St Patrick's 5K Road Race

The image is copyright RacePix 365

After a cold winter and plenty of miserable afternoons in muddy fields in the middle of nowhere, yesterday for many was the first road race of the summer season. The ST PATRICK’S 5K FESTIVAL ROAD RACE is held on the streets of Dublin.

It's nice to run at speed around the city streets. The course goes around Dawson Street, Baggot Street area and along the canal. It felt like the start of summer with a great Spring day for racing. The substantial €1000 (1st) prize money brings many of the top athletes out. The course is mostly flat so if it’s your day then a PB is on the cards. There was a large crowd of spectators and people dotted all around the course.

I was chatting to Lucy at the start questioning why I was running after missing a bunch of training. After a slow start I saw that there a group with the top 2 girls in front of me when I turned onto Baggot Street. I closed the gap and ran along side for about 3-4 minutes. After busting a gut I started to fall back at about the 2.5K mark and sadly that was the end of the racing. I was in bits but determined not to give up I kept running but couldn’t relax into the race. I started to get passed out which never happens to me in a 5K and see a large gap open up come 3.5K with the group in front of me.

After 5K of running I was about a minute off where I would have liked to finish. I went over in 16:53. The time is by no means a complete disaster but way off what I’d be aiming for over the summer. Next over the line pushing each other to the line was Lucy and Crona. Lucy continued her outstanding form of late to finish second in the Over 40's Ladies. The girls also picked up a bronze team medal.

The only problem I had with the course was the markers. They are key to knowing how you are doing in these shorter races. The only marker I saw on the course was at the 4K mark. Apart from that a great race that comes highly recommended.



A full list of results is shown below.

33	30	30	321	MURRAN GARETH	SPORTSWORLD A.C.		-	00:16:53	00:16:53
71	12	2	1122	D'ARCY LUCY	SPORTSWORLD A.C.		F40	00:18:01	00:18:01
73	13	61	1120	BRADY CRONA	SPORTSWORLD A.C.		-	00:18:01	00:18:01
82	16	69	1121	BRADY AOIFE	SPORTSWORLD A.C.		-	00:18:18	00:18:16
96	19	77	1452	WILSON JEAN	SPORTSWORLD A.C.		-	00:18:30	00:18:26
122	21	96	1095	ARMSTRONG SANDRA	SPORTSWORLD A.C.		-	00:19:04	00:19:01
241	206	16	26	WILLOUGHBY STEPHEN	SPORTSWORLD A.C.		M45	00:21:09	00:20:59
282	240	10	1551	MCMORROW KILLIAN	SPORTSWORLD A.C.		M50	00:21:55	00:21:42
346	61	7	1010	MURPHY TARA	SPORTSWORLD A.C.		F40	00:22:30	00:22:20
694	506	19	1074	GANNON ROBERT	SPORTSWORLD A.C.		M55	00:26:42	00:26:31

Jingle Bells 5km 2009

Saturday 5th December, Phoenix Park

Santas, reindeers and brack........It could only be one thing. No not the Sportsworld christmas Party, The Jingle Bells 5k. Conditions were ideal with the air dry and crisp and a mammoth field of 1500 runners who kicked of the seasons festivities and cheer with this staple of the Irish running calender. It was like a pantomine cast with Lucy bouncing around tinsel and all and Trevor grumbling Ba Humbug.......For some there were serious business to attend to. Stephen Willoughby and Eoin O'Brien stood askance like two mean lookin cowboys in a spaghetti western. They cast each other a cool side ways glance at the start, matchsticks in mouth, and the scene was set.

There was a quality field of runners on display. We had the honour of the great Ronnie Delaney gracing us with a few words and setting us on our way. The stampede commenced at the Furry Glenne and the field was starting to string out by the first corner at the main road. The thoroughbreads assembled up front with the prodigious John Travers from Donore (remember that name), Thomas Fitpatrick, Pat McCartan, the great Peter Matthews and some of Raheny's finest to the fore. I was joined by my usual cronies a ways back with Dave Byrne, Paul Cowhie and Ronan Kearns within strides all the ways along.

The kilometres passed quickly, especially with the great support on the sidelines. In the heel of the hunt Travers held of Fitzpatrick to deliver a popular home win in a blistering 14.33, followed by Fitzpatrick and McCartan, who will all be gearing up for a promising indoors season in the new year. Over a minute behind the Dave Byrne held off the encroaching group with characteristic grit. Kearns and Cowhie put on the nitros to drop me easily on the finishing straight. A satisfactory day nonetheless to finish in 22nd and 15.48. Give me the cross country any day.

