Senior Section News
Final Call For Christmas Dinner



Christmas will come early for members of Midleton AC as their annual dinner takes place on Saturday next December 4th at Midleton Park Hotel. It’s the final call for all those who have booked tickets to ensure they are paid for by this Wednesday at the latest. If you still wish to attend and have not booked your tickets, do so immediately as the house full signs could be put up shortly. Marc Dalton, Kevin Smith and Fergal O’Meara are handling bookings at training this week.



The organising committee stress that all tickets booked will have to be paid for by Wednesday, other wise these spaces may be allocated to other club members. So you have been warned! The ‘male and female athlete of the year awards’ and the two‘most improved athlete of the year’ awards will be presented on the night.

Also all attending are reminded to mainatian our tradition and bring a spot prize to the function



Tour

The recent trip to Lanzarote was by all accounts a great success. We had our ultra reliable roving reporter Marc Dalton on duty and here is his eye witness account.



“After 6 months of planning the day finally came. The group touched down in Lanzarote at 5pm. Groups gathered for light early morning and cool evening runs.



The first 2 nights were started with a few drinks by the pool followed by an evening meal, and off to check out the local nightlife. On Saturday, the group went out by bus to check out the Club la Santa surroundings. It was really spectacular set up for all types of sports. Saturday night was quite with a few runners anticipating the first of the races on Sunday..

Sunday Race Day, 10 kThe Race itself was 2 loops of 5k to and from the Club La Santa Stadium.



16 Midleton AC runners took part. In the Men’s Race the club was led home by Kevin Smith, just back from a 5 month spell on the sideline in a fine time of 38:26(chip times). Just behind him was Noel O’ Regan(Casper) on 38:31 followed by Marc Dalton, Sean O Sullivan, Michael Murphy, Kevin Cooney, Emmett Hennessy, Tom Cody, Fergal O Meara, Mick Walsh, Donnie O Connell, John Carey, Brian Nolan and Donal Broderick.



The big story of the day was Michelle Nolan’s impressive performance to finish 3rd overall in a superb time just under the 40 min mark. She was followed home by Joan McCarthy.

It was a very hot day with temperature rising to 25®C.



Kevin Cooney and Jim McMurthy, ran the 5K Beach run in Puerto Del Carmen on Tuesday morning.

By all accounts it was a very tough course with the sand very heavy to run at times, Well done to the lads for finishing this one.

The general assumption was that people had a fantastic time and can’t wait for next year to see what trip will be planned for 2011”


East Cork 3K Series

Meantime back home Darragh Canavan continues to ‘burn it up’ in the East Cork AC 3K Winter Series. The Cloyne man was our club’s top performer last week and came home in 12th place in a cracking time of 10:46, to enhance his reputation over the distance. Stan Byczek produced his best recent run when breaking the 11 minute barrier and in the process fiinish just five places behind Darragh. Just 2 seconds further down was Eric Owers in 11:02, another superb race for a man that has made a big impression in his first season with the club. Conor McGrath is another man hitting the heights at present as reflected in his 11:12 time. Next to cross the line was Adam Duchnicz,, who is top form after his fine performance in the Dublin Marathon.



Good runs were also enjoyed last week by Neilus Aherne, Kevin O’Reilly, Mike Hallahan, Joan Hough (our 1st lady), Colm Egan, Brian Kenneally, Claire Fitzgerald, Susan Delaney, Caroline Fletcher, Camilla O’Connor, Yvonne Kennedy, Vincent Connolly, Christine Murphy, Elaine Hennessy, Vicki Cleary, Philip Mullane, Danny McCarthy, Margaret Twohig, Ann Savage, Marie Magan, Ber Twomey, Sally Drennan, Mags Mulcahy, Simon Thompson, Barry Ahern, Sinead Ivers, Marian Cotter, Grainne O’Flaherty, Yvonne Savage, Breda Cahill, Alan Kelleher, Lisa O’Lomasney, Catriona Brennock, Sinead Buckley, Helen Gilroy, Colette Barry, Mary Cashman, Sile Kierans, Debbie McCarthy and Mary Toher.



Great credit is due to many of our club’s latest recruits who joined the club in October. Since then they have been training in the beginner’s group under the guidance of Vincent Connolly and have since graduated to take part in the3K Series. Next race is on Tuesday December 14th,



Inniscarra ‘4’ Mile Race

Overall the entry was some what down from recent years in the Inniscarra ‘4’ Miler which took place on Sunday week last. John O’Connell, Ned Ramsell, John O’Halloran and Brian Healy were all well up in the top half of the field .For the first time ever in the history of the race no Midleton AC lady participated.



The next BHAA fixture is the final one of the year and takes the shape of a charity run in aid of the Cork Simon Community. It will be held on the Marina Road Circuit over a distance of 4 miles on Sunday week, December 12th at 11am. It is unique on the athletics calendar in that no watches are allowed and the aim is to predict your finishing time in order to win the race. It’s all good fun for a very good cause.



Congrats To Sally and Joan



Many congratulations ar eextended to Sally Drennan and Joan Hough who won silver and bronze medals respectively in their categories at the Munster Masters Cross Country Championships which were held in Dungarvam recently. Both have been great campaigners on the road and in cross country circles in recent times, winning several honours during 2010.



Ballycotton 2011



It’s that time of year again when the word Ballycotton gets a regular mention in our conversations. All club members should note that entry forms for next year’s race will be available at training on this Wednesday evening. There is then a two week window of opportunity to submit your entry.



Mallow/Dungarvan ‘10’ Milers



Ballycotton forms the third part of the John Buckley Sports sponsored ‘10’ Mile Series. Remember you can enter for the first two races by logging on to the respective web sites of both organising clubs. Mallow AC are already counting down to their opener on January 9th and although you may enter on the day, pre entry is a big step forward for all concerned. Remember Race 2 in Dungarvan three weeks later is by pre entry only – so log on West Waterford AC for further info and don’t be left disappointed.



Marathons



The new Clonakilty Half/Full Marathon the Waterford AC Half Marathon on Saturday week offer runners a rare opportunity at this time of year to cover the long distances. However, a journey around either 13.1 mile route would represent great preparation for the aforementioned ‘10’ Mile Series.





Club Merchandise



Club merchandise is still on sale from our clothing officer Claire Fitzgerald. Track suits, tee shirts and hats represent a nice Christmas gift ideas for the runner in your life.





Christmas On Horizon



Our next detailed update in two weeks time will be our final extended bulletin before Christmas. We will carry a full preview of all the holiday fixtures, but would also like to hear your thoughts.



Memories



2010 has been the busiest year on the roads of Cork. It also has seen our club membership at Midleton AC soar to nearly 170. To conclude the year we would like to hear from you – with your outstanding athletics memory of the year. Drop a brief e mail to club P.R.O John Cashman and we will compile your end of year reflections.



Bad Weather



Finally, a word on the weather – where possible training will go ahead as planned on Mondays and Wednesdays. However, common sense has also to rule our hearts and minds. Keep an eye to the blog and to your e mail regarding any possible changes.



In the meantime – ‘keep on running’