The Ward, Saturday November 30th – There was a healthy Sportsworld turnout at the NSRT/SMART BHAA XC held on farmland just off the N2 on Dublin’s northside. Beneath tremendously cold conditions and a thick fog lay an enterprising farmer that had built a fine indoor astro park facility on his land that could hold full sized football matches. After registration we jogged around the course, which consisted of land that had maize harvested recently; and the ground was very soft due to both heavy rainfall and the fact that some of the land had been recently ploughed. From mid morning, a crowd of people including volunteers, photographers, journalists and on lookers had assembled at the drama point of the course – an almost waist high stream that had to be briefly waded through en route to completing the course. The river wasn’t as bad as one’s mind could lead it to imagine – what was a bigger test was the short steep hill up the valley straight after it when your momentum had been absorbed by the river. If anything it served as a well needed wash along the way! This clip from last year will give you an idea: Onto the action, and 24 competitors toed the line for the girls race (4k), won by the brilliant Raheny based Pole Patrycia Wlodarczyk. Our own girls didn’t disappoint either, with Helen battling through the thick mud and fog for a podium finish; and Stephanie finishing a magnificent 4th. For the men’s race, the sluice gate was opened to allow a greater volume of water to enter the stream (which before that was below knee height). The 6k race of 130 men was won by one [...]
BHAA Teachers Cross Country
Sportsworld gang perform superbly at Castleknock Castleknock, Saturday October 10th – There was a strong Sportsworld turnout at Castleknock for the BHAA Teacher’s cross country race. The race is so titled because one of the BHAA members is a teacher at the school more famed for its rugby than its athletics. Without the help from his pupils (mainly non-exam students from 2nd & 5th years) at registration, stewarding and catering this race would not have taken place. Taking place in ideal conditions – a grand soft morning with not a puff of wind, the simultaneous start saw women competing over 2m and men over 4m. The flatter than a pancake course took place around the perimeters of the 5 rugby pitches within the grounds of this well renowned school, with over 150 finishers. Performance of the day went to Lucy in the women’s race where she took 2nd place, and admitted afterwards that she could have caught the winner Fiona Reid, but such races are not meant for busting your guts. Lucy was followed closely by a determined Helen. Next up were Stephanie, Tara and Sandra, all running in the 13s, with the latter showing off her beautiful new little daughter after it. Edel completed the Sportsworld contingent in the shorter race. Tara helped her team to win, while Edel also collected a team prize as her company came 3rd. Helen, Lucy and Sandra picked up individual prizes. Women’s 2m XC Position Name Category Company Time1 Fiona Reid Senior Teachers 12:212 (1) Lucy D’Arcy F40 12:254 (2) Helen White F40 12:296 Stephanie Bergin Senior AIB 13:2110 Tara Whyte Senior Teachers 13:4914 (2) Sandra Armstrong F35 Dublin Hospitals 13:5130 (7) Edel O Connell F35 Irish Life [...]
BHAA Pearl Izumi 10k Road Race
Great turnout from the club at last Saturday’s Pearl Izumi sponsored BHAA 10k Road Race which took place around the Firhouse Area of Dublin. Apologies if I forget anybody but following were spotted running : Paul O’Connell, Joe Byrne, Stephanie Bergin, Helen Dixon, Claire Rowley, Trevor Lloyd, Judith Lloyd, Valerie Power, Sandra Armstrong, Tommy Armstrong, Susan McDonnell, Sean O’Byrne, Ray Carpenter. Paul continued his excellent run of form by finishing second and winning his category in the summer league which included 3 individual wins and 3 second places, very consistent running by Paul, well done. Next home was Joe Byrne who jogged around in 39 minutes according to him as he was due to do a long run the next day !! Stephanie kept up her good recent form by finishing third female behind Annette Kealy and Donna Mahon and also was part of the AIB team which were 2nd in their category. Sandra was 1st in her age category. Helen Dixon was 2nd in her age category. Judith was 1st in her age category and Trevor not to be outdone was also 1st in his age category. Susan ran a pb by 3 minutes and Ray looked as fresh at the end as he had at the start of the race. I would highly recommend that you try one of the upcoming races www.bhaa.ie for remaining races in 2009 as all standard of runner is catered for and if you ask any of your colleagues that run in the BHAA races I have no doubt they will agree that their running has improved since taking part in the races. Race Report byStephen Willoughby
BHAA Zurich 2 Mile
From Track Racing 2009 Good turnout from the club at last Wednesday’s Zurich sponsored BHAA series of 2 mile races which took place in Irishtown Stadium. All races were run on a handicap basis. Unfortunately Paul O’Connell’s unbeaten run came to an end and no Paul I still had nothing to do with your handicap being reduced after you winning your respective race at the previous Irish Life & Permanent race night. Stephanie Bergin kept up her good recent form by winning her standard and Valerie Power making a welcome return to BHAA races won the open race. Ray Carpenter, Tommy and Sandra Armstrong also ran very well although Sandra was spotted being dragged off at great speed by Valerie’s dog which she was trying to look after whilst Valerie ran. For those of you who are not aware of what goes into organising an event, brief summary of what was involved in organising this event (which would also apply to the Irish Life & Permanent race night which Kathleen Horgan was responsible for organising with her colleagues). Responsibility of race Promoter to book stadium, organise race flyers/promoting event. Making sure adequate stewards in attendance to look after registration and track side and to tidy up afterwards. Timing Clock for evening and accurate recording of finishing times. Providing Tea/Coffee/Water and Refreshments, Prizes, St. Johns Ambulance to attend. Posting of results after event. Although first race started at 7.30pm myself and my colleagues were at venue from 5.15pm to set up and got to leave at 10.15pm even though last race was at 8.35pm. So do please give some appreciation to race organisers when you are attending races. Photos from Racepix365 Report by Stephen Willoughby
BHAA Irish Life 3km
From Track Racing 2009 Just to show that track running isn’t just a young kids game, this is tommy armstrong finishing strongly at the BHAA Irish Life 3km track race on wednesday last. The race organiser and club member kathleen horgan, can be seen in the background. Other club runners on the night were paul duffy, stephanie bergin, colin mahon, jean wilson and POC. The Zurich 2 Mile track race organised by Stephen Willoughby is on wednesday 26th August.