From the lows of the road to the highs of the mountain
As the summer approaches there is an abundance of club races happening on weekday evenings. One such race was the Poulmucka 8k which was ran from Poulmucka crossroads last Friday night in conjunction with Cahir meet and train.
The aim of the race is to provide a challenge to athletes by a hilly, unforgiving course. In this event we had Willie O’Donoghue, five days on from his successful national 5k and Ger Hanley. Willie finished 7th overall and took a category win, while Ger finished 9th overall and took 2nd in category.
GALTEE CROSSING (IMRA MUNSTER)
A race across the top of Galtees, a race for the adventurous occurred last morning beginning in Anglesborough at 9am. A climb of 1,500 meters and a distance of 32km awaited our two boys Kevin Lenihan and Robert Cunningham.
Starting in Anglesborough Kevin and Robert had to hit 10 points along the route. Temple hill, Lyracappul Wall, Wall Corner, Galtymore Cross, Galtybeg, Farbreaga, Rocky out crop, Mast Point Slieve an Airde and Bain trig point before finally finishing at Cahir Castle in Cahir.
Kevin finished in 11th in a time of 03:56:30 following a shoe disaster, while Robert was 21st in a time of 04:23:04. Race Director was Patricia Ryan, Patricia Blackburn was on first aid while the Griffin duo of Jane and Ger were on stewarding duty.
JOHN HARTNETT 10K
The club colours were on the backs of seven in Ballyhooly, Co Cork contesting the John Hartnett 10k, also happening last Friday evening.
Commemorating runner John Hartnett who fifty two years ago, on the day after Dana had won the hearts of a nation when winning the Eurovision with her ‘All Kinds of Everything’, there was another historic Irish victory, this time achieved on the fields of Vichy in France.
There, at the International Cross-Country Championship, Corkman John Hartnett became the first Irish athlete since Tim Smythe 39 years before to win a major international title over the country. While Smythe’s finest hour came at Baldoyle Racecourse as a senior, Hartnett fulfilled the tremendous promise he had shown the year before in Scotland where he had finished fourth junior when taking gold in the same grade.
John Hartnett hailed from Gurteen near Ballyhooly. At the age of 14, he joined Kildinan AC and had his first success at U16 level when winning the Cork cross-country championship at Bandon. When Kildinan disbanded, he joined the nearby Grange club with whom he won the Cork and Munster U18 titles in 1968, along with finishing fourth at the Irish championship at Mallow Racecourse. Running the 10k were Noelle O’Brien and Deirdre Bailey, both ladies having a superb race followed by Anthony Ryan, Michelle Carey, Mary Hinchy, Davina Flynn and Mary Magner.
TEMPLEMORE THROWS
3 weeks ago our field master Larry O’Grady competed at the Templemore Throws Festival. We have finally secured Larry’s results which are as follows: 4th in masters male 35, 56 pound weight for distance, 3rd in male 60 pentathlon, 2nd in male 60 discus, 1st in male 60 shot putt.
CLUB EVENTS PLANNED FOR 2022
The Mooreabbey 10 Mile (10th July), The Mile Dash (31st December). World Masters Mountain Race Clonmel 2022.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN ONLINE
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.
A recci of this route took place last Sunday with bug interest. Should you have an interest in reccing the route the next route recci will take place on Sunday, 5th June at 11am.
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 Mooreabbey Milers AC and we will point your running shoes in the right direction.