February and spring has sprung?
The second month of the year has seen events truly back up and running. The weather on the other hand has been less than pleasant. With dreams of bluebells and daffodils sprouting from the ground and a grand stretch in the evenings, February is the month when training starts to get serious. Unfortunately, this month has seen wind and rain warnings and even storms with names on them.
Never to be completely deterred by the weather, our training sessions have been going ahead. Our athletes are being put through their paces with coached swimming sessions (indoors thankfully), Zwift turbo sessions, running sessions and a welcome return of outdoor cycling as well. Another welcome sight is the return of races, which our members have been happily competing in.
JOHN TREACY DUNGARVAN 10
On Sunday, 6th February, West Waterford AC hosted the annual John Treacy 10 mile. It is a very popular race on the running calendar. The race has gone from strength to strength over the last number of years, attracting participants from the four corners of the country. The race attracts a combination of fun runners, joggers, club athletes and top class internationals who complete over a fast flat 10 mile course, around the historic town of Dungarvan.
With numbers limited by race organisers there was still a strong field of 3,200 runners on the day. Despite the gale force winds forecast on the day, runners lined up to start the race at 11am. With light rain showers during the race the wind whipped up on parts of the course making the run a challenge. BTC were out on force on the day with 23 members. Dave Bartley, David Lahive and Rachel Cronin all achieving personal best on the day. Mike Lyons led the crew home coming in at 57:46, an impressive run from Mike. To give themselves a further challenge on the day, Bernard Kiernan, Dermot Johnston, Ken Power and Terry Broderick cycled from Fermoy to Dungarvan before the race. Great motivation shown by the lads for cycling down to Dungarvan in less than ideal conditions.
Well done to Adrian Collins, Brian O’Hagan, Deirdre Morrison, Eleanor Fennessy, Gina Lyons, Harry Feeney, Jeff Roberts, Jim Crowley, Joe Scanlon, Jonathan Kenneally, Martin Feeney, Mike Feeney, Peter Dineen and Peter O’Brien who all participated on the day. Another great event run by West Waterford AC, well done to all involved.
LISVERNANE/AHERLOW TRAIL RUN
As part of IMRA calendar, Ashleigh Byrne-O’Brien competed in the 11.5km trail run held on Sunday, 6th February. Held in the county of Tipperary the race started in the village of Lisvernane at high noon. The event started with a short uphill road section for the runners leading onto a single uphill forest trail, covering another road section, before a last short uphill road section.
The fun really started with a muddy downhill trail leading to a short steep technical section winding down through the trees before the runners saw the light of day back to the finishing line. The previous days of rain certainly made this trail run a challenge as well as the weather on the day being cold and windy. Well done to Ashleigh on her first longest mountain trail run and who came 2nd in her age category in a time of 1:17:20.
SEVILLE CITY MARATHON
The beautiful and historical city of Seville is known for its flamenco dancing and architectural designs. A popular tourist spot, but on Sunday 20th February instead of aimless wandering tourists, the streets were taken over by 10,000 marathon runners. Included in the line-up was our own Mike Lyons running his first marathon.
Mike and his wife Cara headed to Seville a few days before the race to adapt to the sunny weather and to check out the course. It is a spectacular circuit, the flattest one in Europe, that passes through the meandering streets of Seville. The buildings offering protection from the wind and shade from the sun, regardless of all this protection the humidity on the day was high. Plenty of liquids were required to help the runners on route. Cara ensured there was plenty of water and protein available for Mike during the race. Mike was delighted to have completed his first marathon and his time of 2:47:56 just added to his great achievement. Well done to Mike and his back-up support Cara.
‘TRIED AND TESTED’ DUNGARVAN AND ‘SUPER SPORT MEYDAN’ DUBAI
Tried and Tested was certainly one description of this duathlon hosted by West Waterford Tri Club. On Saturday 12th February, athletes had to compete with rain, wind and cold as well as other competitors on the course. Held in the coastal town of Tramore, this event saw the athletes taking on a 5km run, 18km bike and finishing with 3.5km run.
