It has been another busy few weeks for Glendalough AC runners with members competing across road, trail and hill races both locally and internationally. Highlights included a trip to the Tokyo Marathon, podium finishes in Wicklow and several personal bests and club records at the Moneystown 4 Mile.

With the club championship now underway and the hill running season gathering pace, it has been an encouraging start to the racing year for the club.

Also a correction: in the last report we missed that Alan Kennedy had also competed in the Carrick Winter race finishing 3rd M55 – well done Alan!

ROAD RACES

Tokyo Marathon

Three Glendalough AC runners travelled to Japan to take part in the Tokyo Marathon, one of the prestigious World Marathon Majors.

Mark Lindsay led the club home in 3:27:21, with Graham Kearns and David Murphy also finishing strongly in the huge international field.

The race itself was won by Ethiopia’s Tadesse Takele in 2:03:37.

RESULT
1. Tadesse Takele (Ethiopia) 2:03:37
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GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS
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4651. Mark Lindsay 3:27:21 - WW RC
8334. Graham Kearns 3:37:54 - WW RC
9499. David Murphy 3:48:50 - WW RC

Wicklow Hospice 10km & Half Marathon

Graeme Warren led the Glendalough AC performances at the Wicklow Hospice Half Marathon, finishing 7th overall and 2nd in the M50 category.

John Conway and Ben Lewis also ran well in the competitive field while Jacques Becker represented the club in the 10km race.

The event continues to be one of the most popular charity races in the Wicklow road running calendar.

Half Marathon

RESULT
1. Robert Guerin () 1:17:17
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GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS
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7. Graeme Warren 1:23:33 (2nd M50)
59. John Conway 1:37:39
68. Ben Lewis 1:38:54 - WW RC

10km

RESULT
1. Derek Lawlor (Crusaders AC) 0:35:36
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GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS
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94. Jacques Becker 0:53:20 - WW RC

Gorey Night Run 5K

Donna Quinn and Colm Kenna represented the club at the Gorey Night Run 5K, another popular event on the road racing calendar.

Donna led the club home in 20:03, placing comfortably inside the top 100 in a competitive field.

The race was won by Brendan Dunne of Sliabh Bhuide Rovers AC.

RESULT
1. Brendan Dunne (Sliabh Bhuide Rovers AC) 0:15:52
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GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS
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63. Donna Quinn 0:20:03
123. Colm Kenna 0:21:34

Shannon AC 5 Mile

Jimmy Cullen continued his solid early-season racing form with a strong performance at the Shannon AC 5 Mile.

He finished 28th overall in 34:14 in another competitive road race field.

The race was won by Barry Meade.

RESULT
1. Barry Meade () 0:28:41
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GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS
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28. Jimmy Cullen 0:34:14

Moneystown 4 Mile – Club Championship

Aaron Cullen delivered the standout performance of the day, finishing 6th overall in a new club record and personal best of 21:45.

There were further excellent age-category results with Graham Bushe winning the M55 category and Loraine Creane finishing 2nd F45, both setting new category club records.

The race also served as the second round of the club championship, with Graham Bushe and Loraine Creane now leading the standings.

RESULT
1. Colm Turner (Brother's Pearse AC) 0:20:04
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GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS
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6. Aaron Cullen 0:21:45 - WW RC (Club Record, PB)
26. Graham Bushe 0:25:05 (1st M55, PB, M55 Club Record)
33. Loraine Creane 0:26:12 (2nd F45, PB, F45 club record)
35. Donna Quinn 0:26:34 (3rd F45)
38. Jimmy Cullen 0:26:55 (2nd M55, PB)
43. Ben Lewis 0:27:34 (3rd M45, PB) - WW RC
47. Colm Kenna 0:28:13 (PB)
60. Aoife Joyce 0:29:00
74. Rebecca Whineray 0:30:13 - WW RC
77. James Grant 0:30:38 (PB) - WW RC
81. Fiona Smyth 0:31:07 (PB)
100. Monica Timmins 0:32:43 (PB)
117. Cari Burke 0:34:45 (PB)

Avondale ParkRun

Jacques Becker followed up his Wicklow Hospice run with another outing at Avondale ParkRun, recording a personal best of 24:39.

It was another solid weekend of racing for the club runner.

The event was won by Elliot Gethings.

RESULT
1. Elliot Gethings () 0:19:42
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GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS
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13. Jacques Becker 0:24:39 (PB PB) - WW RC

Bohermeen Half Marathon

Four Glendalough AC runners lined up at the Bohermeen Half Marathon, one of the fastest and most competitive half marathons on the Irish road racing calendar.

Angus Tyner led the club home with a strong run of 1:32:06, closely followed by Tivon Tyner just seconds behind.

Karen Croal and Aileen Duffy also completed the race for the club in what was another well-supported outing for Glendalough runners.

RESULT
1. Hugh Armstrong (Ballina AC) 1:04:23
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GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS
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536. Angus Tyner 1:32:06
557. Tivon Tyner 1:32:29
1199. Karen Croal 1:53:54
1406. Aileen Duffy 2:02:41

TRAIL AND HILL RACES

Brockagh Burst

Ian Bromley secured Glendalough AC’s best ever finish at the Brockagh Burst, placing 3rd overall and winning the M45 category on the new longer course.

The race also produced five age-category podium finishes for the club including wins for Graham Bushe (M55) and strong performances from Huw Thomas, Loraine Creane and Anne Bromley.

Nine Glendalough runners completed the long course while club coach René Borg also ran the short course alongside his son Cillian.

Long Course

RESULT – LONG
1. Mark Carmody (An Bru AC) 0:34:52
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GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS
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3. Ian Bromley 0:35:11 (1st M45) - WW RC
8. Graham Bushe 0:35:42 (1st M55)
17. Huw Thomas 0:37:07 (3rd M35) - WW RC
36. Loraine Creane 0:39:55 (2nd F45)
37. Alan Kennedy 0:39:58 - WW RC
42. Anne Bromley 0:40:56 (3rd F40) - WW RC
111. Brendan Lawlor 0:51:24
124. Kara Fleischmann 0:54:41
144. James Heggie 1:01:31 - WW RC

Short Course

RESULT – SHORT COURSE
1. David Ayton (Parnell AC) 0:27:24
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GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS
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16. René Borg 0:42:05 (2nd M45)

Annaloughan Trail Race

Wayne Earls represented the club at the new Annaloughan Trail Race in Louth, finishing strongly in the challenging trail event.

It was the club’s sole representation at the race.

The event was won by Damien McCaffrey.

RESULT
1. Damien McCaffrey () 0:42:06
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GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS
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57. Wayne Earls 0:56:29 - WW RC

Askanagap Hill Race

While many club members raced at Moneystown, another group travelled to Askanagap Hill Race in south-west Wicklow.

The club secured several podium finishes including Ian Bromley winning the M45 category and Becky Quinn winning the F50 category.

Further strong performances came from Huw Thomas, Anne Bromley and Alan Kennedy.

RESULT
1. Titouan Savignoni () 0:45:00
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GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS
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8. Ian Bromley 0:54:18 (1st M45) - WW RC
15. Huw Thomas 0:56:45 (3rd M35) - WW RC
20. Becky Quinn 0:58:34 (1st F50) - WW RC
30. Anne Bromley 1:02:13 (2nd F40) - WW RC
32. Alan Kennedy 1:04:17 (2nd M55) - WW RC
38. Eoin Kennedy 1:06:33
58. Andy Walker 1:13:47 - WW RC
66. Eoin Phelan 1:17:59 - WW RC