Clonliffe win Wicklow Way relay - Upcoming events The seventh holding of the Wicklow Way relay saw the closest finish yet with only 50 seconds separating the teams after a seven-hours adventure across the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. The race traverses Wicklow and teams comprise from two to eight runners with compulsory inclusion of veterans and women as you include more runners. A record 35 teams completed the event, and we had the oldest ever winning team comprising two M50s, two M45s, an M35, and one male and two female seniors. On paper it looked like Rathfarnham would win from Clonliffe & Guests and Crusaders and so it almost transpired. Last minute changes during race week appeared to weaken Rathfarnham when Sean O’Heigeartaigh cried off only to find that Barry Minnock was the replacement! Clonliffe were having their own last minute difficulties and brought in runners from Metro St. Brigid’s and North Laois to overcome them thus leaving their all ladies team with a shot at a top ten finish. 
From leg 1, the pattern was set with guest runner Eoin Keith (56:58) having a particularly good run to lead home four runners in under the hour mark and hand Rathfarnham over a two minutes lead on Clonliffe’s Kevin English (58:59). It looked as though Peter O’Farrell (70:40) would extend the lead on leg 2 but Jonathan Doyle (Clonliffe and Guests, 70:24) and Alan O’Keeffe (Crusaders, 70:32) had strong runs to reduce the lead to 105 seconds. Down the field, Aisling Coppinger (81:07) had the ninth fastest time, on a leg where teams put their strongest runners, to set a new women’s record and bring her Clonliffe team from 28th to 16th. Fiona Reid (89:10), younger sister of IMRA junior officer Caroline, also had a fine debut run. 
Their dad Eddie Reid (31:10) upheld the family glory by getting the fastest time on leg 3 ahead of debutante Donna Mahon (Rathfarnham, 31:22)) who had a great run to put Rathfarnham into a clear lead and put herself in line for international honours. Rosemary O’Loughlin (32:05), Zoe Melling (32:15), Orla NiMhuircheartaigh (34:37) and Rachel Walters (35:29) also had good performances. Leg 4 is traditionally the leg where the top teams put their fastest women and this year was no exception with five women running under 50 minutes. Karen O’Hanlon (46:14) was the fastest runner on the leg and has established herself as a contender for the European championships team. Aoife Joyce (Crusaders, 48:00), Conor Short (junior, 48:30), and Laura Flynn (Rathfarnham, 48:36) followed Karen home. Another debutante Kate O’Neill (Clonliffe and Guests, 49:10) caught around three minutes on Rathfarnham only for her to become disoriented by a bus coming out of the finish area in the Glendalough visitors centre car park. Such was her drive that she had gone 500m up the road towards Laragh before she turned around. Anyone used to orienteering can understand her reluctance to stop! 
John Brooks headed off on leg 5 over five minutes in the lead and there was an anxious wait at leg 6 to see if he would kill off the race. He ran a new record of 53:49 but Martin McDonald (55:14) held him to 85 seconds and kept the race in doubt. Shane O’Rourke (56:38) kept Crusaders in contention by keeping within 84 seconds of Martin and finishing just slower than Tim Richards (56:14). Mags Greenan set the second leg record of the day with a solid 65:57 for eight fastest runner on the leg and moved Clonliffe ladies up into 10th. A last-minute change of plan saw John Farrelly switch to leg 6 for Rathfarnham and Mick Bolger promoted onto the A team for leg 7. John (53:50) ran well but Sean Foley (53:01) reduced the lead to just over six minutes and set the scene for the longest leg in the race. Ger Butler better known for his orienteering had a super run in 54:38. Two minutes separated the fastest five women with Krissy Gormley (65:24) keeping Clonliffe ladies in 10th, Melanie Earwaker (65:58), Tressan McCambridge (66:41), Jackie O’Hagan (67:08) all running well and Caroline Reid (67:33) completing the family trio. The field was well spread out starting leg 7 and up front Niall Coppinger (85:01) gradually bore down on Mick Bolger (97:22) to eventually catch him at the ford crossing and pull well away to hand over a six minutes lead. Down the field Mick Byrne had the fastest run of the day in 81:10 with Cormac Conroy (83:41), Uli Fluhme (84:05) and Gary Crossan (85:17) all catching the eye. 
