After competing at the European Cross Country Championships last weekend, Irish Olympians Kerry O’ Flaherty and Mick Clohisey helped launch the second edition of the Kia Race Series on Tuesday (December 12).

The 2019 edition of the nine race series aims to build on the success of 2018, which included eight course records broken and an entry increase of 29%.

The series, which is organised by Pop Up Races, includes nine races in seven counties across Ireland and begins in March with The Streets of Portlaoise 5k.

“I was delighted to win the 2018 Race Series and to win five out of the five,” said Kerry O ‘Flaherty, the 2018 female series winner. “It was a great idea by Pop Up Races to organise the series and to have Kia on-board as a sponsor is fantastic. I encourage all runners to go out and set a target of running one of these races in 2019 and see what they can achieve.”

The overall male and female winner will get to drive a new Kia Stonic for one year and there is the added incentive of €9,000 bonus funds on offer for course records. There will also be a Masters (O40) prize of a trip for two to the European Masters for both male and female winners.

Irish Marathon champion Mick Clohisey added: “The series drove the standard forward of distance running in Ireland. I look forwarding to lining up in the series in 2019 and having some great competitive races.”

The KIA Race Series

Streets of Portlaoise 5k: March 17, 11:00
Streets of Kilkenny 5k: April 18, 19:30
Bob Heffernan 5k (Enfield, Co. Meath): May 21, 20:00
Braveheart 5k (Trim): June 14th 20:00
Dunshaughlin (Meath) 10k Road Race: June 22, 19:30
Roscommon 10 Mile: July 6, 10:30
Edenderry 10 Mile (Offaly): July 21, 9:30
Castlepollard 5k (Westmeath): August 14, 20:00
The Lakes 10k (Blessington/Wicklow): September 7, 11:00

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The post Ireland’s Kia Race Series to return after successful first year appeared first on Fast Running.

This week’s Irish round-up is supported by SOAR running, who are offering an exclusive 25% discount to club runners. Find out more about the offer here.

Sergiu Ciobanu of Clonliffe Harriers and Kerry O’Flaherty were in Brasov, Romania over the weekend competing in the Crosul 15 Noiembrie 5km on Sunday (November 11).

O’Flaherty finished eighth in the women’s race in a time of 16:32. Race winner in 15:12 was Romanian steeplechaser Ancuţa Bobocal.

In the men’s race, Ciobanu finished 17th in the men’s race in 14:44. The winner was Rinas Akhanadeev in 13:45.

Raheny’s Kieran Kelly was nearby in Bucharest where he finished third in a men’s mile race in 4:11.

Jessica Craig and Rachel Gibson of North Down AC competed in the Scottish Short Course Cross Country Championships over 4000m on Saturday (November 10). Craig finished 11th in 14:05 and Gibson finished in 14th place in a time of 14:12.

Liam Brady of Tullamore Harriers was a comfortable winner of the men’s 10,000m race at the Leinster Cross Country Championships in Adamstown, Co Wexford, on Sunday (November 11).

Brady broke away early and built up a lead of almost a minute on the very soft course before crossing the line in 32:57. Sean Hehir of Rathfarnham WSAF was second in 33:36 and Liffey Valley’s Peter Arthur third in 34:26.

Tullamore Harriers took the team title with Liffey Valley and Celbridge AC second and third. Dublin proved best of the county teams.

Winning the women’s race in 19:10 was Lauren Dermody of Castlecomer AC. Tullamore’s Nadine Donegan was second in 19:30 and Sally Forrestal of St Josephs’s AC third in 19:40.

In a closely fought team race, Sportsworld AC, led by Helen Brouder in fifth place, won the title with 40 points. Three points behind were Liffey Valley while third were St Senan’s AC on 47 points. Kilkenny won the county team medals.

In the juvenile races Annie McEvoy and Shay McEvoy, both Kilkenny City Harriers, won the under 19 races. At under 17 level, Neasa Reilly of Dunleer AC and Tadgh Donnelly of Drogheda and District AC were the winners.

Roads

Irish marathon record holder Catherina McKiernan finished first woman at the Remembrance 5km in Dublin’s Phoenix Park on Sunday (November 11).

For the past 20 years I have run in the Phoenix https://t.co/R71STu80fd was very memorable. 4,000 people ran at 7th Annual Remembrance Run.
Everyone was there to remember loved ones that have passed away. There was a sense of togetherness for this lovely occasion. @FrankGreally1 pic.twitter.com/a56G6PDW9G

— Catherina McKiernan (@cat_mckiernan) November 11, 2018

McKiernan finished ahead of UCD pair Ellie Hartnett and Richael Browne. This year’s race coincided exactly with the 100th anniversary of the ending of the First World War at 11am on 11 November 1918.

Simon Ryan of Boyne AC led home 350 finishers at the Our Lady’s Greenhills Remembrance 5km in Drogheda on Sunday (November 11). Ryan finished in 17 mins 2 secs, with his Boyne AC clubmate Sally Clarke first woman in 22:20.

Gary Thornton of Galway City Harriers was a comfortable winner of the Moycullen 5km in Co Galway on Sunday (November 11).

Thornton finished in 15:59, while his GCH clubmate Conor Dolan was almost a minute behind in 16:58 for second. First woman was Monika De Almeida in 22:16, with Lucy Chapman just four seconds behind for second.

Making it a Newbridge AC double at the Clane 10km on Saturday (November 10) were Brian Byrne first man in 33:43 and Michelle Cox fifth overall in 37:29.

