Midleton AC Senior Section Mon 23rd January 2012
By Peter Gunning
First a history lesson. In 1592, Art O’Neill and Red Hugh O’Donnell escaped from Dublin Castle and legged it to Glenmalure. Poor Art died of exposure en route while Red Hugh was eventually returned to Donegal minus two frost-bitten big toes. Little did these two know that their early pilot for Prison Break would be celebrated some 520 years later in what has become known as the Art O’Neill Challenge. The first running of the event was in 2009 in aid of the Stuart Mangan Trust. This year our own Margaret Jones completed the hybrid event, 25k run followed by a 30k mountain hike. To make matters even more challenging competitors run through the night, leaving, just like the bold Art and Red Hug, on the stroke of midnight on the 6thJanuary. Well done Margaret on this marvellous achievement. I think next year the club bus just might be heading east...
The crowds flocking to training on both Monday and Wednesday nights include several new members to whom we extend a huge céad mile fáilte. To anybody reading these notes who would like to join a genuinely welcoming running club please feel free to come along on Monday nights to Midleton College all-weather track at 6pm or on Wednesdays indoors at the Community Centre. Just ask for Edmund or Sally (club captains) and your running career will hit the starting blocks. Our club welcomes and treats all athletes equally from the tortoise to the cheetah. For an annual fee of €35 your club membership also includes insurance and registration with Athletics Ireland. Club gear is also available to members at a reduced rate. Danny McCarthy, club registrar will be on hand at each training session with application forms.
While most of us are still trying to work off the yuletide excesses, others have literally hit the ground running. Once again Neilus Aherne heads the New Years Honours list taking gold in the 0-55 Little Island BHAA 4miler. Wearing the MDS Insulations vest, Neilus has started 2012 as he ended 2011 on the middle step of the winner’s podium. Also taking first in a race with record entry of 520 were Anna Doris 0-40 and Helen Gilroy 0-45. Joan McCarthy took silver 0-50 to make it a dominant day once again for our ladies.
Congrats to Marc Dalton and his wife Colette on the arrival of their baby boy. May he have his mom’s intelligence and good looks and his dad’s.... speed? Great news, Marc!
With Ballycotton lurking invitingly on the horizon many of our athletes are rising with the larks and magpies at the weekends for the traditional long runs. Different groups are heading out from the hotel and the community centre on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. Edmund will announce times at training. Alternatively please email PRO John Cashman if you are organising such a run.
Next weekend the first of the John Buckley 10 mile series takes place in Dungarvan at 1pm. On-line entries have now closed. We wish our athletes who will form part of the 1500 strong field every success. The next BHAA event is the 5k cross country in Beaumont Park on Feb 12th.
Until next time .... keep on running
REMINDER

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP 35 EURO PAYABLE AT TRAINING THIS Monday Evening
TO CLUB REGISTRAR DANNY McCARTHY Membership Forms must be completed please.

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CLOTHING REMINDER
Anyone wishing to purchase a club singlet should email me at claireconlon1@gmail.com
by close of business next week. These singlets are manufactured in the UK and turnaround time is approximately 1 month, just in time for Ballycotton.
Please indicate
- Male/Female
- Size (S/M/L/XL)

Also, a number of members wish to purchase club rain jackets. These are unisex and come in 4 different sizes.
Ranging from boys 13/14 (ladies small),S,M,L
I will also put in an order for these, so it would be helpful to get an approximate order number.

The price for the singlet is €15 and the rain jacket is €25. All club merchandise is subsidised by the club by 50% to club members but there is no pressure to purchase.
Although, it is always nice to be seen wearing the club colours in a race:)

All tracksuits, hats, t shirts will go on display in early February. But if any member wants any additional items with a club logo, just let me know.

Kind regards
Claire