Sean Tobin of Clonmel AC produced the Irish athletics performance of the weekend  with a personal best indoor time of  7 mins 48.01 secs when winning the men’s 3000m at the Meeting Metz Moselle in northern France on Saturday (February 6).

Tobin was paced by  his training partner Paul Robinson of St Coca’s AC. His time is comfortably inside the European Indoors qualifying mark of 7:58.50.

The qualification period for the European Indoors, scheduled  to take place in Torun, Poland from March 5-7,  ends on February 22.

Also in Metz,  Nadia Power of Dublin City Harriers finished fifth in the elite 800m with a time of 2:02.99; winner was Habitam Alemu of Ethiopia in 2:00.85.  Power’s time was just shy of the 2:02.44 she ran a week ago in Vienna which was a new Irish indoor record. Both those times are inside the European Indoors qualifying mark of 2:03.85.

In a second 800m race, Iseult O’Donnell of Raheny Shamrock finished a close third in 2:04.61 while Clare Mooney of  Naas AC was seventh in 2:07.74

It’s all happening in France

A day later at Val de Reuil, also in France, Michelle Finn of Leevale AC and Brian Fay of Raheny Shamrock made it an Irish  3000m double with both also clocking European Indoor qualifying times.

Finn won the women’s race in 9:02.34 , while Fay’s personal best time of 7:53.64 put him comfortably clear of the chasers; he was paced by his training partner Andrew Coscoran, who will run in Lievan, France on Tuesday (February 9).

Finishing fifth behind Fay in 8:25.17 was junior athlete Tadgh Donnelly of Drogheda and District AC.

Across the pond

In the USA, Fergal Curtin  of Youghal AC  ran an indoors personal best of 8 mins 02:95  secs  to finish second in the 3000m at the Arkansas Qualifier in Fayetteville  on Friday (February 5).  The time knocked over 14 seconds off his time  of 8:17.06 run  three years ago. Pre-race favourite Amón Kemboi of Arkansas  won the race in 7:52.70.

Getting his  US collegiate season off to a flying start  was Cathal Doyle of Clonliffe Harriers who was fourth in the 8km men’s race at the Oregon Open Cross-Country in Eugene on Friday (February 5), helping the University of Portland team to victory.

A day later, Hope Saunders, also Clonliffe Harriers, was in action for Wichita State at the American Conference cross-country held in Augusta, Kansas. She finished 27th, helping her team to second place in the 6km race.

Road running virtually ticking along

A total of 1,113  clocked times for the virtual Raheny 5-Mile, held over the last week in January. Joint winners  of the men’s race were junior athlete Tadhg Donnelly of Drogheda and  District  AC and Star of the Sea’s Andrew Coscoran  who both posted times of 24 mins 57 secs.

Michelle Finn in a real race, but imagine her without the number and the virtual event is similar. Photo: Damien O’Sullivan

Leevale’s Michelle Finn posted the fastest women’s  time of 27 mins 32 secs with Raheny Shamrock’s Iseult O’Donnell second in 28:15, and Ciara Durkan of Skerries AC running 29:18 for third place.

Fastest masters were Ciaran McCarthy with a time of 26:39 and Zoe Quinn in 30:43. Both are members of Raheny Shamrock AC.

The post Irish action in France and the US appeared first on Fast Running.

All three Irish athletes competing at the World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia, Poland on Saturday (October 17) ran personal best times.

First up was Ann Marie McGlynn of Letterkenny AC whose time of 71 mins 40 secs for 40th place knocked 20 seconds off her previous best and saw her finish ahead of the three British women. Her time is an Northern Irish record. McGlynn’s previous best of 72:12 was run at the Barcelona Half Marathon in February 2020.

Race winner was Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya in a new world best time of 65 mins 16 secs; nine women finished in under 67 minutes.

Another superb showing from @McGlynnAnnMarie who finished 42nd in a PB of 71:40 at today’s #WorldHalfMarathon in Poland.
pic.twitter.com/zcu4bsQwoj

— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) October 17, 2020

In the men’s race, Kevin Seaward of St Malachy’s AC finished 58th in 62 mins 58 mins, which took fives seconds off the 63:05 he had run at the Larne Half Marathon last month. Clocking a time of 64:37 for 70th place in his first half marathon was Hugh Armstrong of Ballina AC.

Ten men broke the hour in the race with the inevitable discussion online about shoe technology and the impact it is having on times.

Photo: Athletics Ireland

In the USA, Kevin Mulcaire of Ennis TC lined out in the men’s 8000m at the Oklahoma State Invitational Cross Country on Saturday (October 17) – his first cross-country race in over four years. He finished 71st in 26 mins 24 secs.

In 2015, Mulcaire ran a time of 14:02.30 for 5000m in 2015, then an Irish record, but his career since then has been punctuated by serious injury. Mulcaire, from Co Clare, is studying veterinary science.

Meanwhile Zak Hanna has seen more success in the mountains, check out this article from Richard Rogers with full details on Hanna’s latest race in Chiavenna.

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The post Irish PBs across the board at World Half appeared first on Fast Running.

Joe Warne of Doheny AC was the winner of a competitive MyRunClub Race Series 5km, with Drogheda and District AC, held at Newtownsallaban, Drogheda on Sunday (September 27).

Warne finished in 15 mins 19 secs, ten seconds ahead of junior athlete Ruarcan O Gibne of Ace AC who finished in 15:29. Indeed junior athletes took three of the top four places, with Michael Murphy from Tullamore Harriers, just holding off the challenge of Aaron Smith from Cilles AC for third place; their times were 15:37 and 15:40 respectively. Fifth and first M35 was Karl Nolan of Clonliffe Harriers in 16:08.

Aoibhinn McGoldrick of Raheny Shamrock AC, another junior athlete, was first woman in 17:39, with Edel Gaffney of Trim AC second in 17:45 and Mary Leech of the host club Drogheda and District AC third and first W45 in 17:47.

In a second race, junior athlete Tony McCambridge from St Malachy’s AC was the winner in an even faster time of 15 mins 15 secs, followed by Declan Toal of North East Runners in 15:48, and Callum Morgan, another junior from St Malachy’s, in 15:51. World W55 record holder Anne Gilshinan of Slaney Olympic was first woman in 18:35.

A clear winner of the 5km at the Champion Chip Ireland Running Series Event 6 at Shane’s Castle in Co Antrim on Saturday (September 26) was James Hamilton of Ballymena Runners who finished in 15 mins 46 secs.

Second in 16:12 was Peter Gracey of Beechmount Harriers, while third in 16:20 was Adrian Scullion of Knockmany. Eighth overall and first woman was Grace Carson in 16:59. Emer McKee of Willowfield Harriers in 18:04 and Aine Hughes in 18:55 were second and third.

