Claire Strikes Gold at County Novice
The Tipperary Novice Road Race Championships took place in Clonmel on Sunday last with a great turnout in both the ladies' and men's races.The ladies were first up and there was no time for hanging around over the fast 3km course. Carrick AC's Claire Annan had been third in this event last year and there were high hopes that she could improve on that result this year. Claire did not disappoint as she led the field of thirty runners home in a time of 11:08 to secure the gold medal. In second and third places were two Clonmel runners, Sandra Bowe (11:29) and Catherine Rice (11:36). There was a fine run also from Carrick AC's only other runner in the race, Maura O' Neill, who finished in twelfth position with a time of 13:30.
The men's race saw no fewer than 106 runners line up for the 6km event. This must rank as one of the biggest fields ever for the novices race. First over the finish line in a time of 19:22 was Clonmel AC's Kevin Maunsell just ahead of his brother, William, who clocked 19:38. The bronze medal went to Ross Alexander (Coolquill) in 20:01. With four runners in the top ten, Clonmel AC comfortably took gold in the team event also. Carrick AC had six representatives in this race and first home was Patrick Roche who finished ninth in a time of 20:56. Tommy Falconer was just seven seconds further back, finishing eleventh in 21:03.Next came Willie Hempenstall who had a fine run finishing fourteenth in 21:26.Tom Egan (23:16) and James Fox (23:41) also ran very solid races while Barry Torpey (24:05) continued his good recent form with a time of 24:05. Well done to all our runners.
Dungarvan 10k
The annual Dungarvan 10K road race attracted a field of 174 athletes on Sunday last. The men's race was won by Sandis Bralitis (West Waterford) in a time of 32:17. the Ladie's race was won by Angela McCann (Clonmel AC) in a time of 36:40. Carrick AC had five representatives who all ran good races. They were Michael O'Connell 41:15, Frank Moran 45:49, Vincent Murray 46:19, Emer O'Brien 48:09 and Siobhan Kelly 51:25.
Fit-4-Life next Tuesday
Have you been promising yourself that you will get fit as soon as the 'stretch' comes in the evenings? Well, the time has come and the Carrick AC Fit-4-Life programme is the ideal way to get in shape and train with a group suited to your own ability.In past years many who were completely new to running successfully used this programme to prepare for their first ever 5km or 5 mile road race.This year there will be two introductory evenings , March 6th and 13th , when you can come along to meet everyone and go for a short jog. Our meeting point is the Library Car Park, Fair Green at 7pm and there is no charge for these evenings. Walkers, joggers and runners of all abilities are welcome and the emphasis will be on enjoyment-just be sure to wear a reflective bib for safety.
Fixtures
Sun. 11th March : Munster Senior and Novice Road Championships, Inniscarra, Co. Cork
Sat. 17th March : Ballynonty AC 4-mile road race, 12 noon
Mon. 19th March : Borrisokane 10k road race, 2pm
Mon. 19th March : Mallow 10-mile road race, 12:30pm
Sun. 25th March : Munster Masters Road Championships, Waterford
Sun. 1st April : Co. Tipperary Novice B Championships, Moyne, 12 noon