Tag: marathon

REPORT: Wicklow Road, World Mountain Masters, mile record and much more….

by glendaloughac, posted in Uncategorized

Between 10/06/2026 and 15/07/2026, Glendalough AC recorded 80 results from 32 athletes across 24 races. 4 personal bests were recorded. Graham Bushe was the club’s most active competitor, racing 8 times.

KEADEEN

Regular double-act Alan Kennedy and Eoin Phelan were the only runners who decided to grace the West Wicklow hills – in this case the superb hill Keadeen – with their presence among 97 other athletes. Alan finished in the top third of the field.

Result: Keadeen

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Ruben BartelnikDSD AC50:00Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
24Alan KennedyGlendalough AC1:04:16WW RC
41Eoin PhelanGlendalough AC1:10:25WW RC

WICKLOW ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP 26

Thirteen Glendalough AC athletes raced in a field of 218 and came home with three individual medals and one team medal with Aaron Cullen breaking the club 5k record on his way to running the highest individual finish ever for one of our runners in this event (4th).

Individual Silver medals were won by Paul Duffy (M45), Donna Quinn (F45) and Christina Byrne (F70) with Bronze team medals for our women’s team.

Result: Wicklow Road Championship 26

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Noah HarrisParnell AC14:51Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
4Aaron CullenGlendalough AC16:161st MS, PB, WW RC
28Paul DuffyGlendalough AC17:562nd M45, PB
35Gavin KennedyGlendalough AC18:18PB, WW RC
69Louis ByrneGlendalough AC18:59
80Graham BusheGlendalough AC19:33
83Angus TynerGlendalough AC19:44
88Jimmy CullenGlendalough AC19:53
98Tivon TynerGlendalough AC20:09
105Donna QuinnGlendalough AC20:442nd F45
125Colm KennaGlendalough AC21:33
133Aoife JoyceGlendalough AC22:05
163Monica TimminsGlendalough AC24:08
209Christina ByrneGlendalough AC29:523rd F70

CROAGH PATRICK UPHILL

One Glendalough AC athlete raced in a field of 39 – Joe Lalor who duly took the M70 win.

Result: Croagh Patrick Uphill

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Trevor Costello35:10Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
33Joe LalorGlendalough AC57:381st M70

MWEELREA

Like at Croagh Patrick we only had one Connact Championship competitor at Mweelrea but this time it was Eoin Phelan.

Result: Mweelrea

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Niall McCartanBARF59:09Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
48Eoin PhelanGlendalough AC1:49:02WW RC

LETTERGESH-BINN CHUANNA LOOP

Only Joe Lalor and Eoin Phelan travelled West for the Lettergesh race in Connact where they joined a small field of 43 runners. Joe won the M70 category.

Result: Lettergesh-Binn Chuanna Loop

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Eiviltas Evan RadaviciusDublin Runners1:03:53Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
32Eoin PhelanGlendalough AC1:49:02WW RC
33Joe LalorGlendalough AC1:54:151st M70

BALLINASTOE

In the always tough Ballinastoe race Graham Bushe secured a top-20 spot with Joe Lalor taking 2nd m70.

Result: Ballinastoe 24

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Killian MooneyDSD AC51:53Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
18Graham BusheGlendalough AC1:02:51
85Joe LalorGlendalough AC1:30:402nd M70
100Brendan LawlorGlendalough AC1:26:10
125Richard KieranGlendalough AC1:31:05

BRAY INVITATIONAL

We don’t have full results for this year’s Bray Invitational Track Meet but what we do know is that Aaron finished 4th behind race winner Bobby Moore in a new 1 mile club record of 4:54.

Result: Bray Invitational

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Bobby More—Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
4Aaron CullenGlendalough AC4:542nd MS, WW RC

CARROWKEEL

Ronan Roberts and Eric Kelly raced in a field of 49 over in Connacht for the IMRA Carrowkeel race.