Tommy Hughes loves a race

Winning the 10km in 33:49 was Adam Smyth of St Peter’s AC. The ageless Tommy Hughes of Strive Racing Club was second and first M60 in 33:54 while third in 34.29 was Jonathan Canning of Foyle Valley AC in 34:29.

Elizabeth Carr of Mullingar Harriers led home the women in 38:55, followed by Gemma McDonald of Ballycastle Runners in 39:20 and Kelda Gibson of Convoy AC in 40:03. Back in action after a long period of injury was the veteran Cathy McCourt who finished fifth woman and first W45 in 41:33.

Winners of the half marathon were Iain Taggart in 76:48 and Karen Alexander in 84:46, while first home in the marathon were Rowan Griffin of Magherafelt Harriers in 2:43.40 and Fiona McFall of Jog Lisburn RC in 3:134.50. The final round in this well-received series takes place at Down Royal on October 10.

Thursday night racing

In Rathdrum, on Thursday evening (September 24) junior athlete Joe Byrne of SBR AC in Co Wexford was a clear winner of the MyRunClub 5km Series at Avondale House in 16 mins 34 secs. Derek Crammond of Parnell AC was second in 17:05 and Paul Gary Duffy of Inbhear Dee AC a close third in 17.08. In fourth place, Myles Gibbons of SBR AC was first M45 in 17.18, while finishing sixth and first M60 was Mick Byrne of Parnell AC in 17.47.

Edel Gaffney of Trim AC was first women in 18:37, Catherine O’Connor of Parnell AC second and first W40 in 19:11 and Rebecca Harris of Ashford AC third and second W40 in 19:40.

John Fitzgibbon of Thurles Crokes won the The Thursday Club 10km Stagger at Mondello Park, Co Kildare, also on Thursday evening (September 24).

Fitzgibbon finished over a minute clear of the field in 35 mins 1 sec. Second was Tommy Kelly in 36:04, while third and first M50 was Michael Counsel of Trim AC in 36:22. First woman in 41:03 was Sharon Cantwell of Moyne AC; Ulrike Strubing of Trim AC was second and first W50 in 43:02 and Annmarie Feely of Naas AC third and first W40 in 46.01.

Ruth Here finishing strong over the cross country.

Even more cross-country

David McGlynn of Waterford AC was a convincing winner of the men’s race at the annual West Waterford AC open cross-country, held in the grounds of St Augustine’s College, Dungarvan on Sunday (September 27).

McGlynn, who finished in 26 mins 1 sec, was followed home by Pat Hennessy of host club West Waterford in 26:29, with Noel Murphy of Waterford AC third in 27:53. With four finishers in the top six, Waterford AC were clear winners of the team prize, ahead of West Waterford AC and Ferrybank AC.

Making it a Waterford AC double in the women’s race was Ruth Heery who had a clear win in 14: 37. Ferrybank AC pair Louise Morgan in 15:56 and Orna Murray in 16:04 were second and third, and with back-up from Mollie Hutchinson and Aisling Lowe, Ferrybank finished first team ahead of West Waterford AC.

Junior winners were Una O’Brien and Matteo Mary, both from Waterford AC. The event, which included a number of juvenile races, incorporated the Waterford County Championships.

Exciting racing in historic mountain race

Blue skies and wonderful sunshine greeted the runners in the 76th annual Slieve Donard Race in the Mourne Mountains of Co Down on Saturday (September 26).

Only after much negotiation with the Forestry Commission and a slight adjustment to the course, the race was allowed to go ahead after earlier dates in May and July proved impossible.

At the sharp end of the race, Timmy Johnston of Mourne Runners used his track speed to pull away early reaching the summit 35 mins 2 secs, with Seamus Lynch of the organising club 23 seconds adrift. Behind them came Jonny Steede of Glen Runners, now over 40, and 16-year-old Tom Crudgington of Newcastle and District, who lost some momentum on the downhill but still finished seventh.

On the descent, Lynch overhauled Johnston and was leading when they reached the tarmac road. At that point, Johnston kicked past Lynch to regain the lead. He went on to win the race for the first time in 50 mins and 31 secs; Lynch finished four seconds adrift. Third and first M40 was Steede in 53:23.

Of the women, Esther Dickson of Newry AC proved the class of the field, reaching the summit in 44 mins 28 secs and crossing the finish line in 64 mins 2 secs. In a close tussle for second place, Sarah Quinn, also Newry AC, just pipped Karen Wilton of Jog Lisburn AC with both women given a time of 72:58.

Further down the field, BARF’s Ian McCulough, who was born in 1945 – the year the race was first held – set off with the ambition of reaching the summit in a time less than 75 minutes. He managed it comfortably in 67 mins 31 secs and went on to finish the race in 1 hr 45 mins 3 secs.

Ultra running in Co Wicklow

Northern Irish athlete Lee O’Boyle of Mallusk Harriers won a much delayed Maurice Mullins Ultra over a course located entirely in Co Wicklow on Saturday (September 26), completing the 44km distance in 3 hrs 51 mins.

Finishing second in four hours exactly was Paul Tierney of Go Tri Adventure in Co Tipperary, while third was Edward O’Connor in 4:03.

First woman in 4:26 was Patricia McLoughlin of Le Cheile AC; Claire Keeley was second in 4:47 and Mags Dempsey from Tracton AC in Co Cork third in 4:50. A total of 70 completed the course. Dublin-based athletes could not take part in the race owing to COVID 19 restrictions.

In the English Lake District, Jack McKenna, aged 23, of Ballymena Runners completed the Bob Graham Round (42 fells, 106 km, 8,200m climb) in 21 hours 43 mins on Saturday (September 26).

The end of a truncated track season?

Michele Finn of Leevale AC set an Irish record of 6 mins 16.46 secs when winning the women’s 2000m steeplechase at the City of Barcelona athletics meet in the Estadi Joan Serrahima on Tuesday (September 22).

In the women’s mile, Nadia Power of Dublin City Harriers finished a close third in 4 mins 32

Power had gone through 1500m in 4:14.76, a time which puts her behind only Ciara Mageean in the current Irish rankings. At that point, she was lying second behind eventual winner Marta Pen Freitas of Portugal but was caught by Marta Perez Miguel of Spain in the chase for the line. Power finished in 4:32.50, just behind Miguel whose time was 4:32.26.

In the men’s 3000m, Sean Tobin of Clonmel AC finished fifth in a personal best time of 7:45.46, while Paul Robinson of St Coca’s AC was 11th in a season’s best 8:03.74. Race winner was Ouassim Oumaiz Errouch in 7:40.62.

Catching up on last weekend

Evan Fitzgerald of Clonmel AC won the senior men’s at the St Senan’s AC Open Cross-Country, held for a 43rd time in Kilmacow, Co Kilkenny on Sunday September 20. He was followed home by Dean Rowe from Gowran AC and Conor Rochford of host club St Senan’s.

