Carrick Road Runners Athletic Club Notes 9th June 2008
134 runners and 44 walkers made for a very special occasion in the village of Rathgormack on Friday night last when the 2nd annual Auto Power Rathgormack 5 took place in ideal running conditions. It was a splendid sight to see the athletes wind their way through the village all of them supporting the Irish Cancer Society in the process. Getting straight down to the action from the first mile two runners lead the charge and that was Shane Mullaney of Thurles Crokes and the 2007's winner West Waterford's Ravis Zakis. A group of athletes follwed closely behind containing some Carick-on-Suir AC athletes who were keen to stick with the early pace. Try as he might heading out onto the second mile Mullaney had to relinquish the lead to Zakis who was now really getting into his stride. The following runners were beginning to break up too as this tough course began to test the mettle of all runners. Young Declan McGrath also of WWAC also showed his class by showing some of the more experienced campaigners how it was done. Heading up the climb and rounding the corner into the finishing straight Ravis had over 1 minute of a lead on his closest rivals and the awaiting spectators were sure that Ravis would once again claim the Auto Power Rathgormack 5 and the much coveted Joanne O'Donoghue Memorial Trophy in the process. Mullaney, McGrath, Stephen Hunter and Philip Harty made up the remaining spots in the top five in a much faster race than 2007 with Ravis setting a blistering course record of 25:40 over a very testing course.
The ladies event was equally as exciting as the men's race with a group of 6 ladies in contention for much of the race. Local interest was heightened here as one of the 6 was Rathgormack's Laura Behan of KCK who ran a brilliant race. The other ladies involved from the early stages included Corinna Walsh, Angela McCann, Kealy Tidewell, Aine Roche and Diane Behan. It was West Waterford's Corinna Walsh who did her utmost to fend of a very strong Clonmel AC challenge. It was not to be easy but Corinna eventually broke clear on her home and lead the ladies up the long drag to the finish to take the victory with over 30 seconds to spare on Angela McCann, Kealy Tidewell, Aine Roche and the very talented Laura Behan.
Besides Laura there was local talent on display from many clubs and non club athletes alike. Near the head of affairs at all times was two more rising stars in the shape of Gary Cantwell of KCK who took first prize in the Junior Boys section followed home in second place by James Greene of Ferrybank who again showed many more experienced campaigners a clean pair of heals! Great performances also came from the likes of the Brunnock brothers, Paul and Paddy and their sister Elaine Murray who claimed the 1st non-club Rathgormack lady across the line! Other massive performances came from Padraig Larkin, Ger Power, Geraldine Houlihane, Geraldine Lynch, Teresa O'Sullivan and Terri Gough. The titanic battle of the Rathgormack runners on the night must go to Kevin Lynch and Kieran Kennedy who finished neck and neck after running two proverbial blinders over the hilly course.
Here is how the 37 club runners finished and congratulations one and all for flying the club colours so strongly: 14. Keith Barry-29:47; 16. Ger O'Loughlin-30:00; 19. Anthony Grace-30:21; 20. John O'Sullivan-30:24; 23. Darragh Byrne-31:01; 25. Tommy Falconer-31:14; 26. Cornelius McFadden-31:16; 56. Mary Molloy-35:14; 63. Paddy Brunnock-36:14; 68. Ger Power-36:45; 70. Stephen Burke-37:08; 75. Andrew O'Meara-37:58; 76. Mark Corcoran-38:15; 78. Seamus Ward-38:44; 84. Ann Power-39:15; 87. Ann Cronin-39:34; 92. Jimmy Power-40:04; 95. Mags Power-40:32; 97. Andrew Downey-40:56; 101. Michael O'Brien-41:07; 104. Geraldine Houlihane-41:15; 105. Mick O'Shea-41:41; 106. Jackie Power-42:10; 108. Geraldine Lynch-42:36; 113. Teresa O'Sullivan-43:38; 114. Bernie Sexton-43:49; 117. Yvonne Kelly-45:10; 118. Colette Treacy-46:14; 119. Catherine O'Donovan-46:17;120. Una Ryan-46:29; 121. Elaine Walsh-47:01; 122. Sandra O'Neill-47:47; 123. Paddy Kerwick-47:48; 127. Geraldine Brennan-50:25; Ann-Marie Aylward-51:45; 132. Mairead Brophy-1:00:44; 133. Breda Curran-1:00:46.
