glendaloughac

RACE REPORTS: ‘Monster’ Half and Run the Line

November 21, 2022 by glendaloughac, posted in Race reports, Road running, Trail running

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!).

Catherine’s result was also an all-time best for our women in the F40 category.

RESULT

1. Carsten Kok (Fortius) 1:14:05

——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-

37. Catherine Devitt 1:31:30 (3rd F40, PB, Club Record, F40 PB)

RECORD OUTING AT RUN THE LINE

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

RESULT – LONG COURSE

1. Derek Crammond (Parnell AC) 1:55:01

——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-

53. Graham Bushe 2:27:03

82. René Borg 2:35:59

85. Paul Duffy 2:36:59

118. Loraine Creane 2:54:53

119. Diarmuid Kavanagh 2:44:06

123. Graeme Warren 2:44:24

226. Eoin Kennedy 2:58:30

310. Mick Greene 3:28:00 (WW RC)

333. Richard Kieran 3:11:46

390. Mark Willoughby 3:23:10 (WW RC)

435. David Murphy 3:32:19 (WW RC)

471. Jake McManus 3:47:43 (WW RC)

GLENDALOUGH AC WL 2022/23

October 17, 2022 by glendaloughac, posted in Club races / events, Winter League

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.

PREVIEW: Wicklow Off-Road Championship 2022

August 19, 2022 by glendaloughac, posted in Club races / events, Trail running

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.

REPORTS: Five tough days on the hills for GMAC

August 7, 2022 by glendaloughac, posted in Mountain running, Race reports, Trail running, Ultra running

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.

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.

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.

RESULT

1. Derek Crammond (Parnell AC) 0:33:57

——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-

18. Graham Bushe 0:40:56

46. Torben Dahl 0:45:34

REPORT: 10 mile, 4 Peaks and The Abyss

July 14, 2022July 15, 2022 by glendaloughac, posted in Uncategorized

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.

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.

RESULT

1. Derek Crammond (Parnell AC) 51:08 (CR)

——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-

25. Brian Lydon 1:03:47

REPORTS: Scarr, Road Championship, Clontarf and Earl’s Drive

July 8, 2022 by glendaloughac, posted in Mountain running, Race reports, Road running, Trail running

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)

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

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

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.

Rene Borg in a late break-away at Earl’s Drive

RESULT

1. Derek Crammond (Parnell AC) 0:28:59

——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-

22. Graham Bushe 0:33:36 (2nd M50)

24. Aran Lynham 0:33:54

32. René Borg 0:34:59

36. Paul Duffy 0:35:51

58. Barry O’Neill 0:39:15

RACE REPORTS: Devilish hills and trails, Dutch ParkRuns and home turf at Brockagh

June 16, 2022 by glendaloughac, posted in Mountain running, Race reports, Road running, Trail running, Ultra running

Our result round-up begins at one of the most well-loved trail runs among our club members: the Devil’s Glen.

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.

RESULT

1. Derek Crammond (Parnell AC) 0:49:40

——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-

12. René Borg 0:59:20

15. Aran Lynham 1:00:24

26. Graeme Warren 1:02:58

29. Diarmuid Kavanagh 1:03:44

31. Eoin Kennedy 1:04:09

32. Loraine Creane 1:04:21 (3rd lady, 1st F40)

51. Colm Kenna 1:09:43

56. Barry O’Neill 1:11:55

Eoin Kennnedy descends away from the seting sun

RACE REPORT: Comeback kids

June 9, 2022 by glendaloughac, posted in Mountain running, Race reports, Road running, Trail running

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

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

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.

RESULT

1. Peter Bell (Kilcoole AC) 0:43:39

——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-

25. Paul Duffy 0:51:27

27. Torben Dahl 0:51:46

29. Aran Lynham 0:52:56

61. Barry O’Neill 1:02:10

64. Loraine Creane 1:02:33

REPORT: Relay, rough mountain, and Lap of the Gap

May 25, 2022 by glendaloughac, posted in Club races / events, Mountain running, Race reports, Road running, Trail running, Ultra running

It continues to be one of our busiest and craziest racing season with our runners participating in everything from the Wicklow Way Relay to the tough and rugged Glacier Lakes and Seven Sisters Skyline races to our very own Lap of the Gap Marathon and Glen to Glen Half – and that’s before we celebrate Aran Lynham’s first win in the Tralee 10 km road race!

WICKLOW WAY RELAY

Sarah and Rachel waiting to spring into action on leg 3

Our club had 14 runners competing as part of three different teams in the Wicklow Way Relay on 14th of May. Like in many previous years we had teamed up with runners from Parnell and the team ‘Parnelldalough’ finished 4th out of 35 (our highest finish yet) and continued our streak of ‘never being out of the top-10’.