John Craig of Victoria Park & Connswater AC and Sarah Graham of Mourne Runners were the winners at the Ballynahinch 5km on Saturday (November 10). On a tough course, Craig led home 250 finishers in 17:12, with Graham sixth overall and first woman in 20:25.

In West Cork’s beautiful Beara Peninsula, Shane Harrington of East Cork AC was the winner of the Eyeries 5 Mile on Saturday (November 10).

Harrington was on his own for much of the race finishing in 29:19. Second in 30:21 was Eddie Casey of Clonakilty Road Runners with Leevale’s Paul O’Callaghan third in 30:29.

First woman and sixth overall in 33:51 was Rachel O’Shea of West Muskerry. Local athlete Deirdre O’Sullivan of Beara AC was second in 36:03 and Alice Coppinger of Bantry AC third in 36:45.

Trails

Mark Sheridan of Dundrum South Dublin was a comfortable winner of the shorter race at the annual Run the Line 13km and 26km in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains on Saturday (November 10).

The event, starting and finishing in Glencullen Adventure Park, is held in aid of Dublin and Wicklow Mountain Rescue, with all funds going towards finding a permanent for the busy rescue team.

Sheridan came home in 58:47 and, in the wet and slippery conditions, was the only athlete to break the hour. Second was James Benson in 60:29, while third was Caoimhin Mac Maolain of Sli Cualann in 61:31.First woman and eighth overall in 64:51 was Eva McNelis of Dunboyne AC. Jill Horan was second in 66.27 and Noreen Brouder third in 68:38.

First home in the 23km was George Snee in 2:05:36. Adrian Hennessy of Kilfinane AC was second in 2:07:30 and Sebastien Giraud third in 2:11:43. Charlotte Kearney of Donadea RC was first woman in 2:28:05, followed by Rosy Temple and Ellen Vitting of Trim AC. A total of 700 from an entry of 800 competed on the day.

Olympic marathon runner Breege Connolly was overall winner of the half marathon race at the Tollymore Trail Ultra, Marathon and Half Marathon on Saturday (November 10).

Her win sees Connolly joining the select group of Irish women who have taken on the men – as well as the women – and beaten them. Among those also on that list are Maria McCambridge, Lizzie Lee, Anne Marie McGlynn and Siobhan O’Doherty.

Connolly won the race with over four minutes to spare in 81:13. Second and first man was Thomas O’Gorman in 85:29.

Winning the marathon in 3:07:02 was Chris Denton with Natalie Bowbanks in 3:52:38 the first woman. In the ultra race, Paul Tyrrell was first home in 5:05:51, with Louise Smart first woman in 6:26:07.

At the opening round of the Sperrin Harriers Winter Trail Series, held over a 10km course in Darvagh Forest, the winners were Eoin Hughes of Acorns AC and Gillian Wasson of Ballymena Runners.

Hughes was the class of the men’s race, winning in 36:25. He was followed home by Jason Wilson of Ballymena Runners in 37:55 Gavin Corey 38:17.

Wasson finished in 43:15 ahead of Leanne Sands from Acorns AC in 44:49 Olivia Mullin of Greencastle AC in 45:05.

parkrun

Mark Kirwan and Úna Britton ran the quickest parkrun times across Ireland on Saturday. Kirwan ran 16:06 at Darndale parkrun, while Britton clocked 17:14 at the Marlay parkrun.

The 10 fastest Irish parkrun times can be found here.

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The post Kerry O’Flaherty and Sergiu Ciobanu race in Romania – Irish weekend round-up appeared first on Fast Running.

Paul Pollock ran 14:56 at the Belfast Victoria parkrun to record the fastest men’s time across the island of Ireland on Saturday. The Irish marathoner was taking part in his 17th parkrun and it was also the fastest time in the UK.

The Belfast Victoria parkrun dominated the top five positions in the men’s top 10, with Conall Kirk taking the number two spot.

Annadale Striders’ Kirk posted a parkrun best of 15:40 on his sixth Saturday morning 5k outing, three seconds ahead of City of Lisburn’s Chris Madden.

Kerry O’Flaherty ensured another Irish international was the fastest woman this week after running 17:56 at the Poolbeg parkrun in Dublin.

It was parkrun number three for the Newcastle & District AC athlete who won the inaugural KIA Race Series this year.

Ciara Hickey ran 18:06 at the Marlay parkrun to record the second quickest women’s time. The Brothers Pearse AC runner was taking part in her 23rd parkrun.

Belfast Victoria was the most represented parkrun with six runners among the top 10.

Men’s top 10

1) parkrun: Belfast Victoria
Paul Pollock, 14:56, Annadale Striders/kent AC
2) parkrun: Belfast Victoria
Conall Kirk, 15:40, Annadale Striders
3) parkrun: Belfast Victoria
Chris Madden, 15:43, City of Lisburn
4) parkrun: Belfast Victoria
Nathan Harrison, 15:48, Sale Harriers Manchester
5) parkrun: Belfast Victoria
Gareth Hill, 15:57, Ballymena & Antrim AC
6) parkrun: Tullow
Colin Payne, 16:14, Tinryland AC
7) parkrun: Mungret
Kevin O’Grady, 16:16
8) parkrun: St Anne’s
Brian Leahy, 16:23, Raheny Shamrock
9) parkrun: Poolbeg
Matthew Rees, 16:24, Swansea Harriers
10) parkrun: Belfast Victoria
Jonny Whan, 16:27 City of Lisburn

