Club welcomes the summer with county masters medals
The second last race of the county road season got under way last Sunday morning at 10.30am in Templemore. First off were the O65s in a 3k race followed by the 35s to 64 ladies and gents masters in a 6k race.
The club had 4 ladies and 5 men take part in the 35s to 64s 6k race. 1st home for the club was Kieran Lees then Willie O’Donoghue, followed by Damien Holian and then Tom Blackburn and our final man Dariusz Gazdowicz. Mary Louise Ryan led the ladies home followed by Noelle O’Brien making her debut in championship racing, then Patricia Ryan and finally Davena Flynn. Our boys took a clean sweep in the O55 category with Willie O’Donoghue securing gold Damien Holian silver and Tom Blackburn bronze.
This also ensured that the boys took the gold team medals and the county masters cup. Our ladies didn’t come home empty handed either with Noelle O’Brien taking the bronze medal in the 035 ladies section and Mary Louise Ryan Noelle O’Brien and Patricia Ryan taking the bronze team medals in the 35 to 44 team section.
HEART OF THE ALPS ULTRA
Distance: K85. Perseverance, will, gutsiness and vitality - some words that come to mind when I think about this man, Liam O’Donnell, who spent nearly 13 hours in a race trekking across the Alps over the weekend.
Starting into the wonderful Sill Gorge and up to Telfes, followed by an altitude gain up to the on the Mutterer Alm and the reservoir. Next came the section that is considered a crux in spring and often cannot be run because of old snow and avalanche danger, The Götzner Graben followed by a downhill to Birgitz. Through the Inn valley the route goes to the Nordkette. Then there was short crisp technical up and downhills until he reach Höttinger Bildz. Then it was onto Umbrüggler Alm, the Arzler Alm, the Thaurer Schlössl and the aid Romediwirt. After the medieval old town of Hall at Herzsee, Liam passed Aldrans and the Lanser Wald, the route was then mainly downhill on great trails down to Innsbruck, where he finished at the Olympiaworld.
BK5K (DUNDRUM)
We had two ladies, Áine Morrissey and Bridget Ryan Kiely take the short trip to our neighbouring clubs townland last Wednesday evening to take part in their annual BK5k. Following the sudden death of club member Brendan Kinane in December 2015 the members of Dundrum AC organise a 5km road race in his honour on the first Wednesday of May each year. These two ladies began their running journey by joining the clubs couch to 5k group last year.
DINGLE HALF MARATHON
The most westerly point of the Kerry district was the location for James Fletcher last Saturday morning for a 13.1 mile trek around Dingle for the Dingle half marathon. Both the half marathon and full marathons started together from the scenic marina in Dingle Town.
On leaving Dingle, James passed over Milltown Bridge, past the woodlands at Burnham to the seaside village of Ventry where he got panoramic views of the long curved strand of the stunning beach. On leaving Ventry the course continued westward, past Dunbeg Fort with a sheer cliff on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. At Fahan the road crosses a ford where a water stream is magically redirected from the road to avoid runners wetting their feet.
This is the only day in the year that water does not pass over the road ford. The course then reaches Slea Head itself, marked by a stone crucifixion scene, with dramatic views to South Kerry and the Blasket Islands. The course then follows the coast north, past the iconic Coumenoole Strand and onto Dunquin village where the half marathon finishes near the small village of Dunquin outside the door of Kruger’s Pub!
THE MICHAEL ‘CURLEY’ CUNNINGHAM 4 MILE
Remembering ‘Curley’ on his 5th anniversary doing what Curley loved most – running! The Michael Curley Cunningham 4 Mile Road Race will take place on Friday, 13th May in the village of Galbally home to Mooreabbey Milers at 7.30pm. Registration on the night €15 in the community hall. Prizes for the top 3 males and females, 1st male and female junior and 1st male and female 40, 50, 60 and 70 category prizes. Spot prizes on the night with refreshments after.
CLUB EVENTS PLANNED FOR 2022
The Michael Curley Cunningham 4 Mile (13th May). The Mooreabbey 10 Mile (10th July). The Mile Dash (31st December). World Masters Mountain Race Clonmel 2022.
All eyes and ears look and listen up because I think you won’t want to miss or pass up an opportunity of a life time to represent your country in an amazing event to be held in our back yard per say. As many of you will know by now Ireland were successful in the bid to host the World Masters Mountain Race this coming September.
There will be a great opportunity for all to take the course on a test drive on June 19th to be known as the Great Irish Run before committing and signing up for the big event itself on September 3rd. To participate in the event there are no qualifications and the only restriction lies is that you must be over the age of 35 and under 80 be familiar with mountain running, competitive over 10k and very fit.
So if you’re willing to back yourself we are ready to back you and we would only love to see a flood of green jerseys on the trail. Event details can be found on the website wmmrch2022.ie.
ADULT TRAINING
Adult training takes place on Tuesday and Thursday nights in the community field Galbally from 7pm to 8pm. Newbies are always welcome, so should you have an interest in joining us at our training sessions please message us via our social media page and we will point your running shoes in the right direction.