Run UlsterDundrum AC Report
November 20, 2023
NATIONAL SENIOR CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
The National Senior Cross Country Championships were held in Gowran, Co Kilkenny on Sunday, November 19. It was a dry windy day. The course was wet and sticky with a lot of heavy mucky patches. We had 4 athletes compete, all in the men's race over 9km. First home for the club was 132nd Barry Hartnett, he was followed by 194th Tom O'Connell, 208th Gerry O'Neill and 112th Jim Halley. The club placed 22nd in a very competitive field. Former club member Kevin Moore now with Mullingar Harriers was 78th and the 4th Scorer on Tipperary team that won Silver in the B section. It's great to see club members competing in the top championships on the country.
NATIONAL JUVENILE EVEN AGE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
The National Juvenile Even Age Cross Country Championships were held in Gowran, Co Kilkenny on Sunday, November 19. It was a tough course which was very sticky after the recent wet weather. We had 7 athletes who qualified for this through the Munster Championships. Our U12 Girls club team ran really well in a huge field of 167 finishers. They finished 11th out of 18 clubs with 71st Ruth O’Neill leading them home, followed by 80th Ellen Maher, 89th Lily Creedon, 94th Bella Curling, 119th Katelyn Shanahan and 146th Grace Butler. Five of the girls scored on the Tipperary team who finished 11th. Albert Maher was our other athlete in action and running out of age he finished a fine 32nd and led the Tipperary team home to place 10th. The next competition is the Munster B Juvenile Championship which will take place in Riverstick, Co Cork on Sunday, November 25 and we have 25 entered to compete.
JOE DUFFY BMW CLONTARF HALF MARATHON AND 5 MILE
The Clontarf Half Marathon and 5 Mile was held on Saturday, November 18. It is considered the flattest half marathon and 5 mile in the country, but the wet and windy weather would hinder it being a fast race. It takes place over Clontarf Promenade and Bull Island, taking in views of Howth Head and Dublin Bay. We had 3 compete in the Half Marathon. First home for the club was John Barry 1:46:08, he was followed by Pat Hayes 2:09:27 and Pats youngest daughter Keeley Hayes took on her first half marathon in 2:41:08. Pats eldest daughter Sinead Hayes ran the 5 Mile in 57:49. Great to see a family get out and run together and as well as great friends.
BEAT THE TRAIN
The Beat the Train in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland was held on the Waterford Greenway on Saturday, November 18. Two of our Fit4Life coaches made the trip to the Deise County to run in the 10 Mile race. Catherine Fogarty had a great race to place 5th woman in 1:10:06. Claire Ryan also ran well in 1:35:28. The race souvenir was an odd pair of socks. Thanks to these two women who volunteer their time with our Fit4Life group and also the juveniles.
CORK REBEL RUN 10K
The Cork Rebel Run 10k was held on Sunday, October 22. Tomás Kennedy had a fantastic race to place 10th in 37:47.
Featured Image: Dundrum AC's men at the National Senior Cross Country Championships in Gowran, Co Kilkenny. L-R: Jim Halley, Gerry O'Neill, Tom O'Connell and Barry Hartnett.