Result: CarrowKeel

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Alan Dunne49:36Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
41Ronan RobertsGlendalough AC1:20:23WW RC
46Eric KellyGlendalough AC1:30:11WW RC

NOT THE WOBBLY BRIDGE

Six of our athletes were in action in the club championship counter at ‘Not the Wobbly Bridge’ in Clara Vale with Aaron Cullen taking another IMRA podium finishing 3rd overall and 2nd male senior. We also had Huw, Ian and Graham in quick succession (making it four men in the top twenty) and all taking category podiums. Anne Bromley won the F40 category and was 2nd woman overall.

Result: Not the Wobbly Bridge

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Barry MinnockRathfarnham WSAF34:44Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
3Aaron CullenGlendalough AC36:182nd MS, WW RC
11Huw ThomasGlendalough AC39:402nd M35, WW RC
13Ian BromleyGlendalough AC40:222nd M45, WW RC
16Graham BusheGlendalough AC41:161st M55
38Anne BromleyGlendalough AC45:151st F40, WW RC
85Monica TimminsGlendalough AC52:30

One the short course, Richard Allen and Rene Borg accompanied their daughter and son respectively around the course.

Result: Not the Wobbly Bridge

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Lara WoodsBlackrock AC21:23Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
9Richard AllanGlendalough AC25:101st M50, WW RC
23René BorgGlendalough AC30:502nd M45

ST COCAS AC 5K ROAD RACE

Gavin Kennedy and Donna Quinn raced in a field of 521 at the fast St Coca’s 5k road race where Gavin got close to his PB.

Result: St Cocas AC 5k Road Race

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Jonas StaffordUSD ac14:09Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
187Gavin KennedyGlendalough AC18:19WW RC
312Donna QuinnGlendalough AC20:52

WMMRC UPHILL RACE

Alan Kennedy, Brendan Lawlor and Joe Lalor started off the World Masters Mountain Running weekend in Czechia.

Result: WMMRC Uphill Race

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Douglas AndrewWesterlands CCC42:15Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
224Alan KennedyGlendalough AC1:07:15WW RC
318Brendan LawlorGlendalough AC1:25:26
325Joe LalorGlendalough AC1:28:24

WMMRC LONG TRAIL

Only Paul Duffy and Kevin Doherty opted to compete in the long 21k trail race Glendalough AC athletes raced in a field of 297 and from Paul’s report it was a hot one: “Despite the heatwave I was very happy with the long run. The second climb at 13k was an issue but mainly due to heat…had to ease right off due to dizziness but up to then was first irish runner.“

Result: WMMRC Long Trail

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1 Szcześniewski MiłoszPoland1:39:45Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
116Paul DuffyGlendalough AC2:18:46
227Kevin DohertyGlendalough AC2:46:37

WMMRC CLASSIC

The Classic Up and Down race had 326 competitors and we had an impressive 5 runners in action and for the second day running Paul Duffy led our crew home followed by Alan, Kevin Doherty and then Brendan lawlor (competing in the over-60s) and Joe once again representing in the M70 category.

Result: WMMRC Classic

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Douglas AndrewWesterlands CCC38:09Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
183Paul DuffyGlendalough AC56:45
234Alan KennedyGlendalough AC1:03:28WW RC
251Kevin DohertyGlendalough AC1:05:39
302Brendan lawlorGlendalough AC1:16:18
309Joe LalorGlendalough AC1:20:16

SORRELL HILL 26

If it is not Graham Bushe and Eoin Phelan representing us at a race where there is no one else, it is Graham and Alan Kennedy – the double acts of the season! While there was a good 9 minutes between them, they took 2nd and 3rd in the M55 category.

Result: Sorrell Hill 26

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Robin MooneyInbhear Dee AC49:45Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
13Graham BusheGlendalough AC57:512nd M55
47Alan KennedyGlendalough AC1:09:263rd M55, WW RC

MICK MURPHY MEMORIAL 5 KM

The Mick Murphy 5 km in Ferns is always popular and we had five runners travelling with Paul Duffy lowering his personal best from 17:56 to 17:53 on the course with Louis Byrne our second runner home.

