It will be 33rd edition of this classic race and Sportsworld has been well represented at it throughout the years. School books of Irish folklore have been updated with the epic battle of a certain husband and wife back in 1984. Way back then, when Miami Vice first beamed into our lives on the small screen, John Treacy picked up silver in the marathon at the LA Olympics and Star Trek III – The search for Spock hit the silver screen, this competitive duo left Dublin and hiked to east cork and lined up with the good and great of Irish athletics. They stood side by side (playing elbows) on the start line. The wife was feeling confident as she hummed Cyndi Lauper’s new No.1 “Girls just wanna have fun”. But it was the husband who first stormed up through the fishing village, over the crest of the hill to the finish line in 56.13 followed by his better half in 57:42. After not talking the whole way home the poor lady had to endure months of gloating across the kitchen table – pass the salt….ahh to slow! So in 1985, Emily Dowling lined up again and ran a stunning 56:00, knocking 13 seconds off Mick’s time to get a classic Dowling time!

Well, looking out the window at 8 o’clock saturday morning I was not envious of my red army brothers and sisters setting out on their 10 mile challenge. As they lined up however on the start line to do battle the clouds parted biblically (work with me) and the sun came out to warm the backs of the 6000 hearty souls taking to task on the day. A strong sportsworld mens team had clear intentions to take a medal in the Dublin Championship. Some of the girl’s finest were also present.

Kildare’s finest export since Jack L, Paul O’ Connell lead the way for Sportsworld continuing his rich vein of form. With only 2 Irishmen ahead of him, Paul powered his way to fifth in a superb 53.38, leaving guys he peviously was packing with in his wake. He is closing in on the elite men week by week. Next in was westmeath’s finest export since Joe Dolan. Paul ‘Duff Man Duffy’, another man in a rich vein of from continued his successful summer with a brilliant 57.05, finishing in 21st. Paul again is going shoulder to shoulder with guys, previously minutes ahead of him.

Next in was the ever green Trevor ‘silver tongue’ Sweeney. The veteran was well up in the over 35′s coming in just a shade behind Paul in 57.28, 24th place. He may have even pipped Paul had he not stopped to chat to a blond bysander in the last mile. Gareth Murran was fouth man in, breaking the hour comfortably in 59.33. Having displayed huge potential on the track during the summer, this will have served as a good base for him to build up his stamina for the remaining distance races and cross country season. Gareth has a big year ahead ahead of him and will undoubtedly continue his steady improvements. Michael ‘Con Houlihan’ Cunningham was next man in, finishing in 1.01.06. This didn’t really do him justice as his training and recent races have shown a return to form. Michael is building up nicely for the national half and should really kick into gear for the cross country season, where he has probably displayed his best performances.

Lucy looked close to her best, running hard all the way to a fantastic fourth overall and first in her age group (O 21′s). Colm Kennedy followed her in with an impressive 1.04.35. Martin Keenan ran a fine 1.06.14 building up nicely for the marathon, just ahead of Joe Byrne. Joe shook of a recent knock to storm home in 1.06.28. Life in the old dog yet……..

Stephanie was second girl home in 1.07, followed by Ciara in 1.12.47, representing the girls team with distinction. Dave ‘El Nugget’ Clarke continued his marathon preparations cruising home in 1.10.17, reaping the benefits of a good training bloc. Just ahead was the bowld Will Greensmyth, flown in for the weekend. Limerick’s finest finished in 1.10.11. Eoiny ‘Felony’ got back on track for his assault on the 26.2 miles in October with a solid 1.14.10 and will be fighting fit for the half next month.

A great team performance all in all and we look forward to the rest of the autumn and pending winter with high hopes.

Here’s a link to the photo album with a larger selection available at racepix365 and full results.

Is mise le meas,
Phil Kilgannon.

Full results.

Also this weekend is the Adidas Frank Duffy 10 mile in the Phoenix Park. Online entry is still possible but from newspaper reports last week the event is a near sell out……6000 expected to line up! If you are not running come out and support the club as we’ll be fielding strong men’s and women’s teams and the club usually has a high turn out of runners at this event. If you are entered wear your club singlet or if you need a singlet see Emily or Mick at training this week. Also if there is some interest we may look at organising going out for a bit of food & drink on Saturday night to replenish your bodies supplies after a hard mornings racing!

Full Results: http://www.ballycottonrunning.com/FullResult20091.htm

19 Paul O’Connell (No. 1273) MS 16 00:56:25 00:56:30
27 Edward Mcentee (No. 156) M40 3 00:56:59 00:57:03
47 Michael Cunningham (No. 3004) MS 26 00:59:04 00:59:09
77 Paul Duffy (No. 2435) MS 39 01:01:49 01:01:53
165 Jakub Splawski (No. 682) MS 84 01:05:26 01:05:39
291 Edel Madigan (No. 3386) FS 16 01:09:59 01:10:21
341 Orla Jordan (No. 127) FS 22 01:11:10 01:11:46
360 Sean Sweeney (No. 2189) M45 23 01:11:57 01:12:10
362 Colin Mccarthy (No. 2612) MS 173 01:12:01 01:12:14
363 Eoin O’Brien (No. 3223) MS 174 01:12:01 01:12:14
384 Keith Fortune (No. 415) MS 184 01:11:56 01:12:34
389 Stephen Willoughby (No. 943) M40 46 01:12:27 01:12:40
505 Catherine O’ Neill (No. 1182) FS 41 01:14:28 01:14:45
829 Ray Carpenter (No. 1615) M50 21 01:19:46 01:20:00
877 Louise Bruton (No. 58) F35 21 01:20:10 01:20:46
1048 Aileen Melody (No. 2874) F45 12 01:22:45 01:23:21
2079 Laurence Delair (No. 2191) M35 322 01:38:07 01:39:24

Let me know if I missed any names from the list above. The full results are here.