Women’s top 10

1) parkrun: Poolbeg
Kerry O’Flaherty, 17:56, Newcastle & District
2) parkrun: Marlay
Ciara Hickey, 18:06, Brothers Pearse AC
3) parkrun: Malahide
Annette Kealy, 18:31, Raheny Shamrock
4) parkrun: Wallace Lisburn
Lauren Wilson, 18:41, Edinburgh AC
5) parkrun: Falls Belfast
Breege Connolly, 19:01, North Belfast Harriers
6) parkrun: Bushy Dublin
Orna Dilworth, 19:38
7) parkrun: Falcarragh
Maura Kearns, 19:41, Donore Harriers
8) parkrun: Marlay
Ruth Kelly, 19:49, Sportsworld
9) parkrun: Tyrrelstown
Elaine McLoughlin, 19:50, Clonliffe Harriers
10) parkrun: Castlebar
Colette Tuohy, 19:51, Mayo AC

Would you like to run faster at parkrun? Top tips to help runners of all abilities hit a parkrun best can be found here.

RELATED: 7 ways to run faster at parkrun

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us and become a patreon. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The post 10 fastest Irish parkrun times on Saturday 27th October (2018) appeared first on Fast Running.

Emma Mitchell of Queen’s AC produced the Irish performance of the weekend when she finished eighth woman in her debut half marathon at the Great North Run on Sunday (September 9).

Mitchell was with the lead pack at 5km which was reached in a time of 16:51 and although falling off the pace, went through 10km in a highly respectable 34:39.

The Northern Irish born athlete crossed the line in an encouraging time of 74:36 ahead of Britain’s more experienced long distance runners to finish as the first female athlete from the UK.

Leevale’s Lizzie Lee is the only Irish athlete, with a time of 73:24 in Barcelona last February, to run a faster over the distance this year.

Best among the Irish men was City of Lisburn AC’s Chris Madden, who finished in 71:46.

A day earlier, Leon Reid of Menapians AC finished fourth in the 150m with a time of 15.41 secs at the Great City Games.

RELATED: Leon Reid: It was a long season… but a good one

Hiko Tonosa of Dundrum South Dublin AC and Kerry O’Flaherty of Newcastle and District emerged as overall winners of the KIA race series with victories at the Mondello 10km in Naas, Co Kildare on Sunday (September 9).

For Tonosa, it was a seventh victory out of seven starts in the eight race series. His time of 30:16, saw him hold off the challenge of Raheny’s Kevin Dooney who was running his first race in some months and finished in 30:29. Dooney has featured on Fast Running throughout the year sharing his running story.

Third in 30:37 was Mick Clohisey of Raheny Shamrock, who had one victory in the series to his credit.

Photo: Pop Up Races

Tonosa was the overall male winner of the race series but did not meet the criteria of winning the Kia Ceed (as he does not hold a full valid Irish driving licence). The DSD athlete, received a cash prize, with overall second place Eric Keogh from Donore Harriers the winner of the new Kia Ceed (for 12 months).

Kerry O’Flaherty was taking a fifth win in the series and finished in 34.45 and 10th overall. Just one place behind her was Laura Shaughnessy in 34.45. The pair were chasing the mixed team prize of €1,000 and had teamed up with Tonosa and Clohisey as ‘Mick’s Bag’.

Photo: Pop Up Races

With four in the top eleven, they duly pocketed the extra €1,000, beating off a team (somewhat dubiously) called ‘Ravishing Raheny Rides’ which consisted of Kevin Dooney, Graham O’Dwyer, fifth-placed woman Zoe Quinn and eighth-placed woman Orla Manley.

First in the wheelchair race was Patrick Monahan of Le Cheile AC in 24:24.

In Cork, Tim O’Donoghue was out on his own at the John Buckley Sports Cork 10-mile, leading home 740 finishers in 51:30. His East Cork club-mate Kevin O’Leary was second in 54.13 and Colin Merritt third and first master in 54.44.

Leevale’s Jill Hodgins proved the class of the women’s field winning in 60:24. Second and third were Catherine Kiely of Gneeveguilla AC and Katie Hickson of Cork Tri Club.

Freddy Sittuk of Raheny Shamrock was having a busy time of it on Saturday (September 8). He started his day in Blessington where he won The Lakes 10km in 32:33.

Louis McCarthy of Rathfarnham WSAF was second in 32:37 with Eoin Callaghan of Star of the Sea a close third in 32:40. A clear winner of the women’s race in 38:37 was Sandra Lynch of Kilcoole AC.

Sittuk then headed for Ferns, in Co Wexford, close to his current residence, where, later that day, he was first home at the Mick Murphy Memorial 4-Mile in a time of 20:38. Cian Kelly of St Abban’s, who finished in 21:14, just held off Aidan Rogers of United Striders for second place.

First woman was Fiona Kehoe of Kilmore AC in 23:32. Catherine O’Connor Sli Cualann was second in 23:52 and Justine O’Connell third in 25:03.

Winners of the inaugural half marathon in Blessington were Stephen Conroy of Celbridge AC in 79:54 and Triona Quill of Crusaders AC in 1:41.01.

Not far away in Co Meath, the winners of the Ratoath Half Marathon were Stephen Kelly of Drogheda and District in 74:48 and Aoife Parella of Star of the Sea AC in 91:45.

Dunleer’s Darragh Green and Irish steeplechase champion Michele Finn of Leevale AC were the winners at the Dromiskin 5km in Co Louth, also on Saturday (September 8), which attracted a record entry of 610 starters.

Greene’s time of 14:59 put him comfortably clear of Paddy Hamilton of Slieve Gullion Runners who finished in 15:15. Shane Healy of MSB was third and first M50 in 15:32.

