While many club members were ‘resting up’ with a controlled run around at the 4th round of our club Winter League in Brockagh Woods, two of our runners still had time for ‘serious business’ and serious it was!
WATERFORD HALF-MARATHON
Blaise Kinsella clocked an impressive PB of 1:24:04 in the well-attended Waterford Half-marathon. It was a good day all-round for Wicklow athletes with many PBs and Sli Cualann taking home the men’s team prize and the women securing 3rd spot.
2022 has been the busiest year for half-marathon events with 16 attempts and Blaise’s PB (his second this year) was the 8th fastest run since the club foundation in 2014. It caps a great year for Blaise where 10 races have yielded 6 PBs.
RESULT
1. Ryan Creech (Leevale AC) 1:05:02
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
103. Blaise Kinsella 1:24:06
RATHDRUM SANTA DASH
More locally Marcus Murphy took to the 5 km distance twice this week. First as a leisurely stroll around our Brockagh Woods 5k in the Saturday WL and then at a more determined pace to run 19:41 in the Rathdrum 5k Santa Dash where he finished second. This continues a good comeback season for Marcus – having raced only sparsely the last few years due to injuries.
Marcus taking 2nd place in the Rathdrum Santa Dash
The weekend’s action began in Clonakilty where Eoin Phelan – along with all others entered in the full marathon – was downgraded to the half-marathon due to road flooding. Expecting a different type of race, he cruised through a good 9 minutes below his PB on a slow day overall.
The race was won by the winner of our club fund-raiser – Tudor Mircea.
RESULT
1. Tudor Mircea (Clonliffe Harriers) 1:13:21
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
504. Eoin Phelan 2:01:09
Clontarf Half-marathon and 5 mile
Meanwhile further North three of our Wicklow Wolf Run Club members took on the traditionally windy half-marathon with it’s beach finish. Mark Lindsay and Conor Diamond competed in the half with Claire Harrington running in the 5 mile.
RESULT
1. Jesus Calle Arroyo (Raheny Shamrocks) 1:14:20
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
574. Mark Lindsay 1:47:41
1826. Conor Diamond 2:12:53
RESULT
1. Ian FitzGerald (Donore Harriers) 0:27:57
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
699. Claire Harrington 0:51:49
WICKLOW SENIOR CROSS-COUNTRY 2022
It’s no secret that cross-country doesn’t get the love it deserves: the discipline has interesting venues, great competition, fantastic physical development, the chance to run for a team (and yourself) and distils running to it’s essence: you against yourself first and you against the next guy/gal second.
Donna vs Parnell AC
So it was not entirely surprising that numbers at the frighteningly named ‘Wicklow Senior’ were somewhat low. Donna Quinn was outnumbered 7 to 1 by host’s Parnell as our lonely representative in the 5 km women’s race in Avondale yet still managed a Silver medal to continue to add shine to another great season.
Our men’s team lost two men to illness and another to injury on Saturday with another drop-out Sunday leaving ever-reliable Colm Kenna to step in and ensure the men had a full team. Paul Duffy led the cross-country team home for the third time in three outings followed by club coach Rene Borg and then Anthony and Colm. In a strong field, we finished fifth out of five teams.
WOMEN’S
RESULT
1. Catherine O’Connor (Parnell AC)
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
2. Donna Quinn 0:22:47 (2nd F40, Individual Silver)
MEN’S
RESULT
1. Derek Crammond (Parnell AC) 0:37:40
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
15. Paul Duffy 0:44:31
17. René Borg 0:45:50
22. Anthony Breen 0:48:57
25. Colm Kenna 0:54:50
Clingandaelcross XC
Our team could have done with the strength of Richard Costelloe – currently residing in The Hague who finished 2nd in the M45 category at the Clingandaelcross race in the Netherlands.
We have had a gap in our reporting since August but our members have not been idle: before this weekend, they had raced 139 times since then, setting 8 new personal bests on roads. We’ll do a big ‘catch-up’ on this shortly.
Our Wicklow Wolf RC members were out in force at Run the Line
MONSTER HALF-MARATHON (DEN HAAG)
These races featured new club records for the women’s section (by Donna Quinn – more on this in our ‘catch-up’) but this weekend Catherine Devitt lowered the half-marathon record once again with her 1:31:30 finish on in the Monster Half-marathon in The Hague (half of it run on hard-packed sand!).
Richard Kieran at Run the Line
Catherine’s result was also an all-time best for our women in the F40 category.