It was a little poetic that Fitzgerald’s father John was an Irish international athlete who finished runner-up at the St Senan’s event four times, but never quite managed to win it.

Ruth Heery of Waterford AC won the senior women’s race from Dymphna Ryan of Dundrum AC in Co Tipperary and Ciara O’Neill of Clonmel AC. First master was Evelyn Maher of Templemore AC and first junior Una O’Brien of Waterford AC. Waterford AC finished best of the women’s teams followed by St Senan’s and Gowran.

High standards all round

First of the master men was Noel Murphy with his Waterford AC club mate Trevor Power second and Alan O’Connor of United Striders third. Winning the junior race was Matteo Mary of Waterford AC. In the team competition, Waterford AC were the winners, with Ferrybank AC second and Gowran AC third.

A number of juvenile races were of national championships calibre featuring athletes who had made the top 12 in last year’s national championships. Under 18 winners were Ava Costello of Trim AC and Cathal O’Reilly of Kilkenny City Harriers.

At the British Milers Club meet in Nuneaton on Friday September 18, Iseult O’Donnell of Raheny Shamrock finished fourth in her 1500m heat with a time of 4:24.28. Jayme Rossiter of Clonliffe Harriers clocked a time of 3:56.01 for third place in his 1500m heat.
Correction:

At the Allihies 5-Mile in Co Cork on Saturday (September 19), third placed Nina Murphy ran a time of 37 mins 01 sec and not 40:33 as published last week.

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The post Another busy weekend of Irish action appeared first on Fast Running.

Aoife Mundow of Drogheda and District AC set a new women’s record when completing the Kerry Way Ultra 200km held in perfect conditions on the Ivereragh Peninsula at the weekend (Friday/Saturday September 4-5).

Mundow’s time of 25 hours 25 minutes 49 seconds, which was five hours faster than her time of last year, knocked 2 hrs 30 mins off the previous record. She farrived back in Killarrney in fifth place overall.

Earlier this year, Mundow set a new Irish women’s 24-hour record of 231.376km (143.22 miles) at the Athens International Ultramarathon Festival in Greece. Along the way, she also set new Irish 6-hour, 12-hour and 100 mile records.

Overall winner of the race in 23:37.17 was Gavin Byrne. Keith Lane was second in 24:01.18 and Brian Buckley and Remi Delille joint third in 24:32.14. Dropping out about two thirds into the race was Eoin Keith, who with UTMB cancelled for this year, had entered the race for the first time. Fastest relay team was the Dublin Mountain Running Club in 22:51.55.

In the Ultra Nite 96km, Robert Janowski was first home in 9:10.53 followed by Joe O’Leary 10:01.35 and Daniel Page 10:53.47. Claire McCann was first woman in 13:31.59.

More track success for Robinson in Marseille

Irish champion Paul Robinson of St Coca’s AC consolidated his position on top of this year’s Irish 1500m rankings when he ran a time of 3:38.52 in Marseilles, France, on Thursday (September 3). Robinson finished ninth in a race won by Soufiane el Bakkali of Morocco in 3:34.51.

Among the highlights of the Irish Junior Track and Field Championships in Santry on Saturday (September 5) was a solid victory for Aimee Hayde of Newport AC in 4:25.77.

Winning a quality men’s 1500m was Sean Donoghue of Celtic DCH AC, He held off the challenge of Tadhg Donnelly of Drogheda and District AC to win the title in in 3:58.55, with Donnelly a close second in 3:59.20 and Michael Morgan of Sligo AC third in 4:02.50.

In the women’s steeplechase, Cara McNally of Lusk AC made her steeplechase debut when taking the title in 12:11.13. James Hyland of Raheny Shamrock AC won the men’s race in 9:43.95.

Masters athletics thriving

A day later on Sunday (September 6), the masters took over Santry, with a massive 103 entered for the men’s 5000m alone.

Leading home 20 finishers in the M35 race was John Craig of Annadale Striders in 14:56.96, with Brian Conroy of Clane AC just holding off Glenn Donnelly of Acorns AC to finish second in 14:58.23; Donnelly’s time was 14:58.77.

Eamon McAndrew of North Sligo AC won a closely fought M40 race in 15:53.55. Paul Fleming of Rathfarnham WSAF AC took the M45 title in 16:14.56, while Vivian Foley of Eagle AC was the M50 winner in 16:42.14. In the M55 race, Paul Moran of Rathfarnham WSAF AC took the title in 16:52.40, with Paul Cowhie of Civil Service AC second in 17:14.04.

Perhaps the biggest win of the day came in the M60 race where the winner Tommy Hughes of Strive RC had over two minutes to spare on the chasers when finishing in 16:47.59.

A distant second in 19:23.11 was Martin McDonald of Ballyroan Abbeyleix and District, who is no mean competitor himself. Eamon McEvoy of St Finbarr’s was the M65 winner in 19:57.99, Richard Piotrowski of Eagle AC tok the M70 title in 21:36.38, while best in the M75 class was Tom Durcan of Bohermeen AC with Clonliffe’s Pat Bonass a brave second.

Fast times over 3000m

In the women’s 3000m, Ciara Hickey of Brothers Pearse AC was the fastest overall winner and first W40 in 10 mins 05.17 secs. Second was Norah Newcombe Pieterse of Mayo AC in 10:25.07. Mary Leech of Drogheda and District AC was the W45 winner in 10:27.86 , while a clear winner of the W50 title was world and European champion Annette Kealy of Raheny Shamrock AC in 10:28.17.

In the over 55 category, Anne Gilshinan of Slaney Olympic AC was an impressive winner in 10:36.26. Pauline Moran of Mayo AC was first W60 in 11:57.54 and Mary Jennings of Waterford AC first W65 in 14:36.31.

Fastest time of the day in the women’s 1500m,came from Kathryn Casserly of Galway City Harriers who won the W40 race in 4:58.80. Also breaking 5 minues with a time of 5:59.81 was Jackie Carthy of Kilmore AC, the W45 winner. Winner of the M35 1500m in 4:09.94 was Pat Brennan of Finn Valley AC. Another Donegal athlete , Martin Cunninghma of Tir Chonaill AC, won the M40 title in 4:22.78.

Over 800m, Annette Quaid of Leevale AC and Denise Toner of Clones AC battled it out in the W40 category with Quaid the winner in 2:10.96 and Toner second in 2:12.65 – the fastest times of the day. James Ledingham of Kilkenny City Harriers won the M35 1500m in 2:00.47.

Oldest competitor on the day was the remarkable Pat Naughton of Nenagh Olympics AC who, like everyone else, was confined to one event. He picked the shot putt and duly won his umteenth championship medal with a 7.57m effort. Long may he flourish.