Crona Brady capped off an epic year in which she has been making huge strides, storming home in 7th place in a brilliant 17.55. I notice Eoiny Fellony isn't making bets with her anymore.........Lucy was next in with a fine 18.14, also wrapping up an Annus Briliantus after her marathon glory. Just behind her stormed Santra Armstrong in 18.45. The crowd then huddled in (popcorn in hand) to see Eoiny hold off Stephen in the Clash of the Titans. I believe their people are in talks to arrange a rematch, due to popular demand. Judith cruised and Trevor clambered home to cap off a red ribbon day of racing.

Edel Madigan took a break from winning meet & train races in the mud and rain to try her hand on the roads and Amy Fitzgerald also braved the cool crisp morning after returning from another successful Lanzarote trip. We also had crossing the line Colin Mahon, Irene O'Connor, Sibeal Waldron, Karen O'Connor, Lorna Roe & Lucie Coley flying the flag for the club. A great day was had by all. Bring on the turkey......

Full results here and racepix photos here.

Report By
Phil Kilgannon

Rathfarnham 5km 2009

Saturday’s rain had cleared and the sun was shining for the annual Rathfarnham 5K road race on Sunday. A decent punch of Sportsworld athletes lined up at the start line opposite Tesco.

For those who have been running the Addidas race series and gotten used to checking their watch every mile the 5K comes as a shock to the system. In the 5K, tactics moves and pushes you make during your race can make or break you.

Physically, the 5K is tough because you're racing at just about your VO2 max, with the shorter distance over the more common 10K the margin for error is significantly less. You can’t go on an all out sprint or be too conservative during the first kilometre of a 5K. Paul Duffy doesn’t understand conservative starts. Paul was right up there with the leading pack as soon as guest starter George Lee set the race off on time at 10AM.

The course brings you down by Bushy, across the bridge and up the hill towards Terenure. Then there is a slight uphill followed by a seemingly endless long straight up toward Tempelogue cross roads. We run this course all the time but when you hit Tesco with a kilometre to go your hurting and then someone makes the push for home. You have a split second to decide to go and put the foot down or risk being left in the dust. The last kilometre of the 5K is where most runners either succeed or fail in meeting their target. Looking back to see where someone else is, is not an option. When you kick for home with 200 or 400 metres to go it’s a case of gritting the teeth and holding in there.

It’s not that often that you get to run fast in a race off the track but the 5K is a great distance for that, it’s thoroughly enjoyable. Our ever impressive Ladies team took the team title whilst our first man home today was Paul Duffy in 28th place, in a time of 16:03. Aoife Brady was our first lady home in 53rd with a time of 17:13. The race was won by a considerable 20 seconds in 14:22 by Mark Christie and Lynda Byrne in 16:10 for the ladies.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the race and with 5 seconds separating 3 of the Rathfarnham novice men’s runners and 2 from Sportsworld, next Sundays Dublin Novice cross country promises to be an exciting race.

The first sportsworld men and women home were:

Mens
28 737 Paul Duffy Sportsworld AC MS 00:16:03
30 1723 Gareth Murran Sportsworld AC MS 00:16:05
62 691 Colin McCarthy Sportsworld AC MS 00:17:37

Ladies
53 1887 Aoife Brady Sportsworld AC FS 00:17:13
68 1888 Crona Brady FS 00:17:42
94 1247 Helen White Sportsworld AC F40 00:18:32

Report by
Garrett Murran

National Senior Track & Field Championships

From Track Racing 2009

Aoifa Brady, a name to watch out for in the not to distant future. 1 of only 2 representative from Sportsworld to race in these prestiege championships. Saturday evening, 4:25pm National 5k on next, Aoife takes her place on that start line,she looks great,like she belongs. Bang, there goes the gun & there goes the girls,12.5 gruelling laps with a stronge enough wind in your face every time that home straight was hit.

Linda Byrne & Rosmary Ryan were gone from the gun,it was clear from the start it was a 2 horse race between them, how-ever the race for bronze was there for who-ever was hungry enough to go for it. Aoife ran a very sensible race, she knew what she had to do. Staying tucked in the middle of the pack until it was time to go. 10.5 laps gone, 2laps left, 3rd place still up for grabs, just like changing gears in your car,Aoife change her gear fron 3rd to 4th,a gap was opened immediately,600mts still to race & off she goes,from 4th to 5th gear,that was it there was no catching her now. The sound of the bell...1 more lap,arms in full swing,legs in full stride,the field was broken.Aoife went on to clain a very fine National bronze medal in an excellent time of 17mins 38 behind 1st place Linda & 2nd place Rosemary.

