Winter League 2004 Week 1

Road Runners Winter League Week 1, Thursday November 10th, sponsored by and

What an amazing night!

Another Road Runners Record Breaking Start!
Last Thursday night’s Winter League saw 190 walkers, joggers and runners register for what was a terrific night’s exercise! The decision to move the registration area from the lobby of the RSC to upstairs was a wise one given the huge numbers that turned up. Given the queue down the stairs of the RSC, one could have been forgiven for thinking one of Peter Stringfellow’s establishments had been set up on the Cork Road in Waterford!

Numbers up on last year
Last year saw 160 entrants on the first night, so this year’s increase is a great testament to how popular running is becoming around the city and a terrific well done and congratulations is due to all thise who completed either of the runs last week. No doubt a few won’t make it back tomorrow night for one reason or another, but they know now what they’re capable of and can go for a run/walk any night of the week. N doubt also there will be those along tomorrow night that couldn’t make last week and these will be rewarded with a great sense of acheivement also. Be assured that it’s not juts the participants that get something from the Winter League. Last week 2 people were overheard saying that it was the first time they’d ever run in their lives and that they were proud of themselves. Comments like these are the reason the organisers of the league continue their eforts year in year out.

Back at the Track
Both this year’s shortened routes will start and finish on the tartan track at the RSC, giving people a idea of what it’s like to run on that famous surface. As it was the first night, the 4.5 milers set off en masse just 2 minutes ahead of the 2.5 milers, in an effort to stagger the huge numbers emerging from the RSC and hitting the Cork Road at th one time. After Bobby welcomed everyone back for another fun winter and listed the important safety rules he delivered the count down and they were off.

What’s the Storey?
Leading the 4.5 milers out of the RSC was Aubrey Storey, intent on getting a good start. He was followed by a hungry mob of almost 130 eager beavers, who made their way up the Cork Road as far as the new roundabout just past those new car dealerships that look more like spaceships! Once there they turned back and were rewarded with a nice roll downhill back to the RSC.

The Legend of Zullivan?
Waterford AC’s newest and fastest vet, James Sullivan, must have gotten some good training tips recently after checking out the new Zorro movie at the cinema as he took up the lead coming down the Cork Road. He managed to stay well ahead of the chasing bunch, closest of whom was WWAC’s Mark Langford, showing no ill-effects from his recent 2.49 run at the Dublin Marathon. Mind you, the next morning himself and the other marathons runners from around the city were showing quite a few ill-effects having decided to celebrate their acheivements in one of the local establistment. Well done to Darryl, Des, Larry, Michael, Brendan, Liam, Fergus, sisters Collette & Ann Marie and all the others whose names I’ve forgotten!

Sher, he’s your only Man
Looks like Tim Sherman passed on his love of running to his son Mark who is home in Waterford for a spell and decided to join us. Mark finished in 3^rd place, just behind his namesake Langford and ahead or Aubrey Storey. Tim himself finished down the field in just under 43 minutes, with hardly a hair out of place!

Girl Power
With 36 ladies doing the 4.5 mile route it was certainly an above average number and was great to see. Many were runners who, last year, did the 3mile route and vowed to return and do the longer one this year, well done to those! Some were also completely new to the Road Runners but showed great determination in finishing the 4.5miles for the first time. A dab hand at distance running, Joanne Jackman re-claimed her top spot and finished with brother Mark in just over 32 minutes. Returning to the running scene and taking second place for the night was Brea Cooke who finished well ahead of 3^rd place Brenda Lowe. We remember the first year Brenda and husband Cathal did the League. They had nightly battles that took up many a line in the weekly notes. Cathal’s current times are a testament to weekly speed sessions over the summer and a decision to forget that soccer nonsense (yeah right ed!).

Return to Glory

Another returnee to running after an extended absence is Derek Grant. Derek sowed he still has great speed in being first home of the 2.5milers in a time of 19.46. no doubt it wasn’t easy, but the competitive edge seems to be back. Derek was well clear of second places Cyril Cawley who finished in just over 21mins. In 3^rd place was John ‘sure I haven’t run in months’ Wallis who,with his famous sprint finish, just about held off Keith Power.

Ladies Top 10

The first 3 ladies home managed to get inside the top ten home on the night in the 2.5 mile group. Susan Murphy stormed to the line just ahead of Petre Kalinicova. Maria Grant, just recently wed to a famous Winer League winner, Jim Heylin, changed her mind out the Cork Road and gave the 4.5 a skip for one night. Deciding 2.5 was enough she turned at Woodlawn Grove and raced back to the RSC to claim 3^rd place.

Living the SunLife

Those of you that used to run the 5mile route last year will remember turning right at the SunLife building in the Industrial Estate. This year, instead of gazing out at the runners as they sped by, 10 or so decided to get out and see what all the fuss was about. Their names are dotted over the results page. Keith O’Connor was fastest on the night over 4.5 miles and Nigel O’Connor over 2.5. Plenty of energy left in both cases though, so we look forward to great improvements there. On the ladies side, Waneta from Offaly, not Spain, was first home over 2.5 miles and Fiona from Kilkenny, not Doolin, first over 4.5. The rest performed excellently also, with the inter company rivaly making for an interesting chat over coffee the next day.