Finn finished eighth overall in 16:45. Tallaght’s Laura McDonnell was second and Michelle Cox of Newbridge third.

Mountain running

Highlight of the 21st annual British and Irish Junior Mountain Running championships hosted by Ireland in Glendalough, Co Wicklow on Saturday (September 8) was Grace Carson’s stunning victory for Northern Ireland in the girls’ U20 race.

Carson, a member of the Mid-Ulster club, raced away from the field to finish in a time of 31:26 for the 6.7km up and down course.

That put her almost a minute clear of the chasers led by England’s Eve Pannone in 33:14.

The day has started well for Northern Ireland when Sorcha Mullan of Omagh Harriers finished third in the U17 girls 4.7km race. For the Republic, Aoife Coffey of Lucan Harriers was a close fifth.

In the boys’ U20 race, Northern Ireland, with St Malachy’s pair Tony McCambridge fourth and Conall McClean seventh, took team bronze. Making up the team were Jared Martin of Scrabo Striders and Peter Carty of Lagan Valley. For the Republic, Ruairi Long of Rathfarnham WSAF finished 10th.

Although they had only one individual winner, England finished top team overall for the 19th time in the 21 years of the competition.

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The post Emma Mitchell produces Irish performance of the weekend appeared first on Fast Running.

The finale of the Kia Race Series, a new nationwide series of well-established regional races around Ireland, will take place at the Mondello International in country Kildare on Sunday, September 9.

Of the seven races to date, eight course records broken and €4,000 worth of bonuses were paid to athletes, with an increase in entries of 29% across the events.

Dundrum South Dublin AC’s Hiko Tonosa claimed five records, while Kerry O’Flaherty of Newcastle & District broke three records.

The concept was developed by race organisers Pop Up Races, and a new Kia Ceed is up for grabs (for 12 months) for both the overall male and female winner, while there is also a team prize on offer of €1000 for the winning mixed team of four, with two males and two females needed per team.

Irish international O’Flaherty has dominated the women’s leaderboard in the series and is in the pole position to walk away with the top prize.

Speaking after the Dunshaughlin 10k Road Race in June she said: “That’s my fourth win out of four so I’m really delighted. I will miss the Roscommon race because it clashes with a track race I’m doing ahead of the European Championships, but I will be back to do the last race in Mondello.”

RELATED: Why I run: Kerry O’Flaherty

In the men’s field, Tonosa has dominated the series, breaking five-course records, including the Streets of Portlaoise 5k, The Braveheart 5K and Bob Heffernan 5K, will top the Kia Race Series 2018.

Unfortunately, Tonosa does not meet the criteria of winning the Kia Ceed as he does not hold a full valid Irish driving licence. The DSD athlete has been welcomed as an ambassador for the series in 2019.

Eric Keogh from Donore Harriers, who has performed consistently throughout the series, is currently placed second and is the most likely athlete to drive away with the new car.

RELATED: Hiko Tonusa and Kerry O’Flatherty win Dunshaughlin 10k

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The post Ireland’s new race series proves huge success appeared first on Fast Running.

My first running experience was a 5k road race held in my hometown of Newcastle, County Down in Northern Ireland. I was 13 years old, and I asked my Dad if could take part.

I beat most of the boys that evening, all except two. The local club told my Dad that I could come along to training. It was all seniors at the time, but I was able to do shortened sessions.

I then started cross-country with the school and moved onto my real love – the track – shortly after that.

Why I love running. I love that you can run anywhere, as long as you have a pair of running shoes.

I have met (and continue to meet) so many lovely people with the same passion as I have. It’s great to share the experiences and stories that running has allowed us to enjoy.

I am fortunate to live in an area of outstanding natural beauty that has so many different routes and terrains to run on. We have forest parks, nature reserves, good safe road routes, the beach and the mountains. It is a paradise for runners.

Running has taken me all over the world, both to train and compete. I’ve discovered a lot of new places, including Font Romeu in the French Pyrenees. Training there at altitude has become almost my second home.

However, my home in the corner of County Down provides me with so many training options, and it’s hard to beat – apart from the weather of course.

When running became a sport. In my first year running in the County Down Schools XC, I think I must have finished in around 60th place or thereabouts.

By the following year with a couple of training sessions a week with my club, I won the County Down Schools and finished high up in the Ulsters Schools, as well as the Irish Schools, and earned my first Irish vest competing in the International Schools XC.

After that, it was my introduction to the track, and in particular, the 800m and 1500m, which I loved, and the structured training started there.

I moved to Lisburn AC where I was able to train with other junior athletes. I was there for two or three years until I went to University where competitive running took a backseat.

However, I still competed for the University of Ulster in XC, on the track and also in mountain running. I went on to compete for Ireland in two World Mountain Running Championships in Italy 2004 and New Zealand 2005.

From that international experience, I realised that the hunger was still there. That motivated me to get back into competitive track racing and I started training once again for that with my home club Newcastle & District AC.

Dreaming of the Olympics. I loved watching athletics on the television with my Papa and dreamed of course, but as a child, it didn’t seem realistic that competing at the Olympics was possible for a local girl from County Down.

The Olympic dream kicked in as a realistic option when I discovered the steeplechase. Before then the targets were to make the Irish team at European Team Championships and European Cross Country Championships.

Earning a vest by making the national team was a real challenge and target for me. I still remember the phone call in 2009 (my fourth season on the track as a senior athlete) from the then Irish Team Manager, Patsy McGonagle.