Result: Mick Murphy Memorial 5 km

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Rhys JohnsonDonore Harriers15:42Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
33Paul DuffyGlendalough AC17:53
58Louis ByrneGlendalough AC19:02
107Colm KennaGlendalough AC22:02
109Aoife JoyceGlendalough AC22:10
139Fiona SmythGlendalough AC24:01

CLONTARF HALF-MARATHON

Clontarf has grown into am assive race in the last few years but despite this we only had Darragh Lawlor competing who finished in the middle of the field in 2:11.

Result: Clontarf Half-marathon

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Ned Brockmann1:11:12Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
2391Darragh LawlorGlendalough AC2:11:38WW RC

BRANDON HILL HALF

Five runners travelled to the Brandon Hill Half-marathon that is part of the Leinster Half-marathon league and in another tight battle Ian Bromley got in ahead of Graham with wife Anne in third followed by Alan Kennedy and Eoin Phelan.

Result: Brandon Hill Half

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Con HalpinCherryorchard AC1:48:32Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
5Ian BromleyGlendalough AC2:03:372nd M45, WW RC
6Graham BusheGlendalough AC2:04:361st M55
17Anne BromleyGlendalough AC2:20:082nd F40, WW RC
23Alan KennedyGlendalough AC2:26:473rd M55, WW RC
68Eoin PhelanGlendalough AC3:08:56WW RC

AYLING ABYSS

The Ayling Abyss is one of the most demanding courses in the Winter League and it was four very experienced runners who took it on with Graham, Joe Lalor and Richard Kieran all banking podium finishes in their categories. There was general chaos with a large proportion of the field taking the wrong route but as it could not be ascertained exactly who the standings were left as they were.

Result: Ayling Abyss 24

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Jude Wejchert1:01:58Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
21Graham BusheGlendalough AC1:14:593rd M55
79Eoin PhelanGlendalough AC1:35:22WW RC
112Joe LalorGlendalough AC1:51:492nd M70
115Richard KieranGlendalough AC1:53:103rd M55

DOCKLANDS 5K

In a field of 1955, Aaron Cullen nearly made the top-20 as he lowered his own club 5 km record by another 7 seconds to 16:09.

Result: Docklands 5k

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Hugh ArmstrongBallina AC14:40Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
23Aaron CullenGlendalough AC16:09PB, WW RC

LUGNACOILLE

Only our near omni-present runners Graham and Eoin took place in the race to Wicklow’s highest peak and Graham Bush took another win that brings him close to the Irish M55 championship title with IMRA.

Result: Lugnacoille

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Niall McCArtanBARF57:37Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
16Graham BusheGlendalough AC1:17:561st M55
53Eoin PhelanGlendalough AC1:59:57WW RC

THE RIDGEWAY – RACE TO THE STONES

Graeme Warren took part in the Race to the Stones in England and gained a superb top-50 finish in sweltering conditions and said: “Race to the Stones. 100km, 32degrees C. Provisional results. 45th place (top 5%), 3rd M50. 12 hours 19. Might have made 12 ,if hadn’t fallen and cut my hand which needed redressing repeatedly at the medical supports. Temperature brutal: really hard to run. Aching now!”

Result: The Ridgeway – Race to the Stones

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Dan Blake8:18:42Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
50Graeme WarrenGlendalough AC12:19:043rd M50

TROOPERSTOWN SUMMER

Only 136 runners opted for the 11.6 long course, the longest in the Leinster League so far this year, but 11 of our men were at the start line, which was also the 7th counter in our club championship and here Paul Duffy took a convincing win and 2nd M45. There was also category podiums for Graham Bush and Huw Thomas and possibly Richard Kieran (tbc).

