Title for Curley and more October News
MARATHON TITLE FOR CURLEY
The Dublin City Marathon took place on the Bank Holiday Monday and a field of over 11,000 lined up for the annual trip around the city. On a bright sunny day with a strong headwind out the course Pauline Curley was the first Irish lady home in a time of 2.42.30 finishing 9th overall behind Russian winner Alina Ivanova in 2.29.30. Speaking afterwards Pauline was delighted with taking the Irish title again and felt very comfortable in the race. With the elite ladies starting 25 minutes ahead of the main race the field soon split up and at the 8-mile mark Pauline was running on her own. By the half way point she had caught up on a group of three athletes and worked with them for a few miles before pushing ahead. The elite men caught up with her approaching the 18-mile mark and this gave her something to focus on for the rest of the race. Pauline said she felt strong over the last 3 miles and at the finish line had 8 minutes to spare over the second Irish lady Lucy Brennan. Damian Lawlor was very pleased with his time of 3.14, which was 16 minutes faster than last year. Larry Rigney was happy to get around in 4.40 while Una Mullen and Georgina Tuohey also made it to the finishing line. Brendan Kennedy was running with his brother Damien but felt they could have done better than the 5.19 they ran. Full official results will be available during the week.
LEINSTER MEDALS FOR GRENNAN AND MASTERS TEAM
Rathdrum Co Wicklow was the venue last Sunday for the first of the seasons Leinster Cross Country Championships. Catch Grennan put in a great performance in finishing 8th overall in the Masters Men’s 6k running 21.33 and taking silver in the over 35 category. John Donegan was 16th 22.10, George Webb 27th 22.53, Martin Carroll 28th 22.54, Johnny Feery 38th 23.49, Joe Wrafter 62nd 25.50 with John Harkin scoring on the county team in 20th place in 22.23. The club team took the bronze medals in very tight scoring with North Laois 64, Slaney Olympic 77, Tullamore Harriers 79 and Liffey Valley 81. In the County result Offaly were 5th on 71 points behind Laois 33, Wexford 47, Dublin 53 and Meath 70.
RACE ROUND UP
The annual Gerry Farnan Cross Country was held in the Phoenix Park on Sunday 21st October, this race is also a trial to select teams for the Masters International Cross Country to be held in November. In a very competitive ladies 3 mile event with 69 taking part Pauline Curley was first master in 16.38 and 7th overall behind the winner Deirdre Byrne. In the men’s race over 5 miles Catch Grennan was 46th in 28.09, Johnny Feery 67th in 30.01 and John Todd 69th in 30.11(2nd over 55) with Jim Langan 5th in the over 65 section running 23.30 for the 3 miles. At the time of writing Pauline Curley, Johnny Feery, John Todd and Jim Langan are in contention for Irish team places.
Fixtures :
Sunday 4th November, Offaly Senior & Junior Cross Country, Charleville Estate at 10am.
Sunday 11th November, Leinster Intermediate Cross Country, Abbeyleix, Co Laois.
Sunday 18th November, Club Winter League Round 1, Charleville Estate at 10am.
Sunday 25th November, AAI Inter Counties Cross Country, The Curragh, Co Kildare.
Training : Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30pm, Sunday morning at 8.30am (except on a race day) all are welcome.
Circuit training led by Adrian Brennan starts on Wednesday 31st at 7pm in the club house gym and will continue for the next 8 weeks. This circuit training session is an efficient and challenging form of conditioning. It works well for developing strength, endurance, flexibility and co-ordination. A typical circuit session consists of about 10 exercises completed for 60 seconds in sequence with a 30/60 second rest between each exercise. All are welcome to take part.
A reminder to all club athletes training on the roads, with the arrival of the dark evenings it is important to be seen on our busy roads. So remember to light up, wear a reflective vest or belt and flashing armbands.