Road racing may be the public face of running at the moment, but other branches of athletics are also thriving and those who don’t particularly want to run long distances have plenty of choice.
At last year’s Dublin Graded Track and Field League for instance, such was the demand for track races such as the 800m, 1500m, mile and 3000m that some of the grades required several heats.
For anyone who wants to give track racing a go, the graded league events, alternating between Santry and Irishtown, are the perfect introduction. Tonight’s (Wed Apr 20) opening round in Santry (7.0) will feature the 800m in four grades and the 3000m in three.
Also taking place are the 100m for men and women, the hammer, high jump and long jump. At the second round in Irishtown on May 4, the programme includes graded 1500m and 200m races, as well as “development” 1500m races for the faster 1500m men and women, and the Dublin 10,000m championships. Shot, discus and triple jump are also on the programme.
On May 18, it’s the turn of the mile, 400m, pole vault, high jump and javelin.
And so it goes over eight rounds, with every event cropping up at least once, and overall points at stake in sprints, middle distance, jumps and throws categories. A highlight of last year’s league was David McCarthy’s sub-four minute run for the mile. That’s at the top end of the scale; lower down the grades, athletes are aspiring to personal bests and maybe promotion to a higher grade. All races are electronically timed.
Entry for the series is €45 for senior and masters (save €19) and €30 for juniors (save €10). Entry per meet is €8 (€5 juniors). Athletes can compete in as many events as they like on an evening.
So if you’re over 16 and a registered club member, why not head for Santry tonight and sign up? Last year, athletes came from all over the country.
Full details and programmes at www.dublinathletics.com.
EASTER RACING
Although the Easter fixtures list is packed to stretching point, there’s a famine of races in the Dublin area over the next week. Travel an hour or so and there’s more choice – a 5km in Carlow or an 8km in Emo Court on Good Friday,
a half marathon in the Cooley Mountains, Co Louth on Saturday, a duathlon in Ravensdale, Co Louth on Easter Sunday and a 10km in Rosslare or a road race in Dundalk on Easter Monday.
RUN THE HILLS
With a stretch in the evenings, many summer leagues begin over the next few weeks, with the first round of the popular Leinster Summer Hill Running League at Bray next Wednesday (April 27). Distance is 6km with 230m of climb, so not too daunting. Plus it’s on the DART. Details www.imra.ie
* As a league prequel, the annual GOAL Hill Running Relay takes place tonight at Killiney (7.30pm).
SPORTSWORLD ON TOP
Sportsworld dominated the opening 2-mile race of the Meet and Train Summer League at Irishtown with Ruth Kelly first in 12 mins 46 secs followed by Ciara Foster. Teams from Fingallians, Tallaght, Donore, Blackrock and Crusaders all took part. Next round (3 miles) is at Tallaght Sunday May 7 (11am).See www.womensmeetandtrain.blogspot.com.
FULL MARKS RAS UCD
Full marks for the organisers of the Ras UCD 5k, which attracted over 350 starters of all standards. The car-free course at Belfield was impeccably marked, the goodie bag contained no junk food or commercial fliers an everyone got a cup of tea. Winner was Emmett Dunleavy in 15 mins 19 seconds, with Robert Corbally runner-up for a second year. First woman was Laura Shaughnessy.
KEARNS, MAHON WIN IN STRAFFAN
Almost 400 turned out for the K Club 10k in Straffan, with Ronan Kearns beating BHAA chairman Paul O’Connell for victory in 32 mins 48 secs. Donna Mahon was first woman in 36 mins 26 secs. Next BHAA race is the RTE 5-Mile in Montrose on Saturday April 30 (11am); an ideal warm-up for the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon.
SHAMROCKS SUPREME
Host club Raheny dominated the National Road Relays. In the senior men’s race, they beat a healthy entry of 25 teams, with Letterkenny and Raheny B second and third. Raheny also took both men and women’s over 40 titles and women’s over 50. Kilcoole took their first ever national title when they beat Raheny and Clonliffe in the women’s race, while Liffey Valley won the men’s over 50 title.
GET THROWING!
Drinagh in Co Wexford is the venue next Monday for the Irish Throwers Club Dr Pat O’Callaghan Cup. As well as the usual throwing evens, a number of sprints will take place. Info ITC page on Facebook or nagle010@yahoo.ie
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