from Galway City Harriers When out running on the roads, there is cold, very cold and extremely cold conditions. Today in Dungarvan, West Waterford, conditions fell quite comfortably into the latter category for the local 10 mile road-race, the second in the 4-race Munster classic series. It was bitter in the extreme, probably the coldest day yet your correspondent has been out running. Not to be put off however, a number of athletes from the west of Ireland made the long road-trip to the “not so sunny on this occasion” south-east. Bernie Kelly and myself represented GCH in the starting line-up, TJ Beatty and Jarlath Fitzgerald flew the flag for Loughrea AC, our training partner David Huane along with Christy O’Malley wore the green and red of Mayo AC, and there were at least two Athenry AC singlets spotted in the field.
Many tales of diversions and re-routes on the journey down were exchanged before and afterwards, as our cross-country trip was hampered in the extreme when the river Suir burst it’s banks, but thankfully, everybody made it on time and raced well despite the conditions. A particular well done to Loughrea AC’s TJ Beatty, who followed up his V60 category prize in Mallow with another win in that category here in Dungarvan.
In terms of the overall winners, local athlete Sandis Bralitis was again first home, just over a minute outside his own course record in 51m36s. Bilboa AC’s Rosemary Ryan (a good friend and supporter of our own Streets of Galway road-race), broke the ladies course record coming home in 57m27s – well done Rosemary – with 2008 Olympian and Tullamore Harrier Pauline Curley in second place. The previous ladies course record-holder, Sligo AC’s Lucy Brennan was competitive again today and took the ladies V50 category prize.
So a good day out all round then – now all eyes are turning towards the next race in this series, the famous Ballycotton 10 in March.
Full details and race-results from today will be available shortly at: https://www.westwaterfordathletics.org and there is a race summary posted to the WWAC club notes at: https://www.westwaterfordathletics.org/content/view/287/19
From a competitor’s point of view, well done WWAC on a superbly organised event, from the seamless online registration process, through the fantastic race-pack to the convivial athmosphere and plentiful supply of hot tea and food in the sports-centre afterwards. Ye made the long journey from the west of Ireland more than worthwhile – míle buíochas daoibh go léir!