Tasty times as Breakfast Run goes down a treat
ATHLETICS BREAKFAST RUN
NORTH East Runners rounded off another successful year with a fun-filled ‘Breakfast Run’ from The Sportsmans Bar and Restaurant on the Old Newry Road.
The final league event of 2016 was held over a tough 10km trails and road route around Feede Mountain with 58 signing up.
League organiser Melanie Hearty got the competitors on their way with double points on offer in the final event where athletes best scores from 12 of the 20+ nominated events counted.
Melanie gathered the results and updated the league table after each event throughout the year, with athletes awarded points based on their finishing positions.
Bonus points were awarded for achieving life-time personal best times over set distances of 5km, 10km, half and full marathons as well as running faster than the previous year on the same course.
Running in Louth Championship events in cross country, road and track also gained additional points, especially for those who managed to win medals.
The final event was followed by a fabulous Sportsman’s Irish Breakfast with the presentation ceremony held in the restaurant afterwards.
Anita Bolton was the overall league winner as she won her age group category many times in all her events and capped off a great year in which she also led the club ladies over 50 team to silver medals in the Irish Championships which was incorporated in the Dublin Marathon.
Jim Gonnelly was leading man by just five points from Austin Reid who achieved many lifetime personal best times in most of his events during the year.
Interesting to note that all of these are in the over 50 age group category so the pressure is on the clubs younger members for 2017.
It is now possible to register for the 2017 league. Events will be posted later in January with updated points scoring system. Melanie wished to thank Paul Quigley and Colm Hearty for their help the League during the year. Guest presenter of the prizes was Richard Duffy, NER’s most respected member who has competed in 1152 events over the past 56 years.
Club annual membership fees are now due and can be paid to Jim Gonnelly or Michael Jordan. Fees are €25 if paid in January, €35 thereafter. The club offers group training sessions at least once per week but most weeks there are two sessions, which are free for club members and €2 for guests.
Groups currently meet at Saint Helena’s Park bandstand on Tuesday nights at 6.15 for current 5km times above 21 min- utes plus, and at 7.00 for 5km times quicker than 21 minutes.
At the moment there is a second session on Thursday nights, meeting at the three office blocks in Finnabair Industrial Park at 6.15. The Thursday group session is suitable for all and is especially suited to new runners.
Group sessions start again on Tuesday 10th and Thursday 12th January. Full details of extra sessions are on the club’s Facebook page.
The group sessions are currently on the roads as Dundalk has no athletics facilities, however discussions are at an advanced stage with a very co-operative Louth County Council and Dundalk Athletics Grounds Committee so hopefully we can report early in 2017 on agreements reached.
Run DMC (Dundalk Marathon Club) is a new group set up with training primarily for marathons. Group organisers Melanie Hearty, Colm Hearty and Jim Gonnelly will give training advice each Wednesday in DKIT Campus Sports Hall at 7.00.
The group sessions will continue for 17 weeks beginning with a registration and first run on 4th January. Cost for the 17 weeks is €40 with proceeds going to North Louth Hospice. Run DMC Club membership of €15 will cover insurance costs but members of NER will get this for free as they are already covered by club insurance.
Training schedules will be provided based on marathon targets but the club is open for runners covering all distances from 5km to 10km to half and full marathons as people will have a long term plan to complete their first marathon in 2018 and beyond.
More details from Melanie and Jim on NER or Run DMC Facebook pages or contact Jim at 086-2902029 or jimgonnelly@ hotmail.com.
Some events to look out for early in 2017: Dunleer Rás na hÉireann cross country in Oldbridge 5th February; DUNE Half Marathon, Newry to Dundalk, 12th February; Fitzer 5km road race from the Marshes Shopping Centre, 25th February; DKIT Dundalk 10km 26th April, new course this year from DKIT Sports Centre (former JJB Complex).