Catching up

Finishing a fighting eight in the annaul Challenge Stellian mountain race in Susan Italy on August 24 was Zak Hanna of Newcastel AC. Hanna completed the 14.4km race – most of it uphill – in 1 hrs 25 mins 57 secs. Winner was Cesare Maestri of Italy in 1:20.72

Mountain runner Ian Bailey, 42, from Kilcoo, County Down set a new world record when “Everesting” Slieve Donard in the Mournes on Sunday August 23.

“Everesting” involved running or cycling up and down any mountain until you reach 8,848 metres – the height of Mount Everest.

Braving Storm Ellen, Bailey ran up and down Donard summit 37 times in a record time of 11 hours and 17 minutes, shaving two minutes off the world record. Like Zak Hanna, Bailey had hoped to run at the World Mountain Championships in Lanzarote later in the year, but this is now cancelled.

FKT in Scotland

Another member of the Irish international trail team, Nicola Duncan, set out at 11pm on Friday night on the Fife Coastal Path. The The Edinburgh based athlete wanted to set a FKT (Fastest Known Time) for the 117 mile route to help fundraise for her friend Kat Henderson, who was paralysed after a MTB accident in 2019.

Duncan ran through the night, skirting the high tides, and broke the 24hr barrier with a time of 23:14. Currently the fund-raising is well over £6,500 of the £10,000 total so if you can help, then please do.

RELATED: Preparing for an FKT on the Fife Coastal Path

If you would like to assist Nicola in raising funds for Kat via this FKT attempt then follow the link here.

The post Course records and FKTs for Irish stars appeared first on Fast Running.

A record total of over 700 had entered the championships, reflecting perhaps the lack of racing on the roads.

Race of the weekend was the men’s 1500m, where a last -second lunge across the line gave Paul Robinson of St Coca’s AC his first national title in eight years at the expense of his training partner Sean Tobin from Clonmel AC.

Thanks to the wonders of photo-finish technology, the pair were timed at 3:43.90 and 3:43.92 respectively. Third was Andrew Coscoran of Star of the Sea AC in 3:48.70, while fourth was the up-an-coming Johnny Whan of Clonliffe Harriers in 3:49.76.

On a good day for Limerick club Emerald AC, Amy O’Donoghue ran a smart race to win the women’s 1500m. Holding her fire until the finishing straight, she stormed past Iseult O’Donnell of Raheny Shamrock AC, after both had already passed longtime leader Michelle Finn of Leevale AC. A tiring Finn missed out on a medal when relegated to fourth place by UCD’s Ellie Hartnett.

It was still a fine effort from the Cork athlete who, a day earlier, had won the 5000m in style; plus she’s hot favourite to retain her steeplechase title next Sunday.

Showing a maturity belying his 19 years was Darragh McElhinney of Bandon AC who tucked in behind John Travers of Donore Harriers for much of the men’s 5000m; as indeed did Efrem Gidey of Clonliffe Harriers, another under 23 athlete.

On a day of gusting winds following Storm Ellen, that proved a smart tactic. The three finished in that order, with McElhinney timed at 13 mins 56 secs, Travers at 13:57.11 and Gidey fading on the final two laps but still finishing in a respectable time of 14:17.89.

Success overseas

Abroad, Mark English of Finn Valley AC ran a time of 1:48.42 for 800m on Monday (August 17) at the Trofio Ottavio Missoni in Liguano Sabbiadoro Italy, with Athletics Ireland approval.

Absent from Santry was Ciara Mageean of City of Lisburn AC who was racing over 1500m at the Diamond League round in Stockholm on Sunday (August 23). After two recent Irish records, she finished a disappointing 12th in 4:10.99. Race winner was Scotland’s Laura Muir in a world leading time of 3:57.86.

In the 800m at the Blackheath and Bromley Invitational on Friday last (August 21), Katie Kirk of University of Ulster ran a time of 2:02.98 – just 0.3 off her personal best and her fastest time in six years after a long battle with anorexia.

Over the same distance, Louise Shanahan of Leevale AC and Cambridge University, who is the Irish indoor 1500m champion, ran a personal best of 2:03.17, while in the men’s 800m, Zak Curran of Dundrum South Dublin AC ran 1:50.87.

Nadia Power of Dublin City Harriers, like Mark English, is scheduled to race over 800m at the second round of the All Ireland Championships in Santry next weekend, with heats on Saturday and the finals on Sunday. On Tuesday August 11, Power ran a time of 2:03.13 at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland.

Scheduled for Sunday in Santry are the men’s and women’s steeplechase races, with former champion Tomas Cotter of Dunleer AC entered for the men’s event. Defending champion Jayme Rossiter of Clonliffe Harriers, based in England, won’t defend his title. Rossiter ran a time of 8:22.45 for 3000m at the Blackheath and Bromley meet.

Road running coming back

Ballynoe in Co Cork was the venue for the East Cork Road Championships on Thursday (August 20), where Sonia O’Sullivan made a surprise appearance in the women’s 3000m finishing eighth and helping her club Ballymore Cobh AC to team silver behind Midleton AC.
On an evening of gusting winds and cold showers of hail, the race winner was Fiona Santry of East Cork AC in 11 mins 22 secs. Second was Jennifer Goggin-Walsh of Carraig na bhFear AC in 11:56 with Linda O’Sullivan of Watergrasshill AC third in 12:04.

Making it an East Cork double in the men’s 5-mile race in 26 mins 11 secs was Kevin O’Leary of East Cork AC. Two Midleton AC junior athletes, Paul Hartnett and Frank O’Brien, finished second and third in 26:39 and 27:13 respectively. East Cork proved best of the teams on 30 points with Watergrasshill AC second on 45 points and Midleton third on 74 points.

No hill racing at home

Thanks to a change in Government Covid 19 policy, both the 54km Stone Cross to Lug Solo and the Galtee Half Marathon scheduled for Sunday 22 August were postponed, while hill runs at Paddock Hill on Wednesday 19 August and Brockagh on Sunday 23 August were cancelled. Updates at www.imra.ie

Fast 10’s Zak Hanna took part in three races in Italy and the furlough pro ran excellently. A highlight was 8th at the Challenge Stellina 14km, which doubled as the Italian National Champs. That was on the back of a 5th in the Fletta Trail 21km and 3rd in the Piz Tri Vertikal the day before.

Want to run faster? For just £30 per month athletes are provided with a Final Surge plan for each day of the week, coaching advice from Robbie Britton and Tom Craggs, as well as access to the unique Fast Running Performance community.

If you would like more information on joining the project, click here.

The post The Irish round-up is back appeared first on Fast Running.

Mary Mulhare of Portlaoise AC added her name to the select list of women who have won a race outright with victory at the Sean Lowry Memorial 5km in Ballinree, Co Offaly on Sunday (March 1).

Mulhare finished in 17 mins 35 secs, with Michael Murray, the first man, second in 18:04, and Kevin Looby of Clara AC just a second behind for third. Second woman and first W50 was Niki Dunne of Birr AC in 18.49.