In Run the Line, our club had it’s greatest single day turn-out with 18 runners competing in the 11.5 and 26 km courses. This was in large degree due our new members from the Wicklow Wolf Running Club side which has seen 46 new runners joining this ‘club within the club’ at Glendalough AC in 2022.
RESULT
1. Eoin Flynn 0:54:09
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
61. Gavin Kennedy 1:07:44
110. Alan Kennedy 1:12:00 (WW RC)
116. Conor Diamond 1:12:25 (WW RC)
130. Jack Moore 1:12:56 (WW RC)
212. Corrie Adams 1:17:59 (WW RC)
515. Maria Forsyth 1:36:31 (WW RC)
The Wicklow Wolf jersey was well represented here by Jack Moore
Our annual Winter League returns. Anyone who is a member of an AAI club can attend this training session. If you are not a member you are welcome to ‘come along’ for a few runs before signing up.
What is the Glendalough AC Winter League?
It’s like ParkRun but over different courses (mainly trail) in and around the Glendalough area and with final results based on a handicap system – so anyone can win regardless of ability and how hard you choose to run on the day.
When and where?
Selected Saturday’s during the winter period at 9:30 am. Sometimes an early start is organised at 8:30 am. You need to keep updated in the WhatsApp group on this.
Locations vary, the provisional schedule is below. WhatsApp group provides details.
What do I need to do to run?
You simply turn up on the day and sign-in on the sheet by:
Picking your course (short or long)
Stating the effort you will run at (‘very easy’ ,’easy’, ‘steady’, ‘comfortably-hard’, hard’ all-out!’)
Then listen carefully to the race briefing and you are ready to go!
What do I need?
You need a recent race time that you supply in advance to our Competition Secretary (via the Whatsapp or email rene.borg@outlook.ie)
(if you don’t have a recent race result, simply run the first run ‘all-out’. You won’t get a score for this first run – but that will set your predictions for the remainder of the WL)
You should also join the WhatsApp group for latest updates, questions etc.:
Finally, you need a functioning watch as you take your own time. No watch = no time. Send your time post-run to the WhatsApp group or write it on the sheet before leaving.
Is there a fee?
No. But there will be a box where you can donate one or two euro to the Winter League. This money will go towards the sprint and overall prizes.
What’s the purpose of the Winter League?
Exploring new trails, enjoying a run with a group and using it as an interesting easy, steady or hard run. Since you pick your own intensity and have two distance options, it’s easy to fit in with your training demands and priorities.
These run is good for building winter strength and learning how to pace yourself at different intensities.
How is the winner determined?
Based on your recent race time, an estimated time is calculated for each run based on the difficulty of the course and the effort you have stated you will run at. The closer you get to this estimate, the higher you score.
You don’t know this estimate ahead of time so are ‘running blind’. Your estimate is continuously updated based on your performances, so if you are honest with your effort and learn to read it well, then you will do well. If you constantly run too hard or too easy compared to your stated intent, you will do less well!
There are four rounds of three races. You get to keep the best score from each round and you get to count the three best scores from the four rounds. To win the overall series, you have to have run at least once in three of the four rounds.
Glendalough AC are excited to welcome a competitive field for the first Wicklow Athletics Off-Road Championship at Laragh GFC tomorrow morning at 9:45 am. Full details of the route can be see at www.runtheridge.ie.
The event will be held as part of the Derrybawn Woods 10k (itself held as part of the longer Run the Ridge 20 km event) – a fund-raiser for Laragh GFC and our club and is sanctioned by Wicklow Athletics Board.
Six of the county’s twelve clubs will compete in this inaugural event with over 50 runners battling for individual and team medals.
Background
The idea for the championship was first discussed back in 2016 internally in the club before being brought as a proposal to Wicklow Athletics this June.
Most casual followers of athletics are aware of the traditional running disciplines (cross-country, track, and road running) but may not be aware that World Athletics today recognises ultra, trail, and mountain running as official disciplines of athletics. To grow this segment of the sport these ‘off-road’ variations had their European and World Championships merged into one event (under the ‘off-road’ label).
The choice by Wicklow Athletics to host this championship likewise brings these disciplines ‘on par’ with the traditional cross-country, road, and track and field county championships.
Off-road running is the fastest growing discipline within athletics and it seems fitting that a county with as wonderful trails as Wicklow has chosen to add such a fixture to it’s calendar.
Spectators can support the runners from 9:30 on the Laragh GFC pitches. We also highly recommend walking up the ‘Bronze route’ zig-zags and give our runners a warm welcome as they make their way up the toughest part of the course. Parking for spectators is located in the public Laragh car park near the Woollen Mills.
