INSIDE TRACK

OMAGH MAN TO HELP AFRICAN ATHLETES

2015-03-13T07:26:00.005-07:00

KENYANS COME TO GAIN RUNNING EXPERIENCE IN IRELAND

Ciarán Collins with his African family.

A trip to east Africa has inspired Omagh man Ciarán Collins to launch a scheme to help fledgling athletes in that area. Collins spent three months in Uganda at the end of last year to get a clear understanding of how the clubs operated in Uganda and Kenya and identify the difficulties and challenges in which the athletes faced on a daily basis. His experiences prompted him to set up Project Africa Athletics, an elite athlete organisation to support athletes and athletic clubs in rural areas of east Africa.

The Omagh Harrier had been involved in athletics since a schoolboy before going on to graduate from the University of Ulster with a BSc Hons degree in Sports Studies. He then completed a Masters degree in Sports Management also at UUJ. Following this, he took up employment in the sports development industry before moving into sports event management and working fulltime at the London Olympics and last year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Collins, now 26, is now bringing over three athletes to spend four months in Ireland and will be at tomorrow’s Antrim International Cross Country. They will also take part in the Great Ireland Run and the Belfast Marathon as well as local events such as the Dental Solutions 5K Classic in County Derry. In preparation for these events, the athletes will have their main training base in Omagh, at the state of the art training Youth Sport Omagh.

“The main purpose of this tour is to raise the profile of the athletes involved, and give them a chance to showcase their talents as elite and sub elite distance runners,” explained Collins. “ This is something that has not been afforded to them previously. Project Africa Athletics also aims to secure funds by the end of 2015 so that we can build a sustainable high performance centre at altitude in the rural villages in which the athletes come from, giving them a sound base to prepare for competitions outside of Kenya and Uganda.”

It will be a baptism of fire tomorrow for the two Kenyan men, Vincent Kiprotich Chepyegon and Gideon Kimosop, taking on compatriot and current World champion Japhet Korir as well as former winner Thomas Ayeko. Selinah Kangogo is still at development level, according to Ciarán Collins, and will learn from running against athletes of international standard in the women’s race.

DUFFY WIN NO SURPRISE FOR COGNOSCENTI

2015-01-21T09:04:00.005-08:00

DUFFY WIN NO SURPRISE FOR COGNOSCENTI

Conor Duffy on his way to victory in Coleraine

For many Monaghan man Conor Duffy was a surprise winner of last weekend’s NI Junior & Ulster Intermediate title at Coleraine. But those who follow the sport closely will know 22-year-old has been making steady progress since taking up the the running game just over two years ago. A convincing victory in the Ulster Novice and selection for the European U23 Cross Country before Christmas were giant steps forward for the Ballybay man.

Despite his inexperience, Duffy executed his victory in Coleraine with the coolness of a seasoned veteran. He sat back in the leading bunch as others took the pace before launching his attack with two laps (3km) remaining of the 10.5 km race. By that stage only Fermanagh men Conan McCaughey and Stephen Prentice were still in touch.

“The Novice was my main agenda from the start of September, I had finished second in it the previous year and I was hoping to go one better this year,” explained Duffy. “As regards the Intermediates I was hoping to get placed as the field was a lot stronger and I’m delighted everything went my way on the day.”

The amazing thing is that he only came into running by accident after spending his youth playing gaelic football. He decided to enter the Castleblayney 5K to improve his fitness for football but with little training ended finishing sixth out of the 600 or so entrants.

“On the advice of some of the fellow athletes competing I decided to give the athletics a go over the winter. The next race was a 5km development race in Glaslough in January 2013 were I finished first.

At this stage I realised I had potential. I spoke to Francie Boylan who was a fantastic athlete in his own right and he gave me a six week schedule which led up till the Glaslough Road Race in March.

“I got a real eye opener that day as the race was won by Gary O'Hanlon of Cloniffe Harriers and Paddy Cassidy of Glaslough Harriers who was second and I finished in third position. It is only with hindsight that I realised the company I was in. At this stage Francie came on board and Glaslough Harriers took me under their wing.”

A solid run in the National Inter-Counties in November saw the partime postman come into the Irish U23 selection for the Europeans in Bulgaria. Again in difficult underfoot conditions, Duffy put in a credible performance to come in fourth of the Irish in 59^th place. That seems to have given him the taste for international competition.

“The Europeans was a great experience. It was the first time that I had experienced the professional approach to athletics. From every aspect in regards organisation, team meetings, travel arrangements and the aspect of being involved in a team was fantastic. It an experience that I wish every athlete could experience.”

Duffy will now direct his attentions to the Irish Intermediate in Tuam early next month. In the meantime he will follow his own advice “Hard work and always listen advice from those in the know.”

FACTFILE

Date of Birth

Personal Bests

800: 2:01
1500: 4:00.83
3000: 8:35:63

5000: 14:49.80

5K Road: 15:08
8K Road: 25:27
10K Road: 32:07

Training

65-70 mile a week incorporating a speed session.

Sunday: 12-14 mile long run

Monday: 10 mile steady

Tuesday: Speed 0 distance varies between miles and 1km

Wednesday: 12-14 mile easy

Thursday: 10 mile steady

Friday: 10 mile steady

Saturday: 5 mile easy/rest

(Living in Monaghan no need for hill reps).

DUFFY TRIUMPHS IN THE COLERAINE MUD TO LIFT ULSTER INTERMEDIATE

2015-01-21T04:25:00.000-08:00

Conor Duffy on his way to victory.

DUFFY TRIUMPHS IN THE COLERAINE MUD

17 January 2015 - Frequent snow flurries and treacherous underfoot conditions only helped to make the Northern Ireland & Ulster Intermediate and Masters’ Cross Country Championships an inspirational afternoon of distance running in adverse conditions. Well over 300 athletes overcame travel difficulties to make their way to the University of Ulster Playing Fields in Coleraine for the first serious cross country race of 2015.

Monaghan man Conor Duffy did not disappoint his followers by taking an impressive victory in the feature race, the men’s Intermediate championship. However, the Francie Boylan-trained athlete did not have it easy in what turned out to be a battle of attrition over seven 1.5 kilometre laps of freezing, ankle depth mud.

Duffy was sitting comfortable in the middle of a group of eight that came through at the head of the field after the opening lap. Mud-spattered vests and shorts already gave testimony to the fact that it was going to be a long, hard struggle for anyone with designs on the individual gold.

And so it was to prove as the lead group was reduced to six by the end of the third lap with Duffy, Conan McCaughey, Stephen Prentice, Scott Rankin, Conor McCambridge and Mark McKinstry all still in contact. Two laps later and that was down to three when Duffy upped the pace with only the two Fermanagh men, McCaughey and Prentice able to respond.

The Glaslough Harrier continued to keep the pressure on and eventually got away from the equally tenacious McCaughey with Prentice slipping back to the bronze medal position. At the tape Duffy, had increased his advantage to 25 seconds over the Stirling University student with Prentice another 12 seconds back in third.

McKinstry never faltered and took fourth to lead his North Belfast Harriers squad to team gold. But the North men were hanging on at the end as a determined Acorns outfit mounted a last ditch charge for glory over the final laps. City of Derry Spartans took the team bronze medals.

The Master Men’s field boasted the largest entry of the day with 119 runners completing a testing five-lap ordeal. Arguably it had also had the most impressive winner of the day with City of Derry Spartan Declan Reed seeming to float over even the worst of the quagmires that had developed around the course. Reed, who defends his Irish title next month, made his intentions clear from the gun but it still took him a couple of laps to shake off the challenge of Inishowen’s Pauric McKinney.

At 49, the Buncrana teacher is as good as ever but even he was no match for Reed who lapped like a metronome and had 37 seconds to spare as he crossed the finish line. There was no love lost between North team mates Eamonn White and Alan O’Hara in the battle for the bronze medal with the former prevailing in a photo finish. With two in the top four, that laid the foundations for the North men to defend their team title over a surprisingly good Inishowen squad.

The Master and Intermediate women ran together which made it difficult to work who was leading in what race. There was no confusion, however, as to the overall winner as Springwell’s Laura Hasson ended a 14-year absence from the sport with an impressive victory. The former juvenile star, now 32, simply exuded delight after crossing the finish line and it was appropriate that her father Gerry should have been among the first to congratulate her. The former PE teacher was his daughter’s constant companion during her first athletics career and he revealed that Laura had started running again 18 months ago and “only does it for fun now.”

Lagan Valley’s Lauren Quee was second across the line ahead of the first Master, Louise Smith. Defending Masters’s champion Fionnuala Diver filled the runner-up spot despite giving birth only ten weeks earlier. A youthful City of Derry squad took the Intermediate team title with Ballydrain Harriers emerging top of the Masters’ team listings. Terry Eakin was the leading M65 finisher. See results

RESULTS

Northern Ireland & Ulster Intermediate and Masters’ Cross Country Championships, Coleraine.

Intermediate Men: 1 Conor Duffy Glaslough Harriers 40:17, 2 Conan McCaughey Enniskillen RC 40:42, 3 Stephen Prentice Annadale Striders 40:54, 4 Mark McKinstry North Belfast Hrs (NBH) 41:18, 5 Scott Rankin Foyle Valley 41:36, 6 Chris Madden City of Lisburn 41:44, 7 Noel Logan City of Derry Spartans (CoDS) 41:46, 8 Connor Christie Springwell RC 42:06, 9 James Hamilton Ballymena Runners 42:08, 10 Darrell McKee Acorns 42:15; Team: 1 NBH 101, 2 Acorns 124, 3 City of Derry Spartans 129.

Masters Men: 1 Declan Reed CoDS ((M40) 27:10, 2 Pauric McKinney Inishowen (M45) 27:47, 3 Eamonn White NBH (M45) 29:03, 4 Alan O'Hara NBH (M35) 29:03, 5 Ivan Toner Letterkenny (M35) 29:38, 6 Neil Carty NBH (M45) 29:40, 7 Nigel McKibbin Dromore (M45) 29:59, 8 Dermot McElchar Finn Valley (M35) 30:01, 9 Michael Bennett Ballymena Runners (M40) 30:12, 10 Sean McFadden Letterkenny (M35) 30:14; M50: Frank Sharkey Lagan Valley 31:25, M55: Laurence Johnston NBH 32:09, M60: Mal McCausland Derry City TC 35:36; Teams: 1 NBH 41, 2 Inishowen 52, 3 Finn Valley 63.

Intermediate Women: 1 Laura Hassan Springwell 19:43, 2 Lauren Quee Lagan Valley 19:57, 3 Anne Linden Carrick Aces 20:25, 4 Sonia Knox Springwell (F40) 20:25, 5 Sinead Peoples Letterkenny 20:43, 6 Catherine Dooher Finn Valley (F35) 20:45, 7 Kathleen McNulty Finn Valley 20:50, 8 Martina McMullan Foyle Valley (F45) 21:09, 9 Aoife Laverty CoDS 21:12, 10 Angelina McShane CoDS 21:29; Teams: 1 CoDS 49, Finn Valley 50, Springwell 59.

Masters Women: 1 Louise Smith NBH (F45) 20:00, 2 Fionnuala Diver Leterkenny (F35) 20:07, 3 Claire Connor NBH (F35) 20:17, 4 Jacqueline McGinley CoDS (F45) 20:30, 5 Kay Byrne Finn Valley (F50) 20:40, 6 Jenny Black Orangegrove (F35) 20:53, 7 Donna Evans Finn Valley (F45) 21:02, 8 Fran McFadden Springwell (F40) 21:03, 9 Debbie Matchett Ballydrain (F45) 21:04, 10 Shileen O’Kane Lagan Valley (F45) 21:06. Teams: 1 Ballydrain 67, 2 Lagan Valley 69, 3 CoDS 69.

BIG TIME CROSS COUNTRY RETURNS TO ANTRIM IN MARCH

2015-01-21T04:17:00.000-08:00

BIG TIME CROSS COUNTRY RETURNS TO ANTRIM IN MARCH

22 JANUARY 2015 - The annual Antrim IAAF International Cross Country will take place a little later this year with the event set for Saturday, March 14. It includes the Home Countries International which has meant moving the fixture away from its traditional date in early January. The meeting is still part of the prestigious IAAF World Cross Country series that includes only 12 events all over the World.

Organised by Athletics Northern Ireland and supported by Antrim Borough Council, the races will be held in the picturesque surroundings of CAFRE at Greenmount Campus in Antrim. Prize money of $15,000 (£9927) is once again on offer, with $7500 for each of the men's and women's races. It remains the highlight of the domestic cross-country calendar and attracts a host of world-class performers.

Annadale Striders athlete, Ryan McDermott joined Gary Keenan, President of Athletics Northern Ireland and Mayor of Antrim, Cllr Brian Graham to launch the 2015 event. McDermott is enjoying a successful cross-country season with victories in the McConnell Shield and Malcolm Cup.

Last year’s winner Japhet Korir returns after an impressive victory in muddy conditions on the testing Greenmount circuit. Korir was the first reigning World Cross Champion to compete in the meeting during its 36-year history. He caused a sensation in 2013 at Bydgoszcz in Poland when as a 19-year-old, he became the youngest ever winner of the Senior Men’s title.

He had previously taken the bronze medal in the World Junior Men’s race three years earlier when he was part of a Kenyan podium cleansweep. Korir is no stranger to Ireland at this stage, having also won the SPAR Great Ireland Run in the Phoenix Park last April. His most recent appearance was in Edinburgh when he finished second in the 4km race to American Garrett Heath and will be hoping to defend his World title in China two weeks after Greenmount.