In Co Kildare, Sean Doran won the Naas 10-Mile in 52 mins 8 secs. Second and first M40 in 55:29 was Brian Leahy of Raheny Shamrock, with Andrew Brett of Sportsworld AC third in 56.23.

First woman in 63:25 was Edel Gaffney. Sinead Tighe of Brothers Pearse AC was second and first W40 in 69.39 and Siobhan Hanratty of Dunleer AC third and second W40 in 70:24.

Dr. O’Shea in good health

Also on Sunday, the winners of the CIT BHAA 5km in Cork were Alan O’Shea and Grainne O’Donnell.

O’Shea, a doctor at the Mercy Hospital finished in 15 mins 11 secs; over a minute clear of Shane Collins of Apple, with Eoghan McElhinney of Glenside third. O’Donnell of Kumon Douglas, who was first woman in 18 mins 50 secs, was chased hard by Jennifer Goggin Walsh of Novartis who finished second in 18:53 with Sharon Rynne of Kepak third.

UCC, led by Alfie Hale in sixth place, was first of the grade A men’s teams. CPO won grade B and Solarwinds grade C. Novartis was first of the grade A women’s team, with HSE winning B and CPO C. Next BHAA race is the AIB cross-country at NUI Maynooth on Saturday March 7 (11am).

Plenty of road running

In Longford, Patrick Sharkey of host club Longford AC won the Longford 10km also on Sunday in a time of 33 mins 23 secs. Sinead Whitelaw of Mullingar Harriers was first woman in 38:12. Winners of the 5km race were Andrew Nevin of Mullingar Harriers in 16:55 and Teresa O’Connor in 21:08.

Sean Doran of Clonliffe Harriers add another victory to his collection with a comfortable win at the Duleek and District Tribe 5km on Saturday (February 29) in a time of 15 mins 56 secs – a rare sporting event which took place despite Storm Jorge. Second in 17:03 was Paul Smyth of Drogheda and District AC who was also first M40. Tadhg Everitt Thompson of Drogheda and District was third and first junior in 17:25. With three in the top five, Drogheda and District was first team; Star of the Sea AC was second and Drogheda Tri Club third.

First woman was Laura Buckley of Dunboyne AC in 18:10. Laura Tuite of Clonliffe Harriers was second in 18:59 and Sabrina Keogh of Dunboyne AC third in 19:11. Dunboyne was the winning team ahead of Clonliffe Harriers and Drogheda and District.

The Dublin Track Club had a cracking weekend at the National Indoor Champs Photo: Andrew Coscoran

Staying indoors from Storm Jorge

Andrew Coscoran of Star of the Sea AC set a new championships best time of 3 mins 41.36 secs when winning the men’s 1500m at the National Indoor Championships held in Abbotstown over the weekend (February 29-March 1).

Coscoran’s training partner, Brian Fay of Raheny Shamrock AC, was second in 3:43.13 – also inside the old record of 3:44.12 set by James Nolan of UCD AC in 2006. Eoin Pierce of Clonliffe Harriers was third in 3:45.35, while junior athlete Cian McPhillips of Longford AC clocked 3:49.63 for fourth place.

In a tactical women’s 1500m, Louise Shanahan of Leevale AC outsprinted Ciara Everard of UCD AC for victory in 4:40.45. Everard finished just behind her in 4:40.78; Amy O’Donoghue of Emerald AC was third in 4:42.44.

Defending champion John Travers of Donore Harriers won a thrilling men’s 3000m, regaining the lead from Darragh McElhinney of UCD on the final lap and pulling away for victory in 8 mins 00.96 secs. Hiko Tonosa of Dundrum South Dublin AC was second in 8:03.55 and McElhinney third in 8:06.13.

Ciara Wilson of DMP had a runaway victory in the women’s 3,000m, crossing the line in 9:35.67. Niamh Allen of Crusaders AC and Niamh Kearney from Sli Cualann AC were second and third in 9:47.78 and 9:48.30 respectively.

Mark English of UCD was a comfortable winner of the men’s 800m biding his time before sprinting past front runner Zak Curran of DSD AC in the final lap to win in 1:49.09 . Curran was second in 1:50.19. Conor Duncan of Ratoath AC was third in 1:50.73.

Winning the women’s 800m in 2:06.25 was Nadia Power of Dublin City Harriers AC. Iseult O’Donnell of Raheny Shamrock Ac was second in 2:07.07 and Clare Mooney of UCD AC third in 2:08.06.

In the USA, Jack O’Leary of Mullingar Harriers and Iona ran 13:44.12 for 5000m in a Boston University meet on Friday (February 28).

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Doherty proved the quality in the women’s race leading from the start and finishing in 15 mins 21 seconds. Kate Purcell of Raheny Shamrock was second for a second year in 15:45 and Claire McGuigan of Lifford Strabne AC third in 15.59.

Age group winners included Breda Gaffney of Mallow AC W45, Annette Kealy of Raheny Shamrock W50, Niamh O’Sullivan of An Riocht AC W55, Pauline Moran of Mayo AC W60 and Mullingar pair Brigid McCabe and Eileen Kelly who were the W65 and W70 winners.

Galways City Harriers, led by Kathryn Casserly, packed well to beat Raheny Shamrock for W35 team gold; Finn Valley finished third. Raheny had the consolation of winning the W50 title from Mayo AC and Mullingar Harriers.

Photo: Lindie Naughton

In the men’s race, Maher was lying second behind Peter Arthur of Liffey Valley AC with what he thought was a lap and a half to go. When told he was on the final lap, he made a huge effort to catch Arthur and made it to the line in 23 mins 43 secs, with Arthur three seconds behind for second.

Pierce Geoghegan, also Liffey Valley, was third, with the team losing to defending champions Rathfarnham WSAF by five points in the M35 category. Finn Valley was third.

Like Annette Kealy, Des Kennedy of Raheny Shamrock made it a Raheny double in the M50 category, not only winning the individual title but also leading his team to victory over Sli Cualann and Mullingar Harriers.

Patrick Malone of Newbridge AC was first M55, and Tommy Hughes of Termoneeny AC first M60. In a competitive M65 race, Brian Lynch of North East Runners beat his old adversary Joe Gough of West Waterford AC for the title.

World Masters middle distance rankings

Earlier in the week, Gough had been named runner-up in the World Masters middle distance rankings for 2019 having won the title a year earlier. Anne Gilshinan of Slaney Olympics was named top middle distance woman becoming the first ever Irish woman to be so honoured.

In the intermediate races which followed, Niamh Allen was a clear winner of the women’s race ahead of Caron Ryan from Craughwell AC and Trinity College and Sarah Kelly, of Inishowen AC. Crusaders were the winning team ahead of Sportsworld and Raheny Shamrock.

