.
With the temperature 24 degrees, hydration was key to performance and the event started off with an ocean swim of just under 4km which Kevin completed in 1hr 24min.
The cycling leg typically separates the wheat from the chaff, with a strong headwind for the first 110km and a net elevation of 2,500m. This is where Durkin reaped the benefits of his intensive training - 18 hours per week at its peak - as he completed the cycle in 7hr 47min.
With two of the three legs out of the way there was the small matter of a marathon standing between Durkin and his goal, but with lots of family support in Lanzarote and his every movement tracked online by fellow club members Durkin completed it in 4hr 34min. Everyone in Duleek & District AC would like to congratulate him on his wonderful achievement.
Closer to home, it was another frantic few days of action for members of Duleek.
The annual Virgin Media Night Run took place in Dublin and the relative darkness was illuminated by the large field of just over 5,000.
The opportunity to run unimpeded through the city’s most famous streets and via its most historic landmarks is rare and among the field there were five Duleek athletes as Laura Donohoe, Daire McDevitt, Anne Hamilton, Barbara Lenehan and Sinead Donnelly all ran great races.
Next up, the action drew closer to home for the annual Star of the Sea 5k Road Race in Stamullen. This is also a popular event and it is not difficult to see why. It is well organised, draws a big crowd and contains a great atmosphere, with some tasty post-race refreshments.
To kick off proceedings a number of the club’s juvenile athletes took part, with Myles Killeen, Sophie Foran, Keeva Donnelly, Jack Maxwell, Kenny Rohan, Sam Donohoe and Sarah Maxwell all giving it their all.
All eyes then turned to the main event of the evening, the adult 5k road race, with 12 Duleek & District athletes taking part.
First home for the club was Derek Reilly, who in addition to possessing great speed has the added string to his bow of being able to seamlessly alternate between distances as he finished in a time of 19min 41sec, with Stephen McKee following closely behind.
Sarah McKenna brought home the ladies team in an impressive time of 24:07, with Amanda Noone following closely behind. The race was also notable for the excellent performances from newer members such as Orla Crosby, Sandra Loughran and Amanda Duff.
From there it was on to round four of the Meath Track and Field League where Tadhg Dixon ran a very strong race in coming home third in the Boys Under-12 600m in a highly competitive field and Cormac Victory ran a great race in the same event.
Chloe Dunnion put in an outstanding performance in the Under-12 Shot Putt, participating in the discipline for the very first time.
Soracha Bell, Isabella Field and Nessa Rohan gave their all in the Under-9 60m and ball throw and the Boys Under-9 team of Eric Ludlow, Kenny Killeen, Jack Maxwell and Harry Meehan also notched a healthy points tally for their club.
The Girls Under-10 team of Meghan Sheridan, Naoise Donnelly, Ruby Hartford, Ciara McRoary and Meagan O’Connor were no less impressive.
Jake Meehan put in an excellent showing in the Boys Under 11 ball throw and 300m and the Girls Under 11 team of Sophie Quinn and Aoife Rohan proved to be equally adept over the same distances.
The adult event on the night was the 800m, with David Doyle taking fourth, and the club are poised to finish in an excellent position with one round of events remaining.
Duleek members were also present on Saturday at the Navan Parkrun, which is an undulating and challenging course around Blackwater Park, and there was a grandstand finish to the men’s race, with Peter Hearty an excellent second in 17:49.
At the Rock and Roll half and full marathon in Liverpool, Duleek’s own fab four of Sandra Cassin, Ray Cassin, Sean Cassin and John Wall took the stage (streets), with Sandra and Sean taking on the half marathon and the two marathon stalwarts going the full distance.
On a weekend where a certain Mr Springsteen was in town they made their way through the badlands, the darkness on the edge of town en route to proving that they were born to run. Sandra and Sean made it home in 2hr 12min and Ray Cassin put in an excellent performance to complete the full in 3hr 57min.