Please Pass The word Around
Charleville Half Marathon
Charleville Half Marathon
Captain Claire Fitzgerald reporting
To some Midleton AC runners, this is the pinnacle of the
summer training season and to others, a dress rehearsal for the October
marathons (Dublin, Frankfurt & New York), being only weeks away.
Either way, it’s one to race, to assess the fitness
situation.
The weekend weather could only be described as inclement,
but to our 12 athletes that made the journey, the calm after the storm had definitely
arrived.
Bright blue skies, enough sun to take the nip away and a
sell-out race made this a recipe for what was to prove for MAC athletes, ‘a very
good day at the office’.
Hats off to Charleville for great race organisation. 10am is
a perfect start time, especially for those travelling from Midleton.
Our first man home was Derek Ahern, in 84! This popular MAC
man is without doubt running out of his skin. Derek, being very measured and
risk aware, is well on target for a very good Dublin marathon. Even the gentle
breeze as we entered the last furlong didn’t knock Derek off his PB. Followed
closely by Kevin Smith in ‘85 who exited North Cork as quickly as he entered
it. Kevin is doing Frankfurt and should be quite pleased with his run today.
Don McDonald our Monaghan exile came home today with a PB of
’87, he looks like he is on target for Dublin. The Dungourney hills are
becoming more appealing, judging by Don’s race time. Possibly our new Saturday
runs?
Paul Geary ran a superb race in ’88, that Ramen protein meal
on Friday paid off Paul!
Ger O'Regan ran in ’88, followed closely by the great
Neilus Aherne in ’89, third man in his category.
Storming home with a PB of 1’33, Mark O Reilly is physically
in a very good place. This will give huge confidence to a very strong runner
for Dublin in the coming weeks.
First MAC female was Claire Fitzgerald in 1’39 in her first
ever positive spilt! Breda Kennelly had an absolute blinder home shortly after
in 1’41, a PB. Breda’s fine performance aided and abeited by her cycling over
the summer. Well done to Breda on all her races, both road and bike.
Marie Gillman the ladies chauffeur to Charleville came home
in 1’48, happy to complete it and drive the motley crew home. Despite not too
much training, another deserved Charleville medal for Marie.
We all cheered on Christine Murphy who arrived home next in
1’53. Only two weeks after a great John Buckley performance. Well done to Emer
Mc Clean, wife of our member Ger Mc Clean who knocked a phenomenal 14 minutes
off her PB. Ger ran with her throughout. Wouldn’t we all like a spouse like
that.
Hats off to Sheila Bulman and Sheuvan Hogan who set their
goal to run this race, doing very nicely, home in a time of 2’06. As always the
two were in great form after the race with smiles all round.
It is heart warming to see those who have worked so hard get
such good results.
A great performance overall and great reflection on a great
club.
Full report to follow from our Captain Claire when she has recovered from a fantastic run of 1.39. Well done Captain Fantastic
East Cork Cross Country Day 1
After a brilliant morning of running I am delighted to report we came home with medals once again. Sinead Keavney was 1st O/35 Gold and our Ladies team finished 3rd O/35 Bronze and our Men were 2nd O/45 Silver. Whilst it is not all about medals it was wonderful to see the support from the Juveniles supporting the Seniors and visa versa with the Seniors supporting the Juveniles and the Juniors. Great to see so many out there today whilst it was a pity it clashed with the Charleville Half where fantastic results are coming in from (Claire will report later) we had fantastic support and thanks to all who came out.
There was really great running from Eileen Leahy who is getting back to her top class and Gillian Bransfield who always excels at Cross Country whilst Sally Drennan was solid as always. Sinead Keavney coming back from injury did herself proud with a mighty run.
The men were something else under Edmond O'Sullivan's leadership they worked hard all the way and I was delighted to see them reap their just deserves with the Silver medals. Well done all and roll on East Corks Cross Country Day 2 in December. Danny
Ladies on Tour
Best of luck to all.
