Dublin clubs dominated the Woodie’s DIY Half Marathon Challenge and National Championship in Waterford, which attracted almost 700 entries from all over the country.
Sean Hehir of Rathfarnam WSAF, aged only 26 and originally from Co Clare, took his first national title when he won the race in 65 minutes 24 seconds after breaking away with about five miles to go. Brian Maher of Kilkenny City Harriers beat Bantry’s Alan O’Shea for second place in 66 mins 40 secs.
With Barry Minnock 4th and Mark Ryan 8th, Rathfarnham WSAF also took team gold ahead of Clonliffe and Raheny Shamrock – a Dublin clean sweep.
The Dublin success story continued in the women’s race, when national cross-country champion Ava Hutchinson of Dundrum South Dublin made a winning half marathon debut.
Although she struggled badly over the last mile of so, Hutchinson crossed the line in a good time of 74 mins 30 secs and, like so many other athletes in Waterford, is now looking forward to the National Lottery Dublin Marathon.
Early leader Gladys Ganiel O’Neill of North Belfast was a minute behind for second with Julie Turley from Dromore third in 78:02. First master was Clonmel’s Angela McCann, fourth in 78 mins 49 secs.
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| Sean Hehir |
Winning the women’s team title was the Raheny Shamrock trio of Eilish Kelly, Annette Kealy and Fiona Roche, with Rathfarnham second and Donore third – another Dublin clean sweep. Tallaght was first of the women’s over 40 teams, with Rathfarnham second and Mayo third. Waterford was first over 50 team.
Honours were shared in the masters categories. First men’s master was Letterkenny’s Pauric McKinney, who just beat Mick Traynor from Raheny, with the pair of them taking M45 gold and silver.
Over a minute behind and first over 40 was Clonliffe’s Declan Power, while first over 50 was Gerry O’Connell of North East.
Taking the over 40 team medals was the Raheny Shamrock club, with St Finbarr’s from Cork second and Donore third. Rathfarnham was first over 50 team, beating North East Runners from Dundalk, with Tallaght third.
It meant Dublin clubs won five of the six team categories on offer, a testament to the strength of long-distance road running in the capital.
Standards have also improved greatly, thanks to the Millennium Mission programme funded by the Dublin Marathon, with the top three men under 67 minutes and the top three women under 79 minutes. Behind the winners, to break into the top 100 required a sub-80 minute time.
All good news!
ALBANIAN ADVENTURE FOR MINNOCK
Rathfarnham’s Barry Minnock returns to his roots when he leads the Irish men’s team at this weekend’s World Mountain Running Championships in Albania. Also selcted are Clonliffe’s Brian McMahon and Ian Conroy of Raheny.
DSD’s Sarah Mulligan, winner of the trial, leads a women’s team that includes her team mate Fiona Clinton and the veteran Donna Mahon, as well as England-based Sarah McCormack.
A strong junior men’s team, led by James Egan of DSD, could challenge for a place in the top six.
* Winner of the Dublin Peaks 36km from Ticknock was Zoran Skraba in a new record time of 2 hours 52 minutes 16 minutes. Second was Dallas Baird in 3:10:35
BHAA BACK ON THE ROADS
BHAA runners are back on the roads this weekend with Firhouse the venue for the Saturday’s Grant Thornton 10km (11am). Registration is at Firhouse Community Centre from 9.30am, with the usual BHAA welcome for newcomers.
* James McFadden proved fastest of a good entry at the BHAA Zurich 2-Mile track meet in Tallaght. MacFadden was timed at 9 minutes 41 seconds in the first of five races. Fastest woman was Edel Madigan 11 mins 56 secs.
ENTRY LIMIT REACHED FOR DUBLIN HALF
Entry is now closed for the National Lottery Half Marathon on Saturday September 17 in the Phoenix Park. The limit of 8,500 entries was reached last week. Entry for the Dublin Marathon closes on October 5.
RUN FOR YOUR T-SHIRT IN RATHFARNHAM!
A quality technical t-shirt, courtesy of Sub-4, is on offer for the first 900 to finish the Rathfarnham 5km on Sunday September 25 – not just the first 900 entries as we thought. So if you want to wear the t-shirt, you’ve got to do some work! Register online at www.athleticsrathfarnham.ie. Entry fee is €20.
HAITI CHARITY RACE IN ASHFORD
Ashford in Co Wicklow is the venue on Sunday September 18 (2pm) for a 5km charity race in aid of the Haven house building project in Haiti. Organiser Tim Grumell promises a fast flat course for both runners and walkers and tea and sandwiches for all. Details www.haiti5krun.com.
AOIFE TAKES ON THE MEN IN CLONEE
Raheny’s Aoife Talty not only was first woman but finished second overall in the Kilbride GFC 5km, held in Clonee, Co Meath. Civil Service veteran Paul Cowhie was the race winner in 16 minutes 40 seconds with Talty exactly a minute behind for second.
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