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Midleton Athletic Club

Senior Section News



Despite the fact that we are heading towards a quieter part of the road running year, our club is still a hive of activity. The winter training schedule is up and running for a few weeks now and it’s great to see the continued growth of the club with new faces aplenty in attendance. This TUESDAY sees the beginning of the East Cork 3K Series, the cross country season is now getting into gear, whilst many minds are now being firmly focussed on Bank Holiday Monday when a record number of Midleton AC runners will compete in the Dublin City Marathon.

The beauty of this running game is there is something for everybody, as emphasized by the current fixtures even in what is classed as the quieter season. Those who prefer the shorter stint of less that 2 miles and those who want to battle through the test of stamina are all accommodated.

Ballycotton ‘10’

Firstly, though some important news regarding next year’s Ballycotton ‘10’ Mile Road Race. The following statement has been issued by the organisers within the last few days.
Due to circumstances outside of our control, we have had to move the date of the 2010 Ballycotton ‘10’ from Sunday March 7th to Sunday March 21st. We apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result of this change.
Our original date of March 7th clashes with the AAI National Senior & Junior Cross-Country Championships. In 2009 these championships were held on Sunday March 1st but as the first of March next year falls on a Monday, they have been moved forward to the 7th. In the past, these championships were always held at the end of February so that’s why this problem hasn’t arisen before.
Our second choice of Sunday March 14th clashes with the Cloyne Point-to-Point race meeting and with the resulting huge volume of traffic in the area it would be impossible to hold both events on the same day.
We did consider moving back to February 28th but felt this would detract from the elite side of the race as it is just a week before the National C-C.
So the date of the 33rd Annual Ballycotton ‘10’ is Sunday March 21st 2010.
Details of the entry procedure will be published on the Ballycotton website www.ballycottonrunning.com on Thursday next, October 22nd.

East Cork 3K STARTS THIS TUESDAY – 7.30PM

After this week’s opening race in the East Cork 3K Series, there will be the customary three week break until race 2 on Tuesday November 10. The remaining pre Christmas dates are December 1 and December 22. Three races follow early in 2010 on January 12, February 2 and February 23. Remember all those who run in five of the seven races will receive a long sleeve tee shirt. Entry fee for each race is 3 euro. Newcomers should note the course is on the Bailick Road circuit between Midleton and Ballinacurra.

Destination Dublin

The latest Midleton AC head count in advance of the Dublin Marathon is in the region of 23. A few more athletes have been carrying niggling injuries and it looks like they may opt not to compete on this occasion, which is a wise move with the distance involved.
Our club has a mix of very experienced and indeed relatively new names on the travelling party. There is no denying that there is no substitute for experience particularly in such in a long race. Those who are relatively new to the challenge ahead will no doubt pay close attention to the advice rendered by those in the know. A word with either of team captains Danny McCarthy or Michelle Nolan is certainly advisable in advance of the big day.
Meantime the latest news from the official Lifestyle Sports – Adidas Dublin Marathon web site tells us of a record entry.

“A record 12,500 people will take to the streets of Dublin, to run, jog or walk their way around the 26.2 miles of the Dublin Marathon.

Entries for the 30th anniversary Marathon, have passed the 12,000 mark for the first time, and also boasts the highest ever entry from Irish runners, clear evidence that the running boom has well and truly taken hold in Ireland.

”Established by Noel Carroll back in 1980, the first Dublin Marathon saw 1,420 finishers from an entry of 2,100. The race grew to over 11,000 in 1982, but saw a dip in popularity with Irish runners in the late 80’s, with only 3,000 finishers.
“Organisers have also been boosted by the news that Irish Olympian Pauline Curley has committed to running Dublin, setting up a mouth watering Irish National Champion battle with her friend and running foe Annette Kealy.
The race will start at 9am in Fitzwilliam Street Upper and finish in Merrion Square North”

TV Coverage
Whilst there will no live television coverage of the event, those competing and those interested in the race can view a highlights package on Setanta Sports Ireland on Monday evening, beginning at 9.30pm. The programme will be repeated daily thereafter with a special extended highlights show on the following Friday, October 30th from 11pm.

Line Up

The Midleton AC line up to hand for Dublin is as follows –

Margaret Barry, Breda Cahill, Joan McCarthy, Marie Murphy, Michelle Nolan, Anne Marie Perry, Mary Toher, Mary B Walsh

Neilius Aherne, Marc Dalton, Adam Duchnicz, Denis Kelleher, Danny McCarthy, Kevin Morrisson, Kieran Murphy, Fergal O’Meara, Vincent O’Neill, Noel O’Regan, Sean O’Sullivan, Simon Thompson, Mark Walsh, Adrian Williams and John Cashman.

The primary goal of any marathon runner is to complete the course, thereafter it’s bonus territory. Here’s hoping that after a splendid six weeks for training in terms of weather, that come Monday conditions will again be favorable. One thing is for sure the heat of Cork in June will be just a far distant memory.

Cross Country
As mentioned previously the cross country season is now very much in gear. Next Sunday, October 25th will see the East Cork Championships take place in Carrignavar with a busy programme listed. Below we have a guide to upcoming races and the pre entry requirements. - To enter please contact club Chairman Tom Houlihan on 085-1146109.

Oct.25th East Cork Championships @ 11.30 in Carrignavar, Senior, Masters O/35 and O/45 Athletes can enter on the day.
Nov.1st Co. Senior & Junior Championships @ 12noon in Bandon. Entry at least one week in advance.
Nov. 8th Munster Novice Championships in Tralee Race-Course.. Entries at least two weeks in advance.
Nov. 15th Co. Masters & Intermediate Championships in Youghal @ 11.30 Entries at least one week in advance.
Nov. 29th Munster Masters & Intermediate Championships in Moyglass, Fethard, Co. Tipperary.. Entries at least two weeks in advanced.

Jan. 15th Munster Junior & Senior Cross- Country Championships at a Cork venue TBC. Entries two weeks in advanced.

Road Events

There is plenty of action locally on the roads over the next month. Note the addition of a new race in Lisgoold on Sunday November 8th.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 1ST – HSE 4 MILE - MARINA ROAD CORK – 11AM

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8TH – LISGOOLD GAA 5K – 10AM

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 10TH – EAST CORK 3K – MIDLETON – 7.30PM

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15TH – BRICKEY 5 MILE RACE – DUNGARVAN -11AM

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 22ND – INNISCARRA 4 MILE – 11.30AM

Reminder - Training

- MONDAY (with the exception of Bank Holidays and December 28th) 6pm to 7pm at Midleton College All Weather Facility. - WEDNESDAY 7pm to 8pm at Midleton Community Centre (with the exception of December 23rd and 30th). The subscription per session is 3 euro per person to cover the cost of hire/lights etc. The beginner’s sessions will also continue at 6pm each Wednesday over the next few months.
.Reminder - Communication

Staying in touch with what is happening in our club is now easier than ever, as our new non interactive blog is now in operation. Check www.midletonathleticclub.blogspot.com for all the latest club news. E mail contact is midletonac@ireland.com You may also have regular club news, updates and results sent directly to you via our club e mail service. Please give your e mail address to P.R.O John Cashman to avail of this service. Telephone enquiries regarding the club may be directed to Danny McCarthy on 087-2403940. See also our club notice board at training each Wednesday for further news.

Dinner Date

Midleton AC will host their annual Christmas Dinner at Garryvoe Hotel on Friday December 11. Keep the date free in the diary – more details to follow shortly.
Sympathy

Before concluding this week, we take this opportunity to offer sincere sympathy to our club coach Edmond O’Sullivan on the death of his father John.



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