Volunteers
As always, the League would not be a successful as it is without the help of those that turn up each night to help with marshalling, entries and timekeeping. This week Brian Swaby organised a crew for marshalling, including Michael H, Dave, Darryl, Brendan, Alec, James M, Francey, Des and Arron. Thanks to those, as well as An Garda Siochana who are always helpful whenever they can be. On entries and timekeeping were Joe, Martina, Peter, Kathleen and Dick who kept thins ticking over as normal. More fun for them this week as the handicaps kick in and the hoardes hit the tape at the one time!

More required
WAC are again in charge of marshalls this week and are down a couple, so feel free to come along and offer your services tomorrow night. Cathal Lowe has November 24^th organised and will be looking for names for December 1^st this week also. Speak to any of the organisers if you would like to profer your services.

Meas mór amach go dtí an Port Láirge Poss-eh
As Hector would say. Thanks to all those who took part last week, and especially to those who may have had their journeys extended by a few minutes as the runners crossed the various junctions. However, you have it all to do again, tomorrow night, Thursday 17^th I’m afraid! Don’t forget that new people are welcome any night of the League, so if you’ve impressed your husband, wife, mother, grand father, great grand aunt, colleague, manager over the last week with stories of your achievements, why not suggest they come along and give it a try also. What have they to lose?!

Brooks Running from Alfie Hales’s Intersport
Don’t forget that runners from our sponsors, Brooks running can be bought from our long running (excuse the pun) other sponsor Alfie Hales’s Intersport at any time. Road Runners are given a 10% discount on any purchases made at the shop and with so many helpful and knowledgeable assistants on board, it’s very easy to spend your money on their top quality gear. Believe me, most of us have to avoid the shop for fear of spending next week’s grocery money! Thanks as always to them.

Full results are below, check back for updated Winter League news soon. Till then....keep on runnin'!

2.5 Mile			
Position	Name		Bib Num	Time	
				Mins	Secs
1	Derek Grant	231	19	46
2	Cyril Cawley	250	21	05
3	John Wallis	130	23	26
4	Keith Power	235	21	38
5	Michael Kavanagh	228	21	41
6	Nigel O'Connor	230	21	42
7	Susan Murphy	242	22	07
8	Ciaran O'Neill	241	22	13
9	Petra Kalinicova	232	22	16
10	Maria Grant	99	24	35
11	Aoife Burke	243	22	48
12	Albert Tebay	233	23	04
13	Michael Cleere	248	23	27
14	Stephen Caulfield	209	23	28
15	Valerie Tebay	234	23	33
16	John Ryan		67	23	43
17	Tony Walsh	244	23	45
18	Waneta Spain	206	23	59
19	Maeve O'Brien	18	26	02
20	Niamh Sullivan	208	24	04
21	Michelle Smith-Foley	213	24	12
22	Stephanie Phelan	216	24	48
23	Ger Scully		220	25	00
24	Bernie Mc Keown	245	25	12
25	Michael Ryan	204	27	19
26	Breda Kennedy	227	25	21
27	 Eileen Stafford	214	25	26
28	Ellie Lynch	205	25	28
29	Stephen Lacey	207	25	29
30	Celine McHugh	247	25	33
31	Caitriona O'Gorman	202	27	01
32	Helen Murphy	239	27	06
33	Maureen Caples	212	27	08
34	Anne Matthews	246	27	13
35	Nigel Whyte	249	27	19
36	Paula O'Brien	19	29	30
37	Enda Colbert	221	27	34
38	Mairead O'Shea	215	27	43
39	Jennifer Doran	226	28	03
40	Kate Madden	229	28	04
41	Serena Roche	201	28	07
42	Bernard Cleary	238	28	23
43	Lorraine Kennedy	237	28	24
44	Carol Cummins	36	30	59
45	Grainne Lawton	131	31	09
46	Ray Murphy	222	30	06
47	Caroline Kavanagh	225	30	26
48	Louise Murphy	223	30	28
49	Elaine Kervick	219	30	42
50	Ann Marie Ryan	203	30	47
51	Julie Hallahan	224	31	50
52	Sinead Holden	240	32	08
53	Elaine Power	210	35	38
54	Mary Power	211	35	39
55	Patrick Walsh	218	36	00
56	Ray Murphy	217	36	00
57	Anne Furlong	200	37	00