Conor O’Mahoney of An Riocht AC won the men’s race from Gerry Forde of Slaney Olympic and Donal Devane of Ennis TC. Donore Harriers was first team, beating Leevale AC by two points with Clonliffe Harriers third.

Gary O’Hanlon of Clonliffe started his racing year as has done for the past few years with victory in the National 50km Championships held in Donadea Forest Park, Co Kildare on Saturday (February 8).

O’Hanlon’s time of 2 hrs 49 mins 13 secs broke his won course record. No-one else broke three hours. First woman in eighth place was Laura O’Driscoll of North East Runners in 3:32.17.

Coscoran broke four minutes for the mile again, with Scot Chris O’Hare winning the race Photo: Joseph Hale

Not much action on the roads, but plenty indoors

In one of the few road races that defied Storm Ciara on Sunday (February 9) Alan O’Shea of Mercy Hospital won the Janssen BHAA 6km in Cork with 19 mins 8 secs. First woman was Grainne O’Donnell of Kumon Douglas in 22:41.

Andrew Coscoran of Star of the Sea AC ran his second sub-four minute time of the season in the Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games at the Armory, New York on Saturday (February 8). Coscoran finished 10th in 3 mins 57.83 secs in a closely fought race. Winner was British athlete Chris O’Hare in 3:55.61.

In the 800m, Mark English running for Adidas finished 6th in 1:52.94, while winning the boys mile in 4:10.95 was Cian McPhilips of Longford AC, who made his move with 400m to go and beat some of the best high school athletes in the US with a fine finish.

Ciara Everard, the ex-UCD athlete from Kilkenny, made a stunning comeback to racing when she beat Sarah Healy in the women’s 1500m at the AI Indoor Games in Abbotstown on Sunday (February 9).

Everard won the race in 4 mins 21.40 secs with Healy second in 4:22.52 and Amy O’Donoghue of Emerald ASC third in 4:24.37.

Winning the 1500m was Pierre Murchan of Dublin City Harriers with a time of 3:51.60; Mark Milner of UCD AC was a close second in 3:52.84.

Roland Surlis of Annalee AC won the 800m in 1:50.44, with Brian Fay of Raheny Shamrock second in 1:50.53. Winning the women’s 800m in 2:06.69 was Victoria Sauleda. Hiko Tonosa of DSD AC was an emphatic winner of the men’s 3000m in 8 mins 18.58 secs.

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Michelle Finn claims a fine victory at Bobby Rea

The Bobby Rea International always attracts a high class international field. Olympic steeplechaser Michelle Finn of Leevale AC in Cork, fresh from the World Championships in Doha, won a close battle with Scottish athlete Mhairi MacLennan to win the women’s 6km race on a wet and water-logged course at Billy Neil County Park, Dundonald on Saturday (November 9).

Finishing third was Fionnuala Ross of Armagh AC in a race which attracted an entry of over 180 and included teams from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Wales. There were also good runs from Jodie McCann of Dublin City Harriers who finished fifth and Grace Lynch of Iveragh AC in Kerry who was eighth. All these women are likely to be competing in the National Cross-Country at Abbotstown on Sunday November 24.

Best of the 13 local club teams entered was North Down AC, with Armagh AC second and Beechmount Harriers third.

Also lining up in the 6km race were over 60 men with Norman Mawhinny of Scrabo Striders the fastest – just six days before the British and Irish Masters Cross-Country at Aintree in Southport.

Winning the men’s 10km race was Adam Craig of the GB team with Welsh athletes James Hunt and Ieuan Thomas second and third. Best of the local athletes was Conor Bradley of City of Derry Spartans and Northern Ireland/Ulster. Finishing sixth was Neil Johnston of Springwell RC, while in eighth place was Conor Duffy of Glaslough Harriers in a good show for the NI/Ulster team. Best for the Ireland team was Sergiu Ciobanu of Clonliffe Harriers in 13th place; Ciobanu’s last outing was the Dublin Marathon. First of the 19 teams was City of Derry Spartans followed by Beechmount Harriers and North Belfast Harriers. A total of 218 completed the race.

Congratulations to our top 3 ladies in the Bobby Rea International cross country #muddybrilliant pic.twitter.com/2qRPQ9esfD

— Athletics NI (@AthleticsNI) November 9, 2019

Brady and Wilson win Leinster XC Championships

Liam Brady of Tullamore Harriers won the men’s 10km race at the Leinster Senior Cross-Country Championships held in Ferbane, Co Offaly on Saturday (November 9). Brady had over a minute to spare when finishing in 32 mins 13 secs with Peter Arthur of Liffey Valley AC second and Mitchel Byrne of Rathfarnham WSAF AC third. Rathfarnham WSAF proved best of the teams beating Mullingar Harriers and Liffey Valley. Dublin was first county.

Winning the women’s 6km was Ciara Wilson of Wexford club DMP AC in 18 mins 35 secs. Claire Fagan of Mullingar Harriers was second and Lauren Dermody of Castlecomer AC third. First team was Mullingar Harriers with four in the top twelve, followed by Dunboyne AC and Tullamore Harriers, whose team included the great Pauline Curley, now running in the W50 age group. Westmeath was first county.

All the action on the roads

In Cork, John Meade of St Finbarr’s just made it to the line ahead of Damian Kenneally from Eagle AC at the Thomas Kent 10km on Sunday (November 10). The pair finished in 33 mins 27 secs and 33:29 respectively. Third and first M45 in 34.23 was Kieran McKeown of Watergrasshill AC.

First woman was Linda O’Sullivan in 40.06, with her Watergrasshill AC clubmate Colette O’Donoghue second in 40.21 and Roisin McLaughlin of Grange Fermoy AC third in 41.08.

Winning the Eyeries 5 Mile in Eyeries, Co.Cork on Saturday (November 9) was Alan O’Shea of Bantry AC, who finished in 25 mins 21 secs – a time which broke his own course record. The 2018 winner, Shane Harrington of East Cork AC, was over two minutes adrift for second in 28.14, with Rory O’Sullivan of St Finbarr’s AC third and first M40 in 28.44.

A trio from St Finbarr’s dominated the women’s race with Orla Byrne first in 32.16, followed by teammates Anita Locke in 34.49 and Irene Eighan in 35.59.

Credit: Joe Anne

In the Beara AC 3-Race Series, Andrew O’Sullivan of Castletownbere was first, Kevin Gleeson second and Conor Murphy of host club Beara AC third. Nina Murphy of Beara AC was first woman overall, followed by Helen Anderson of Clonakilty and Maria Hurley from Bantry AC who was also first W55.

At the Kerry Crusaders Listowel Half Marathon and 10km also on Saturday (November 9), local athletes Eddie O’Connor and Rachel Stokes were first home in the 10km with times of 33 mins 35 secs and 41 mins 1 secs respectively, while local Garda, Ian Kelly, won the half marathon in 79:49 with Selenia Nolan of Ennis Track first woman in 88:52.