Blazing Yellow – featuring 8 Glendalough AC runners – finished 11th and Graham Bushe competed for Mountain Swifts who finished 3rd. It was a day of high drama with 11 teams made non-competitive due to deviations from the Wicklow Way including unfortunately our ‘mother club’ Sli Cualann who were set to take 3rd (as TT Racers – occupying the final podium position midway through) were made non-competitive early in the race.

The other Glendalough AC runners in action where: Brian Lydon, Torben Dahl, Rene Borg, Aran Lynham, Rachel Wisdom, Sarah Foster, Paul Duffy, Blaise Kinsella, Diarmuid Kavanagh, Graham Bushe, Johnny Conway, Anthony Breen, Duncan Barrett and Aoife Joyce.

GLACIER LAKES

The previous week Graham Bushe had finished 8th in the long and rough Wicklow Glacier Lakes Race.

RESULT

1. Andrew Tees () 4:39:30

——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-

8. Graham Bushe 5:46:40

LAP OF THE GAP MARATHON / GLEN TO GLEN HALF-MARATHON

Blaise Kinsella (left) after the Glen to Glen Half

In our annual club fund-raiser Duncan Barrett and Graeme Warren finished neck on neck in 22nd and 23rd position with Blaise Kinsella our only representative in the half-marathon. Blaise ran very well and nearly got himself under the 90-minute barrier.

RESULT – full

1. Darren Foley () 3:07:08

——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-

22. Duncan Barrett 3:46:20

23. Graeme Warren 3:46:44

RESULTS – HALF

RESULT 1. Tudor Mircea (Clonliffe Harriers) 1:10:39 (CR)

——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-

14. Blaise Kinsella 1:30:44

SEVEN SISTERS SKYLINE

On the same day in County Donegal Brian Lydon took part in the first round of the WMRA World Cup in Ireland’s toughest mountain race: the 55 km Seven Sisters Skyline and over the unrelenting course he took nearly 40 minutes off his time from last year to finish 60th.

RESULT

1. Ricky Wynne () 7:07:47 (CR)

——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-

60. Brian Lydon 10:47:53

BORN TO RUN TRALEE 10K

Continuing our tour of the country, Aran Lynham secured the first men’s road race victory for our club in his maiden outing over the 10 km distance in Tralee and set a first mark of 40:03. He said he took advantage of many local top runners being at a half-marathon in Castleisland – but a win is a win!

RESULT

1. Aran Lynham (Glendalough AC) 0:40:03 (PB)

CAPE WRATH 400K

As we speak club member John Conway has completed day 3 of the gruelling 8-day expedition race ‘Cape Wrath’ in Scotland – taking runners the 400 km from Fort William to Cape Wrath. Johnny currently sits solidly in 15th position and can be tracked below:

https://live.opentracking.co.uk/capewrathultra22/

REPORT: LAP OF THE GAP MARATHON 2022

May 25, 2022 by glendaloughac, posted in Club races / events, Half-marathon, Lap of the Gap / Glen to Glen, road running

We had a lot of racing over the weekend (reported separately) but the main event was our annual club fund-raiser – the Glendalough Lap of the Gap Marathon and Glen to Glen Half-marathon (Glendalough to Glenmacnass).

From humble beginnings this event has grown into an iconic fixture on the Irish racing calendar and this year we had record numbers with nearly 600 tickets sold and nearly 400 people participating on the day along with the nearly 60 strong crew and the numerous spectators.

Many took the opportunity to stay locally with at least 20 guests in Lynhams Hotel, 2 in the Youth Hostel and many more of which we are unaware. This meets one of the stated three goals Glendalough AC have for this event:

Raise funds for Glendalough AC and the development of athletics in Laragh
Create revenue for the local area through running tourism
Setup an event that offers both a unique experience for the average participant and a unique athletic feat for competitive and elite athletes

This year more than met our expectations with top runner Tudor Moldovan setting an incredible new record for the Glen to Glen (70:35) which left all on-lookers leaving inspired along with universally positive feedback from all participants.

Tudor Moldovan treated the spectators to a truly world class performance

The services and supplies needed to run the event generates nearly €25,000 for the local and Irish economy in addition to the positive impacts of runners staying in local accommodation and eating and dining in local cafes and restaurants. In addition, 9% of this year’s starters had flown in from abroad for our event.

The club wants to extend it’s gratitude to the many participants, all our suppliers and partners, and to the local community. Here’s to many more happy Lap of the Gaps!