Result: Trooperstown Summer 26

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
1Ruben BartelnikDSD AC53:49Race winner
Glendalough AC athletes
13Paul DuffyGlendalough AC1:00:052nd M45
16Graham BusheGlendalough AC1:02:042nd M55
23Huw ThomasGlendalough AC1:05:093rd M35, WW RC
37Kevin DohertyGlendalough AC1:08:46
42Tivon TynerGlendalough AC1:09:31
49Kevin FergusonGlendalough AC1:12:51
51Alan KennedyGlendalough AC1:13:15WW RC
64Ben LewisGlendalough AC1:17:24WW RC
84Colm KennaGlendalough AC1:25:00
99Eoin PhelanGlendalough AC1:43:46WW RC
123Richard KieranGlendalough AC1:59:45

A massive short course field of 75 was perhaps prompted by the hot conditions. Brendan Lawlor took 1st M60 while coach Rene ran in with son Cillian again in 44th.

Result: Trooperstown Summer 26

PositionRunnerClubTimeNotes
38Brendan LawlorGlendalough AC46:051st M60
44René BorgGlendalough AC47:062nd M45

REPORT: Trooperstown Winter and Sli Chorcaí Ultra

by glendaloughac, posted in Mountain running, Race reports, Ultra running

Two mountain running races to report on from this weekend past.

TROOPERSTOWN WINTER

Brian Howard (right) in a sprint finish

We had solid attendance as always at Trooperstown with twelve running officially (and Loraine unofficially as her order had not gone through!) on the long (9.4 km) and short (5.3 km) courses.

Ten of our runners finished the longer course – similar to the 2024 but a bit shorter and more direct – with Kevin Ferguson having a very strong run to lead the team home ahead of Johnny Conway, Paul Duffy and Chris Willoughby. This quartet ‘packed well’ finishing 22nd, 24th, 28th and 30th within a 2 minute time-frame. There was a further 1 minute down to debutante Huw Thomas in 34th and then Alan Kennedy in 48th securing another M55 podium spot. Brian Hendley and Andy Walker came in just after the hour mark and Monica Timmins just after the 70 minute mark in 116th with Brian Howard our last runner. 173 runners completed the race.

Rene Borg (green jacket) with son Cillian near the summit
RESULT
1. Emmett McNamara () 0:42:05
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
22. Kevin Ferguson 0:49:02
24. John Conway 0:49:27
28. Paul Duffy 0:49:55
30. Chris willoughby 0:50:56 (WW RC)
34. Huw Thomas 0:51:58 (WW RC)
48. Alan Kennedy 0:53:50 (WW RC – 2nd M55)
80. Brian Hendley 1:01:19 (WW RC)
87. Andy Walker 1:02:51 (WW RC)
116. Monica Timmins 1:10:18
166. Brian Howard 1:26:58 (WW RC)

Chaperoning Cillian and Feihlim, Rene Borg and Sile Keane ran on the short course with 23 others – a mixture of older juniors, under-14s, parents and older runners. First home was Loraine’s son Oisin in his Roundwood and District colours.

RESULT
1. Oisin Donelon (Roundwood and District AC) 0:31:25
——GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS————-
12. René Borg 0:43:40
19. Sile Keane 0:54:58

Sli Chorcaí Ultra

James Heggie ran in Tipperary and managed to complete 43 km of the 71.5 km of the Sli Chorcai Ultra before having to retire. 66 runners competed in the ultra with a further 104 completing the half-marathon run as part of the same evenb.

REPORT: Dublin Marathon 2019

by glendaloughac, posted in Race reports, Road running

Donna Quinn took full advantage of the perfect Dublin conditions to knock nearly 13 minutes off her marathon PB to record 3:27:25 and finish 66th in her age category. This is a new club record for the ladies section of our club  – so well done Donna, tremendous reward for your hard work and commitment to your training.

Not to be completely outshone in the local household, husband William Belton had his marathon debut, always a tricky proposition, and came home in 4:09:32. Enjoy the recuperation in the Belton/Quinn household!

RESULTS

  1. Ousmane El Goumri 2:08:06 (CR)

     30. Motu Gedefa 2:27:48 (ladies winner)

————GLENDALOUGH AC RUNNERS———————–

2644. Donna Quinn 3:27:25 (PB / LADIES CLUB RECORD)

8697. William Belton 4:09:32 (PB / DEBUT)

Full results