Athletics Northern Ireland’s President Gary Keenan, welcomed the event: “The Antrim venue is a perfect location for both athletes and spectators alike. I very much look forward to welcoming this showcase event to the Greenmount Campus and anticipate a fantastic sporting occasion with a very competitive field at a world class venue which is a must for all sports fans.”

The Antrim IAAF International Cross Country is one of the largest and most popular events in the Northern Ireland sporting calendar, with more than 1,200 competitors taking part and race categories ranging from Under 11s to Masters. This year Athletics Northern Ireland will also play host to the Home Countries International in which teams from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales will compete for individual and team trophies. Online Entry is now available at www.athleticsni.org

ULTRA DISTANCE VICTORY AND RECORD FOR BELFAST MAN

2015-01-09T14:21:00.002-08:00

9 January 2015

IRISH 50KM RECORD FOR FRAZER IN TENNESSEE

Thomas Frazer kicked off 2015 in spectacular fashion when he won the Pistol Ultra 50km in Tennessee with a new Irish record of two hours, 58 minutes and 00.2 seconds. That took approximately 23 seconds off the previous Irish best held by Matt Molloy and was faster than the winning time of the recent 50km World Trophy Final in Doha.

Thomas Frazer takes the victory in Tennessee

Frazer represented Ireland in last summer’s European Championships marathon finishing 33^rd on a very tough course in Zurich in 2:22:23. The 33-year-old returned to the distance in October when he ran 2:19:53 in Chicago. Frazer had not planned to do the race and had merely gone to support a friend who had entered for the 100 mile race at the same venue. He only decided to contest the 50km at the eleventh hour meaning he had just one day of taper after running 90 miles in the six days leading up to the race.

“I started off with another guy, Ethan Coffey, who is the current USA 50km champion and former course record holder,” said Frazer. “We ran together for the first 15-16 miles. He started to fade a little around the half marathon point and I pushed on. I didn’t wear a watch and was not getting any updates, but I knew the record for the course was 5:58 per mile, I was feeling good and knew I was at least going that fast, so I kept up the effort and was surprised and excited when I seen the clock at the finish. But it has given me a different view of the marathon. If I can run strong for 31 miles, 26.2 is a little less daunting.”

Frazer, whose twin John won the Dublin Novice last in the autumn, now lives in Indianapolis and is married to an American. He is a househusband with the care of the couple’s two children. This means he has to train early in the mornings. He puts his success down to hard work and persistence, having been in the sport since a schoolboy, first at Glengormley CBS and later St. Malachy’s College. The appearance in Zurich last August marked his debut for Ireland at the marathon distance in an international championship.

“I've been very consistent since Zurich. I've luckily avoided injury and have been having great weather here in Indianapolis. I ran Chicago Marathon in 2:19, eight weeks after Zurich. I felt like I under-performed in Zurich when compared to my build-up, so I was eager to run a quicker marathon in 2014. In hindsight this was probably not the best idea. Even though I ran well in Chicago it was probably unrealistic to expect a personal best with such a short turn-around.”

As he had not planned to run the 50km, no special training was done for the event. His mileage had been 110-125 per week for the month of December and he had been focusing on shorter, faster intervals on Tuesday with a 8-10 mile tempo on Friday. That faster work obviously served him well with an impressive marathon split of around 2:27:30 in Tennessee. After competing for Ireland internationally, he is now fired up for the rest of 2015.

“Zurich was an amazing experience. I feel that I have learned a lot from the competition and my from team mates. I hope to run Rotterdam marathon in April and go for a big personal best,” concluded Frazer.

REVIEW OF IRISH ATHLETICS 2014 (PART 1 - TRACK & FIELD)

2014-12-30T13:04:00.000-08:00

ENGLISH THE OUTSTANDING IRISH ATHLETE OF 2014

A good summer helped make 2014 one of the best track and field seasons for some time with the domestic events and international meetings providing thrilling competition. The European championships and Commonwealth Games were the highlights of the year with Mark English and Katie Kirk being the standout local competitors at the respective meetings.

MARK ENGLISH

Letterkenny’s Mark English had been one of the most exciting prospects to arrive on the Irish stage for some years and the UCD student started to realise some of that potential with a bronze medal at the European Athletics Championships in Zurich. English had scraped through to the 800m final as a fastest loser but ran a perfectly timed race to become only the fifth Irish man to take a medal in the 80-year history of the championships.

One medal and three national records was the final account for Ireland’s athletes in Zurich. Paul Robinson narrowly missed taking a second medal with a fourth place finish in the 1500m while the Irish men’s squad lowered the national record for the second time in 24 hours when finishing an excellent fifth in the 4 x 400m relay.

Katie Kirk Kirk was the only NI athlete of the 14-strong squad who managed to achieve a personal best.

Katie Kirk (Photo: Keith McClure)

was the only Northern Ireland athlete to emerge from the Commonwealth Games with her reputation enhanced. The 21-year-old QUB student did not qualify for the 800m final but gave the beleaguered local fans something to cheer about with gutsy runs in both heats and semi-finals.

However, that was not good enough to see her into the final. In fact not a single one of the 14-strong NI squad could manage that and it is a sad indictment that by the time the next Games take place in Australia’s Gold Coast it will be 28 years since an NI athlete won a medal.

It is now taken almost for granted that Jason Smyth and Michael McKillop will do the business in Paralympic sport and they did not disappoint in 2014 with a four gold medal haul from the IPC World Championships in Swansea. Smyth had to deal with a late reclassification of his disability that meant he was moved to the T12 category from the T13. It meant a last minute change of schedule and a different of opposition but the results did not vary with the Derry City TC athlete sprinting to 100m and 200m gold medals in record times. Not to be outdone in any way, McKillop matched that with victories in the T37 800m and 1500m and matching his room mate by setting records in both.

Earlier Northern athletes had carried off a hatful of titles from the National Senior Track & Field Championships in Dublin. Ulster athletes dominated the women’s track events winning no less than five titles. Ciara Mageean made a stunning comeback after an absence of over two years to regain the 1500m title which she had won in 2011; Katie Kirk played the waiting game to perfection to lift her first ever national title in the women’s 800m; Amy Foster successfully defended her 100m title; Lagan Valley’s Mandy Gault provided possibly the surprise of the championships when she took the 400m and QUB student Christine McMahon stormed to victory in the 400m hurdles. Mark English was top Northern man after scoring a facile win in the men’s 800m.

Paul Robinson

Almost incessant rain for most of the day and slipshod organisation took the gloss off what could have been one of the best Northern Ireland & Ulster Senior Championships in recent years. Five of the 11 athletes who have already qualified for the Commonwealth Games were in action were while another two were making eleventh hour attempts to board the plane to Glasgow. Faced by the dismal conditions, Jason Smyth could not have been blamed from taking a duvet day. But instead he defied the elements to regain the provincial 100m crown he last won in 2010.

Kildare man Paul Robinson was the star of the Belfast International Meeting at the Mary Peters Track. The DCU student gunned down a trio of talented Aussie milers on the final straight to score one on his most impressive victories of his career to date. Mark English dropped down to 400m and pulled off a shock in beating a strong field including Brian Gregan, the Irish number one.

Juan Luis Barrios (10) bides his time.

Perhaps the most impressive visitor of the year was Mexico’s Juan Luis Barrios A 5000m finalist in both Beijing and London Olympics, the Mexican finished second in the 3000m at the Cork City Sports on Tuesday night, won over the same distance in Dublin on Friday evening before carving out his own little piece of history on the Sunday afternoon by becoming the first man to run under four minutes for the mile in Donegal.

North Down and Lagan Valley clubs did their bit to boost the sport by organizing a series of meetings throughout the Spring and Summer months. The Ulster Schools continued to showcase the cream of the North’s young athletes with Andrew Mellon (400m) and John Kelly (Shot Putt) setting records in the Senior Boys’ age group.

The new indoor facility in Athlone continued to advance the sport immeasurably in this country. Amy Foster was the star of the show at the Irish Indoor Track & Field Championships. The City of Lisburn athlete saw off the challenge of rising teenage sprint star Joan Healy.

POLLOCK OVERCOMES WEATHER TO BREAK RECORD AT GREENCASTLE

2014-12-29T12:16:00.000-08:00

POLLOCK OVERCOMES WEATHER TO BREAK RECORD AT GREENCASTLE

26 December 2014

A steady fall of snow and arctic conditions did not prevent Paul Pollock from breaking the course record at the Greencastle “5” Miles Road Race in Tyrone. Pollock destroyed Olympic marathon runner Martin Fagan on the killer hill around the four mile mark to cross the line in 24 minutes and seven seconds. That was a seven seconds improvement on Gareth Turnbull’s previous time set six years earlier.

Pollock and Fagan were at the front of the pack from the gun with Conor Duffy, Scott Rankin and Eddie McGinley also prominent. The two protagonists were shoulder to shoulder as they passed through the mile mark (4:27) and entering the main road at two miles (8:55). There was still nothing it in as the pair continued their battle through Greencastle hamlet and the Mullingar Harrier matched his northern rival up until just before the four mile mark after the start of the long 800m hill.

However, the Hollywood doctor seemed to sprout wings at this point and moved away from the Beijing Olympian in impressive fashion. After that it was just a question of how much the Annadale Strider was going to put between himself and his rival by the finish line. In the end the gap had grown to 21 seconds thanks to a last mile of 4:31.

Conor Duffy, who had represented Ireland in the U23 race at the recent European Cross Country, also finished strongly to pip Eddie McGinley for third by four seconds. It was the Annadale man’s first race since the Dublin Marathon and he was happy with his 25:31 clocking on possibly the toughest five-miler in the country. Scott Rankin capped a solid year with a fifth place in 25:40.

Pre-race favourite and six-time winner Maria McCambridge failed to make the start line for the women’s race meaning that a new name was added to the list of winners. Heather Foley took advantage of the Dubliner’s absence to score a comfortable win in 30:44. Ursula Daly was a somewhat distant second in 33:03 with Charlene Abraham filling the final podium place in 33:52 .

RESULTS

Greencastle 5 Miles Road Race, Co. Tyrone.

Men: 1 Paul Pollock Annadale Striders 24:07, 2 Martin Fagan Mullingar Hrs 24:28, 3 Conor Duffy Glaslough Hrs 25:31, 5 Scott Rankin Foyle Valley 25:40, 6 Brendan Murphy City of Derry Spartans 26:41, 7 Andrew Annett North Belfast Hrs 26:45, 8 Paul Barbour Omagh Hrs 26:52, 9 Shane Kerr Armagh AC 27:13, 10 Desi Foley Unattached 27:44.

Women: 1 Heather Foley 30:44, 2 Ursula Daly 33:03, Charlene Abraham 33:52, 4 Angeline McShane 33:52, 5 Claire Murphy 35:04, 6 Ciara Coyle 36:06.

Full Results

EDDIE McGINLEY TO MAKE SENSATIONAL COMEBACK AT GREENCASTLE "5"

2014-12-24T13:37:00.002-08:00

EDDIE READY FOR STEADY RETURN AFTER POST MARATHON BLUES

24 December 2014

Eddie McGinley has laughed off suggestions that he has retired and is set to return to competition at the Greencastle 5 Miles road race on Boxing Day. It was widely reported recently that he had quit the sport after what he considered a disappointing 12^th place at the Dublin Marathon at the end of October. It was his second attempt at the distance and the 2:25:04 timing was slower than his debut 12 months earlier.

EDDIE McGINLEY (Photo: Keith McClure)

Greencastle race organizer Oliver McCullagh is being flooded with entries day and daily but he is pleased to have McGinley aboard to boost the elite entry. The Tyrone race has firmly established itself as the premier event of the festive season and McCullagh and his team are anxious to retain that status. Olympian Maria McCambridge already heads the women’s entry while there is still the prospect of a top Southern athlete yet being added to the men’s field.

“Dublin was a real head blow,” said McGinley. “I was in my best shape ever and I was totally devastated. I could blame the conditions or whatever but it was the same for everyone. It was tough the week for me after the race, I was totally deflated. I had said it was going to be my last marathon but my wife Elaine saw the state that I was in and suggested I should have one more go at running the time that I know I’m capable of doing.”

McGinley took a few weeks off after Dublin and has only recently started running again and then only every other day. He has returned to sessions with Mark Kirk’s training group but has had to change his domestic routine. With training after work, he was not getting home until seven or later. That meant that some nights he did not see his young son Luca before he went to bed. That has now changed in that he goes home directly from work and runs on his own later in the evening after Luca is in his cot.

The 31-year-old Annadale Strider sees the race on Boxing Day as the start of his preparation for a Spring marathon, most likely in Hamburg. He has no other races planned in the New Year but hopes to run the Armagh 5K and a good half marathon. Although he is a former national senior champion, he has no desire to run cross country.

“It’s a whole new routine for me and it’s not easy training on my own in the cold and wet. I got a niggle when I started back but I was running well when I started training again with the group last week. Oliver [McCullagh] has always been supportive of me in my career and I’m pleased to be able to repay him in some way by running the race. Besides the thought of a race on Boxing Day will keep me honest over the Christmas,’’ concluded McGinley.

Maria McCambridge also eased back in training after her runner-up spot in the Dublin Marathon. The DSD athlete only just failed to pull off a victory, finishing a mere four seconds behind Kenyan Esther Macharia. Nevertheless the 39-year-old Dundrum South Dublin athlete was pleased with a personal best 2:34:19 in far from ideal conditions. That was also vindication for deciding not to compete in the European Championships marathon earlier in the year. McCambridge now goes for a record seventh win at Greencastle next Friday.