4.5 Mile			
Position	Name		Bib Num	Time	
				Mins	Secs
1	James Sullivan	15	25	39
2	Mark Langford	121	25	56
3	Mark Sherman	27	26	14
4	Aubrey Storey	123	26	28
5	David Brazil	24	27	14
6	Shane Scadding	80	27	30
7	Nicholas Halley	124	27	35
8	Kevin Malone	95	27	38
9	Conor Reidy	112	27	59
10	John Kinsella	22	28	01
11	Con Kelleher	129	28	02
12	PJ Guinan		7	28	30
13	Vincent Power	93	29	07
14	Wayne Allen	6	29	10
15	Billy McGuire	3	29	17
16	Thomas O'Keeffe	25	29	32
17	Conor Casey	89	29	39
18	Barry Murray	135	29	51
19	Con Burns		62	29	58
20	William Walsh	63	30	05
21	PJ Dwyer		110	30	06
22	Andy Dollard	41	30	09
23	Trevor Doonan	54	30	13
24	Cathal Lowe	75	30	19
25	Jim Kennedy	57	30	28
26	John Power	128	30	38
27	Ray Power		44	30	58
28	Liam Cuddihy	105	31	08
29	Thomas Eclan	91	31	20
30	Conor McGrath	88	31	26
31	Ronan O'Brisn	53	31	41
32	Paul Mooney	45	31	43
33	Paul Devlin	10	32	02
34	Joanne Jackman	122	32	08
35	Mark Jackman	114	32	09
36	Kevin Cronin	83	32	10
37	Keith O'Connor	14	32	23
38	Alan Kavanagh	52	32	32
39	Graham Coady	48	32	37
40	Brea Cooke	108	32	40
41	Noel Dillon 	133	33	15
42	Pat Keating	109	33	26
43	Brenda Lowe	74	33	27
44	Jim Bourke		51	33	28
45	Kieran Whelan	11	33	31
46	Eoin Palmer	126	33	33
47	Declan Forristal	21	33	40
48	Paul Hayes	2	33	42
49	Kieran Cleary	136	33	49
50	Jason O'Brien	4	33	51
51	Gavin Barden	33	33	56
52	Declan Power	37	33	57
53	Jennifer Maher	107	33	58
54	Ruth Aherne	5	33	59
55	Donal Breslin	82	34	00
56	Jeff Davy		68	34	14
57	Frank Tritschler	69	34	18
58	Paul Heffernan	92	34	22
59	Mary Doolan	12	34	29
60	Martin Flynn	61	34	38
61	Sean Flynn	56	34	39
62	Alan Everett	1	34	46
63	Sylvia Malone	97	34	47
64	Mags Power	98	34	47
65	Anne Fitzgerald	90	34	53
66	Bernie Power	42	34	53
67	Brian Sweeney	78	34	54
68	Michael Burke	111	34	55
69	Susan Walsh	96	34	58
70	Pat McArdle	38	35	19
71	Mick Dwyer	134	35	20
72	Christy Hennessy	30	35	31
73	Maurice O'Donnell	106	35	32
74	Lory O'Hanlon	137	35	41
75	Niall McGrath	84	35	44
76	Grainne O'Callaghan	47	35	52
77	Maria Walsh	125	35	53
78	Eamon O'Byrne	87	36	02
79	Sharon Sutton	119	36	20
80	John Kiely		120	36	21
81	Clare Doherty	102	36	31
82	Gavin Kennedy	104	36	37
83	Jum Heylin	79	36	40
84	Kieran Wymberry	70	36	47
85	Garry McCarthy	77	36	52
86	David Knox	23	37	04
87	Michael  Leechmere	127	37	05
88	Dermot O'Byrne	86	37	27
89	Sean Moran	117	37	28
90	Naomi Flynn	55	37	32
91	Katherine O'Sullivan	100	37	46
92	Sarah Flynn	60	37	47
93	Helena Dunphy	58	37	55
94	Denis Brophy	103	38	24
95	Honor Lynch	20	38	31
96	Glenn Connolly	81	38	36
97	Brian Mooney	46	38	46
98	John Dalton	76	38	49
99	Ray Murray	73	38	52
100	Gemma Dewberry	8	38	53
101	Helen Whyte	65	38	56
102	Brian Sauvage	94	39	07
103	Fiona Doolan	13	39	11
104	Ken Merriman	34	39	18
105	Ivan O'Doherty	16	39	23
106	Louise Fowler	17	39	24
107	Mark Redmond	85	39	28
108	Bridget Ohelan	113	39	32
109	Kerrie O'Connor	116	39	35
110	Maria Hennessy Begadon	31	39	37
111	Deirdre Chapman	101	39	50
112	Paul Merriman	35	39	53
113	Michael Carroll	43	40	02
114	Catherine O'Leary	66	40	04
115	Ann Kavanagh	32	40	12
116	Tony Sullivan	64	40	31
117	Fergus Nolan	71	40	56
118	Bernie Sexton	9	41	18
119	Ann Marie Harteru	59	41	19
120	David Flynn	29	42	28
121	Tim Sherman	28	42	46
122	Jane Dunphy	118	43	40
123	Sinead Rogers	50	49	12
124	Valeria Woolman	49	49	13
125	Grace Leonard	39	49	43
126	Bridget Ryan	40	49	44
127	David O'Leary	26	53	24
128	Brian Swaby	139	29	11
129	Michael Halley	140	29	11

 See you November 17th!!
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