Senior Section News

Race Postponements Dominate Holiday Programme

The big ‘freeze up’ certainly called a major halt to the plans of many runners over the Christmas and New Year period. Understandably all the high profile race fixtures went by the way side including Sunday’s opening fixture in the John Buckley Sports Munster ‘10’ Mile series in Mallow.

Runners have certainly been suffering cabin fever due to this lack of competitive action and the increased risk of injury has also curtailed the weekly running diary for many of our club athletes. Nevertheless despite the really low temperatures there was a healthy attendance at both our training sessions last week and this trend is expected to continue through out the month as many of us set sights on spring time targets including the Ballycotton ‘10’ on March 21.

Busiest Year On Record

Before and after that there are a host of attractive events on the running calendar with 2010 promising to be one of the busiest years in the history of road running in Cork. New races have been added to the already hectic calendar and with several other attractive options either side of the county bounds we are certainly spoilt for choice in this part of the country.

Postponed Races

The update on the postponed events has been the subject of some debate over the last few days, with only a limited window of opportunity available to reschedule those fixtures which fell by the way side. Belgooly’s traditional St Stephen’s Day ‘4’ Mile Race now looks as if it is going to take place on Easter Sunday, April 4, whilst last Sunday’s Mallow ‘10’ will hopefully be rescheduled over the next few months. Mallow AC P.R.O Peader Curtis stated over the weekend that a lot of factors had to be taken into consideration when aiming to find a suitable date for the postponed event. Not only does his club require to find a ‘free’ date, but there was a requirement not to clash with any major sporting fixture in the region which would result in an increase in traffic in the area.

Once a new date has been found, we will inform all athletes immediately. .

Dungarvan ‘10’ Reminder

Mallow’s loss could result in an even bigger entry heading for Dungarvan for the West Waterford AC 19th Annual ‘10’ miler on Sunday January 31. Already a hugely popular event with our Midleton athletes, this year’s race will be awaited with even greater anticipation. A word of warning though, is that the race is for the first time by pre-entry only and the cut off date is fast approaching. All entries must be received before Monday next January 18th. You can down load the application form from www.westwaterfordathletics.org or contact Gerry Cantwell 086-3503571 without delay.


Survived

One recent event which did survive the temperature drop was in Beaufort 10K on New Year’s Day where Midleton AC was represented by Brian Healy and Mary Toher (who was the first prize winner in her age category).


Fixture Guide

The New Year fixture list is notable for the inclusion of a new BHAA Race – the Janssen ‘4’ Mile event in Little Island on Sunday March 7th, the introduction of a new 10 milers in Bantry on Sunday February 14th and in Cobh on Sunday April 18th (the latter organised by Midleton native Eamonn Crotty) and the relocation of the East Cork AC ‘4’ miler from Castlemartyr to Ballintotas on April 22nd. There are a number of other additions and changes spanning twelve months of thrilling action on the roads of the county. Let’s not forget also the extensive cross country programme which features next Sunday’s Munster Inter County Championships scheduled for Carraig na bhFear, beginning at 12 noon.

However all roads will certainly lead to Little Island on the following Sunday, when the inaugural Cork BHAA fixture of the year, the FMC ‘4’ Mile Race is destined to attract a record entry. Remember to forward your annual membership in advance to Kevin Cummins if you wish to be eligible for a prize. Either way be sure to arrive at the venue well in advance of the 11am start. There could be close on 500 eager competitors gathering at Little Island Community Centre, so don’t be late!

Upcoming Road Fixtures

Sun Jan 24th – BHAA - FMC 4 Mile Race – Little Island – 11am
Sun Jan 24th – Colligan Cup – Dungarvan – 2pm
Sun Jan 31 – West Waterford 10 – Dungarvan – 1pm

See below for full list of fixtures.

Club Membership

ALL club members should note that membership costing 30 euro is now being taken for the 2010 running year. The official club membership form is available each evening at training, or alternatively is also available on our club blog - www.midletonathleticclub.blogspot.com. Anybody not attending training is advised to use the online system and return the completed form to any club officer at any forthcoming race over the next few weeks.



Keep In Touch With Our Club

Before concluding a reminder again of the many ways in which you can stay in touch with Midleton AC. Check www.midletonathleticclub.blogspot.com for all regular updates. 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 PRO John Cashman to avail of this service. Telephone enquiries regarding the club may be directed to Danny McCarthy on 087-2403940

Training

Weather permitting – training will be as usual – 6pm at Midleton College on Mondays and 7pm at Midleton Community Centre on Wednesdays.

In the meantime, ‘keep on running’


Upcoming Road Fixtures –

COUNTING DOWN TO THE MIDLETON ‘5’ 2010

Your guide to the what’s happening on the roads until May 6th
==============================

Tue Jan 12 – East Cork 3K – Race 4 – 7.30pm
Sun Jan 24 – BHAA - FMC 4 Mile Race – Little Island – 11am
Sun Jan 24 – Colligan Cup, Handicap Race – Dungarvan – 2pm
Sun Jan 31 – West Waterford 10 – Dungarvan – 1pm


Tue Feb 2 – East Cork AC 3K – Race 5 – 7.30pm
Sun Feb 14 – Bantry 10 Mile Race – 11am
Sun Feb 14 – BHAA Cross Country – Beaumont, Blackrock – 11am
Sun Feb 21 – BHAA – ESB 5K – Mahon – 11am
Tue Feb 23 – East Cork AC 3K – Race 6 – 7.30pm
Sun Feb 28 – Eagle AC 5 Mile – Carrigaline – 11am
Sun Feb 28 – Dungarvan 10K – 11am


Sun Mar 7 – Cork BHAA – Janssen 4 Mile – Little Island – 11am
Sun Mar 7 – Adare 10K – 2pm
Sun Mar 14 – MunsterSenior/Novice Road Championships – Clare venue
Wed Mar17 – Paddy Desmond Memorial – 4 Mile – Ballinhassig – 11am
Sun Mar 21- Ballycotton ‘10’ = ENTRIES CLOSED
Sun Mar 28 – Munster Masters Road Championships – Limerick venue


Sun April 4 – Belgooly 4 Mile Race – to be confirmed
Sun April 11 – Kilnaboy, Co Clare 10 Mile Race – 1.45pm
Sun April 11 – Cork BHAA – UCC 10K – 11am
Fri April 16 – Marine Climb 6 Mile– Dungarvan – 7pm
Sun April 18 - Great Island 10 Mile – Cobh – 11am
Thu April 22 – East Cork AC/Ballintotas Community Council 4 Mile – 8pm
Fri April 23 – Butlerstown, Co Waterford – 10K – 7.30pm
Mon April 26 – Cork BHAA – Stride By The Tide 4 Mile – Redbarn – 8pm



Sun May 2 – Bantry Bay Half Marathon – 9am
THU MAY 6 – JOE HOURIGAN MEMORIAL MIDLETON 5 MILE – 8PM

*- a date has yet to be confirmed for the East Cork Road Championships in Ballynoe