Dublin Master Cross Country

After what seemed like an ice age the snow finally melted and the Dublin Master Cross Country race could take part in a water logged Tymon Park on Sunday January 17th. Unfortunately due to injuries and the change in the age catagories there was only a Sportworld Womens Team but they certainly made their presence felt with all 4 coming away with medals. Lucy D'arcy led start to finish coming home comfortably with a 30 second lead running like a duck in water. Coming home nicely in 3rd place was Helen White also running excellantly. The Sportsworld team to win Silver in the team event was then made up by Adine Downs in 12th and Tara Murphy in a brillant 26th. A lot for the mens Masters Team to live up to.

2010 Sportsworld 5 Mile Classic May 16th 2010

Online Entry Sportsworld 5 Mile Classic 2010

Download the Entry Form

Sportsworld 5 Mile Classic on Facebook

The 26th Annual Sportsworld 5 Mile Classic race will start at 10am on Sunday May 16th. This is a well established race on an excellent course organised by runners for runners. You can enter on-line, complete race forms handed out at the major races between now and May or drop in to Sportsworld shop in Terenure. So many running races this year have increased their entry fee but Sportsworld have kept the €15 entry fee or €20 on the day.

Fun Runners/ Joggers
The Sportsworld race is open to anyone who wants the challenge of completing a 5mile race. We have stewards at each junction along the course stopping the traffic so you are the priority on the road and also give you that piece of encouragement when you need it. There is tea/coffee and refreshments after the race and there will be details of some new items to the race over the next few weeks on the website. Please have a look at the photos and videos of the 2009 race on the website.

Club Runners/Teams/Racers
The 2010 Sportsworld race will have significant individual and team cash prizes. Teams and top racers will be given priority in the first couple of rows at the race start. The course is well marked and is stewarded by the Gardai and Sportsworld runners. The race is lead out by a time clock car and last year the race results were available on the website the same day. There is a course map with the elevation on the website and we hope to be adding more helpful race information to the website in the coming weeks.

As usual the Sportsworld Classic 5 mile race benefits Our Lady’s Hospital For Sick Children Crumlin and any money you can raise through sponsorship will be greatly appreciated.

Half Marathon Trip Away

Given the current weather conditions here Dermot Bates and Conor Kenny have started the plans for a Sportsworld trip out of snow infested Ireland. There has been a number of very successful club trips away over the years. The half marathon allow newer runners to get their first half marathon, more established runners to get Personal Bests or add to a growing list of places they have done half marathons in. The trips away also get club members to meet other people in the club they might not train with and you get to combine a holiday with exercise. So the contenders for the trip are -

The Hague March 14th

Lisbon March 21st

Berlin March 28th

Edinburgh April 18th

Sheffiield April 25th

Wexford May 2nd

There is a comment section below if you have done any of the races before and can comment on the type of course, likely weather conditions and if it was well organised. Generally the most popular race among the people who want to go is the one chosen.

Howth IMRA & Leinster Senior XC Race Postponed

Unfortunately due to the freezing conditions Howth Hill is not accessible. The race organisers have consequently been forced to postpone this race.

Fingers crossed for Ticknock (Jan 24th) - another great race and very accessible - just behind Marley Park.

The Leinster Senior Cross Country on Sunday is also postponed, new date Feb 14th 2010.

Lost and Found

On the half marathon trip to Waterford an iPod mini was left behind. Sean O Byrne has it and he brings it to the club each Tuesday and Thursday but he knows how to work it now and may soon become one of those iPod wearing runners.

Announcement: IMRA Winter League 2010 starts January 10th

Irish Mountain Running Association Winter League 2010

The IMRA Winter League is a series of five races held on Saturdays/Sundays between January and March. The race routes are well marked and are generally between 7 and 10km in length with a mild to moderate climb. The races are very popular, typlically attracting a field of between 120 and 180 runners of all ages, colours, religions, sexes etc. The cost to enter a race is €7 per race plus an annual IMRA membership of €10.

The Winter League is an ideal way to introduce yourself to trail running. The atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming and the majority of runners are there just to enjoy a trot, in fantastic scenery, in the company of like minded individuals. That said there is plenty of competition all through the field - some of the fiercest rivalries are in the M70 category where a little sculdugery is not unknown.

Last year a number of us ran the Ran the Howth Winter Race (1st race in the Winter League) and ended up getting hooked. Your intrepid reporter ended up entering 17 races - and will be doing at least that number next year. Mr. Wall was our secret weapon in Howth getting to the top of the first hill in 3rd position and finishing in a very impressive 10th.

Sean Wall, Howth Winter 2009 (photo by John Shiels, IMRA)

Over the course of last year we had many enjoyable outings to IMRA races. Some of the regulars are shown below. Unfortunately the photo does not show Mr Kilgnanon who was last send heading south from Ticknock at high speed. We also had some ladies including Brid Higgins, Kate Healy and in a fantastic debut season Helen White winner of the Lugnacoille race and Irish Team member at the European Championships in Telfes, Austria.

Kate Healy, Howth Summer 2009 (photo by John Shiels, IMRA)

Girls take note that if you can get 3 of you to turn up for these races you are almost guaranteed the team prize!! The boys will need a couple machine guns to have any hope of a similar result.

Sportsworld Hill Runners, Crone Woods 2009

For more details on this series see the IMRA website by clicking here.

By Paul Mitchell