Just as I arrived in the Pyrenees for training, he asked me if I would run the 3000m in the Euro Team Champs in Slovakia a few days later? Of course, I jumped at the chance and finished in a photo finish place in 2nd in 9:09.50 – I guess it was an indication that I could do so much more.

From there the hunger grew, and as I met more people in the running world who had been to major championships, the more I was inspired and dreamed of doing the same.

My background was 1500m, but I wasn’t super fast like Ciara Mageean, so I had a go at the 5000m, but my endurance wasn’t as good as Fionnuala Britton (McCormack), so I realised I sat somewhere in the middle (3000m).

The following year (2010) I was called up again for the European Team Champs, this time in Budapest, and after a long chat with my coach, Richard Rodgers and Chris Jones (Ireland Team Manager at the time), we started to look at the steeplechase.

In 2011, just before my 30th birthday, I ran my first ever steeplechase in May at the Loughborough International, winning in 10:24.

I knew I had finally found my best event and I went on to run 10:08.8 in Germany on my 30th birthday. After that, I felt I could have a go at trying to qualify for the London Olympics in 2012.

My transition to the steeplechase. The change came naturally to me. Maybe it was from the jumping over boulders on the descent in mountain races as I hadn’t taken part in any hurdle races as a junior.

It wasn’t without injuries though, which were mainly Achilles related and this stopped me in my stride while trying to make the Olympics in 2012.

Since then I have learned so much about my running technique, developing strength and power, working on my hurdles, while also working on my endurance.

My coach Richard Rodgers (with excellent support and insight from Chris Jones) have been fantastic on the endurance and running side of my development, while Tom Reynolds (and in the early days Stephen Maguire) helped me with my hurdling technique.

Physio support also played a big part in the transition, with Phil Glasgow helping me in my early running career, to the physiotherapists now in the Sports Institute Northern Ireland, Chris McNicol and Kerry Kirk.

Strength and conditioning is also part of my weekly routine, and Robbie Bremner has been excellent in developing and overseeing my programmes to ensure my body, especially my feet and ankles, are up to the job of clearing 35 barriers in a race and training.

The track, roads and cross country. I love the buzz of the track, the speed and the atmosphere of a crowd being so close to the action. Depending on how many are in a steeplechase race, sometimes it can get very crowded and dangerous – the barriers are very solid and unforgiving.

I love the freedom of the road and the space to race, but the impact can be tough on the muscles and joints.

When it comes to cross country, I love the European cross country courses, as they are usually very flat like the track. The traditional cross country in the winter helps develop the underlying endurance for the summer track season. Of course, it is often cold and muddy in Ireland, but I have learned to love the mud too and not let it phase me.

My career high. The proudest moment in my career has to be competing at the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016, standing on that start line and realising a lifelong dream was about to be accomplished.

But I wouldn’t have been on that start line if it hadn’t of been for the opportunity myself and two fellow Irish steeplechase athletes, Michelle Finn and Sara Treacy, were given in Letterkenny to race. Daragh McDaid of Letterkenny AC can’t be thanked enough for putting it together, which helped all three of us cross the line inside the Olympic qualifying standard.

We had been chasing the standards during the early part of the 2015 season and been unsuccessful up to that point. So we chatted and decided to run in Letterkenny and just go for it no matter what the weather was going to throw at us.

It wasn’t a calm night by any means, and the rain threatened all evening. The pacemaker did a fantastic job taking us to 2km and over the final laps, we collectively worked hard against the international opposition to finish strongly. I was ecstatic when crossing the line and I could see the clock knowing Michelle and I were very close to going inside both standards (Olympic and World).

We had to wait for the official times to be called out, and when they did, I shed a few happy tears. It is still one of the best races I have run in my career and one of the most memorable.

It still stands as my PB – 9:42.61 – nine seconds inside my previous best. I ran 9:45 three times the next season (2016) and hope to go sub-9:40 this season (2018).

My career low. 2012 was a pretty tough year for me. I had travelled to the USA to train and race in the hope of making the London Olympics. While I was there my Papa passed away after a short battle with cancer – he was my number one fan.

I had kept in regular touch while I was away training in Albuquerque and things had been going well for him. He received the good news that his cancer treatment had been a success and things were going well.

I then ran my first race and finished second with a PB of 9:58, 10 seconds inside my best and breaking the 10-minute barrier for the first time. It felt I was close to the Olympic qualifying standard.

Like always, I contacted home to speak to my Papa about the good news of my race, but he was taken to the hospital, and everything went downhill very quickly. He had been able to watch my race from his bed and had said: “she’s going to make it [to the Olympics]”.

I wasn’t able to get home in time, and I blamed myself for being selfish and leaving home to pursue my dream. I was able to speak to him for the last time via Skype, but he wasn’t able to talk back, and it was the most difficult experience in my life.

Talking about it still is, and will always be, very raw. Knowing that was my last time I was ever going to see him and speak with him was so hard, there was so much I wanted to say, so much I didn’t say, and so much I wish I had of said.

I finally said good night Papa and he was able to say it back. That was the last time I was able to see and speak to him. I received a call from home the next morning telling me that he had passed away.

With the Achilles issues I had, not making the Olympics that year made me feel that I had let him down and that I should never have gone away in the first place. I still carry that feeling to this day, even though he had told my family not to tell me what was going on, as he wanted me to stay in the USA.

Finally making the Olympics in 2016 brought back all those emotions, not having him there was very difficult, but I hope that he was somewhere in that crowd looking down on me from the best seat in the house.

