Senior Section News
Joe Hourigan ‘5 Mile Race 8pm – Thursday May 8

Our very own 5 Mile Race is just over two weeks away and preparations are certainly gathering momentum. We held a successful meeting a few weeks back to plans in motion and on Tuesday next April 27th a follow up meeting will take place at O’Meara’s Bar in Ballinacurra (9pm). Club members are invited to attend and lend assistance as we aim to make the 27th running of our club race the most successful ever.
Remember this is our very own race, the flag ship event of the year and everybody can play their part. Encourage your friends, your work colleagues and your extended family to participate. If you fail in that department there are many more ways to lend a hand.

* Edmond O’Sullivan is co-ordinating stewarding for the race. Is there somebody you know that can spare some time to help us on the night – a family member, friend or work colleague? If so please send text to Edmond with details -086-8323267

* We will also have a draw for spot prizes on the night of the race – if you can acquire any prizes please forward them to Kathleen O’Connell.

*Finally, Midleton AC has developed a reputation for the best after race food in the county. As usual we would ask each of our club members to bring a plate of sandwiches or some cakes if possible.

Ballintotis ‘4’
There will be a new beginning in nearby Ballintotis tomorrow evening when the local Area Community Council in association with East Cork AC present the new look traditional first race of summer. Castlemartyr has been a regular venue for many years but this year a kind gesture by East Cork AC has led to the event becoming a fund raiser in aid of the Community Centre Building Fund in Ballintotis.
Already many of our club members have sampled what lies ahead by taking part in a trial run around the scenic course. Tomorrow it’s the real event. Advice is to arrive early, follow the direction of the stewards and enjoy the hospitality of the people of Ballintotis. Entry fee is 10 euro. There will be a souvenir cap for all finishers, plenty of spot prizes and some tasty refreshments on offer. The course will be signposted on the Main N25. HQ is the Church Car Park which is located just behind Loughaderra Lake.


Race Review
The Great Island Run
Whilst the Great Ireland Run was the centre of attention nationally on Sunday last, the Great Island 10 Mile Race took place in Cobh. Compliments to Midleton native Eamonn Crotty and his team on a very well organised event which saw on the region of 500 participants raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society.
It was a testing course with some tough climbs, particularly early on. One man who balanced the miles to perfection was our own Kevin Smith who broke the hour mark with four seconds to spare. Kevin’s outstanding run meant that he finished 12th overall.



Stanislaw Byczek was next followed home by John Cashman, Michael Murphy, Alan Kelly and Niall O Neill who had satisfying outings. Then came our first lady Breda Cahill in 77:56. Other good runs were enjoyed by John Carey (who is continuing to make very steady progress), Danny McCarthy, Anne Marie Perry, Paul Kierans, Ned Ramsell, Margaret Rohan, Vincent Connolly, Mary O’Keeffe, Trish Murphy, Ann Savage, Elaine Hennessy, Vincent O’Neill, Margaret Barry (2nd Over 55), Noreen Emerson, Mel Manning and Shirley Garde.

Kilnaboy
Last Sunday week saw a number of a Midleton AC contingent head for the beautiful Burren country in Clare. It was one of those days plucked from the midst of summer - one of those Cork Marathon Monday days. The conclusion of the John Buckley Sports Series in Kilnaboy unusually saw a drop in numbers from last year, but those who did compete certainly faced a tough task over what is very much an up and down course.

In total we had 16 entrants on the day the majority of whom had made the trip by bus. Kevin Smith was again our top performer following up his great run in Ballycotton by posting a time of 1:01:40. Michelle Nolan was our leading lady clinching a very highly creditable third overall in this year’s 10 Mile Series.
Anne Marie Perry, Breda Cahill and Margaret Barry followed their impressive exploits in Dublin last autumn by completing another 10 Mile Series and who knows that could be the first step towards a return to the capital for this dedicated trio.

The race in Clare also was a personal triumph for some of the club’s new recruits from earlier in the season. Special words of congratulations are due to John Carey, Trish Murphy, Anne McCarthy, Mel Manning and Noreen Emerson. Other good performances came from Stan Byczek, Adam Dunchnicz, Alan Kelly, Peter Gunning, Danny McCarthy, Elaine Hennessy and Ann Savage.
Well done who all took part and congrats to all returned with category prizes!