In Co Kildare on Saturday, Brian Conroy of Clane AC won the Clane 10km in 32 mins 54 secs, with Sean Doyle second and Aindriu Comhraidhe of St Michael’s AC third and first M40 in 33:38. Michelle Cox of Newbridge AC was first woman in 39:07, followed by Fiona Gettings of Crusaders AC and Emma Boland of Newbridge AC. Winner of the 5km were Ciaran Molloy and Michelle Hanlon.

Orienteering action from Leinster

Irish international orienteer Conor Short of Curragh-Naas OC posted the fastest time for the 7.6km brown course at the Leinster Orienteering League event held at the Vale of Clara in Co Wicklow on Sunday (November 10).

Short clocked a time of 52 mins 28 for the course which included 24 control points. Second was Anton Hallor of host club Ajax OC in 52.15, while third was Ruairi Short of Curragh-Naas in 55.57. Fourth and first M40 was Valdas Tilunas of Three Rock OC in 59.31. Clodagh Moran of Three Rock was the only woman to complete the course; her time was 83.59.

Fastest on the 5.9km blue course with 19 controls was junior orienteer Eoghan Whelan of Waterford OC in 59.18. Fastest woman and third overall in 68.23 was Eadaoin McCavan of Great Eastern Navigators.

Winners of the Westport Sea to Summit adventure duathlon were Killian Heery in 2:43.16 and Laura O’Driscoll in 3:14.03.

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Scullion clocks 2:12:01 and Northern Irish Record at Dublin Marathon

Northern Irish athlete Stephen Scullion produced the best Irish result in years at the KBC Dublin Marathon on Sunday (October 27) when he finished second overall in 2 hrs 12 mins 1 sec.

Scullion, based in Flagstaff, Arizona for the past three years, was improving on the time of 2:14:34 he ran in Houston last January. Most recently, he finished 43rd in the marathon at the World Championships in Doha witha time of 2:21.31.

“It’s the best day of my life – during the race in Doha, I wanted to retire!” he said. His target is qualification for next year’s Tokyo Olympics, for which he will will need a time of 2 hours 11 minutes 30 seconds.

In ideal running conditions, defending Irish champion Mick Clohisey of Raheny Shamrock AC finished second of the Irish in a personal best of 2:13:19, while Hugh Armstrong of Ballina AC, making his marathon debut, was third in 2:14:22.

Sean Hehir of Metro St Brigid’s AC was fourth of the Irish in 2:16.01 and Eoghan Totten of Newcastle and District AC fifth in 2:16.09; another personal best. Gary O’Hanlon, Mark Kenneally and Sergiu Ciobanu, all Clonliffe Harriers, took the next three places all finishing in under 2 hours 18 minutes.

It was without question the best quality Irish marathon since the glory days of three decades ago. Even with David Flynn dropping out after 30km, there was no doubt either that Clonliffe would retain their men’s senior team title.

Cooke claims a stunning PB

Aoife Cooke, who has recently signed up for Eagle AC in Cork, knocked 14 minutes off her previous best to finish first of the Irish woman in 2:32.34.

Cooke, from Youghal, was a promising juvenile athlete who returned to athletics six years ago. Coached initially by her aunt Mary Sweeney, a pioneer of women’s distance running, she won the National Novice Cross-Country title in late 2015. After moving her training up a gear a year ago, she ran a time of 55 mins 17 secs at the Mallow 10-Mile in March and, last month, was first woman at the Charleville Half Marathon in 74 mins 41 secs.

“I think Ann-Marie [McGlynn] had a big enough lead on me for a while, but I was confident that if I got to 20km keeping to the pace I set out with, I would be strong enough to push on from there and that’s how it worked out,” she said after finishing.

Her time puts her fifth on the all-time Irish list with McGlynn, who finished in a personal best 2:32.54, moving up to sixth place behind her. Gladys Ganiel of North Belfast Harriers was third in 2:36:42, which improved her personal best by over a minute.

Caitriona Jennings of Letterkenny AC was fourth in 2:37.55 and Breege Connolly of City of Derry Spartans fifth in 2:38.28, which meant five Irish women broke 2 hours 40 minutes. Previous champion Laura Graham of Mourne Runners, who has struggled with injury over the past years, was forced to drop out after 30km.

Overall race winner in a new course record 2:08.06 was Othmane El Goumri of Morocco. In 2018, El Goumri returned to competition after a two-year ban for irregularities in his biological passport. First woman in 2:27.48 was Motu Gedefa; second was the 2018 champion Mesera Dubiso in 2:28.29. Ethiopian athletes took the top four places in the women’s race, with Natasha Cockram of Wales fifth in 2:30.50.

In the wheelchair race, Paralympian Patrick Monaghan of Le Cheile AC in Leixlip took a fifth title in 1:39:50. Callum Hall from England was a distant second in 1:48:44 with Tian Bosch of South Africa third in 1:49:58.

Credit: Lindie Naughton

Tommy and Eoin break the Father-Son WR

At the Frankfurt Marathon, also on Sunday, Tommy Hughes and his son Eoin set a world record for the fastest combined father-son time when they finished in 4 hrs 59 mins 22 secs. The previous world record stood at 5 hours 2 minutes 12 seconds.

59 year old Tommy finished first of the pair in 2:27.52 with Eoin less than four minutes behind in 2:31.30.

Also running in Frankfurt were Eric Keogh of Donore Harriers who finished 28th in 2:18.24, Thomas Hayes (2:25:01), Michael Morgan (2:26:42), Lee Van Haeften (2:28:32) and Neasa De Búrca (2:59:48) amongst many other fine performances.

At the Valencia Half Marathon in Spain on Sunday, Emma Mitchell, recently signed with Clonliffe Harriers, finished 12th woman in 72 mins 28 secs, knocking two minutes off her previous best.

World 24-Hour Championships

Amy Masner from Co Wicklow finished 24th woman at the World 24-Hour Championships in Albi France held over the weekend (October 26-27).

Masner finished with a total of 219.548 km having risen as high as 16th in the rankings mid-race. Finishing 29th with a total of 215.668 km was Lorraine Mahon. Sinead Kane, the visually impaired ultra runner who won her battle to compete, completed 185.848 km with the help of two guides. Making up the Irish team were Yvonne Naughton 173.176 km and Louise Smart who completed 104.473 km.

Best of the Irish men was the vastly experienced Eoin Keith who maintained a steady 9km per hour pace to complete 223.123km and finish 49th. Not too far behind was Eddie Gallen, another experienced ultra man, with 220.141km for 54th place. Alex O’Shea completed 198.377 km, Padraig Mullans 131.311 km and Aidan Hogan 107.455 km.