And so to Dessie Shorten and Barry Minnock. Dessie’s son Aaron had held onto a narrow lead on leg 8 in 2003 and now it was his turn. As the kilometres passed by, the lead dwindled but all the time the roads were sufficiently windy to prevent Barry ever getting an added stimulus from catching sight of Dessie (38:54). Barry had the compensation of setting a new record (33:33) on a much shortened course although Paul Nolan’s old record is such that it is still the third fastest time ever. Crusaders ran a solid race in third and Rathfarnham B team finished fourth thanks to a new leg record by Carole Pauli (43:13) with The Whirligigs and The Hill Eaters close behind. Joyce O’Hare (46:50) pulled up two places for Clonliffe ladies to move them into 11th place overall. So another year, more sunshine, a few mishaps and concerns about lack of proper preparations by teams, and a race perhaps lost as much as won. Extended thanks to Joe and Nora Lalor, and their team of volunteers, for organising the most popular race of the hill running year. Bohermeen Athletic Club Co Meath 1927-2008 Promotes 23rd Patrick Bell Memorial Road Race and Walk Friday June 20th at 8pm 2008 Venue: Bohermeen Community Centre, Co.Meath Entries close at 7-30pm In aid of Meath Autism Network special projects Awards Men 1st 6 athletes across the line. 1st 5 teams of 4 to count .The winning team of 6 wins the Paddy Murtagh perpetual cup. 1st 3 juniors, 1st 2 teams of 3 to count. Anyone from U/20 down can count on the team. 1st 3 Meath novice grade 2008. Masters 1st 3 0/35, 0/40, 0/45, 0/50, 0/55, 0/60. Please note the overall winner of the men’s race receives the beautiful Patrick Bell memorial trophy for 1 year. The team of 6 category can consist of any combination of senior junior or masters athletes. Ladies 1st 6 athletes across the line. 1st 3 teams of 4 to count .The winning team of 4 receives the Mallon perpetual cup. 1st 3 junior, 1st 2 teams of 3 to count . Anyone from U/20 down can count on the team. Masters 1st 3 0/35, 0/40, 0/45, 0/50, 0/55, 0/60. Each finisher will receive a medallion when they finish the 5k, either running or walking. There is a special award for the family with the largest representation inclusive of running and walking. There is also a special award to the club who has the largest representation. There are also loads of spot prizes. Following the 5k we invite you to enjoy some live music and barbeque, enjoy the big running and walking social event of mid summer week. We promise an unforgettable evening of fun and culture, and enjoy the smell of a good turf fire. Right into mid summers day. The promotion takes place on traffic free country roads and in 2007 over 300 people took part. Spot prizes on offer and refreshments of all nature to enjoy .Watch the after race video . Pitch the tent and stay a while . Entry fee for the 5k is 15 euro if you are over age 20 and 6 euro under 20 down. Proceeds from the promotion are going to Meath Autism Network special projects .so we ask you to use your fitness to help children touched by Autism To enter please ring, email or post to Stephen Ball 046-9027041 Stephen Ball, Bohermeen ,Navan ,Co Meath, Ireland stephenball@iolfree.ie www.bohermeenac.com
From leg 1, the pattern was set with guest runner Eoin Keith (56:58) having a particularly good run to lead home four runners in under the hour mark and hand Rathfarnham over a two minutes lead on Clonliffe’s Kevin English (58:59). It looked as though Peter O’Farrell (70:40) would extend the lead on leg 2 but Jonathan Doyle (Clonliffe and Guests, 70:24) and Alan O’Keeffe (Crusaders, 70:32) had strong runs to reduce the lead to 105 seconds. Down the field, Aisling Coppinger (81:07) had the ninth fastest time, on a leg where teams put their strongest runners, to set a new women’s record and bring her Clonliffe team from 28th to 16th. Fiona Reid (89:10), younger sister of IMRA junior officer Caroline, also had a fine debut run. Their dad Eddie Reid (31:10) upheld the family glory by getting the fastest time on leg 3 ahead of debutante Donna Mahon (Rathfarnham, 31:22)) who had a great run to put Rathfarnham into a clear lead and put herself in line for international honours. Rosemary O’Loughlin (32:05), Zoe Melling (32:15), Orla NiMhuircheartaigh (34:37) and Rachel Walters (35:29) also had good performances. Leg 4 is traditionally the leg where the top teams put their fastest women and this year was no exception with five women running under 50 minutes. Karen O’Hanlon (46:14) was the fastest runner on the leg and has established herself as a contender for the European championships team. Aoife Joyce (Crusaders, 48:00), Conor Short (junior, 48:30), and Laura Flynn (Rathfarnham, 48:36) followed Karen home. Another debutante Kate O’Neill (Clonliffe and Guests, 49:10) caught around three minutes on Rathfarnham only for her to become disoriented by a bus coming out of the finish area in the