Entries are currently being taken on-line for the Greencastle 5 Miles at www.greencastle5.com. For anyone requiring further information the contact numbers are 07767 718029 or 07921 164451.

INSIDE TRACK 16 MAY 2014

2014-05-15T07:30:00.001-07:00

MAIN STORY (406): INJURY COULD PUT PAID TO SMYTH’S GAMES HOPES

Two-time double Paralympic gold medallist Jason Smyth is in a race against time to secure qualification for the Commonwealth Games with less than a month to go until the deadline. The Derry City Track Club sprinter is expected to compete this weekend in the 100m at the Loughborough International Games. Smyth has been based in London since October working with British coach Clarence Callender but was at home last week receiving treatment at SINI for a hamstring problem that threatens to wreck his season.

He missed the 2010 Commonwealths in India with a back injury and was hoping to make his debut at the Games in Glasgow. Smyth competed early season in Florida where he registered a legal 10.40 mark for the 100m just a tenth of a second outside the Glasgow standard. Unfortunately, he had to return home after the recurrence of a hamstring injury which may be related to a long-standing back problem.

“It’s very disappointing, especially at a crucial time of the season like this,” said Smyth taking of his injury. “I’ve spent a week at home getting treatment, and it is much better now, but so much depends on the weather here in order to get a time. I would have liked to have got the time in Florida before coming home. If the worst comes to the worst I’m hoping they [the selectors] will take into account the 10.36 I ran last year.”

The Loughborough meeting is now in its 56th year and the curtain raiser to the outdoor season across the channel. Smyth is just one of a number of Northern Ireland athletes who will be looking to make an impression with the Commonwealth Games now less than 100 days away. The full NI squad is:- Ben Reynolds (110mH), Christine McMahon (400mH), Mandy Gault (400mH), Adam McMullen (Long Jump), Kathy Hetherington (Discus), Dempsey McGuigan (Hammer), Hayley Murray (Hammer). Reynolds is the only one of the party to have already secured the Commonwealth standard.

Northern athletes are also in action at two other venues abroad. Kerry O’Flaherty (3000m Steeplechase), Katie Kirk (800m) and Danny Mooney (1500m) chase Commonwealth standards tomorrow night at the opening BMC Grand Prix 1 in Watford. It will be O’Flaherty’s first race since returning from the US where she was just five seconds outside the 9:55 steeplechase mark on one occasion. On Sunday Annadale Striders duo Eddie McGinley and Paddy Hamilton compete in the Gothenburg Half Marathon.

STORY 2 (382): OPTIMISTIC IRISH SEND SQUADS TO MARATHON TEAM COMPETITION

Although there is not one Irish man in the European top 30 list for 2014 and the leading woman is included at 21^st, Athletics Ireland has taken the bold step of sending teams to compete in the European Marathon Cup at the European Athletics Championships in Zurich this August. No Irish athlete, either male or female, made the European marathon top 30 lists in 2013. Annadale Strider Paul Pollock will lead a men’s squad which also includes St. Malachy’s team mates Tom Frazer and Kevin Seaward. Galway City Harrier Nicola Duncan heads the women’s team.

The Marathon Cup is a team marathon competition run in conjunction with the European championships and is decided on the basis of the cumulative times of the top three finishers for every country in each of the two races. The competition was not held at the European championships two years ago in Helsinki as it was considered to be close to the London Olympics. Two years earlier in the heat and humidity of Barcelona, not surprisingly hosts Spain took team gold from Russia and Italy.

National Endurance Coach Chris Jones explained: “It is a big step forward for us to be sending teams to compete in the men’s and women’s marathon cup competition at the European Championships. We have worked closely with the marathon mission squad to ensure that our eight athletes will be competitive in Zurich.”

It will be perhaps encouraging for the Irish men that Paul Pollock has produced a number of encouraging performances recently. His half marathon best of 62:10 in Copenhagen in March currently ranks him seventh in Europe. He also ran 28:32.18 for 10000m in California which places him 11^th in the continental rankings. The London-based fulltime athlete has been describing that performance in his recent blog.

“Given the training I had been doing I was confident that I was at least in sub 28 minute….I went through in 14.03, not disastrous but ….. I had wasted a lot more energy than was necessary……each lap was getting tougher and I was starting to panic …..I struggled through the last ten laps, mostly by myself, and finished in 28.32.18 …. 0.03 seconds slower than the Northern Irish record – if only I had dipped for the line!”

Rathfarnham’s Seán Hehir completes the men’s line-up while Maria McCambridge, Barbara Sánchez and Claire McCarthy are the other members of the women’s team with Duncan who ranks 21^st in Europe this year with her 2:33.28 in London last month.

STORY 3 (257): ALL SET FOR EGLISH ROAD RACE

Preparations are well advanced Down in Tyrone for the fourth Cormac 10K Race and Fun Run Day organized by Eglish GAC on Saturday, May 17. This event will act as the opening feature of Tyrone hamlet’s 2014 Riverbank Dance Festival.

This year’s Cormac 10k Race & Fun Run will follow the same format as in previous years when over 1,000 people have flocked to Eglish to take part in the event. The race will pass two landmarks, which are particular poignant in the memory of Cormac McAnallen, Páirc Chormaic, which was opened by Eglish GAC in 2012, and Cormac’s home where he lived with his parents in the Brantry.

“I’m confident the event will continue to attract widespread support throughout the community,” race organiser Ruairi Martin told the Irish News. “Furthermore, I believe that the 10k Race also represents an excellent opportunity for the more competitive runner in terms of race times or even achieving a 10k personal best.”

Both the race and fun run start and finish in Eglish village. Registration on the day commences at 12:00 noon with both events starting an hour later at 1:00 pm. All participants get a free goody bag and there will be cash prizes for the male and female winners of the 10k Race. The fun run, which is aimed primarily at the youth and walkers, will take place alongside the main event and will be held over a three kilometre stretch. Application forms for both competitions can be downloaded from www.eglishgac.com. For further information please contact Ruairi Martin on 077759 10443.

BRIEF 1 (166): ENGLISH STAR TO TWINKLE IN SCOTLAND

Britain’s double Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah has ended months of speculation by confirming that he will be running this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The former Somalian tweeted this week: "Hi guys! I will be running in the Commonwealth Games this year. See you in Glasgow." he tweeted. "Haven't decided which events to compete in: 1500m, 5,000m, 10,000m. Will let you know as soon as I decide."

The 31-year-old was eighth in the London Marathon last month but was advised by his coach Alberto Salazar not to race the 26.2 mile distance again. The news came as a boost to the Glasgow organisers who already were missing the attraction of Jessica Ennis-Hill who is expecting her first baby and sprint champion Usain Bolt as yet uncommitted.

Despite being Olympic and World champion, Farah has yet to take a medal at the Commonwealths. He finished ninth in the 5000m in the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne but withdrew from Delhi four years ago due to fatigue.

20 February 2014 - Armagh International Road Races

2014-02-22T11:41:00.003-08:00

Nick McCormick and Laura Whittle were the winners of the feature events at the 24^th BROOKS Armagh International Road Races held on the Mall in surprisingly dry but cool conditions. The meeting continued to punch well above its weight with a host of overseas stars drawn to the Cathedral City by the promise of a fast race and the customary hospitality of the hosts Armagh AC.

Nick McCormick (34) bides his time.

For McCormick, it was his second victory in the race after out-sprinting Ireland’s David McCarthy to take the honours in 2010. The Newcastle athlete was always prominent in the lead pack and used his finishing speed to good effect on the final straight to hold off a strong challenge from Derby’s Richard Weir. Wales’s Ieuan Thomas was next home in a hectic scramble which saw less than seven seconds cover the first nine finishers.

McCormick’s time of 14:11.90 was one of the slowest winning times in recent years and well outside American David Nightengale’s record of 13:54. However, he was impressed by the entire occasion and by Armagh itself.

“It’s a lovely city and I always enjoy coming here,” said the Morpeth athlete. “We could do with a few more races like this in England. I think they have been severely depleted in the last 10-15 years, like 5mile/5K road race. That’s why we all come, it’s a brilliant race.”

The first “home” finisher was City of Derry’s Conor Bradley, in 16^th position. Bradley had missed the national indoor championships last weekend through illness but bounced back to lead home the locals in 14:29.6. Annadale’s Andrew Agnew had his best run for some time, taking 23^rd overall in 14:37.4.

Laura Whittle breaks the tape in the women's race.

Letterkenny’s Ann-Marie McGlynn was the leader of the women’s international 3K as they passed the finish with two laps to run. But her lead was short-lived as she was soon overtaken by Loughborough student Laura Whittle who was hotly pursued in turn by Stockport’s Elle Vernon and Rachel Bamford from Leeds. Whittle, who was European U23 champion over 5000m in 2007, maintained her advantage to the homestraight where she pulled away to win by 20 metres at the tape in 9:25.8.

Vernon held on to second ahead of Bamford with McGlynn coming home a seemingly tired fourth in 9:40.5. Fionnuala Ross was the second local home in tenth place, ahead of Armagh club mate Danielle Fegan in 16^th. North Belfast’s Claire Connor and Rachel Gibson from the North Down club also had good runs to make the top 20.

Scottish visitor Alistair Campbell was the winner the very competitive Open 3K Men’s race in 8:55.81. Campbell proved too strong in the later stages for the promising Paddy Robb who had recently finished third in the Ulster Schools Senior Boys’ cross country. Robb was paced by his St. Malachy’s College coach Joe McAlister who had minutes earlier recorded 14:41 in the international race. Clones athlete Paul Gleeson took third. North Down took the team honours.

ARMAGH INTERNATIONAL ROAD RACES

International Men: 1 Nick McCormick Morpeth/ENG 14:11.90, 2 Richard Weir Derby/ENG 14:12.37, 3 Ieuan Thomas WAL 14:13.92, 4 Lewis Moses Loughborough Univ. 14:14.55, 5 Krzysztof Zebrowski POL 14:14.71, 6 Kevin Schwab USA 14:15.63

Selected NI/IRL: 16 Conor Bradley City of Derry Spartans/NIR 14:29.55, 19 Emmett Dunleavy Sligo/IRL 14:35.96, 20 Mick Clohisey Raheny Shamrocks/IRL 14:35.97, 23 Andrew Agnew Annadale Striders/NIR 14:37.43, 26 Joe McAllister St. Malachy's/NIR 14:40.60, 35 James O'Hare Annadale Striders 14:47.30, 37 Glenn Phair Annadale Striders 14:47.86, 41 Stephen Emery Armagh 14:50.61, 44 Scott Rankin Foyle Valley 14:53.80, 52 Ryan McDermott Annadale Striders 15:12.66, 54 Keith Shiels Foyle Valley 15:14.63, 56 Gareth Hill Ballymena & Antrim 15:17.63, 57 Conor Duffy Glaslough Harriers 15:17.93, 58 Danny Mooney Letterkenny /IRL 15:18.86, 59 Benny Teer East Down 15:19.29, 62 Adam Boyd NBH 15:22.37, 63 Conán McCaughey Enniskillen 15:26.69, 67 Stephen Prentice Annadale Striders 15:35.30, 73 Aaron Doherty CoDS 15:44.84, 74 Chris McGuinness Foyle Valley 15:46.12, 76 Allan Bogle CoDS 15:49.11, 81 Conor Curran NBH 16:00.86, 82 Pajo Hamilton CoDS 16:12.28, 83 Leroy Brady Armagh 16:12.62, 86 Greg Roberts CoDS 16:22.52, 87 Jonny Whan City of Lisburn 16:32.42, 88 Owen Carleton Annadale Striders 16:54.63.

Teams – International: England; Clubs: Bristol & West.

Women: 1 Laura Whittle Loughborough 9:25.73, 2 Elle Vernon Stockport 9:28.59, 3 Rachel Bamford Leeds 9:30.48, 4 Ann Marie McGlynn Letterkenny 9:40.48, 5 Laura Dunn Edinburgh 9:47.14, 6 Ellie Stevens Birchfield Harriers 9:50.04;

Selected NI/IRL: 10 Fionnuala Ross Armagh 9:59.32, 15 Deirdre Doyle 10:23.83, 16 Danielle Fegan Armagh 10:24.15, 17 Clare Connor NBH 10:29.68, 20 Rachel Gibson North Down 10:39.03, 22 Amy Hamill Glaslough Harriers 10:46.17, 23 Caitriona McGloin Balmoral Harriers 10:47.39, 24 Aisling Quinn Ferrybank A.C. 10:51.33 25 Madison Bowyer City of Lisburn 10:55.92, 26 Rebecca Murtagh Dromore A.C. 10:57.45, 28 Emma Laverty Lagan Valley 11:06.61, 29 Kate Mulholland St. Peter's, Lurgan 11:11.61, 30 Gerry Shortt Beechmount Harriers 11:14.79, 31 Christine Quinn Lisburn 11:19.04, 32 Melissa Eccles North Down 11:21.71, 33 Caitriona O'Brien Bohermeen A.C. 11:24.49, 34 Katie Moore North Down 11:27.64, 37 Rose Finnegan Bohermeen 11:35.93, 38 Daire McCartan Beechmount Harriers 11:37.79, 39 Jenny Algar Carmen Runners 11:41.07 40 Karen Costello Dunleer 11:41.48.

Teams – International: England; Clubs: Bohermeen.

