Large club participation at Youghal AC 5k road race
Youghal AC 5k was the perfect race for our Couch to 5k group to attend and compete in, as for most of them it was their very first 5k! They were accompanied by some of their mentors and other members of the club to cheer them on. Grange Fermoy AC had in total 40 competitors which was a huge attendance, probably the biggest of any club that evening. This race is ideal for beginners as it is run around the town and, although it is quite flat, it is by no means an easy course.
The race was a great baptism of fire for our new members, and they loved it! So let’s hear from some of them. Romes has this to say: “Well as my first ever time running in a competitive race I did have amazing training and amazing support from all during training. Because of all the support when I struggle I never had to give up and that support also translated to the race. I was well looked after before the race on how to proceed and during the race when I struggled just the right support not to give up and the cheer from all Grange group at the finish line. I really felt proud of myself and for the team definitely was the best decision to join and participate with Grange on my first ever race.”
Aisling had this to say: “Youghal was a great experience as one of my first 5ks and amazing support and encouragement all around.” Linda commented: “A perfect course for first race, nice and flat lots of support and encouragement the whole way around.” Deborah: “It was very well organized, and everything seemed to flow very well! For a first timer, it felt like a great introduction to the world of 5ks. On street support was heart-warming! And the cakes afterwards were only divine! The camaraderie amongst runners was just fantastic to witness there!” Katie: “From being a non-runner to doing my first 5k in Youghal was a great experience, it is tough but really worth it, the support from everyone there definitely helps getting across the finish line!”
All positive vibes and really pleasing to see that after 12 weeks of hard training they are all ready to join this community of mad runners! Thanks to Youghal Athletic Club for a great evening! Thanks to the Grange supporters Judi, Claire, Sean, Andy, Mary Clare, Philip and Shane. Thanks also to our pacers Brian, Peter and Sinead.
Congratulations to all! Results were mighty with PBs all around. Terry Corcoran, who did the couch to 5k last year, improved his time by 7 minutes, so that was not to be sneezed at. We would like to wish Laura Guerin and Lorraine McDonald all the best with their recovery.
Here are the results: David Buckley 16.33 2nd M40 PB, Liam O’Connor 16.40 1st M50, Mike Walsh 17.53 PB, Richie O’Brien 18.15. James Sweeney 19.23 PB, Billy Lenihan 19.49, Rachael Walsh 20.27 1st Junior, Clotilde Fitzgibbon 20.28 1st F55, John Delaney 20.50, Marina Seymour 21.27 1st F45. PB, Terry Corcoran 21.32. PB, Brian O’Connor 21.33 Pacer, Helena Corcoran 23.39 PB, Rachel Cronin 24.24 PB, AnnMarie Sweeney 24.47, Martin Healy 25.07, Maurice Tobin 25.42, Ciara Healy 26.09, Cathy Lane 26.45, Cora O’Connor 26.47, Andrea Moran 27.34, Peter Dineen 27.34 Pacer, Thembi Tshuma 27.42, Martina Healy 27.54, Deborah Madden 30.58, Aisling O’Connor 30.58, Aileen Burke 30.59, Natalia Barbero Rodriguez 32.26, Sarah McCarthy 33.27, Deirdre Lysaght 34.44, Caroline Nolan 34.44, Katie Clark 35.35, Linda Whealey 35.35, Ann Morrison 36.04, Margaret Hynes 36.04, Romes Divino De Castro Garcia 37.07, Sinead Cotter 37.08 Pacer, Marie McMahon 38.43, Debbie Murphy 40.02, Lorraine McDonald 42.51. Laura Guerin unfortunately had to stop due to injury.
BWEENG TRAIL BLAZERS AC 5KM RACE
Congratulations to our mighty runner Andy Goulding who was 3rd overall at the Bweeng Trail Blazers AC 5k race. Andy smashed his PB by 39s and finished in 15.54! That’s a very fast time! Andy is also an excellent podcaster having taken part in The Runners Diary on a few occasions!
SEARLAIT TYWANG MEMORIAL ROAD RUN
This charity road race, on Sunday 14th May, is to raise money towards Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, the National Children’s Cancer Charity, and is held in Castlecomer, Kilkenny. This is the 7th year of the event and is for a very worthy cause. Grange Fermoy AC had four competitors, with Tony Dunne and Angela O’Mahony competing in the half marathon, while Judi Baker and Maggie Dunne did the 10km route.
It was a cool day for the race, and all that can be said about the various courses is, will these hills never end? But what a friendly place, with great stewarding and lovely people, and fabulous food afterwards. We wish this charity every success in the future and would recommend the run to anyone wanting a bit of a challenge!
GRANGE FERMOY ANNUAL BOB BURKE 4-MILE ROAD RACE
Our annual Bob Burke 4-Mile Road Race, kindly sponsored by Sanmina and Synergy Credit Union, will be held on Friday, 21 July with the juvenile 1 mile race kicking off at 7.30pm and the adult race commencing 8pm, out at Grange National School. Online entries through Eventmaster will open in June, so please make a note of our new date and time! Further details to follow.