Partners and supporters
We are glad to be supported by:
Wicklow Athletics
EcoTrail Wicklow for use of marking equipment and sponsorship of prices
Laragh GFC for venue, parking and crew
MyRunResults for timing services and finish line
National Parks and Wildlife Service and Coillte for use of keys and permit
Derrybawn House, The Woollen Mills, and Coillte for permission to pass through / past their lands
And finally a thank you to our suppliers: Soundhire.ie, Kelly’s Fruit and Vegetables, The Red Cross, Lindie Naughton Photography, and Mocha Joe’s Cafe.
Since our last report our runners have been put through the mill first at the Reeks Skyline in Kerry, the Glendalough Tucker Trail ultra and the last three rounds of the Leinster League at Crone, Ballinastoe and Great Sugarloaf.
Reeks Skyline
John Conway kicked off the fun in Kerry on the extremely difficult Reeks Skyline, taking in Carrauntoohil and it’s sister peaks. Winner Conall Whelan set a new CR. Despite suffering some ankle trouble during and after Johnny got through once again in what continues to be a busy summer since he completed the Cape Wrath 400k in June.
John Conway during the Reeks Skyline
RESULT
1. Conall Whelan (UCD AC) 3:42:33 (CR)
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
34. John Conway 5:54:10
COILLTE CRONE CAPER
The Coillte Crone Caper race went ahead as planned after some concern around the fires nearby and it was a gruesome uphill battle for our quintet of Torben, Rene, Aran, Angus and Eoin. Aran led early on with Torben and Rene in close attendance with Rene eventually taking the lead and cresting the summit first before coming a cropper with a bad ankle injury shortly into the descent. Torben retook the lead halfway down leading the team home in 24th.
Our two Danes (Rene and Torben) chasing Aran and the other leaders halfway through the climb at Crone
RESULT
1. Derek Crammond (Parnell AC) 0:51:39 (CR)
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
25. Torben Dahl 1:04:09
26. René Borg 1:04:45
30. Aran Lynham 1:05:30
41. Angus Tyner 1:08:35
48. Eoin Kennedy 1:10:17
GLENDALOUGH TUCKER TRAIL 80K
Graham Bushe and Brian Lydon took over racing duties in the weekend at the Glendalough Tucker Trail and Graham secured 5th overall and 1st M50 with Brian solid in the mid-pack
Brian Lydon motors on in the Tucker Trail (photo: Adrian Hennessey)
RESULT
1. Brian McFlynn (Newcastle AC) 7:59:11
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
5. Graham Bushe 9:08:11 (1st M50)
24. Brian Lydon 10:50:11
BALLINASTOE
Torben and Eoin followed up their exertions at Crone a bit further south on the chaotic course at Ballinastoe finishing ‘to recent par’. Reeks winner Conall Whelan scorched around in 49 minutes.
Eoin Kennedy at Ballinastoe (photo: Derek Hay)
RESULT
1. Conall Whelan (UCD AC) 0:49:05
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
28. Torben Dahl 0:59:22
46. Eoin Kennedy 1:06:11
SUGARLOAF BBQ
Graham Bushe earns his 100th race t-shirt ((photo: Gareth LIttle)
This left only one race in the Leinster League and Graham Bushe was recovered enough from the Tucker Trail to earn his ‘club 100’ t-shirt here. Graham made the last LL race of the season his first go at this year’s league and lead us home in 18th position. In the overall league our men didn’t really feature as none completed the minimum 7 races for a full score (Torben finished highest – in 78th out of 574 – with 6 races to score) with most having completed 2-4 races. But there was enough solid performances to suggest that our large squad of hill runners could do well in the upcoming Wicklow Athletics Off-Road Championship.
After the relentless racing of the last few weeks, our runners ‘quietened’ down a bit over the weekend competing in only two races before Brian Lydon turned out after a short break to compete as our lonely sentinel at the Ayling Abyss.
DARGLE FOUR PEAKS
Graham Bushe led the blazing yellows home for the second time in 5 days at the unorthodox Dargle Four Peaks race (featuring a free route choice!) with over-reliable orienteer Angus Tyner 2nd club man, long-distance specialist Duncan Barret 3rd and Barry O’Neill 4th.