Open Men: 1 Alistair Campbell Cambuslang Harriers 8:55.81, 2 Paddy Robb St. Malachy's G.S. 8:59.16, 3 Paul Gleeson Clones 9:05.19, 4 Christy Conlon 9:07.30, 5 Peter Gibbons Letterkenny 9:07.94, 6 Michael Quinn 9:11.44, 7 Ronan O' Fril St. Malachy's G.S. 9:13.25, 8 James Smith St. Malachy's G.S. 9:14.43, 9 Fionnbharr Toolan Balmoral Harriers 9:15.38, 10 Neil McCartan East Down 9:15.58; M40: Nigel McKibbin Dromore 9:39.16; M45: Francis Marsh North Down 9:24.76; M50: 1 Dale Mathers Newry City Runners 9:57.33; M55: 1 Colin Feechan Cambuslang Harriers 10:00.59; M60: 1 Terry Eakin North Down 10:51.36; M65: Colum Doran 15:24.70.

Team: 1 North Down 154 points

Christie and Magee are top of the form at Ulster Schools Cross Country Champs

2014-02-14T14:19:00.001-08:00


Paddy Robb (25) leads from Conor Christie (L) and Andrew Wright

Conor Christie and Emer Magee were the winners of the Senior titles at the Aviva Ulster Schools Cross Country Championships at a sunny but cold Belfast Playing Fields, Mallusk. In relatively firm underfoot conditions, Conor Christie kept his calm in the Senior Boys’ race.

Sitting at the back of a group of four that broke away early on, the Cross & Passion student moved to the front at the start of the final circuit. Only Grosvenor Grammar’s Andrew Wright was able to respond to the move and the pair were still locked together at the start of the final sprint.

Smart money was on the 1:54 800m runner but Christie dug deeper to put daylight between himself and his rival at the finish line. Early leader Paddy Robb fought back to take the bronze medal and lead his St. Malachy’s squad, coached by Joe McAlister, to a record 23rd team title in the age group.

Emer Magee (R) battles it out with Amy Jackson

The battle for the Senior Girls’ title was equally exciting. On this occasion it was Dominican, Belfast’s Emer Magee and Amy Jackson from Lumen Christi in Derry who battled it out. The pair entered the final straight shoulder to shoulder but Magee’s metronome stride saw her comfortably first across the line.

There was a major upset in the Intermediate Boys’ race with Friends’ School’s James Edgar defeating double Irish age-group champion Christy Conlon from Rathmore Grammar.

Clodagh O'Reilly

In contrast, the Intermediate Girls’ race went very much to form with Loreto, Cavan’s Clodagh O’Reilly scoring a runaway victory. The Junior Boys’ title went to Donegal with Aaron McGlynn while Loreto Coleraine’s Abigail McBroom was equally impressive in winning the hotly-contested Junior Girls’ race. The Minor titles were lifted by Strathearn’s Olivia Nelson and Omagh CBS pupil Sean Corry. Coleraine Inst’s Andrew Gordon and the Coleraine High School’s Hermione Skuce were the Mini victors.

Full results - http://www.athleticsni.org/Results/Ulster-Secondary-Schools-Cross-Country-Final

COMMENTARY TAKES THE BISCUIT ... OR THE MICKEY?

2014-02-06T14:38:00.000-08:00

Athletics Ireland is to be congratulated on the internet coverage of two important domestic fixtures in the last few weeks. The Republic’s athletics governing body transmitted a live stream of the Junior & U23 championships last month as well as last Sunday’s AAI Games. On both occasions the transmissions which lasted up to six hours went ahead without a glitch allowing viewers the opportunity to catch all the action at their fireside.

Feidhlim Kelly - combined commentary with pace-making.

However, there has been a debate this week on the social media regarding the commentary which was supplied by three athletes Feidhlim Kelly, Ronan Duggan and Cathal Dennehy. It could perhaps be described as left field with the boys interspersing commentary with banter. The choice of chocolate biscuit bars was a theme picked up on the first day at the under age championships but carried right through the entire commentary of last Sunday’s six hour coverage of the AAI Games.

Admittedly the large majority of comments on facebook were positive and many enjoyed the ongoing thread regarding the chocolate biscuits. One international hurdler was typical of the people who enjoyed the commentary.

“From an athletes perspective I think it brings some much needed energy to proceedings. It has become stale and boring for people to listen to, monotonous at times,” posted the Crusaders clubman. “I enjoyed it and think it should continue. Yes - there needs to be a sense of professionalism but there was at times, with some banter thrown in.”

One of the commentators Cathal Dennehy also defended the chitter-chatter.

“Six hours, lots of long pauses between events with nothing happening; anything is better than silence in such a situation, whatever keeps people watching,” he posted. “Ever listened to the trivial stuff they fill the Tour de France coverage with when there's nothing happening in the race?”

However, one respected coach was not so sure that the ad-libbing had been entirely successful.

“In-house jokes about varying types of chocolate, speaking about their exploits when at third level, slagging each other off while the camera followed the approach of a high jumper made this area of an outstanding event 'the Fr Ted' of sports coverage,” he wrote.

One athletics journalist thought that it was a bit too “lads” and suggested “bringing in some lassies?” Another person who posted said he was in favour of an “alternative” approach but in this case there was no mainstream and balance was required.

“I think the guys need to try and balance both - keeping some of the fun that brings the fans along for the ride...but keeping some level of serious professionalism,” was the succinct advice of one poster.

“It's great to have such a positive response to the Athletics Ireland streaming,” posted Athletics Ireland. “We'll certainly consider all feedback in advance of that next streaming gig. We felt the guys were a great addition to the service and viewer figures have been very impressive. As with all these things we can work and improve but overall the vibe is good.”

IRISH REVIEW OF THE YEAR

2013-12-29T08:22:00.002-08:00

Robert Heffernan’s gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow was undoubtedly the highlight of the year for athletics followers. The 35-year-old Cork man proved once again that if you do not at first succeed, you can be rewarded for trying and trying again. A veteran of four Olympic Games, the Togher walker had always fallen just short with a fourth place finish in London looking as though it was going to be the pinnacle of his career.

Rob Heffernan (right) in action at London Olympics

However, Heffernan had other ideas and while most of his main rivals took their foot off the gas after the London Olympics, the Togher walker applied himself more intently than ever. Guadix in the Spanish Sierra Nevada mountain range became his base and second home as he chalked up even more miles at altitude. Heffernan’s victory was only Ireland’s third gold medal at the Worlds and bridged a 30 year gap back to Eamonn Coghlan who won his 5000m title at the inaugural championships in Helsinki. Sonia O’Sullivan also stuck gold over 5000m, in 1995, when the event was staged in Gothenborg.

Heffernan walked almost the perfect race with his winning time of three hours, 37 minutes and 56 seconds being the fastest in the World this year. It was only two seconds outside his national record set when finishing fourth in London. The crucial point of the race was at the 40K mark when Heffernan hit the front before going on to grind out a winning margin on the compact circuit along the banks of the Mockva River. On entering the stadium, he had sufficient leeway to enjoy the scant applause that was forthcoming from the partisan home crowd before crossing the line over a minute clear.

“It’s surreal you know, it’s just such a great feeling! When I came into the stadium, it was like an out of body experience,” was Heffernan’s immediate reaction. “Looking at the screen, it was hard to take it all in at the moment but I’m delighted.”

Apart from Heffernan outstanding achievement, the most of the Irish performances in Moscow were disappointing with the exception of Paul Pollock’s 21^st place in the marathon.

However, the year had started brightly on the international stage with Ireland taking two medals at the European Indoor Championships in Gothenborg. Fionnuala Britton turned in a spectacular finish to take third in the 3000m with Leevale athlete Ciarán O’Lionaird also taking bronze in the men’s 3000m.

"It was my first competition in the 3000 metres and I really wanted to win, but these guys were too good,” said a frankly honest O’Lionaird after the race.

Those two bronze medals could now become three with Derval O’Rourke set to move up a place after Turkey’s gold medallist Nevin Yanit was recently disqualified from the 60m hurdles after positive drug tests.

Later in March the Irish women excelled themselves at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland. The event was run on snowy underfoot conditions and in freezing temperatures. Not unexpectedly, Kenya and Ethiopia lifted the gold and silver team medals while a squad recruited from the two aforementioned countries took third place for Bahrain. Ireland was leading European country in fifth, two places ahead of a Great Britain squad that had been fancied by their athletics press to finish in a podium place.

There were no medals for Irish athletes at either the World University Games or European U23 Championships but Sarah Lavin took a medal at the European Junior Championships in Rieti, Italy. The 19-year-old Limerick woman had been breaking Derval O’Rourke’s age group records for several years and it was no surprise when she took the silver medal in the 100m hurdles in a new national Junior mark.

Alas, there was to be no fairy-tale ending to the year with Fionnuala Britton failing to complete a hat-trick of wins at the European Cross Country in December. The Wicklow woman finished a disappointed and disconsolate fourth in Belgrade as an understrength Ireland’s women also had to relinquish their team title. But no disappointment can take away from the magic moments in August when Rob Heffernan stood aloft the presentation dais as the national anthem rang out around the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Northern Athletics Review

2013-12-29T08:22:00.001-08:00

There is nothing like the prospect of an appearance at a Commonwealth Games to concentrate the mind of a Northern athlete. With the countdown to the 20^th Games in Glasgow now in days, there was an urgency among Northern Ireland athletes to catch the eye of the selectors well in advance of deadline day.

This was best illustrated at the marathon distance where Paul Pollock had an outstanding season culminating in a 21^st place at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow. That made him only second European across the line but also presents the Hollywood doctor with the dilemma of whether to run the distance at the Commonwealths or a few weeks later at the Europeans in Switzerland.

Paul Pollock finishes 21st in Moscow (Photo: Keith McClure)

Northern Ireland has had women run the marathon at Commonwealths in the past. But it looks there could be two for the first next year with Breege Connolly and Gladys Ganiel both having consideration standards under their belts. Connolly finished strongly to get her time in London but Ganiel, who faded late in that race, had to go back to the well a second time in Berlin before she bettered the 2:40 standard.

That urgency was reflected in track and field as well with the provincial senior championships being the best for some years despite dull weather conditions. Jason Harvey, who had already gained the standard for 400m Hurdles, dropped down in distance to win a classy 200m in a personal best 21.57 seconds; another Commonwealth qualifier. Paul Pollock, adopted unusually cautious tactics for him by sitting back off the early pace before imposing himself on the 5000m field and Kerry Harty, smarting from the disappointment of her omission from Ireland’s European League team, gave the selectors two fingers by winning the 1500m.

The Belfast Games Meeting which marked the opening of the new facility at the Mary Peters Track had us all casting our minds back to those Les Jones-organised meetings of yester year at the same venue. The budget was more modest on this occasion but that did not detract from an excellent evening of athletics. While Lord Coe and Dame Peters occupied the paparazzi off the track, the athletes made the most of the new mondo surface and perfect weather conditions.

Athletes came from all corners of the planet but it was Helen’s Bay man Ben Reynolds who stole the headlines. The North Down athlete obliterated his own Northern Ireland 110m Hurdles record of 13.71 seconds which he had set only two days earlier with a 13.49 mark that catapulted him into the top performers in Europe. Sadly, Reynolds succumbed to injury after that and missed out on selection for the Worlds.

City of Lisburn’s Amy Foster also took advantage of the evening and equalled the NI record of 11.49 seconds in winning the 100 metres. Paralympic star Jason Smyth powered to an easy victory in the men’s 100m. Australia’s Collis Birmingham brought a touch of class to the meeting with an impressive last lap victory in the 1500 metres. Another Australian Kelly Hetherington, but this time with strong Tyrone connections, won the women’s 800m.

Fionnuala Britton’s victory was the highpoint of the Antrim International Cross Country with Gladys Ganiel finishing 13th overall to lift the NI/Ulster crown and lead North Belfast Harriers to team victory. The men’s race followed the normal pattern with African athletes dominating the eventThis time Ugandan Thomas Ayeko took the spoils. Stephen Scullion had his best ever run at that level to take fifth and with it his first NI/Ulster senior cross country. Annadale’s Eddie McGinley was second ahead of defending champion Joe McAlister who led St. Malachy’s to the team title.

At the other end of the spectrum, thousands took to the roads in races in places where there were not even places a decade earlier. Altamuskin, Drumragh and Knockmany were just three of the new locations on the fixture list that hosted successful events. The popularity of running was reflected in record fields practically every weekend the length and bread of the province. Entering 2014, Athletics has never been as popular. What does the future hold? Only time will tell.

BOGLE AND GANIEL TAKE NORTHWEST TITLES

2013-12-24T04:59:00.001-08:00

The old adage of horses for courses was proven true once again when Allan Bogle romped to an impressive victory at the Northwest Cross Country Championships in Derry. Gladys Ganiel also showed a relish for the wet underfoot conditions as she totally outclassed the opposition in the women’s race.

Allan Bogle leads the way at NW Champs

Bogle, a specialist in mountain and trail races, would not have been considered one of the favourites going into the six kilometre race. However on a soft and yielding surface, he came into his own. Already at the head of the field by the end of the first lap, the City of Derry athlete was in complete control thereafter. Although the gap never grew to the point where he could relax at the front, Bogle nevertheless clung tenaciously to his advantage to the finish line.

A mere eleven seconds covered the top six finishers as Foyle Valley’s Scott Rankin took second spot ahead of a fast-finishing North Belfast Harrier Alan O’Hara. Another Foyle Valley man, Chris McGuinness, capped a year of solid improvement by taking fourth ahead of Spartan duo, Emmett McGinty and John Lenehan.