Glendalough visitors centre car park. Such was her drive that she had gone 500m up the road towards Laragh before she turned around. Anyone used to orienteering can understand her reluctance to stop! John Brooks headed off on leg 5 over five minutes in the lead and there was an anxious wait at leg 6 to see if he would kill off the race. He ran a new record of 53:49 but Martin McDonald (55:14) held him to 85 seconds and kept the race in doubt. Shane O’Rourke (56:38) kept Crusaders in contention by keeping within 84 seconds of Martin and finishing just slower than Tim Richards (56:14). Mags Greenan set the second leg record of the day with a solid 65:57 for eight fastest runner on the leg and moved Clonliffe ladies up into 10th. A last-minute change of plan saw John Farrelly switch to leg 6 for Rathfarnham and Mick Bolger promoted onto the A team for leg 7. John (53:50) ran well but Sean Foley (53:01) reduced the lead to just over six minutes and set the scene for the longest leg in the race. Ger Butler better known for his orienteering had a super run in 54:38. Two minutes separated the fastest five women with Krissy Gormley (65:24) keeping Clonliffe ladies in 10th, Melanie Earwaker (65:58), Tressan McCambridge (66:41), Jackie O’Hagan (67:08) all running well and Caroline Reid (67:33) completing the family trio. The field was well spread out starting leg 7 and up front Niall Coppinger (85:01) gradually bore down on Mick Bolger (97:22) to eventually catch him at the ford crossing and pull well away to hand over a six minutes lead. Down the field Mick Byrne had the fastest run of the day in 81:10 with Cormac Conroy (83:41), Uli Fluhme (84:05) and Gary Crossan (85:17) all catching the eye. And so to Dessie Shorten and Barry Minnock. Dessie’s son Aaron had held onto a narrow lead on leg 8 in 2003 and now it was his turn. As the kilometres passed by, the lead dwindled but all the time the roads were sufficiently windy to prevent Barry ever getting an added stimulus from catching sight of Dessie (38:54). Barry had the compensation of setting a new record (33:33) on a much shortened course although Paul Nolan’s old record is such that it is still the third fastest time ever. Crusaders ran a solid race in third and Rathfarnham B team finished fourth thanks to a new leg record by Carole Pauli (43:13) with The Whirligigs and The Hill Eaters close behind. Joyce O’Hare (46:50) pulled up two places for Clonliffe ladies to move them into 11th place overall. So another year, more sunshine, a few mishaps and concerns about lack of proper preparations by teams, and a race perhaps lost as much as won. Extended thanks to Joe and Nora Lalor, and their team of volunteers, for organising the most popular race of the hill running year. Bohermeen Athletic Club Co Meath 1927-2008 Promotes 23rd Patrick Bell Memorial Road Race and Walk Friday June 20th at 8pm 2008 Venue: Bohermeen Community Centre, Co.Meath Entries close at 7-30pm In aid of Meath Autism Network special projects Awards Men 1st 6 athletes across the line. 1st 5 teams of 4 to count .The winning team of 6 wins the Paddy Murtagh perpetual cup. 1st 3 juniors, 1st 2 teams of 3 to count. Anyone from U/20 down can count on the team. 1st 3 Meath novice grade 2008. Masters 1st 3 0/35, 0/40, 0/45, 0/50, 0/55, 0/60. Please note the overall winner of the men’s race receives the beautiful Patrick Bell memorial trophy for 1 year. The team of 6 category can consist of any combination of senior junior or masters athletes. Ladies 1st 6 athletes across the line. 1st 3 teams of 4 to count .The winning team of 4 receives the Mallon perpetual cup. 1st 3 junior, 1st 2 teams of 3 to count . Anyone from U/20 down can count on the team. Masters 1st 3 0/35, 0/40, 0/45, 0/50, 0/55, 0/60. Each finisher will receive a medallion when they finish the 5k, either running or walking. There is a special award for the family with the largest representation inclusive of running and walking. There is also a special award to the club who has the largest representation. There are also loads of spot prizes. Following the 5k we invite you to enjoy some live music and barbeque, enjoy the big running and walking social event of mid summer week. We promise an unforgettable evening of fun and culture, and enjoy the smell of a good turf fire. Right into mid summers day. The promotion takes place on traffic free country roads and in 2007 over 300 people took part. Spot prizes on offer and refreshments of all nature to enjoy .Watch the after race video . Pitch the tent and stay a while . Entry fee for the 5k is 15 euro if you are over age 20 and 6 euro under 20 down. Proceeds from the promotion are going to Meath Autism Network special projects .so we ask you to use your fitness to help children touched by Autism To enter please ring, email or post to Stephen Ball 046-9027041 Stephen Ball, Bohermeen ,Navan ,Co Meath, Ireland stephenball@iolfree.ie www.bohermeenac.com 