But the love of racing and the lack of events over the last few years did not put off three of our members who participated on the day. Well done Harry Feeney, Marie MacAree and Richie O’Brien who braved the elements. Always a great event to take part in, despite being soaked to the skin before the race even started it was smiles all around for getting out. Thankfully all of our members made it around the course in one piece. A big challenge for the race organisers under such weather conditions, well done to them, and a big shout out to marshals on the day that encouraged all the athletes around the course.
As I was getting photographs and reports of the race in Tramore one photo came in of clear blue sunny skies, sun hats and sun cream bottles. The photo was from Kieran Duggan who ran 16km road race in Dubai, basking in the sunshine and temperatures in the mid-twenties it was a far cry from Tramore. Well done to Kieran who participated in the Super Sport Meydan Dubai also held on Saturday 12th February. He also had time to take a quick snap with Scottish Olympian long distance runner Elish McColgan.
MALLOW AC TRAIL RUN
As part of IMRA series of events, Mallow AC hosted an 8.5km trail run, once again the weather played its part in making conditions less than favourable. IMRA categorised the difficulty in this event as 7, and the weather added another few numbers onto that. From the previous downpours of rain leading up to the event, the ascent during the race was a rather muddy and slippery affair. Thankfully everyone got around ok, no mud balls were thrown but car seat covers were a must for the spin home. Well done to Adrian Collins leading the BTC crew home in a time of 40:53 followed closely by Ruairi McGrath in a time 45:59 and Ken Power with a time of 51:40.
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Two months late or 10 months early, whichever way you looked at it, we got out and could finally meet for a social gathering. This year instead of a Zoom party, we had to get fully dressed and met in Hanna’s Bistro on Saturday, 26th February. Swopping lycra and runners for heels and spanx, slapping on the make-up and tan, curling up the hair, the lads were exhausted by the time they reached Hanna’s. Over seventy members piled in for wonderful food and great chats during the night.
As well as food, craic and chats the night was also our annual awards were also given out. Chairperson Niamh Fleming kicked off the award section of the night, by praising the relentless efforts of our members in 2021, yet another difficult year for racing and training. Niamh thanked the committee for their continued work and support, and she acknowledged the work of the committee members who stepped down at the last AGM. Members who stepped down as officers - Ashleigh ByrneO’Brien, Mick McCarthy, Stephen Dalton and Aidan Sheridan - were all presented with a thermal flask with individual inscriptions of their
name as a thank you for all their work.
Mary O’Donnell and Ronan Fox picked up the award for Best Rookie of the year. The most improved triathletes were Ken Power and Rachel Cronin, and the Triathletes of the Year were Gina Lyons and Mike Lyons. Congratulations to all our award winners who received the club shield and a gift from the very talented Siobhan Steele Ceramics.
One of the most special awards is the Club Person of the Year, this is voted by all members for one individual who goes above and beyond for the club. Competition this year was hot and heavy with votes for Dave Harte for his cycling organisation, Mark Ryan for organising the club gear, Adrian Collins for his running sessions, Rachel Cronin for her Sunday morning running, Sean Lomansey for his mapping skills, Julian Boeg for his help ongoing support to our swimmers, Declan O’Keeffe for pool sessions and covid forms and Mick McCarthy for his ongoing support and video skills! But there was one overall winner who was Niamh Fleming, Niamh is an outstanding support to all members in the club over all the disciplines. Her constant support to both new and old members, the time and energy she gives of herself to the club is unprecedented.
The highlight of the night was Mick McCarthy’s video looking back at 2021. Once again Mick outdid himself with clever captions and skilful editing of photos and videos from 2021. There wasn’t much for him to work on as most of the events were cancelled but he still managed to squeeze endless entertainment out of our members.
A big thank you to Hanna’s for the lovely food and atmosphere, here’s to 2022.
NEW MEMBERS
We welcome new members at any time. You don’t have to be an elite athlete to take part in triathlons. While for some people it’s about the competition for others it’s just about taking part and having fun. It’s also a great way to meet people with similar interests and abilities. So if you’re feeling like a new challenge for 2022 contact us and before you know it you’ll be able to call yourself a triathlete.
More advice and information on triathlons is freely available from your local club. For further information see our club website www. blackwatertriclub.com, our social media pages, email us at btcfermoy@gmail.com or contact Ronan Fox at ronan.fox@spxflow.com.