“Right from the go, I felt quite strong,” said Bogle. “Because I was a bit ill this last few days, all I wanted to do was finish strongly. I never for one second thought I could win it but once I started pulling away on the first lap, I thought I might as well just go for it. The conditions being wet, slippy and muddy really suited my style of running.”

Gladys Ganiel dominates the women's race.

While the men’s race went right down to the wire, Gladys Ganiel had the women’s title sealed up by halfway. Ganiel who hopes for Commonwealth Games selection in the marathon next August, went into an early lead which she stretched to a massive 48 seconds margin at the line. Glasgow University student Lauren Quee impressed by holding down second place, another 35 seconds ahead of another North Belfast Harrier Mary-Margaret Meade.Race Report Audio https://soundcloud.com/inside-track/report-northwest-cross-country

RESULTS

Northwest Cross Country Championships, Derry

Women:1 Gladys Ganiel North Belfast Harriers F35 21:31, 2 Lauren Quee U/A 22:19, 3 Mary Margaret Meade NBH F35 22:54, 4 Marina Campbell City of Derry Spartans 23:02, 5 Nuala Kelly Sperrin Harriers 24:07, 6 Martina McMullan Foyle Valley F40 24:09, 7 Alison Rankin Springwell F40 24:13, 8 Amy Jackson CoDS U20 24:15, 9 Aoife Mc Sheffrey Springwell U18 24:17, 10 Sarah Lindsay Foyle Valley 24:20; F45 Jackie McGinley CoDS 24:26; F50: Bridgeen Byrne CoDS 28:27; F55: Thelma Mc Cullough NBH 29:19; F60: Roisin Lynch CoDS 28:45.

Men: 1 Allan Bogle CoDS 19:27, 2 Scott Rankin Foyle Valley 19:30, 3 Alan O'Hara NBH/M35 19:35, 4 Chris McGuinness Foyle Valley 19:36, 5 Emmett McGinty CoDS 19:37, 6 John Lenehan CoDS 19:38, 7 Barry Harron Finn Valley/M35 19:59, 8 Colin Roberts CoDS/M40 19:59, 9 James Budde North Down 20:01, 10 Pius McIntyre Foyle Valley 20:05; U18: Shane Mc Gowan CoDS 20:07; U20: Conor Doherty CoDS 20:25; M45: Francis Marsh North Down M45 20:21; M50: Noel Connor Ballymena Runners 21:49; M55: Greg Mc Clure NBH 24:49; M60: Ray Curran Ballymena Runners 23:29; M65: Gerry Lynch CoDS 25:34; M70: Jim Platt Springwell 28:20.

2013 November 11 - Ulster Novice Cross Country

2013-11-12T13:01:00.000-08:00

CONAN DOMINATES ULSTER NOVICE

Pre-race favourite Conan McCaughey turned in a masterful performance to win the men’s Ulster Novice title in almost perfect underfoot conditions at Gransha Hospital Grounds in Derry. The 23-year-old also inspired his Enniskillen Running Club squad to their first ever provincial team title. There was also joy for Derry club Foyle Valley who supplied the winning individual, Sarah Lindsay, and team in the women’s race.

Like a maiden hurdle in horse-racing, the men’s race started like a cavalry charge with McCaughey at the head of a six-strong leading group at the end of the opening two-kilometre lap of three. Finn Valley’s Colin Watson and Glaslough’s Conor Duffy were breathing down his neck while a couple of metres back Northern Ireland 800 metres champion Michael Dyer looked to be feeling the pace.

The battling McCaughey continued to lead with only Duffy and Watson looking capable of causing an upset with Dyer now slipping back down the field. The Stirling University student kept the pedal to the metal as the trio went out on the third lap with Watson, the recent Donegal Novice and Masters’ champion, the first to crack. McCaughey emerged at the start of the long finishing straight with a 30 metres gap over the game Duffy which he increased to 50 by the tape. His Enniskillen team mate Stephen Prentice overtook the faltering Watson to take third and lay the foundations of a convincing team victory by the Ernesiders.

“I was pushed hard but I’ve been training for this for months and it has been a massive goal for me,” said McCaughey. “The coach Tommy [Farrell] has really helped me. His training sessions set me up perfectly. I’ve never even won a cross country race before, so to win a provincial title is amazing.”

Sarah Lindsay only took up running in July to lose weight but timed her efforts to perfection in the women’s race. The Foyle Valley runner allowed Finn Valley’s Kathleen McNulty to build up a big advantage on the opening lap before reeling the Donegal woman in on the second circuit. The final loop was virtually a glory leg for the Derry athlete as she strolled to a comfortable 15 seconds victory. Team mate Charlene McIntyre finished strongly to make it a Foyle Valley 1-2 while McNulty was rewarded with the individual bronze medal for her early efforts.

Meanwhile Paul Pollock was 12^th in yesterday’s Soria International Cross Country in Spain. The Annadale Strider covered the ten kilometre course in 31:31. The race was won by Uganda’s Dickson Huru in 30:07. Pollock runs the Irish trial for the European Cross Country next Sunday at Santry Demesne in Dublin.

On Saturday, Declan Reed made a satisfactory recovery from injury when he won the McConnell Shield cross race at Ballyclare. The City of Derry Spartan had just seven seconds to spare over Springwell’s Neil Johnston at the end of the five mile trip. North Belfast Harrier Alan O’Hara took third. Sperrin Harrier Karen Alexander won the women’s three mile race from Omagh’s Michelle Sturm with just two seconds separating them at the tape.

RESULTS

Ulster Novice and Uneven Age Group Cross Country Championships, Derry

Novice Women: 1 Sarah Lindsay Foyle Valley 15:57, 2 Charlene McIntyre Foyle Valley 16:12, 3 Kathleen McNulty Finn Valley 16:20, 4 Emer Magee Rosses 16:29, 5 Marie Boyle Letterkenny 16:44, 6 Denise McElhone Foyle Valley 16:44, 7 Sarah Mulholland Rosses 16:47, 8 Terese McNally Glaslough Hrs 16:55, 9 Tracey Harley Inishowen 16:56, 10 Marie Harper Finn Valley 16:58; Team: Foyle Valley 9pts.
Novice Men: 1 Conan McCaughey Enniskillen RC 19:04, 2 Conor Duffy Glaslough Hrs 19:13, 3 Stephen Prentice Enniskillen RC 19:32, 4 Colin Watson Finn Valley 19:34, 5 Conor Gallagher St. Malachy’s 19:55, 6 Fionnbharr Toolan Balmoral Hrs 19:59, 7 Michael Dyer North Down 20:04, 8 Daniel Hannigan Lifford 20:22, 9 Fergus McGirr Enniskillen RC 20:23, 10 Paul McGlinchey Letterkenny 20:31; Teams: 1 Enniskillen (1 McCaughey, 3 Prentice, 9 McGirr, 14 Brian Crossan).

McConnell Shield Cross Country Meeting, Ballyclare.

Men (Five Miles): 1 Declan Reed City of Derry Spartans 26:01, 2 Neil Johnston Springwell RC 26:08, 3 Alan O’Hara North Belfast Harriers 26:09
Women (3 miles): 1 Karen Alexander Sperrin Harriers 18:18, 2 Michelle Sturm Omagh Harriers 18:20, 3 Marina Campbell City of Derry Spartans 18:25.

2103 November 8 - CONAN TO ERNE HIS SPURS AT ULSTER NOVICE?

2013-11-06T07:35:00.000-08:00

CONAN TO ERNE HIS SPURS AT ULSTER NOVICE?

It is not often that a Fermanagh athlete is favoured to win a provincial cross country title but that is the case in Sunday’s Ulster Novice Championships at Gransha Grounds in Derry. Enniskillen Running Club’s Conan McCaughey is hoping the disappointment of a below par performance in last year’s race will spur him to the men’s title and is also optimistic that he can lead his club to the team trophy as well.

Conán McCaughey (Photo: Paul Carron)

“I’m really hoping to do well and make a big breakthrough,” said McCaughey. “Last year was one of my most disappointing races [7^{th -}Killybegs] that I’ve had. I found the sandy conditions very difficult and it was just a real shock. I discovered that I’m definitely not a sand runner. My training has been going well and my focus ever since. Going way back to the track season, my eye would have been on the Novice.

“I started building up a base for the race in July and we’ve had no break since. We’re a new club in Enniskillen and we’ve got together a group this year that has a real chance of winning the team prize. And that would be a magnificent achievement for a club only three years old.”

McCaughey is another late starter to the running game. He did not run in secondary school, instead playing football at a recreational level, and only took up the sport when studying at UCD. He grew up in Lurgan but moved to Enniskillen, his parents’ hometown, a few years ago. He is now doing a Master’s degree in Health Psychology at Stirling University which has enabled to train with a top squad including Scottish international miler Alistair Hay. However, it is his coach back in Enniskillen, Tommy Farrell, to whom he pays credit.

“Tommy has been incredible – I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am now without Tommy. He’s just got such expertise and with me he’s just been fantastic. With me, he focuses a lot on correct running technique. He does that with all the athletes that he coaches,” said the 23-year-old.

Farrell, who was a 14:25 5000m man on the track and sub-50 minutes on the road for ten miles, is optimistic about his charge’s prospects on Sunday.

“I think he is a contender,” said Farrell. He underachieved last year and was very disappointed finishing seventh when he thought he could have won. He has been training well and was third in a good 5K in Cavan. But a lot will depend on the state of the course; he’d prefer good going.”

Main opposition to McGaughey is likely to come from Donegal novice winner Colin Watson from the Finn Valley club, Lifford’s Daniel Hannigan and NI 800m champion Michael Dyer should he decide to compete. Enniskillen, third last year, could make it a memorable day for the Ernesiders with a victory in the team race. Letterkenny, Inishowen and Finn Valley should fight out both individual and teams honours in the women’s novice championship.

REID’S EXCEPTIONAL SEASON RECOGNISED

Derry woman Aileen Reid has been named Athlete of the Year at the Triathlon Ireland Awards Dinner with almost 300 elite and age group athletes, family and friends gathering annual event. Highlight of Reid’s season was indisputably her runner-up spot at the World Triathlon Series Grand Final in London which was the greatest individual performance ever by an Irish triathlete.

Special guest at the event was double Paralympic Gold Medallist Mark Rohan as over 100 medals and awards were handed out to participants across the wide range of Triathlon Ireland events and age groups in 2013. The climax of the evening was the announcement of the 31-year-old North West Triathlon club member as Athlete of the Year following a vote by the members of Triathlon Ireland.

Reid’s outstanding performance in London banished the memories of falls on the same course on her previous two appearances, notably when she went down on a sharp corner at the London Olympics. After a lacklustre start to the 2013 season, she improved to finish seventh in the World for the year.

“After the high of the Olympic year and growth of the sport last year, 2013 somehow managed to even cap that,” said Vodafone Ireland Chief Executive Anne O’Leary. “Triathlon continues to be one of Ireland’s fastest growth sports, with events up and down the country fully booked. At an individual level, we all stood in admiration of Aileen’s stunning performance in London.”

Reid will be returning to Australia in the New Year to commence her preparations for the 2014 season under coach Darren Smith.

HARRIERS’ SUCCESS STORY CONTINUES DESPITE SPERRINS WEATHER

Sperrin Harriers are to be congratulated on a successful start to the fifth year of their Winter League Trail Series which saw over 100 runners on the start line for opening fixture at Davagh Forest, near Cookstown.

The turnout was not helped by poor overnight weather and dismal conditions on the day. The start was put back to allow one particularly nasty shower to pass over but when the gun fired, the race quickly developed into a duel between international orienteer Allan Bogle and local man Pierce McCullagh. Bogle from the City of Derry Spartans club recently won the Slieve Gullion race quite handsomely but on this occasion he was unable to shake off the attentions of the Greencastle man. The pair were still together at the halfway mark of the ten kilometre event and it was only in the final kilometres that Bogle was able to eke out a lead. At the line he had 31 seconds to spare over the game former gaelic footballer with Brian Young doing well to seize the final podium spot.

Karen Alexander, Irish female fell runner of the year in 2012, won the women’s race at a canter finishing 16^th overall. The Sperrin Harrier had over two and a half minutes to spare over Springwell’s Ciara Toner with another athlete from the host club, Nuala Kelly, in third. Attention now switches to Lough Fea on December 14 for the second fixture in the five-race series with the distance dropping down to five kilometres.

NEW YORK MARATHON’S OLDEST WOMAN DIES THE DAY AFTER RACE

Just days after the death of a 27-year-old who took a heart attack at the end of the Dublin Marathon, comes the sad news that Joy Johnson, oldest woman to run New York City Marathon, died on Monday..

Johnson (86) completed her 25th run in the marathon the previous day stumbled and hit her head near the 20th mile but still managed to complete the race. Medics wanted to bring Johnson to the hospital, but she would not be deterred from completing her 25th New York City Marathon. She crossed the finish line with a time of seven hours, 57 minutes and 41 seconds.

On Monday, Johnson and her 83-year-old sister made their annual post-marathon trek to the “Today” show to watch the live broadcast from Rockefeller Center. When they returned to their hotel, Johnson said she was tired and went to rest. She never woke up again. The post mortem showed Johnson to have died from complications of hitting her head and the blood-thinning medication she took for a minor heart flutter. The former PE teacher only took up running after retiring a quarter-century ago and had been the oldest woman running New York’s marathon since 2011.

“I always say I’m going to run until I drop,” Johnson had said in an interview before the race. “I’m going to die in my tennis shoes. I just don’t know when I’m going to quit.”