I still have big goals. I am, even at the age of 36, still improving. I produced my best international cross country performance in December, finishing 38th at the European Championships.

I ran 16:10 to win a 5k race in very windy conditions on St Patrick’s Day in Portlaoise, and four days later ran 16:13 to win the Queen’s 5k in Belfast. These are signs we believe that I will soon be ready for a record track season.

This season my goal is to make the European Championships in Berlin in August firstly. I will do my best to make that final again and improve on my 12th place from Amsterdam 2016.

The big goal is to make Tokyo 2020, I definitely believe I have another Olympics in me.

My final piece of advice. You’re never too old to follow your dreams, so keep believing.

The post Why I run: Kerry O’Flaherty appeared first on Fast Running.

A full report on the Northern 12 & 6 stage road relays championships can be found here and you can read all about the British team at the World Half Marathon Championships here.

On Saturday (March 26) Nottingham’s Wollaton Park played host to the final major cross country fixtures of the year for the SIAB championships and Home Countries International.

The last cross country international on the domestic calendar was a highly competitive affair, with wins from established GB athletes giving the event a distinctive touch of class.

England swept the senior team awards, with Stockport’s Elle Vernon clinching victory from teammates Cheltenham’s Beth Hawling and Cambridge & Coleridge’s Charlotte Christensen to make up the top three overall finishers.

Scotland were a distant second, ahead of the North, the Midlands and Wales.

National cross country winner Adam Hickey of Southend AC held off his England counterpart, Morpeth’s Carl Avery, to take the spoils in the senior men’s race, with Scotland and Inverclyde’s Andy Douglas just three seconds shy of silver in third.

Another emerging star from Cambridge & Coleridge’s growing stable of elite athletes is Julia Paternain, and the Mark Vile-coached youngster took top honours in the Junior Women’s race on the hilly Nottingham course.

She led England to team victory over Scotland and Wales, while Ipswich’s John Millar was a convincing winner of the Junior Men’s race, with England again beating Scotland to the team title.

SIAB championships, Wollaton Park

The Junior Girls race was won emphatically by City of Salisbury’s fast improving Bea Wood, taking individual victory for England by a huge 23-second margin and leading her country to top honours over Scotland. Ireland and Wales took third and fourth in the team standings.

It was a far closer affair in the Junior Boys event, with England’s Joe Ponter just being given the win over teammate Fraser Sproul despite both boys recording the same time. England took team victory ahead of Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

England were again winners in the Inter Girls race, with Ella McNiven leading her team in ahead of Scotland’s Cera Gemmell, while her male counterparts dominated the Inter Boys race, taking the top eight positions headed by David Stone.

Scottish National Road Relays

On Sunday, the Scottish National Road Relays took place in Livingston with Corstorphine AAC winning the senior men’s race and Fife AC taking home the senior women crown. Both victories were a first-time success for those clubs after ‘knocking on the door’ a number of times over the past few years.

Calum McKenzie brought home the win for Corstorphine on the final leg only 24 hours after he finished seventh at the Home Countries XC in Nottingham. Also in the team were Stuart Livingston, Douglas Selman, James Harrison and Euan Brown as they recorded 2.18.48 with Central at 2.19.55.

Megan Crawford, Annabel Simpson, Helen Sharpe and Steph Pennycook were the Fife AC quartet who came home in a winning time of 1.45.32 and well clear of silver medallists Lothian RC and third-placed Edinburgh Uni Hare and Hounds.

Lots more racing on the roads

In the US, Emelia Górecka had a 17-second win at the Carlsbad 5000 in San Diego. Górecka took the tape over the 5k course in 16:04 flat to finish ahead of a good American field.

After an impressive cross country season, Górecka gets will now stay in the states for a period of altitude training.

Charlie Hulson won the men’s race at Cardiff Bay Run 10k on Sunday in a time of 29:32, while Eleanor Davis won the women’s title in a course record and personal best 33:42. A full report and results can be found here.

Also on Sunday Jonny Mellor was the runaway winner at the Liverpool Half Marathon. Mellor, who will compete in the London Marathon next month, won in 63:35, with Dejene Gezimu second in 67:25 and Alistair Rutherford third in 70:36.

Kirsty Longley won the women’s title in 76:29, ahead of Sarah Lowery in 77:00 and Charlotte Mason completed the podium in 80:12.

Bedford’s James Bellward and Tipton’s Amie Williams won the Bedford 20 miler in 1:55:35 and 2:12:06 respectively.

At the Colchester Half Marathon, Ramadan Osman won the men’s race in 69:36 with Helen Davies winning the women’s in 77:37.

Earlier in the week 0n Wednesday (March 21) at the Queen’s 5k in Belfast, Olympian Kerry O’Flaherty won the women’s race in 16:13, with Springwell RC’s Neil Johnston winning the men’s title in 15:02.

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Healy’s time of 9:10.43 in the 3000m took over 18 seconds off Rose Ann Galligan’s Irish junior record set in 2005 and is the fastest time run by an Irish woman this season so far.

Second to the Blackrock athlete was Olympic steeplechaser Kerry O’Flaherty of Newcastle AC in 9:20.03, with Meghan Ryan of DSD third in 9:43.35.

At the start of the February, the European Youth Olympic champion clocked 4:16.04 over 1500m to break Ciara Mageean’s Youth and U20 indoor records.

Safely making it through to the women’s 1500m final tomorrow were Emma Mitchell of QUB, UCD’s Ellie Hartnett, Amy O’Donoghue of Emerald AC, Fiona Kehoe of Kilamore and Newcastle’s Kerry O’Flaherty.