Mountain Running

World Mountain Running Cup winner Sarah McCormack finished second in the women’s race at the annual Trofeo Vanoni in Morbegno, Italy on Sunday (27 October).

Race winner was the Kenyan Lucy Wambui Murigi of Run2gether who finished in 21 mins 16.65 seconds; with McCormack, running for the Snowdon Race Team, home in 21:23.80, and Elise Poncet of France third in 21:28.10. Also running was IMRA’s Rebecca Quinn who finished 19th and first W45 in 25:21.65.

In the men’s relay race, Zak Hanna was running again with the Snowdon Race Team that had finished second a year earlier. They had to be content with sixth place this time in a collective time of 1hr 35 mins 56 secs for the three legs. Making up the team were Joe Baxter, Michael Cayton and Hanna on the final leg. Finishing 22nd in 1:43.14 was the Irish team of Tom Lupton, Ian Conroy and James Kevan. Race winners in 1:31.22 was the Valle Brembana team.

Cross Country

Joseph Hastings of Dundrum South Dublin AC and Clare Fagan of Mullingar were the winners at the Leinster Novice Cross-country Championship in Gowran, Co Kilkenny on Sunday (October 27).

Hastings beat James Kelly of Castlecomer AC to win the men’s race, with Michael Kelly of St Abban’s AC third. DSD finished best of the teams beating St Abban’s and Drogheda and District AC. Laois was the winning county ahead of Dublin and Kilkenny.

In the women’s race, Rose Finnegan of UCD AC was second and Lucy Barrette of Raheny Shamrock AC third. Raheny was first team with Mullingar Harriers second and Rathfarnham WSAF AC third. Dublin was a comfortable winner of the county title, with Westmeath second and Kilkenny third.

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1. Bradley held back on the opening laps with Liam Brady of Tullamore Harriers AC initially pushing the pace and soon joined in a breakaway group of three by junior athlete Efrem Gidey of Clonliffe Harriers and Yared Derese of Carrick Aces.

On the final lap, Bradley moved to the front, coming home ahead of fast finishing English visitor James Gormley in a time of 22 mins 55 secs. Brady held on for forth while a close fourth was Matt Bergin of Dundrum South Dublin AC. Just 14 seconds separated the top four.

With the races also the trial for next month’s the British and Irish International in Stockport, close to a hundred masters men, aged between 35 and 60, ran. Colm Rooney of Clonliffe Harriers was first M35 in 23.31, Brian Maher of Kilkenny City Harriers first M40 in 23.42, Brian Geraghty of Sli Cualann first M45 in 25.48, Francis Marsh of North Down AC first M50 in 26.58, Tommy Hughes of Rathfarnham WSAF AC first M55 in 26.55, and Martin McDonald of Ballyroan, Abbeyleix and District AC first M60 in 29.11.

In the older age groups, run over a shorter distance, Paul Elliott of Beechmount Harriers was first M65 beating Brian Lynch of North East Runners AC. Liam O’Hare of Barnet and District was first M70 and Joseph Stewart of Jog Lisburn RC first M75.

Gidey clear winner in junior men event

20 October 2019; Efrem Gidey of Clonliffe Harriers A.C., Co. Dublin, crosses the line to win the Junior Men 6000m XC event during the SPAR Autumn Open International Cross Country Festival at the National Sports Campus Abbotstown in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Gidey was a clear winner of the men’s junior race;Keelan Kilreehill of Moy Valley AC was second and Shay McEvoy of Kilkenny City Harriers third.

Dominating the women’s race was English visitor Abbie Donnelly who finished in 20.51. Becky Straw, also from England, was second in 21.21, and Mary Mulhare of Portlaoise AC third in 21.27. In the masters’ categories, Fiona Kehoe of Kilmore AC was first W35 in 22.18 although it was Teresa Doherty of Finn Valley AC, winner of the British and Irish international last year, who was first master home and first W40 in 21.48.

Other winners were Breda Gaffney of Mallow AC W45 in 24.06, Mari Johnston of Sligo AC W50 in 25.04, Niamh O’Sullivan of An Riocht W55 in 24.02, Pauline Moran of Mayo AC W60 in 26.29 and,over a shorter distance, Margaret Glavey of Mayo AC W65 in 21.29 and Joan Coyle of DSD AC W70 in 24.28.

Grace Carson of Mid-Ulster AC was first junior woman in 15.55.

Comber Cup Cross

Mark McKinstry not only won the men’s race in the Comber Cup cross-country at the Billy Neill Playing Fields, in Dundonald on Saturday (October 19), he also led North Belfast Harriers to team victory.

McKinstry finished in 27 mins 59 secs – comfortably clear of Seamus Lynch from Newcastle and District AC who crossed the line in 28:39. Third in 28:53 was Allan Bogle of City of Derry Spartans with James Gracey of Beechmount Harriers first junior. A total of 187 ran in the men’s senior and junior race. Winning the race from men over 60-70 was Norman Mawhinney of Scrabo Striders.

Almost as many turned out for the women’s race won by Rebekah Nixon of Dromore AC in 24:25. Mari Troeng of Newcastle and District AC was second in 27:03 and Katie Moore of North Down AC third in 25:13. Fourth and first master was Karen Wilton of Jog Lisburn AC, while first junior was Emily McLaughlin.

On the roads

Winning the Longwood 10km in Co Meath on Sunday (October 20) was Sean Hehir who has recently transferred to the Metro St Brigid’s club.

Hehir was using the race as a final blow-out before next Sunday’s Dublin Marathon and finished in 30 mins 42 secs. A distant second in 32:26 was Freddy Sittuk, with Colm Turner third in 32:45.

Tallaght athlete Laura McDonnell was first woman in 38:36, with Fiona Gettings second in 40:31. Winners of the 5km race were Andrew Nevin of Mullingar Harriers in 16.21 and Trim junior Ava Costello in 19:16.

At the Rebel Run in Cork, also on Sunday, Denis Coakley was the overall winner of the 10km in 33 mins 28 secs with Grainne O’Neill first woman in 39: 08, while Sheldon Kirkwood and Noreen Mackey were first home in the 5km.

Jonathan Roebuck led home over a thousand finishers at the Gr8 Run in Dundrum, Co Down, on Saturday (October 19) finished over a minute clear of the chasers in 44 mins 7 secs. First woman in 53.50 was Sinead Murtagh of Newcastle AC.

Overseas

At the Pre-National Invitational cross-country, hosted by Indiana State University at Terre Haute on Saturday (October 19), Aoibhe Richardson of Kilkenny City Harriers, representing the University of San Francisco, won the women’s 6km race in 20 mins 32 secs.

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Lindie Naughton is a journalist and writer based in Dublin who joined the athletics club at her college many many years ago and has never quite escaped. You’ll normally find her jogging around some orienteering course somewhere – or down at the Irishtown track coaching kiddies!

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