“At least she was running, the way she wanted to go,” said her daughter, Diana Boydston.

2013 November 1 - DYER TAKES CENTRE STAGE AFTER BEST SEASON EVER

2013-11-06T07:03:00.001-08:00

DYER TAKES CENTRE STAGE AFTER BEST SEASON EVER

After years in the chorus line Michael Dyer is comfortable with now being centre stage in Ulster middle-distance running. The 29-year-old has just completed his best ever track season in which he has rewritten his bests for both 800 and 1500 metres as well as taking the provincial senior title for the former distance. It is not that the Bangor man has not had the best of opportunities in the past – he has studied at Loughborough University and went on an athletics scholarship to McNeese State in Louisiana. Dyer puts his late development down to a number of factors but mainly his age.

Dyer (68) gets the better of Mark Patterson (Photo: Keith McClure)

“I’ve a more mature attitude to training now,” explains the former Bangor FC U18 and reserve footballer. “After a couple of bad years I wondered if I was going to be able to run as fast again. I tried to be more relaxed and trusted in my coach Francis Marsh’s training plan. I was more measured with my effort in training. During hard interval sessions, I worked at 90% effort as opposed to the 95-100% effort in the past.

“This was partly due to my over-enthusiasm in training and from working within stacked training groups from my time at Loughborough and McNeese. Although I enjoy working in a group, this is easier to achieve now as I train alone. Meaning I have more left for running fast in races where it counts. Strength and conditioning was also key. It was the first time I kept this as part of my training consistently for 12 months.”

Highlight of Dyer’s season was undoubtedly picking up his first NI/Ulster senior title when he prevailed by the narrowest of margins over clubmate and training partner Mark Patterson in a photo finish. However, he did not rest on his laurels and went on to improve his personal bests for 800 and 1500 to 1:50.37 and 3:47.33 respectively (previously 1:51.25/3:57.41). A small improvement on those in 2014 could put him within touching distance of the Commonwealth Games consideration standards.

“I’m delighted with the season, it’s my best to date,” continued Dyer. “I achieved most of my goals! I want to lower my personal bests and enjoy the sport! The main aim has always been to go sub 1:50 in the 800m. I will also target the 1500m as it is an event I feel I have a lot of potential in. Ideally I would like to run sub 1:50 and sub 3:45 in the respective events and give the Commonwealth Games selectors something to think about!”

Dyer now plans to build up his mileage as well as interval sessions and strength and conditioning over the winter months. He may look for some road races to assess his fitness keep the competitive edge. He may also do some cross country but not the “mud baths.” However, indoor competition is not on his menu.

“I haven't raced indoors since my time in the USA. I am always tempted but I would rather save my racing for a long outdoor season,” concluded the North Down athlete.

AUSTRALIAN RUNNING GREAT PASSES AWAY TO GREAT TRACK IN THE SKY

The athletics community was saddened this week to hear that Australian distance runner Albert ‘Albie’ Thomas had died after a year-long illness. Thomas is best remembered in this country for breaking the World 2 mile record during two magic evenings of athletics at the then Santry Stadium in Dublin some 55 years ago.

Born in Hurstville on 8 February 1935, Thomas became one of Australia’s greatest distance runners. He broke World records, competed at three Olympic Games, was a double Commonwealth Games medallist and after his career he coached and worked tireless for his athletics club.

Coached by the famous Percy Cerrutty, he ran 13:36.0 for three miles in February 1956, just outside the national record of 13:31.8. Seven months later he set personal bests of 14:04.0 for 5000m and 29:23.0 for 10,000m at the Australian trials to gain his place at the Olympics. At just 21 years of age in Melbourne, he won his 5000m heat and placed fifth in the final.

In 1958 he set a World record of 13:10.8 for three miles, breaking the previous mark by nearly four seconds. But two weeks later he had to settle for silver over that distance at the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, also winning bronze in the mile. He ended the trip to Europe by pacing Herb Elliott to his 3:54.5 World record for the mile in Dublin, and then the following night breaking two miles World record.

He went on to compete at two more editions of the Olympic Games, set a World indoor three mile record, won more national titles and formed a part of the Australian team that set a World record in the 4 x 1 mile relay in 1959. Thomas retired from international athletics in 1965 but continued to run and won World masters titles in 1975.

IRELAND’S HOGAN OUTSHINES TRACK STARS IN SPEED GOLF

Ireland’s Rob Hogan, who led after day one, held on to win 2013 World Speed Golf Championships at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon. Hogan did not quite match up to his first day performances when he shot a round of 79 in 41 minutes and 24 seconds but did enough to lift the €50,000 (£31,223) cheque. The previous day he had scored 77 in 39:31 minutes to lead overnight.

However, much more decorated athletes could not match strides with the man ran a five mile race recently in a modest 30:12. Seoul Olympics 1500 metres silver medallist Nick Willis struggled on day two after lying in sixth overnight, thanks to an 86 in 44:20 minutes of play. But the Kiwi could only manage 97 on day two but did improve his time to 43:07, leaving him in 13^th of the 25-strong field.

Willis’ fellow Olympic medallist at 1500, Bernard Lagat, started the second day in last and ended up in the lanterne rouge place despite lowering his stroke total from 118 to 110. Miler Steve Scott is regarded as the inventor of the sport and in 1979 covered the Miler Golf Course in Anaheim, California in 29:33, scoring 95 shots.

25 OCTOBER 2013 - McGINLEY FACES LONG HARD RACE IN DUBLIN

2013-10-23T03:49:00.000-07:00

McGINLEY FACES LONG HARD RACE IN DUBLIN

Ed McGinley is under no illusion as to the size of the task facing him in Monday's Dublin City Marathon. It is the Annadale Strider's first attempt at the distance and despite having a pedigree background, he appreciates that racing 26.2 miles will not be a walk in the park by any stretch of the imagination.

Ed McGinley - National Senior Cross Country Champion 2012

McGinley's preparations have also been hampered his recent marriage to long-term girlfriend Elaine and he has met with mixed fortunes in his two recent warmup races. He was well beaten by Stephen Scullion in the Belfast Half Marathon before bouncing back a fortnight ago to win the Armagh 10 miles.

“The confidence took a big whack after Belfast which was a poor run and to be honest training has not gone well with the wedding and so much on,” confessed McGinley. “It’s just demoralizing doing so much [training] on my own, it’s hard graft and I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it. It was so severely warm in Belfast, after five miles I was burning up. I can be very sore on myself and I expect that I should turn up for my first half marathon and run 65 minutes. It just doesn’t work that way.”

The 30-year-old impressed on his subsequent appearance in Armagh where he was just outside his best time for ten miles with a 51:02 clocking. On a course that is generally considered to be at least a minute slow, the Lisburn resident ran away from the opposition to win by over two minutes from the in-form Alan O’Hara.

“It was the case of a solo effort, the Armagh course is one hell of a course. For me to run that on my own, I was very satisfied with it and I didn’t kill myself. I’m a wee bit nervous about the marathon because the long tempo runs haven’t gone that well. I really don’t want a bad experience. Originally Mark Kirk [McGinley’s coach] and I thought about targeting a time of around 2:18 but now I’m more inclined to be more cautious and aim for something around 2:21 which would be a good start.”

McGinley will be joined on the start line by Annadale Striders colleague Paddy Hamilton who had his final warmup race last weekend in Cavan. The former Michigan State runner took an easy victory in the Run With Catherina 5K in 15:09 which put him over half a minute ahead of recent Dublin Half Marathon winner Robbie Matthews of Dunshaughlin.

ULSTER ATHLETES SHINE IN DUBLIN

Three Ulster athletes are in line for Irish selection after impressive performances at the Gerry Farnan Cross Country in Dublin last Sunday. Annadale Strider Ryan McDermott, Anne-Marie McGlynn from the Lifford club as well as Cavan girl Clodagh O’Reilly are set to represent Ireland at the top Lotto Cup Cross Country meeting in Belgium next month.

Ryan McDermott (aside - photo: Keith McClure) had possibly his best ever cross country performance to finish eleventh in the men’s race behind somewhat surprise winner Michael Mulhare. The Dromore man has been unlucky in selection races in the past, missing out on European Cross Country Championships by a single place as both a Junior and U23, but on this occasion he made no mistake and can look forward to pulling on the green vest in Antwerp.

Anne-Marie McGlynn continued an incredible season with a battling fourth in the women’s race behind European champion Fionnuala Britton. The Tullamore native, who has lived in Strabane for some years, had to fight all the way to the line to
hold off Ciara Durkan for the final selection spot with both woman sharing the same time. Aside from being Ulster/NI 800 metres champion, McGlynn has unbelievably won races this year from that distance right up to the half marathon.

Newcastle’s Kerry Harty returned from altitude training for the race but may have got her preparations awry after slipping from third to sixth place in the closing stages. Harty has since gone back to Font Romeu in the French Pyrenees for more training before competing as an individual in Antwerp. She also intends taking part in the trial for the European at Santry Demesne on November 17.

Annalee athlete Clodagh O’Reilly has been a frequent winner of national titles through the age groups. It was no surprise then when she broke the Dundrum South Dublin domination of the Junior women’s age group with a well-earned second place. O’Reilly can now look forward to matching strides with some of the fastest in her age group in Antwerp and it will no doubt serve as good experience for the sterner test that should face her at the Europeans in Belgrade in early December.

SPERRIN HARRIERS ANNOUNCE WINTER DATES

The Sperrin Harriers club have announced details of its fifth annual Winter League Trail Series. The league began as a small event for its own club members but in 2009 was opened up to all. It has now grown into probably the North’s premier trail race series and has proven to be attractive to everyone from absolute beginner to the province’s top runners.

The Harriers have reduced the number of races to five this winter as it has been getting more difficult to avoid clashing with other events. Nevertheless the variety of distances have been retained with a 5K, two 10Ks in separate venues as well as a five miler and a ten mile contest to conclude the series.

The up and coming Cookstown and Magherafelt club are introducing a new venue at Davagh Forest which hosts the first fixture, a ten kilometres race, on November 2. This year the scoring system has been modified in order to ensure that as many entrants as possible will remain in contention until the series is complete. All five races will contribute to the overall score, and entrants must enter at least three races in order to be included in the final league placings.

2012 Overall Winner Pius McIntyre

The other fixtures are - 14 December – Lough Fea 5K; 18 January 2014 – Drum Manor 10K; 1 February 2014 – An Créagan 5 Miles; 1 March 2014 – 10 Miles. Further information is available on the club’s facebook page, Twitter (@SperrinHarriers) and website (www.sperrinharriers.co.uk).

TOP DISTANCE COACH FOR ENDURANCE NETWORK

Leading British distance coach Bud Baldaro will be delivering the next Endurance Coaching Network at the Mary Peters Track on Sunday, November 3. Baldaro is coach to, among others, World Championship medallist Hannah England and Ireland’s Sara Treacy. The Birmingham-based coach comes with a huge amount of experience in guiding athletes to the top in track, cross-country and marathon.

The hosts Athletics Northern Ireland believe that this is a great opportunity for local endurance enthusiasts to listen to a World class endurance coach sharing his coaching philosophies and have the opportunity to ask questions. Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The cost is £5 and will include refreshments on arrival. For further information contact Catherine Crawford by e-mail at catherine@athleticsni.org.

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Friday (October 25)

• Enniskillen Spooktacular 5K Road Race – 7:30pm (see details this page)

Saturday (October 26)

• Parkrun (Various venues) – 9:30am (Victoria Park- 9:00am)

• NI Ulster Age Group XC Champs inc. Bobby Rea Races - 11.30am (Rostrevor) -

Monday (October 28)

Dublin Marathon – 9:00am (Dublin City)

Saturday (November 2)

Parkrun (Various venues) – 9:30am (Victoria Park- 9:00am)
Sperrin Harriers’ Winter League Trail Series 10K – 12:00 noon (Davagh Forest)

Saturday (November 9)

McConnell Shield XC (NI League) – 1:30pm (Six Mile River Park, Ballyclare)

Sunday (November 10)

NI/Ulster Novice & Age Groups XC Champs – 11:30am (Gransha Grounds, Derry)
Hollymount Road Race – 1:00pm (Hollymount, Co. Mayo)

18 OCTOBER 2013 - AILEEN REID LAUNCHES FLAHAVAN’S CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE AND OTHER NEWS

2013-10-16T03:29:00.000-07:00

AILEEN REID LAUNCHES FLAHAVAN’S CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE

Olympic Triathlete Aileen Reid went back to her ‘grass-roots’ to inspire young athletes at the launch of the 2013/14 Flahavan’s Porridge Athletics NI Junior Cross Country League and Squad on Portstewart Strand. The Derry woman has just finished her 2013 season ranked eighth in the World and capped it with a brilliant silver medal in the WTU Series Final in London last month.

Pictured at the launch of the Flahavan’s Porridge Athletics NI Junior Cross Country League and Squad (l-r) is Rebecca Wallace from Lisburn, Aileen Reid Olympic Triathlete and Cathal Brennan from Newry

Aside from her triathlon exploits, Reid is also a former NI/Ulster Senior Cross Country champion. Reid, who was introduced to cross country at Thornhill College in Derry, took to the sand with the squad members as they completed hill sessions, core strength exercises and relay races on the strand.

“I’m delighted to see so many young people on Portstewart Strand for the launch of the Cross Country League and the first training session of the Junior Squad,” said Reid. “Grassroots sports development initiatives such as the league and squad are essential to build a platform for our future athletes. “They provide children with the opportunity to participate in a competitive environment – possibly for the first time, meet new friends and have fun while enjoying sport.”

