Maria McCambridge of Letterkenny smashed the course record by half a minute with a sensational time of 54: 48 on a cold, windy day at the 35th Ballycotton ’10’.
McCambridge hopes to make the London 2012 qualifying mark of 2 hours 37 minutes at the Rome Marathon on March 18.
The previous Ballycotton record of 55:20 was set by Westbury’s Marian Sutton in 1997. Sutton, who had a best marathon time of 2:28:42, ran the 2000 Olympic marathon and also won Chicago twice. When she ran in Ballycotton she was pushed hard by Clonliffe’s Cathy Shum, who finished just a second behind.
By contrast, McCambridge was on her own for much of the race, finishing 16th overall. Second woman was the 2011 winner Lizzie Lee of Leevale, in 57 mins 17 secs, 90 seconds faster than a year earlier. Sonia O’Sullivan’s 51 minutes run in Portsmouth 2002 is the Irish best.
Another record was set by Mary Sweeney of St Finbarr’s, winner of the inaugural Ballycotton women’s race in 1979. That day, Mary ran 68:47 – her 64:57 on Sunday was 1:13 faster than she ran last year and improved on her own W50 record.
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| Sergiu Ciobanu |
While the women were setting the records, defending men’s champion Sergiu Ciobanu of Clonliffe had good reason to be pleased with his effort. His time of 49:20 was 16 seconds quicker than his winning time of last year. In second place was Annadale’s Paddy Hamilton in 50:24, with local man James McCarthy third and Raheny retaining their team title.
Of the 31 who completed their very first “Ballycotton” in 1978, seven ran on Sunday, among them John Walshe, the man who spearheads the huge community effort that goes into this special race every year.
In the demanding world we live in, John and his superb team of volunteers have managed to keep it simple. They charge as little as they can get away with, they don’t kowtow to big-name sponsors and they look after the basics – a well-judged course, plenty of parking, and a place where finishers can gather and chat. Others have tried to simulate its success; few come close.
Ballycotton is magic; long may it flourish!
Clonliffe’s Gary O’Hanlon and Pauline Curley of Tullamore were the winners of the Meath Spring Half Marathon in Bohermeen, leading home an entry of almost 750 with a further 250 running a 5km fun run. O’Hanlon was never under any pressure, with his time of 70 mins 51 secs putting him almost three minutes clear of Peter Mooney from Clonard and Paul O’Connell of Sportsworld. Curley had an equally emphatic win in the women’s race, finishing in 78:58 mins. In second place was Dunboyne’s Emilia Dan who came to racing through the Meet and Train leagues. At the other side of the country, Kilnaboy’s Michael Shannon won the Kinvara Half Marathon in 70 mins 14 secs.
A team of just three athletes competes in the World Indoors Championships starting on Friday in Istanbul, Turkey. First up is Ciarain O Lionard of Leevale who goes in the 1500m heats on Friday afternoon, followed by 2006 champion Derval O’Rourke in the 60m hurdles that evening. Early on Saturday morning, Ben Reynolds of North Down lines out in the heats of the men’s 60m hurdles. The 1500m final take place that evening, with both hurdles finals on Sunday.
Closer to home, the stars of the future were in action at the Scottish Indoors in Glasgow. Star of the show was Molly Scott of St LOT, winner of the W14 60m and the 60m hurdles and second in the long jump. At under 16 level, Ciara Gallagher from Naas won the 300m, Ciara Green of Craughwell the 1500m and Ciara Dunne of Crookstown the shot putt. In the older age groups, Kevin Lynch of DSD jumped 13.14 to win the M20 triple jump.
With spring always a busy time for road races, entry is now open for the Terenure 5-Mile on Sunday May 13 (11am) – a new name and a new look for the Dublin 5-Mile Classic organised so successfully by the Sportsworld club for 27 years. A re-designed course, based in Terenure College, will take in two loops of the roads near Sportsworld’s base at Bushy Park. Entry is €20 with a guaranteed minimum of €5 from each entry going directly to Special Olympics Eastern Region. Details www.terenure5mile.com.
Also open for entries is the annual road race series sponsored by the Dublin Marathon. This year’s series includes the inaugural Fingal 10km in Swords. The series begins with the Irish Runner 5-Mile on Saturday June 30, followed by the Fingal 10km on Sunday July 22, the Frank Duffy ’10’ on August 25 and the Dublin Half Marathon on September 15. All except the Fingal 10km take place in the Phoenix Park. Entry for each is €20; run all for €65; see www.dublinmarathon.ie.
Causing traffic jams in the Enfield area on Saturday was the Runamuck Spring Challenge – 5km and 10km challenges across a series of obstacles in distinctly mucky conditions. Over 3,000 completed at least one lap, with Diarmuid Collins first on the 10km in 46 min 15 secs; army woman Lisa McMahon was first woman about 12 minutes later.
In nearby NUI Maynooth, BHAA runners also got muddy at the annual AIB/NUIM cross-country. Winners were Sonya O’Connell and Tony Reilly. Next up is Saturday’s Dublin Airport cross-county at the Alsaa (11.30).
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