On Saturday 26/09/09 about 6000 runners gathered in Phoenix Park to take part in this year’s Dublin half-marathon. Among the participants there were a lot runners in white and red Sportsworld singlets. We ran on a new course which consisted of one lap and seemed flatter than last year’s. As it’s impossible to make one 13 miles lap in Phoenix Park that wouldn’t include any hills so some of us had difficult moments climbing the Kyber Road and the hill near the lake on the 12th mile. Fortunately, at the top of Kyber Rd there was a big group of our club runners who had just finished their weekly cross country session and gave us a great support. The last hill seemed much harder as when it finally leveled up you had 12 miles in you legs and it was very difficult to force them to the final effort. The fastest man from Sportsworld was Paul O’Connell (3rd overall) and our fastest woman was Stephanie Bergin. Caroline Lynch was 1st in category F60. Eanna Cunnane who is getting back to running after a serious injury was 4th in M35 and Orla Jordan was 5th in F35. Well done to all runners and thank you to all supporters! There were so many club members taking part in the race that it was hard to find everyone in the results (if you ran and you’d like to be added on email us with your name and start number:-)). Place overall/ Name/ From/ Cat./ Place in cat./ Chip time/ Finish time 3 Paul O’Connell (No. 2193) Kildare MS 3 01:11:09 01:11:10 20 Eanna Cunnane (No. 4947) Dublin M35 4 01:15:34 01:15:36 66 Gareth Murran (No. 121) Dublin MS [...]
National Half Marathon
At the weekend 8 Sportsworld members made the trek to Ballybofey, Co Donegal for the National Half Marathon and returned with one medal. Leaving on Saturday lunch time, we opted to use Letterkenny as a holding base and arrived there before 17.00. We rented 2 newly built celtic tiger style houses in the town centre in what proved to be much better, cheaper and comfortable than B&B’s or hotels as we had our own space. After receiving the keys from the landlady (to whom we assured that we weren’t a stag party, much the opposite in fact), one of the first things to be done was to get some shopping for food and supplies so we strolled down town. In the local mall we came across a Super Valu that was there 2 years ago but had somehow been replaced, and a rival sports chain store called Sports World; showing that there are alternatives to Ireland’s best sports shop. Then when we found a Dunnes Stores, there was much debate and disagreement as to what we should buy for the houses and what would be a sinful waste of money from the kitty we’d all chipped into. After unpacking we went downtown for dinner and to see the boys in green score a very lucky world cup qualifier win over Cyprus. On Sunday morning we drove to a drizzly & dreary Ballybofey (the home of one of Ireland’s all time greatest distance running clubs Finn Valley AC), and after a warm up jog on their cinder track we jogged to the start line and away we went. The race consisted of predominantly northern club runners and people from the north west, however a fair share [...]
Inaugural Multimarathon Half Marathon
A number of club members (Louise Bruton, Helen Dixon, Karen O’Connor, Claire O’Brien, Tara Murphy, Stephen Willoughby, apologies of I missed anybody) took part in the inaugural Multimarathon Half Marathon which took place last Sunday the 28th June. Course sounded lovely on paper as out and back course along Clontarf Road Promenade, onto Bull Island to run along Dollymount Strand and then join Promenade heading towards Kilbarrack Road and then double back. As your truly had run night before in Dunshaughlin, Tara very kindly offered to keep me company. We were full of chat for the first couple of miles until we both started to complain about how hot it was as race had a 11 of clock start and must have been in the mid to high 20s. Running along Dollymount Strand was surreal as fog had come down and you could only see about 30 metres infront of you. Louise led us home closely following by Helen who both looked very strong as they passed us on opposite side of the road. After Tara saying with a couple of Kms to go she wasn’t going to finish and I spending those Km’s persuading her that she was going to finish she took off into a sprint for the line which I couldn’t match, so much for finishing together!! Karen and Claire both seemed to run well. Funny what keeps you going as all I could think about near the end of the race was treating myself to a nice cold Diet Coke, so I got myself two! Full Results. Report ByStephen Willoughby
Clare Burren Challange
Last weekend six valiant explorers headed west to try their hand at the second Clare Burren Half Marathon based out of Ballyvaughan in Clare. With Phil in the driving seat, and Paul Duffy strapped up in the back we set out of Dublin early on Friday afternoon which turned out to be a cracking day by the time with reached the West. And so with time on our side we stopped off in Kinvara to get a closer look at the impressively kept Dunguaire Castle and chill out by the harbor in the sun. After rendezvousing with our three other companions Ed McEntee, Trevor Sweeney and Dublin ex-pat William Greensmyth we headed out for a few sociable drinks around the village before we retired to our rooms looking forward to a run in the sun. If awaking to sound of the rain and wind beating the window wasn’t unsettling enough, answering a knock on the door in my shorts and singlet 30 minutes before the race to see Ed wearing a hat, gloves, long sleeve shirt, leggings and trail runners really gave me a feeling of being slightly under prepared. The race consists of a marathon, half marathon and mini marathon and is organised by the Ballyvaughan Hill Walkers Club and so as can be expected a large part of the field where walkers. So out by the pier in the lashing rain the brave Sportsworld souls defiantly made our way to the front in our vests and shorts through the field of backpacks, walking sticks and stairs through the rain gear. Our MC for the day (and he was MC’ing the whole day!) informed us to remember it wasn’t a race but a challenge [...]
Adidas Half Marathon
A fairly warm morning for todays half marathon in the pheonix park. Here are some photo’s and we’ll get the results up as soon as we have them.