With the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games fast approaching, Athletics NI and Flahavan’s, are hoping to inspire a new generation of local sporting talent by introducing them to athletics and the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle.

“We’re delighted to continue our support for the Athletics Northern Ireland Junior Cross Country League and Squad,” said John Noonan, Sales and Marketing Director at Flahavan’s Porridge. “As a family business, making porridge for local families, we value the importance of encouraging children to enjoy a lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and starting the day on the right foot - with a nutritious breakfast.”

The 2013/14 league kicks off on Monday 14th October and will see over 4000 kids, from across Northern Ireland compete for a place in the finals. For further information contact Heather Ardis on heather@athleticsni.org

HALLOWEEEN FUN IN PROSPECT AT ENNISKILLEN RACE (Photo: Mark Hoy)

A monster crowd is expected to take to the streets of Enniskillen over the Halloween holidays as runners from across the province and further afield line up for one of the most atmospheric events in the racing calendar.

The third annual Enniskillen Spooktacular 5k Run will be held on Friday, October 25 - and organisers are promising runners and spectators alike an evening of frighteningly good fun as well as top quality action.

In the past two years, 300 runners of all ages, abilities and in all sorts of costumes have joined in the proceedings, with enthusiastic crowds lining the route to cheer them on. With a bumper prize fund of over £1,000 (including £100 each for the first male and female home), there is sure to be fireworks at the elite end of the field.

Last year, in a hotly contested race, local star Mark Hoy won a cracker of a race with another Erneside man Conan McCaughey in a course record 15 minutes and 50 seconds. In the women’s race, Patricia O'Hagan from Lurgan claimed the title in 18:06. As well as prizes for the first three male and female runners across the line, there will also be a host of prizes in the under-16, over-40, over-50 and over-60 categories. And it's not just those at the front of the field who will be in with a shout of treasure - there'll also be rewards for the runners wearing the best fancy dress costumes, as well as technical T-shirts for the first 250 entrants.

Online entries are now being accepted at www.precisiontiming.net, as well as at www.athleticsni.org). Paper entries will be accepted before 5:00pm, Tuesday, October 22, at Salon Twenty2, East Bridge Street, and M&S Tyres, Cornagrade Road, Enniskillen. For postal entries, or to view the route and keep up to date with the latest race news contact the organisers at www.facebook.com/enniskillenrc.

DUNDRUM RACE A GR8 SUCCESS (Photo: Ursula Smyth from Belfast , member of Murlough AC, delighted with her achievement)

Despite competition from a number of other events, the 4th Annual GR8 Dundrum Run attracted almost 600 runners to the County Down village last weekend. The race is now firmly fixed as a favourite among running enthusiasts and almost every club in the North was represented.

Pamela Ballantine of UTV was on hand again this year to welcome runners and provide her own unique style of jovial commentary. The low spring tide meant that there was plenty of hard sand for runners on the beach and that coupled with a gentle tail breeze ensured that the section was nowhere near as challenging as in previous years.

East Down’s Benny Teer, winner in 2012, was the frontrunner from early on before going on to win for the third year in a row. Karen Alexander of Sperrin Harriers was the comfortable winner of the women's race finishing forty seconds faster than her winning time twelve months earlier.

While the runners were out on the course, there were three kids sprint races taking place on the Main Street . The first of these was for 7 and 8 year olds and was won by Daniel Shiel of All Children's PS. Catherine Cousins of Newcastle AC was the first girl over the line. Danny Williamson and Kate McCauley, both from Newcastle, won the 9/10 year old races while Kiara Cairns showed great speed breaking the tape ahead of the boys in the 11/12 year old sprint. Yann Valdez was the first boy across the line and will return home to Switzerland with a trophy as a momento of his holiday in the Mournes.

IRELAND TO BE WITHOUT TOP MILER IN BELGRADE

Ireland will not have the services of top miler Ciarán Ó’ Lionaird at the European Cross Country this December. The Cork athlete confirmed this week that he is still “rehabbing” from an Achilles injury which ruled him out of competition the entire summer season.

The West Muskerry man ran a 3:52.10 mile during the indoor season and took a bronze medal in the 3000m at the European championships in March. Unfortunately he was not able to build on it with a re-occurring Achilles problem.

“The Euro cross is likely too soon. I am heading back to my US base now to begin training for 2014 and to uproot and come home for a trial is likely not in my best interests,” said O’Lionaird on a visit home this week. “I would like to run as part of the senior team at some point in the future, however now the focus is on making sure I build up slowly and carefully.

“I'm hoping to be built up to decent mileage by mid-November and be engaged in harder workouts by December,” continued the Leevale clubman. “I'm trying to build up more conservatively this year. Maintenance work around my health will also be important to keep up throughout the training cycles and as I transition out of rehab focus and into full training, I will maintain strengthening exercises to compliment my strength and conditioning to a degree.”

UPCOMING FIXTURES:

Saturday (October 19)

Parkrun (Various venues) – 9:30am (Victoria Park- 9:00am)
Springwell Cross Country (University of Ulster, Coleraine) – 11:00am

Sunday (October 20)

New Mills 10K (Letterkenny) – 11:00am (www.lac.ie).
Run with Catherina 5K (Cavan Town) – 12:00 midday (www.runwithcatherina.ie).
Gerry Farnan XC (Phoenix Park) – 2:00pm.

Friday (October 25)

Enniskillen Spooktacular 5K Road Race – 7:30pm (see details this page)

Saturday (October 26)

Parkrun (Various venues) – 9:30am (Victoria Park- 9:00am)
NI Ulster Age Group XC Champs inc. Bobby Rea Races (Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor) -11.30am

REYNOLDS STEALS THE SHOW AT MARY PETERS INTERNATIONAL WITH NI RECORD

2013-06-26T02:14:00.000-07:00

A top class international cast and ideal conditions were the perfect ingredients for a memorable opening meeting of the new Mary Peters track in advance of the World Fire and Police Games.

Athletes came from all corners of the planet but it was Helen’s Bay man Ben Reynolds who stole the headlines. The North Down athlete obliterated his own Northern Ireland 110 metres record of 13.71 seconds which he had set only two days earlier with a 13.49 mark that catapults into the top performers in Europe. The added bonus is that it is also a B standard for the World Championships in August.

“I knew I could go a lot faster from training,” said Reynolds. “Today I was hoping to get a record again but 13.49, I’m delighted with that. That’s the World B standard but I should be able to go faster and get the World A 13.40.”

Amy Foster equalled the NI record of 11.49 seconds in winning the 100 metres. The City of Lisburn athlete already shared the mark with Anna Boyle. She came from a tough 100/200 metres double at the weekend in Dublin but showed no sign of tiredness as she easily beat a strong field.

“I knew I ran well on Saturday because I got my technique right in staying down and driving longer,” said Foster. “My head was right tonight although my legs were fatigued. I would like to have got the Commonwealth time [11.45] tonight but I know I’ve got it in my legs.”

Olympic gold medallist Mark Lewis Francis was a late addition to the men’s 100 metres field and an even later withdrawal. In his absence Paralympic star Jason Smyth powered to an easy victory in 10.50, ahead of NI champion Ollie Back. Smyth who has been struggling with his form was happy with the performance.

“I felt I got away well out of the blocks and was able to keep driving on in the second half of the race,” said the Eglinton man.

Australia’s Collis Birmingham brought a touch of class to the meeting with an impressive last lap victory in the 1500 metres in 3:37.18. Kildare man Paul Robinson chased him all the way to the line for a personal best 3:37.66 which augurs well for next month’s European U23 championships. James Kaan made it a middle-distance double for the Aussies with a late surge in the 800 metres for a 1:49.23 timing. The night ended on a Spanish note with Victor Corrales winning the 3000 impressively in a personal best 7:57.80.

Earlier, Lord Sebastian Coe unveiled a statue to Dame Mary Peters.

	Girls 100 Meter Sprint Special Olym
==============================================================================
Name Year Team Seed Finals Wind
==============================================================================
Finals
1 Cardy, Sophie North Down Speci 14.40 NWI
2 Cupples-Mendes, Tamara North Down Speci 14.97 NWI
3 Twamley, McKensie Gallway City Har 15.25 NWI
4 Ross, Rebecca North Down Speci 16.50 NWI
5 Smith, Nicole North Down Speci 17.37 NWI
6 McAllister, Amy Gallway City Har 18.88 NWI
7 Daly, Grace Gallway City Har 22.63 NWI
8 Rea, Sarah Louise Gallway City Har 23.76 NWI

	Girls 14 Year Olds 800 Meter Run
=========================================================================
Name Year Team Seed Finals
=========================================================================
1 Kerley, Shauna Carrick Aces 2:20.85
2 Malone, Niamh Monaghan Phoenix 2:23.48
3 Hutchinson, Emma Ballymena & Antr 2:24.26
4 Harvey, Caitlin Lagan Valley AC 2:26.57
5 Hoyt, Maeve City of Lisburn AC 2:27.26
6 Brown, Rachel Ballymena & Antr 2:28.86
7 Strange, Lauren Ballymena & Antr 2:32.58

	Women 100 Meter Sprint
==============================================================================
Name Year Team Seed Finals Wind
==============================================================================
1 Foster, Amy City of Lisburn AC 11.49 0.7
2 Adams, Sarah Scotland 11.89 0.7
3 O'Neill, Elaine Wales 11.93 0.7
4 Small, Aylssa England 12.76 0.7
5 Brown, Sally Springwell RC 14.10 0.7

	Women 400 Meter Sprint
=========================================================================
Name Year Team Seed Finals
=========================================================================
1 Carey, Jennifer Ireland 54.34
2 Denny, Sinead Ireland 54.35
3 Gault, Mandy Lagan Valley AC 54.61
4 Moynihan, Grainne Ireland 55.91
5 McMahon, Christine Ballymena & Antr 55.94
6 Everard, Ciara Ireland 56.47
7 Linington-Payne, Rhi Wales 56.61
8 O'Brien, Jenny Ireland 59.73

	Women 800 Meter Run
=========================================================================
Name Year Team Seed Finals
=========================================================================
1 Hetherington, Kelly Australia 2:04.80
2 Periz, Elain Spain 2:05.07
3 Gibson, Clare Scotland 2:05.87
4 Kajan, Selma Australia 2:06.11
5 Crossey, Aislinn Newry AC 2:06.43
6 McSweeney, Clare Ireland 2:07.54
7 Williams, Jade Wales 2:07.67
8 McGlynn, Anne-Marie Ireland 2:08.88


	....Women 800 Meter Run
9 O'Donnell, Isuelt Ireland 2:15.01

	Boys 14 Year Olds 100 Meter Sprint
==============================================================================
Name Year Team Seed Finals Wind
==============================================================================
1 Mellon, Martin Mid Ulster AC 11.90 +0.0
2 Wakefield, Oliver North Down AC 11.92 +0.0
3 Doherty, Scott Ballymena & Antr 12.08 +0.0
4 Proctor, Andrew Unattached 12.10 +0.0
5 Wright, Charlie Lagan Valley AC 12.82 +0.0

	Boys 100 Meter Sprint Special Olym
==============================================================================
Name Year Team Seed Finals Wind
==============================================================================
1 Smyth, Tiernan Gallway City Har 14.78 NWI

	Boys 14 Year Olds 800 Meter Run
=========================================================================
Name Year Team Seed Finals
=========================================================================
1 McGlynn, Aaron Ireland 2:08.88
2 Harbinson, Jake Ballymena & Antr 2:09.42
3 McCann, Eoin St Malachy's AC 2:11.44
4 McNiff, Patrick Banbridge AC 2:13.19
5 Conlon, Christy Beechmount Harriers 2:13.34
6 McGinley, Alan Ireland 2:17.08
7 McGrory, Michael Ireland 2:18.12
8 McCormick, Pearse Beechmount Harriers 2:23.50

	Men 100 Meter Sprint Wheelchair
==============================================================================
Name Year Team Seed Finals Wind
==============================================================================
1 Marshall, Luke Unattached 20.87 -0.4

	Men 100 Meter Sprint
=================================================================================
Name Year Team Seed Finals Wind H#
=================================================================================
1 Smyth, Jason City of Derry Sp 10.50 +0.0 2
2 Back, Oliver Liverpool Harriers 10.77 +0.0 2
3 Reid, Leon England 10.78 +0.0 2
4 McMullen, Adam University of Ul 10.87 +0.0 2
4 Smith, Greg England 10.87 +0.0 2
6 Holligan, Tom Scotland 10.92 +0.0 2
7 Adams, Dean Ballymena & Antr 11.02 +0.0 2
8 Irwin, Zac Ireland 11.07 -0.8 1
9 Browning, Jonathan Ballymena & Antr 11.16 +0.0 2
10 Robinson, Christian City of Lisburn AC 11.33 -0.8 1
11 McGarvey, Mark City of Derry Sp 11.38 -0.8 1
12 Dalzell, Aaron City of Lisburn AC 11.43 -0.8 1
13 McClean, Karl City of Derry Sp 11.51 -0.8 1
14 Magee, Jack Springwell RC 11.69 -0.8 1

	Men 400 Meter Sprint
============================================================================
Name Year Team Seed Finals H#
============================================================================
1 Evans, Rory England 46.47 1
2 Robertson, Chris Scotland 46.91 1
3 Harvey, Jason Crusaders AC 47.68 1
4 Hunter, James England 47.72 1
5 Mulhall, Eoin Ireland 48.10 1
6 McComb, Adam North Down AC 48.23 1
7 Dowling, Joe Ireland 48.32 1
8 Crowe, Timmy Ireland 48.39 2
9 Hornblow, Jono Wales 48.43 2
10 Maze, Ben Lagan Valley AC 48.50 2
11 Elliott, Kenny North Down AC 50.20 2
12 Houston, John Ballymena & Antr 50.49 2
13 Mellon, Andrew North Down AC 50.74 2