Angus Tyner at the Dargle 4 Peaks
RESULT
RESULT
1. Ruairi Long (UCD AC) 1:34:44 (CR)
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
7. Graham Bushe 2:01:42 (2nd M50)
19. Angus Tyner 2:28:26
26. Duncan Barrett 2:39:44
31. Barry O’Neill 2:46:19
BORN TO RUN 10 MILE (TRALEE)
In Tralee, Aran Lynham couldn’t quite replicate recent storming road performances – going out too aggressively in the heat, he faded a bit after 5 km of the Born to Run 10 mile and had to dig deep to complete and set his first mark over the 10 mile distance. It was still enough for a nice top-10 spot.
RESULT
1. Donal O’Kelly () 1:01:01
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
8. Aran Lynham 1:10:53
THE AYLING ABYSS
Brian Lydon completed his 6th IMRA race (and first since the Relay in May) coming a very credible 25th in the tough and technical 10 km on the Ayling Abyss at Djouce.
Last week’s action began with our runners competing simultaneously in two arenas: 15 minutes after seven of our runners heard the starter gun at the Wicklow Road Championship, four more headed up the slopes of Scarr at Lough Dan. The busiest day of competition for our runners this year.
The team for this year’s Road Champs (Brian, Marcus, Aoife, Blaise, Donna, Aran and Colm)
WICKLOW ROAD CHAMPS 5K
The annual county championships has always been a happy hunting ground since the formation of our club. This year we sadly didn’t have a ladies team but Donna Quinn ran within 26 seconds of her previous best to secure a Gold medal in the F40 category.
Marcus and Donna side by side (Marcus would win out by 5 seconds)
Sweetest of all was the men’s team: three runners under 19 minutes and a 1 point lead kept us in Bronze position ahead of Bray Runners.
Aran Lynham lowered his best from 18:47 to 18:11 whereas Blaise Kinsella (2nd man over the line) missed out on another PB this year by 9 seconds whereas Brian Lydon annihilated his 21:28 PB to dip under 19 minutes for the first time (18:55)
Aoife Joyce on the final kilometer
RESULT
1. Derek Crammond (Parnell AC) 0:15:43
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
19. Aran Lynham 0:18:11 (PB, team Bronze)
26. Blaise Kinsella 0:18:47 30. Brian Lydon 0:18:55 (PB, team Bronze)
35. Marcus Murphy 0:19:25 (team Bronze)
37. Donna Quinn 0:19:30 (1st F40)
55. Colm Kenna 0:21:27 (Team Bronze)
63. Aoife Joyce 0:21:48
John Conway leads home at Scarr/Lough Dan
SCARR / LOUGH DAN
Meanwhile our quartet of John, Torben, Angus and Barry took the covetted places in the reduced size field at Scarr / Lough Dan (due to ongoing erosion concerns) and Johnny showed himself fully recovered from his recent Cape Wrath adventure and two very strong adventure race outings recently to lead the team home in 12th. Torben was only a further 50 seconds adrift with Angus another 36 after that and Barry O’Neill still managing himself back from injury well.
Torben Dahl crosses the finishing mat at Lough Dan
RESULT
1. Warren Swords (Crusaders AC) 0:49:26
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
12. John Conway 0:55:54
17. Torben Dahl 0:56:44
21. Angus Tyner 0:57:40
37. Barry O’Neill 1:04:25
CLONTARF HALF-MARATHON
Aran Lynham at the Wicklow Road Champs (photo: Andrew Hanney)
Using the 5 km as a final sharpener, Aran Lynham notched a second PB 4 days later in the Clontarf Half-marathon breaking the 90 minute barrier for the first time.
RESULT
1. Jesus Calle Arroyo (Raheny Shamrocks) 1:15:52
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
53. Aran Lynham 1:28:27 (PB)
EUROPEAN ATHLETICS OFF-ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS
While all the action unfolded in Ireland, club coach René Borg had the honour of representing our club at the European Athletics Off-Road Championship in La Palma on the Canary Islands: not in a running capacity but as the official English commentator for European Athletics. It was a fantastic event with a memorable 5th place for Irishman Zak Hannah (the highest Irish finish there since 1991).
Rene Borg in action for European Athletics on La Palma in the Canarias
EARL’S DRIVE
Aran Lynham at Earl’s Drive (photo: Matthew McConnell)
The Wednesday evening races moved from Leinster to Trail League action in the short, flat and fast course at Djouce Woods (now in a slightly lengthened version). While Aran led us out here Graham Bushe took the ‘club lead’ late on followed by Aran, coach Rene (back from La Santa), Paul Duffy and Barry O’Neill making up the rest of the yellow quintet.
Parnell’s Derek Crammond took his second win in a week ahead of one of the fastest fields assembled at an IMRA start line this year with recent race winners as far down as 12th position.