UCC 10K

On the same day the UCC 10K was scaling new heights with over 400 finishers. This latest race in the Cork BHAA programme reversed the recent trend which had seen slight drop in numbers in a few events. Margaret Rohan was third lady home Over 50 whilst the Midleton News ladies team were also placed third in their section.

Marathon Day Headlines Made By Noel

Whilst all of this action was happening here at home on the international circuit three of our club members were in marathon action. Noel O’Regan’s 2 hours 40 minutes time in Rotterdam represents one of the great running displays of any of our members in many years. Noel dedicated a huge amount of training and his pre race form suggested that he was capable of a big things. Well done on getting you rewards!

In Paris Kevin Morrisson and Fergal O’Meara had followed a similar route to the French capital. The duo had targeted this event from the dawn of the year and they too got their rewards with Fergal coming home in 3:35 and Kevin in 3:58. Well done lads! The question now is where to next ? Meantime Mary Toher completed another Half Marathon across channel in the pleasant surrounds of the Kent countryside.

Boherbue to Kikseam
Joan and Danny McCarthy made the Easter Monday trip to the north of the county for the traditional Boherbue to Kiskeam race. Congrats to Joan who was amongst the prize winners!


Stride By The Tide

After this week’s race in Ballintotis there is a feast of evening races on the immediate agenda. Next Monday will see the Stride By The Tide 4 Mile Race take place in Redbarn, an unique fixture on the sea shore which can present a different challenge. The event is organised by Noel Curtin and his team in association with Cork BHAA and starts at 8pm. The Quality Hotel is the race HQ with parking, changing, showers, refreshments all based together the Hotel complex.

East Cork Road Championships

A few days down the road and an extra mile on the road are the Imokilly East Cork ro Championships. Ballynoe is a familiar venue for these races where individual and team titles will be decided with medals for the first three home. Our club has a very proud record in these races and hopefully we will get a big representation on Thursday week April 29th. The ladies race over 2 miles begins at 7.30pm with the mens race over 5 miles starting at 8pm.

Hers is reminder of the full list of upcoming race between now and the end of May.

Thursday April 22nd – East Cork AC 4 – Ballintotis – 8pm
Friday April 23rd – Butlerstown 10K – Co Waterford – 7.30pm
Monday April 26th – Stride By The Tide 4 Mile – Redbarn – 8pm
Thursday April 29th – East Cork Road Championships – Ballynoe – 7.30pm
Friday April 30th – Ballyhoura Series Begins – Doneraile 5K
Sunday May 2nd – Bay Run Half Marathon – Glengarriff – 9am
THURSDAY MAY 6TH – JOE HOURIGAN MEMORIAL
MIDLETON AC 5 MILE 8PM
Saturday May 8th – Waterford to Tramore (7.5 Miles) – 7.30pm
Sunday May 9th – Clonmel 10K
Wednesday May 12th – Pfizers 6 Mile – Ringaskiddy – 8pm
Sunday May 16th – John Treacy 10 Mile – Villierstown – 12.30pm
Sunday May 16th – Rising Sun 1 Mile – Half Way (time to be confirmed)
Thursday May 20th – Cheetah Run – 4 Mile at Fota Wildlife Park – 8pm
Sunday May 23rd – Emer Casey Memorial 10K – Youghal – 1.30pm
Thursday May 27th – Ballycotton Summer Series – Race 1 – Ballyandreen – 8pm
Friday May 28th – Clashmore 5 Mile – 7.30pm
Monday May 31st – Glanmire 5 Mile – 8pm

Training Update

Monday training concluded at Midleton College this week. Due to the Stride By The Tide race next Monday and the Bank Holiday on the following weekend there will be no Monday training. Monday training will resume again at Midleton CBS Field (for the summer months) on Monday May 10.

Book Launch

The pictorial history book of Midleton Athletic Club is now with the printers and arrangements re a launch date will be confirmed in the near future.

Final Reminder
Our very important meeting on Tuesday of next week re our 5 Mile Road Race – it will take place at O’Meara’s Bar at 9pm.

Until then ….‘Keep on Running’