	Men 400 Meter Sprint Wheelchair
=========================================================================
Name Year Team Seed Finals
=========================================================================
1 Hannan, Paul Unattached 1:05.00
2 Corbett, Jim Unattached 1:05.78
3 Marshall, Luke Unattached 1:11.45

	Men 800 Meter Run
============================================================================
Name Year Team Seed Finals H#
============================================================================
1 Kaan, James Australia 1:49.23 1
2 Aitchison, Ollie England 1:49.39 1
3 Wyllie, Shaun Scotland 1:49.50 1
4 Gowell, Chris Wales 1:49.69 1
5 Maynard, Joe Wales 1:50.60 1
6 Griffin, Karl Tir Chonaill 1:50.71 1
7 Greene, Daragh Ireland 1:50.88 1
8 Dyer, Michael North Down AC 1:50.93 1
9 Purcell, Harry Ireland 1:51.20 1
10 Patterson, Mark North Down AC 1:51.42 1
11 Hoy, Mark Ireland 1:52.54 2
12 Tully, Robert Ireland 1:52.74 2
13 Hamilton, Pajo City of Derry Sp 1:53.17 2
14 Birmingham, Daragh Ireland 1:53.46 2
15 Owens, Richard Ireland 1:53.65 2
16 Wright, Andrew Willowfield Temp 1:54.89 2
17 McKillop, Michael St Malachy's AC 1:55.46 2
18 Quinn, Michael Unattached 1:56.47 2
19 King, Dan Ireland 1:56.63 2
20 Kirk, Conall Lagan Valley AC 1:59.99 2

	Men 1500 Meter Run
=========================================================================
Name Year Team Seed Finals
=========================================================================
1 Birmingham, Collis Australia 3:37.18
2 Robinson, Paul Ireland 3:37.66
3 Coghlan, John Ireland 3:42.97
4 Travers, John Ireland 3:43.24
5 Fitzsimon, Shane Ireland 3:43.33
6 McCormick, Nick England 3:43.99


	....Men 1500 Meter Run
7 McBrearty, Darren Letterkenny AC 3:44.15
8 Thie, James Wales 3:44.25
9 Mooney, Danny Letterkenny AC 3:44.40
10 Bradley, Conor City of Derry Sp 3:45.06
11 Bitchell, Adam Wales 3:45.62
12 Finnegan, Ruari Letterkenny AC 3:46.47
13 Mitchell, Steve England 3:47.87
14 Hill, Gareth Ballymena & Antr 3:51.74
-- Costelo, Colin Ireland DNF

	Men 3000 Meter Run
=========================================================================
Name Year Team Seed Finals
=========================================================================
1 Corrales, Victor Spain 7:57.80
2 Taylor, Jonny England 8:03.08
3 Scullion, Stephen Unattached 8:13.46
4 McGinley, Eddie Annadale Striders 8:17.02
5 Ohare, James Annadale Striders 8:17.25
6 Thornton, Gary Ireland 8:20.59
7 Agnew, Andrew Annadale Striders 8:30.00
8 McDermott, Ryan Annadale Striders 8:36.20
9 Rankin, Scott Foyle Valley Ac 8:39.43
10 Totten, Eoghan Newcastle & Dist 8:43.36
11 Branagh, Ben St Malachy's AC 8:44.14
12 Robb, Paddy St Malachy's AC 8:46.14
13 McCaughey, Conan Enniskillen RC 8:48.67
14 Carleton, Owen Annadale Striders 8:54.99

	Men 110 Meter Hurdles
==============================================================================
Name Year Team Seed Finals Wind
==============================================================================
1 Reynolds, Ben Windsor Slough E 13.49 1.9
2 Ortiz Moreno, Julian Spain 14.02 1.9
3 Glass, Peter North Down AC 15.07 1.9
4 McGarvey, Mark City of Derry Sp 15.62 1.9
5 McConville, Brendan North Down AC 15.91 1.9

2013 May 7 Belfast City Marathon

2013-05-06T10:22:00.001-07:00

BELFAST CITY MARATHON DETAILS

Women's Winner Nataliya Lehonkova - Photo: Keith McClure

Kenyan Joel Kipsang Kositany never had to get out of third gear to win yesterday’s Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon in two hours, nineteen minutes and 28 seconds. Although weather conditions were conducive to fast running, it was the slowest men’s winning time since 2005. Chicago-based Belfast man Thomas Frazer was first Northern Ireland finisher in fourth place overall with a 2:26:24 timing.

The women's race was won by Ukraine's Nataliya Lehonkova who chopped over two minutes off Alice Chelangat Kimeto’s course record with a personal best 2:36:50. North Down athlete Julie Balmer walked away with the prize for the first local finisher after finishing an agonising 29 seconds outside the three hour mark.

TOP FIFTY

1	Joel Kipsang	M35	02:19:28
2	James Roitich	M35	02:19:57
3	Freddy Sittuk	M35	02:24:39
4	Thomas Frazer	M35	02:26:24
5	Kerry-Liam Wilson	M40	02:27:20
6	Tommy Hughes	MO	02:32:31
7	Nataliya Lehonkova	FO	02:36:50
8	Helen Cherono	FO	02:37:08
9	Sarah Kerubo	FO	02:40:13
10	Karol Doherty	MO	02:45:30
11	Delfim Antonio Pimentel	M45	02:46:31
12	Peter Cassidy	MO	02:47:48
13	Darren McAllister	M35	02:48:15
14	Brian Campbell	M35	02:48:58
15	Michael Fitzpatrick	M40	02:49:03
16	Samuel Crawford	M45	02:49:05
17	John Paul Gartland	MO	02:49:23
18	Donal Gallagher	M40	02:49:47
19	Nigel Grier	M50	02:52:04
20	Vasiliy Neumerzhitskiy	M45	02:54:01
21	Conor McMullan	M35	02:54:09
22	Daniel Hannigan	MO	02:54:18
23	Simon Reeve	M35	02:54:39
24	Crawford Porte	M45	02:55:30
25	Terry Reeves	MO	02:55:55
26	Patrice Leguereau	M40	02:56:47
27	Peter Donnelly	M40	02:57:12
28	Barry Stewart	M45	02:57:20
29	Andrew Guy	M35	02:57:21
30	Stephen Conroy	MO	02:58:25
31	James Hynes	M40	02:58:28
32	Conor McGrory	MO	02:58:31
33	Paul Quinn	MO	02:58:35
34	Gerard Conway	M35	02:58:36
35	Paddy McCrory	M45	02:58:54
36	Phelim McAllister	MO	02:58:56
37	Justin Maxwell	MO	02:59:00
38	David Jackson	M45	02:59:22
39	Liam Keenan	M50	02:59:24
40	Brian Critchley	M40	02:59:32
41	David Proctor	MO	02:59:32
42	Neill Dougan	MO	02:59:56
43	Ian Lockington	M35	03:00:23
44	Derek Somerville	M45	03:00:27
45	Julie Balmer	F35	03:00:29
46	Mark Walker	M40	03:00:59
47	Paul McAllister	MO	03:01:09
48	Roisin Hughes	FO	03:01:10
49	Richard Coey	M35	03:01:51
50	Simon Nicholl	M35	03:02:12

26 APRIL 2013 - SMYTH SNUBBED BY LONDON PARALYMPIC ORGANIZERS

2013-04-27T14:44:00.002-07:00

SMYTH SNUBBED BY LONDON PARALYMPIC ORGANIZERS

Smyth snubbed by London organizers

British Athletics has explained why Jason Smyth has not been invited to the London Anniversary Games in July. The Paralympic gathering is to form the third and final day of the meeting to commemorate last summer’s Olympics with the Diamond League meeting, featuring Usain Bolt, taking up the Friday evening and Saturday programme of events. Smyth’s T13 category has not been included meaning there will be no place for the Eglinton sprinter who has four Paralympic gold medals and is the fastest Paralympian on the planet.

Earlier this week Smyth expressed disappointment at not being invited to the meeting and feels he may be a victim of being "out of sight, out of mind" syndrome because he is based in Florida during most of the year.

“Coming out of it [London Paralympics] with two gold medals, you couldn’t have done any better than that and I I suppose you expect things to gather a bit of momentum but it has been completely the opposite. Nothing has changed and at times I wonder why,” said Smyth. “As a Paralympic athlete, I’ve won four gold medals and have never been beaten in my Paralympic career; you’ve got to ask yourself “what much more can you do?””

However, a spokesperson for British Athletics said it had to be "selective" about the events chosen for the day of Paralympic competition.

"We would love to be able to invite more athletes to compete but under the current schedule we only have time to host 18 events, including one men's and women's 100m. One of the most memorable moments from the Paralympic Games was Jonnie Peacock's famous 100m victory...so it makes sense for us to include his race in the schedule."

Jonnie Peacock is rapidly becoming the pin-up boy of British Paralympic sport. He lost a leg due to meningitis at just five years and won the 100m T44 final in London with a Paralympic record of 10.90 seconds. Imagine how that would look if he was followed on the track by an Irishman who was running the best part of a second faster. Ireland’s other Paralympic double gold medallist, Michael McKillop, has not received an invitation to the meeting either.

Nevertheless Paralympics Ireland chief Liam Harbinson is working behind the scenes to get Smyth a race in London.

"My understanding is that the Anniversary Games event is run by UK Athletics... and they primarily want to focus on UK athletes," said Harbinson. "But I would like to see Jason compete in London and we are working in the background in the hope of helping to make that happen. The process hasn't been finalised yet and we'll have to see what the final decision from UK Athletics is."

Smyth had a disappointing opener to his 2013 season last weekend when he ran 21.30 seconds in Gainesville, Florida. He started well but faded in the final 50 metres. Nevertheless his training is said to be going well and will compete again on May 11 on his adopted home track in Clermont.

FACTFILE

Jason Smyth Ireland 4 July 87

Age: 25 years 298 days

Club/team: City of Derry Spartans

2 National Titles

PERSONAL BESTS:

60m - 6.91 MASZ Budapest 26 Jan 2007

100m - 10.22 (+2.0) NTC Classic Clermont FL 21 May 2011

200m - 20.94 (+1.5) Clonliffe/IMC Dublin 8 Jul 2011

Postscript: Martin McGuinness has now called on the organizers to invite Smyth to London Games. Click on this link for full story.

Postscript: NI Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness calls on organizers to invite Jason Smyth to London Games

26 APRIL 2013 - LAID BACK BREEGE BOOKS HER TICKET TO GLASGOW

2013-04-27T14:19:00.000-07:00

LAID BACK BREEGE BOOKS HER TICKET TO GLASGOW

Breege Connolly is still coming to terms with being the first Northern Ireland athlete to qualify for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The 35-year-old North Belfast Harrier booked her place on the team with a two hours, 39 minutes and 23 seconds clocking in last Sunday’s Virgin London Marathon. That time took almost a minute off her previous best in Rotterdam twelve months earlier and was 37 seconds inside the Commonwealth standard.

Breege Connolly nears the finish in London Marathon - Photo: Keith McClure

Connolly had been overtaken by clubmate Gladys Ganiel after ten miles but stuck to her task single-mindedly despite appearing to slip outside the time schedule for the qualifying mark around 20 miles. A strong finish helped her overhaul Ganiel in the closing miles with the Providence College graduate ending up broken hearted with a 2:42:35 mark.

“It probably went outside [the required pace] from 14 or 15 miles but the lesson you learn from the marathon is that it isn’t over until it’s over,” said Connolly. “I don’t think I got a burst of energy but I had to keep saying to myself - “keep trying”. When I came in around 19 miles, I saw Gladys’s jersey again and I was thinking “God, I’m seeing that again and I haven’t seen that since she passed me at the 10 mile mark” and that gave me a gee-up”

Pictures of Connolly in the later stages of the London Marathon show her to be looking very relaxed. But that may down her upbringing in Leitrim. “Sure there’s no point in panicking” is one of her sayings and sums up a laid back attitude to life and her athletics. But underneath is a very determined lady who has improved her time for the marathon by more than 20 minutes in less than three years.

She puts this down to the assistance she has received from coaches Paul Elliott and Marty Deane whom she met on a night out after the Dublin Marathon 18 months ago. Elliott is meticulous in planning every detail of her training and racing. When the Larne Half Marathon was cancelled last month, it meant that Connolly would not have a race over that distance going into London. He was upset that his plans could be disrupted in this way. However, it caused the bold Breege no concern.

“I had thought of doing Rotterdam instead of London but I picked London because it gave me another week’s training. I don’t mind cold weather and I had planned to do Larne. When it was cancelled, it really did torture Paul because I had no half marathon. But if it didn’t happen, it didn’t happen and it didn’t bother me. Sure there was no-one on the roads that weekend and I was able to go out and get the long run done in the middle of the road.”

Breege’s reward now is two weeks of complete rest which will gave her time to spend with family and friends who have been so supportive. She is also grateful to her boss Brendan Smyth for allowing her flexibility in relation to her work. She will sit down with her two coaches sometime soon and draw up a plan for the summer. “I just like taking one thing at a time” means she will do the normal circuit of road races but nothing will be set in stone.

2013-04-27T14:01:00.001-07:00

LAID BACK BREEGE CLOCKS COMMONWEALTH TIME