Sunday afternoon, 4:05pm, not as windy today, but still a wind none the less, time for Aoife to take her place on the track once again,this time accompanied by her sister & club/team-mate Crona. The 2 girls on the line side by side with some top athletes. The're off for a very fast 3 & 3/4 laps on a sunny & breezy afternoon of day 2. Although battle ensued between the 1st 3 athletes Deidre Byrne,Roisin McGettigan & Kelly Mc Niece, Aoife hung in for a very good 4th place fininsh. Crona ran with great confidence to notch up a season's best & a peronal best time of 4min 46 on her debut to this national senior event. Now she has a taste of what its like she could be a name & face to watch for next season.

Well done both of you on very fine performances.

Race Report By
Lucy Darcy

Photos By
Gareth Murran

BHAA ESB BEACH RACE

There was a large turn out of club members (Ed McEntee, Stephen Willoughby, Colin Mahon, Tommy Arnstrong, Tara Murphy , Crona Brady, Mary Finn, Kathleen Horgan, Stephanie Bergin, Paul O’Connell) for the BHAA ESB 5K Beach Race, which took place on sandymount strand. 291 in total took part on a lovely sunny evening, although being a beach race, the surface ranged from flat, to ripples, to soft with some pools of water thrown in to add a challange.

Paul and Crona obviously used their experience of running on the beach in Lanzarote, as Paul won the race in what I believe to be a course record of 16.03 finishing 22 seconds ahead of Davy Byrne who has won this race for the last three years. Crona was first female home and winning her first BHAA race, in what I also believe is a course record time of 18.51, well ahead of Orla Gormley who has won the race for the last 6 years. Mary Finn just missed out on a club one, two as she finished two seconds behind Orla Gormley in third. Stephanie finished 4th and Kathleen 6th.

Not to be outdone Ed was 9th overall, and first in his age category. Tommy won his age category. Kathleen also won her age category and was part of the Irish Life & Permanent Team which were second and Stephen was part of the Zurich Team who were 3rd in Grade 1.

Well done to Tara and Colin who also ran very well

Report By
Stephen Willoughby

5 Mile Classic Online Entry

Online entry for the Sportsworld 5 mile Classic 2009 are now available. The race is on Sunday May 17th at 10am.

Rathfarnham 5k Road Race Oct 2008

Congratulations to Sportsworld Runners

Aoife Brady 7th / Lucy Darcy 9th in the Senior race.
And Carol Lynch 2nd >in the o/60 category.
In todays Rathfarnham WSAF 5k Road Race.
Race report by
Paddy Lynch

BHAA DCC 5km Results

Another good turn out of sportsworld runners at tonights event in irishtown park.

00:15:39 O'Connell Paul
00:18:31 Duffy Paul
00:19:39 O'Callaghan Kathleen
00:20:27 Willoughby Stephen

BHAA ESB Beach 5km Results

The results of tuesdays beach race in sandymount. Well done to all sportsworld runners.

2 00:16:18 O'Connell Paul
6 00:17:35 McEntee Ed
69 00:20:41 O'Callaghan Kathleen
103 00:21:59 Willoughby Stephen
143 00:23:12 O'Brien Eoin

Jingle Bells 2007

Tommy O'Neill 20.07
Lorna Quinn 20.56
Anne Higgins 21.04
Helen Dixon 21.57
Ciara Foster 21.58
Stephen Willoughby 22.06
Brian Conway 23.02
Sinead McGongle 25.15
Clora O'Riorda
Edel O'Connell

5km Rathfarnham 2007

Congratulations to everybody who ran in last Sunday's Rathfarnham 5K road race. Breda Browne was 2nd in the over 40 category, and the girls' team were also second, led home by Jean Wilson (fresh off the plane from Canada), with Lucy Darcy, Sandra Armstrong and Orlagh Fleming also running. Phil Kilgannon was the first of the Sportsworld men in 15:47. Here are the full results for Sportsworld Club members :

22- Phil Kilgallon MS 00:15:47
54 - Jean Wilson FS 00:17:21
68 - Lucy Darcy F35 00:18:21
82 - Sandra Armstrong F35 00:18:48
106 - Eoin O'Brien MS 00:19:55
117 - Killian McMorrow M40 00:20:17
118 - Stephen Willoughby M40 00:20:19
122 - Orlagh Fleming FS 00:20:31
126 - Jaqui O'Hagan FS 00:20:51
130 - James Shanahan MS 00:21:14
139 - Breda Brown F40 00:21:27
147 - Brian Kelly M40 00:21:37
162 - Ann McGreal F55 00:22:25
171 - John Fitzgerald M50 00:22:47
181 - Catherine King F40 00:23:18
184 - Tommy Armstrong M65 00:23:26
190 - Claire Harrington F45 00:23:36
211 - Catherine Gilmor F40 00:24:47
223 - Jennifer Maher FS 00:25:16
267 - Lawrence Delair F35 00:28:35