Our result round-up begins at one of the most well-loved trail runs among our club members: the Devil’s Glen.
Paul Duffy closely chased by Diarmuid Kavanagh at Devil’s Glen (photo: Joseph Boyle)
DEVIL’S GLEN
Paul Duffy led us home continuing his strong comeback – he also got the covetted ‘sub-40’ blue ribbon performance (the fifth club runner to do so in our colours and the 8th current member to have done so).
Less than 2 minutes behind was Diarmuid with Colm Kenna and Barry O’Neill arriving just around the 50th position (a feat they’d repeat a week later).
RESULT
1. Matthew McConnell () 0:34:15
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
8. Paul Duffy 0:39:07
18. Diarmuid Kavanagh 0:40:59
47. Colm Kenna 0:46:27
51. Barry O’Neill 0:47:13
Colm Kenna at Brockagh a week after Devil’s Glen
WICKLOW WAY RACE
48 hours later Duncan Barrett set out on another Wicklow Way Race. Without his 2021 training volume he couldn’t quite replicate his best run over the course in Autumn but he still put in a strong and experienced showing with 12th position and a time of 17 hours 2 minutes for the 127 km.
RESULT
1. Mickie Brennan () 13:45:13
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
12. Duncan Barrett 17:02:18
Graeme Warren descends off Brockagh having used Camaderry as a warmup
CAMADERRY ‘DEVIL’S CLIMB’
While Duncan was still running, a small field of four competed in the 5th round of our Club Championship – the 5 km Uphill only run from the Upper Lake to Camaderry East. Club coach René took the win with Donna Quinn beating Aoife in the ladies. After a slight dip in attendance in the recent Club Champs, we expect them to pick up as the next counter is the Wicklow Road Championship.
RESULT
1. René Borg 0:40:16 (1st M40)
2. Graeme Warren 0:43:24 (1st M45)
3. Donna Quinn 0:43:55 (1st F40)
4. Aoife Joyce 0:51:01 (2nd F40)
ZUIDERBERG PARKRUN
That same morning in The Haag, Richard Costelloe returned to action finishing 4th in the Zuiderberg ParkRun in 20:46.
RESULT
1. Matthew Russell (Kovsie AC) 0:18:06
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
4. Richard Costelloe 0:20:46 (1st M45)
Rene takes the club lead baton late on the Brockagh climb with Aran in pursuit
BROCKAGH LL
The Leinster continued this Wednesday and the ‘yellow wave’ again swept over a local hill – the new 11.3 km Brockagh course. Young guns Aran and Diarmuid led our men out on the ascent but were overtaken late on the climb by René who led the troops home in 12th followed by Aran in 15th. With two men in the top-20, Loraine put more gloss on the evening when she finished 3rd lady and first F40.
Graeme Warren had overtaken Diarmuid late on the climb and he and our next three packed very tightly coming in 26th, 29th, 31st and 32nd all within just over a minute.
Loraine Creane has time to smile down the grassy bank at Brockagh
Colm Kenna came next well inside the top half of the field with a strong run and Barry O’Neill – still managing himself back from knee injury closed out our pack.
It was a good day for Sli Cualann as well with Parnell’s Derek Crammond winning – David and Cormac Conroy in 8th and 10th and Hugh Kinsella winning the M60. For good measure Kilcoole AC’s Peter Bell was 2nd.
It was a good week for people ‘returning to action’ and none moreso than Marcus Murphy who raced for the first time in 4 years returning with a solid 20:52.
RESULT
1. Derek Crammond (Parnell AC) 0:16:56
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
19. Marcus Murphy 0:20:52
DEVIL’S GLEN
Diarmuid Kavanagh
Paul Duffy had a disrupted start to the season courtesy of a recurring back issue but is swiftly finding his groove being our first runner home at both Trooperstown Hill and Devil’s Glen with his first top-10 since 2012. For Diarmuid Kavanagh this was his first top-20 in a non-relay IMRA race.
RESULT
1. Matthew McConnell () 0:34:15
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
8. Paul Duffy 0:39:07
17. Diarmuid Kavanagh 0:41:00
44. Colm Kenna 0:46:28
48. Barry O’Neill 0:47:13
TROOPERSTOWN SUMMER
Torben Dahl at Trooperstown
As has been the trend of late races on our ‘local’ hills (Brockagh, Paddock, Scarr, and Trooperstown) draw a good contingent and this time was no exception with a very close battle once again between our men with Paul, Torben and Aran within less 90 seconds. Barry O’Neill continues to manage his way back after long-term knee injury.