Leading the qualifiers for the men’s 1500m are Eoin Peirce of Clonliffe, and Raheny pair Kieran Kelly and Brian Fay.

Mark English of UCD made his first appearance on the track this season with a comfortable win the 800m heats. His time was 1:58.20.

Sprints and field events

In the men’s 60m heats, defending champion Leon Reid of Menapians ran 6.83 secs in the fastest heat of the day. Second behind him in 6.87 secs was Jeremy Phillips of Clonliffe Harriers. Winning his heat in 6.88 was Marcus Lawler of St LOT.

Later Reid returned to the track to win his 200m heat in 22.33 secs. Fastest time across the five heats of 21.63 secs was recorded by Olympic 400m hurdler Thomas Barr of Ferrybank. Craig Newell of Ballymena and Antrim ran 21.75 and Stephen Gaffney of Rathfarnham WSAF 21.79.

Phil Healy of Bandon AC was a comfortable winner of her women’s 400m heat in 54.65 secs. The fastest qualifier was Catherine McManus of DCH with 54.00; second in that heat was Sinead Denny of DSD with 54.57.

A total of six heats were held for the men’s 400m with Northern Irish athlete Andrew Mellon’s time of 48.25 secs the quickest. Brandon Array of Blarney Iniscarra ran 48.53 secs and Cathal Locke of Dooneen AC 48.70.

In the women’s high jump, Sommer Lecky, another 17-year-old, was taking her third consecutive high jump title. Lecky, of the Finn Valley club, was the class of the field with her winning leap of 1.84 just one centimetre off the Irish junior record set set last month.

No surprises in the women’s shot, won by 19-year-old Michaela Walsh of Swinford AC with a best of 15.36m. In a competitive women’s long jump, a 5.90m leap gave Sarah McCarthy of Mid-Sutton victory.

Full results can be found here and tomorrow’s competition starts with the 60m hurdles at 11.55; full programme here.

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Emma Mitchell, who clocked a 3k road PB in Armagh last night, will be among the top Irish distance runners vying for titles at the National Indoor Arena in Abbotstown.

Mitchell and Kerry O’Flaherty both ran at the Armagh Road Races and the pair are entered to race over both 1500m and 3000m this weekend.

Last year’s 3000m saw QUB AC’s Mitchell finish fourth to Ciara Mageean, Michelle Finn and Fionnuala McCormack, and with the three Olympians not in action this weekend the 5000m and 1500m national outdoor champion will start as favourite.

However, O’Flaherty, if she competes in both the 3000m and 15000m, will have a say, while the young talent of Sarah Healy cannot be discounted.

At this month’s AAI Games the European Youth Olympics champion smashed her 1500m previous best with a time of 4:16.04 to break Ciara Mageean’s Youth and U20 indoor records.

Newcastle AC’s O’Flaherty was the runaway winner in the 1500m last year with a five-second win over UCD’s Ellie Hartnett.

The duo lineup again in the 1500m with Mitchell also expected to double up, while Amy O Donoghue (Emerald A.C), Nadia Power (Templeogue A.C.) and fourth place last year Rachel Gibson (North Down AC) will also be in the mix.

Defending champion Eoin Everard should start as favourite in the men’s 3000m but will face second-placed in 2017 William Maunsell (Clonmel) amongst his challengers.

Elsewhere John Travers who ran a 14:16 5k road personal best in Armagh on Thursday will be expected to be challenging at the front, while Damien Landers (Ennis Track) and Scott Rankin (Folye Valley AC) are also on the start list.

Kilkenny City Harrier Everard is also expected to compete in the 1500m and will face Kieran Kelly, the fastest 1500m runner on Irish rankings this season.

If defending men’s 800m champion Kelly were to win the 1500m he would bid to become one of the first athletes to win national medals over 400m, 800m and 1500m.

While Danny Mooney (Letterkenny AC), a 14:43 runner in Armagh last night, is expected to challenge as will Garry Campbell (Dunleer).

Kelly is down to defend his 800m title, but if Mark English competes he will be a strong favourite, while Alanna Lally (UCD) is the leading contender in the women’s 800m.

In the race walks, Kate Veale, Alex Wright and Cian McManamon will all be in action.

Sprints and field events

Elsewhere Olympic 400m hurdler Thomas Barr will drop down to 200m and could face Craig Newell (Ballymena & Antrim AC) and Marcus Lawler.

Phil Healy who won the January European athlete of the month award has been in fantastic form this indoor season with a 52.08 400m in Vienna.

The Bandon athlete will start as favourite in that event with Claire Mooney also among the entrants, while Andrew Mellon and Brandon Arrey are among the leading men over two laps.

With Amy Foster (City of Lisburn), Joan Healy (Bandon), Ciara Neville (Emerald) and Molly Scott (SLOT) among the women’s 60m entrants, picking a winner is anyone’s guess and should make for exciting viewing.

Marcus Lawler (St. L. O’Toole A.C.), Leon Reid (Menapians AC) and Jeremy Phillips (Clonliffe Harriers AC) face off in the men’s 60m race.

Niamh Whelan (Ferrybank A.C.) will be favoured in the women’s 200m with Catherine McManus (Dublin City Harriers A.C.) Sinead Denny (Dundrum South Dublin A.C.) also on the top list this season.

With an 8.29 this year Sarah Lavin (UCD) leads the 60m hurdles entrants, while Ben Reynolds (North Down AC) heads the men’s men’s field with 7.87.