Official Race Results
Senior Men: 1. Ravis Zakis-WWAC-25:40; 2. Shane Mullaney-Thurles Crokes-26:43; 3. Declan McGrath-WWAC-27:15; 4. Stephen Hunter-Clonmel AC-27:24; 5. Philip Harty-WWAC-27:30. Over 40 Men: 1. Vasiliy Meumerzhitsky-Clonmel AC-29:10; 2. John Walsh-Clonmel AC-29:36. Over 45 Men: 1. Jimmy Mulligan-33:36. Men Over 50: 1. Laurence Lacey-St. Josephs-29:16; Mens Over 55: 1. Joe Gough-WWAC-30:15; Junior Men: 1. Gary Cantwell-KCK-31:10. Local Unnatached Men: 1. Padraig Larkin-34:19.
Senior Ladies: 1. Corinna Walsh-WWAC-31:29; 2. Angela McCann-Clonmel AC-32:03; 3. Kealy Tidewell-Clonmel AC-32:12; 4. Aine Roche-Clonmel AC-32:58; 5. Laura Behan-KCK-33:13. Women Over 35: 1. Diane Behan-WWAC-33:35; 2. Brigid Coffey-WWAC-37:35. Women Over 40: 1. Ann Whelan-WWAC-35:12; Women Over 45- 1. Ann Power-Carrick-on-Suir AC-39:15; Women Over 50: 1. Mags Power-Carrick-on-Suir AC-40:32; Women Over 55: 1. Terri Gough-WWAC-48:21. Local Unattahed Women: 1. Elaine Murray-41:13.
Hearty congratulations to both Ann Power and Mags Power both of Carrick-on-Suir AC who scooped top prize in their individual categories while representing the club.
Thank You
This race would never had happened if it was not for the support and hard work of the following people. Our main sponsors Auto Power, Clonmel Road, Carrick-on-Suir who not only are great supporters of all the club's activities but also support the work of the Irish Cancer Society through thei sponsorship of this race. Our overall series sponsors Outfield Sports, Carrick-on-Suir and Asics. Glenpatrick Spring Water for our post race water. We also would like the thank the Gardai, the Irish Red Cross and Waterford County Council. There was great work also done by the people on registration as well as all stewards on the road most of whom were local volunteers. A particular mention must go to Keith O'Shea who produced the results so fast and efficiently, as well as our ever dependable time keeper, famous cyclist, Bobby Power.
Thanks to all the clubs who traveled from far and wide to support this event. Thanks also the volunteers, supporters, committee members and injured runners of our own club who also helped out on the night. One of the highlights for many on the night was the post race food. It was superb, so hats off to all of the ladies (mostly ladies) who prepared and served the food on the night, again volunteers one and all. Thanks also to the committee of Rathgormack Hiking and Community Centre. Thanks to Moylan, Megan, Rory, Daithi, Eoin, Siobhan and Geraldine O'Brien who looked after the collection for the Irish Cancer Society on the night.
Finally thanks to the Brunnock family, in particular John and Maura and extended family members who all put in a huge effort to get this race off the ground in memory of their beloved Joanne who herself lived with Cancer until her untimely death at the age of 32 on 30th December 2001. May she Rest in Peace.
Most importantly a huge debt of gratitude is owed to all of those who walked, ran and supported this race in any way to raise a great amount of money for the Irish Cancer Society. So far the total raised up until the race last Friday was €3800. There are cards still outstanding so this total is expected to increase over the coming weeks and maybe come close to last years total of €6400. Cards can still be returned to Johnny or Maura Brunnock or any committee member of Carrick-on-Suir AC.
Fixtures
Tuesday Meet & Train every Tuesday at 7 p.m. from Sean Kelly Sports Centre.
Ras na Rinne 6 Mile, Ring: Friday 13th June, 8 p.m.
Champion Kiely 5k Sponsored by Clearpoint Recycling: 7:30 p.m. Friday 4th July, Ballyneale (Race 2-Outfield Sports/ Asics 3 Counties Challenge Summer Series 2008).
Morris Oil Piltown 10k: 7:30 p.m. Friday 18th July, Piltown (Race 3-Outfield Sports/ Asics 3 Counties Challenge Summer Series 2008).
Carraig Hotel Deadman's 5: 7:30 p.m. Friday 8th August, Carrick-on-Suir (Race 4-Outfield Sports/ Asics 3 Counties Challenge Summer Series 2008).