In the field events, the impressive 17-year-old multi-eventer Kate O’Connor competes in the long jump and Adam McMullen and Sommer Lecky also compete in their respected events.

A full timetable of events can be found here while the provisional entry list can be found here.

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Race winner was the Ethiopian Senbere Teferi who outsprinted Margaret Chelimo of Kenya to win in a time of 25:21.

McCormack of Kilcoole AC beat British athlete Steff Twell by a single place and eight seconds to finish the first European in 26:13.

GB’s Lily Partridge finished eighth in 26:36 and finishing an excellent 15th was Kerry O’Flaherty of Newcastle AC in 26:50.

Newcastle’s Zak Hanna finished 131st with a time of 30:13 in a high-quality men’s 9km race won by the Ethiopian Molla Getaneh in 24:35. Full results can be found here.

Eoghan Tottan finished eighth in the men’s race at the British Athletics Cross Challenge in Milton Keynes. The Newcastle AC athlete finished in 31:02; winner was Mahamed Mahamed of Southampton AC. Race report can be found here.

In Japan, Sinead Diver from Co Mayo, who is based in Australia, ran a time of 2:33:00 for seventh in the Saitama Marathon. Kenya’s Flomena Cheyech Daniel won the race for a second year in 2:28:39. Britain’s Charlotte Purdue was fourth in 2:30:34.

Domestic racing in Ireland

At the Leinster Cross Country Championships in Scotstown, Co Wexford, Thomas Hayes of Kilkenny City Harriers won the men’s race from Peter Arthur of Liffey Valley and Gowran’s Niall Sheehan.

In a good day for the Britton family, Una Britton of Kilcoole AC, a sister of Fionnuala McCormack, ran away with the women’s race in a time of 19:17. Second was Mary Mulhare of Portlaoise AC in 19:40, while third was Siobhra O’Flaherty of St LOT in 20:24. Senior results can be found here.

Jamie Battle of Mullingar Harriers won the U19 men’s race, beating Adam Fitzpatrick of Kilkenny City Harriers and Jarlath Jordan of Tara AC. Best of the U19 women was Sorcha Maloney of Ballyroand Abbeyleix and District.

Lauren Tinkler of Celbridge AC was second and Ella Richardson of Kilkenny City Harriers third. Underage results can be found here.

Kevin Maunsell of Clonmel AC won the men’s 10km race at the Munster Senior and Juvenile Uneven Championships held in Galbally, Co Tipperary. Tim O’Donoghue of East Cork was second,  with Ennis Track best of the teams. 

Winning the women’s race was Sinead O’Connor of Leevale. Farranfore Maine Valley were the first team. 

Stephanie Cotter of West Muskerry won the women’s U 19 race, with Waterford AC best of the teams. Leevale’s Charles O’Donovan proved the class of the field in the U19 men’s race. Donal and Conor Devane finished second and third, leading Ennis Track to the team victory. Results can be found here.

In Cork, Mark Hanarahan and Laura Crowe were the winners of the HSE Cork BHAA 5km. Hanahan had over a minute to spare when winning the men’s race in 14:51.  Crowe finished sixth overall in 16:37. Results here.

Edel Monaghan from Enniskillen AC won the women’s title at the Northern Ireland and Ulster Novice Cross Country Championships in Stranorlar, Co Donegal.

With a time of 28:07, she finished comfortably clear of second placed Kendra McMullan from Derry Track Club in 18:46. Milford beat host club Finn Valley by a single point for the team title.

Brilliant running by Edel Monaghan from Enniskillen RC. First across the line in the Novice Woman. pic.twitter.com/Rwb6PJsbS9

— Athletics NI (@AthleticsNI) November 12, 2017

Winning the men’s title was Eskander Turku from Monaghan Town. Letterkenny AC took the team title.

On the roads, Valdas Dopolskas of Balbriggan and District was a comfortable winner of the Greenhills 5km in Drogheda, finishing in 15:23. Second was Brian McCluskey of North East Runners in 16.10. First woman was Stephanie Byrne in 19:33.

In Co Kerry, Freddy Sittuk of Raheny Shamrock bounced back from his Dublin Marathon fourth place to win the Listowel Half Marathon in 71:53. First woman was Dolores Duffy of Watergrasshill AC in 92:00. Full result can be found here.

Irish in the USA

Sean Tobin from Clonmel AC has qualified for next Saturday’s NCAA Cross County Championships after finishing sixth in the men’s 10km at the NCAA South Region Championships at Tuscaloosa in Alabama. Tobin was leading his college Ole Miss to second place which means that they also make the finals.

The winner was Gilbert Kigen of Alabama in 29:44.5; Tobin’s time was 30:15.7.

Schools

The highlight of the Irish performance at the annual SIAB Schools International Combined Events Championships in the Emirates Stadium, Glasgow, was a victory for the junior boy’s team.

Highest placed of the team was Iarlaith Golding from St Colman’s Claremorris who finished third with 3393 points – the best individual performance of the day for the Irish. One place behind was Jordan Cunningham from St Malachy’s Belfast on 3289 points.

Finishing second behind England was the intermediate girls’ team led by Ella Duane of Cross and Passion Kilcullen, fifth individual with a personal best 3451 points. Just 43 points behind for fourth place was her great rival Lara O’Byrne from St Joseph’s Lucan.

Both junior girls and inter boys finished third, with Ciaran Carthy from St Michael’s College Dublin only 44 points off a medal in boys’ intermediate and recording the day’s fastest times in both 200m and 800m. A link to full results can be found here.

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