John Cronin writes about his Ultra Marathon experience in Connemara …………

read more

Athletics Ireland’s President, Board, CEO and members’ thoughts and prayers are with the organisers, participants and volunteers in the Boston marathon following the tragic events which unfolded during yesterday’s race.

“The Athletics community in Ireland is thinking of all those involved in the marathon in Boston and especially those who are suffering the loss of loved ones, colleagues or friends” Athletics Ireland President Ciaran O’Catháin said “Our thoughts and prayers are also with those injured or suffering as a result of the terrible tragedy.”

Annual Open Track and Field Meeting

Wednesday 24th April 2013

*****Electronic Timing *****

track-and-field-24-apr-finn-valley-details

Venue: Finn Valley A.C., Stranorlar, Co Donegal
Date: 29th May 2013
Time: 11.00am Sharp

43rd-annual-area-primary-schools

——– Original Message ——– <jameslundon@yahoo.co.uk> <JamesLundon@yahoo.co.uk>, mcurley <mcurley@galwaycoco.ie>, mark.davis2@gmail.com <mark.davis2@gmail.com>, Gabriel Gardiner <gabriel@langancouriers.com>, iain@athenryac.com <iain@athenryac.com>, brendan@tuamac.com <brendan@tuamac.com>, b.beirne@ymail.com <b.beirne@ymail.com>, southgalwayac@gmail.com <southgalwayac@gmail.com> > Hi Folks, > > Can you update the info on your website regarding the Galway LSP 10k > run in Ardrahan as people are having difficulty entering via > runireland website.We are receiving alot of calls on this issue. > > The correct link to enter online is > http://www.activeglobal.com/gl/running/ardrahan-ireland/galway-sports-partnership-10k-2013 > Yours in sport Josephine Gardiner Sent from my iPad

Former President of Athletics Ireland Nick Davis received a special Plaque of Merit Award at the European Athletics Congress 2013 which was held on Saturday 13 April 2013 in Skopje, Macedonia. He received the award for his on-going contribution to European Athletics and in particular his work as part of the European Athletics Development Committee. Nick became the first Irish person to receive the special European Plaque of Merit, below is a summary of the numerous position’s he has held within athletics:

•2011 to date: Member of the European Athletics Education Commission
•1998-2002: President, Athletics Ireland
•1996 to date: Member of European Athletics Development Committee
•1996-2004: ATO European Athletics
•1993-1997: Olympic Team Manager, Athletics Ireland
•1990-1998: Vice Member/Board Member, Athletics Ireland
•1972-1979: Competition Secretary/PRO, Athletics Ireland

A 5k time trial will take place this Wednesday 17th April 2013 for all fit4life and senior members.  Registeration will take place at Craughwell N.S. from 6.30pm to 7pm. We hope to see all our senior and fit 4 life members there.

We would like to wish our very own Ann Moran the very best of luck running in the Boston Marathon today. Hope you enjoy the marathon Ann and we are looking forward to reading all about it on your return.  

Athletics Ireland are seeking a highly qualified individuals with exceptional planning, organisational,management and coaching skills who have a strong understanding of athletics and cross country at both a domestic and international level to fill seven positions of National Event Coordinators.

Job Title: National Event Coordinator (1)Distance (2)Throws (3)Walks (4)Jumps (5)Combined Events (6)Hurdles/Short-Long (7)Sprints/Relays
Reports to: High Performance Director / Director of Coaching
Remuneration: The position will be considered as a part-time role under a fixed contract (including an expense budget)
Tenure of Post: The successful applicant will take on the role for a two-year-cycle and may be reappointed for an additional two-year-cycle dependent on their performance review

Purpose of Role: To build a stronger pathway and bridge the gap through elite athletics by coordinating and developing Athletics Ireland youth, junior and development athletes/coaches as the National Event Coordinator. As part of the High Performance Team, the National Event Coordinators role is pivotal to implement the High Performance strategies and transition athletes through Athletics Ireland High Performance pathways. Moreover, the National Event Coordinators will also provide support to Athletics Ireland coaching education programmes and facilitate coach mentoring.

For more information and how to apply see the High Performance section of our website

The 3rd annual Rundonegal Womens 5k held Sunday morning at Finn Valley ac was once again an encouraging success with 388 people taking part . Everybody certainly had a great time and the charity on this occasion was Breast cancer Care .Supported once again by Donegal Co Co with Lord Mayor Frank Mc Brearty getting the proceedings underway .Well done once again to the Finn Valley ac organising committee who delivered all aspects of the event .Its interesting to note that in excess of 2000 walkers /runners have undertaken 5k events at Valley in recent weeks a clear indication of the continued interest in such .

run-donegal-womens-5k-results

Some 10,000 runners of all ages took part today in the SPAR Great Ireland Run in the Phoenix Park, Dublin in very windy but warm conditions. Among these were almost 1,500 children in the Mini and Junior Runs for five to eight year olds and nine to fifteen year olds respectively.

The SPAR Great Ireland Run incorporated the Woodies DIY National 10k Championships and saw Olympian Linda Byrne of DSD take the Irish title in 6th place in 34:24. Stephen Scullion of North Belfast Harriers finished in 7th place in the SPAR Great Ireland Run and took the Irish national 10k title in 30:15.

The event also featured the SPAR Great Ireland Mile for elite men run on the main road of the Phoenix Park. Paul Robinson of St Coca’s AC in Kildare was a decisive winner coming home in 4 minutes and 14 seconds.

The 10k Run itself was won by defending champion Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia in 28 minutes 51 seconds, fast running in the high winds. He was challenged for the first 7k by Collis Birmingham of Australia but finally broke away just beyond the 8k mark. Second place in 29:08 went to multiple European cross-country champion Sergiy Lebid of Ukraine and world 10,000 metre champion Ibrahim Jeilan was third in 29:18.

Defending women’s champion Gemma Steel of Great Britain had to settle for second place behind compatriot Lauren Howarth who won in 33:36 ahead of Steel’s 33:49. Julia Bleasdale in third made it a clean sweep for the Britons in 33:53.

Results

Men

1. Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia) 28:51

2. Sergiy Lebid (Ukraine) 29:08

3. Ibrahim Jeilan (Ethiopia) 29:18

4. Hamid El Mouaziz (Belgium) 29:26

5. Collis Birmingham (Australia) 29:30

6. Urige Buta (Norway) 29:40

7. Stephen Scullion (Ireland) 30:15

8. Mats Lunders (Belgium) 30:28

Women

1. Lauren Howarth (Great Britain) 33:36

2. Gemma Steel (Great Britain) 33:49

3. Julia Bleasdale (Great Britain) 33:53

4. Diana Martin (Spain) 34:03

5. Elena Romagnolo (Italy) 34:19

6. Linda Byrne (Ireland) 34:24

7. Elle Baker (Great Britain) 34:38

8. Emma Clayton (Great Britain) 35:07

SPAR GREAT IRELAND MILE

1. Paul Robinson (St Coca’s AC) 4:14

2. Eoin Everard (Kilkenny City Harriers) 4:16

3. David Harper (Sligo AC) 4:18

SPAR JUNIOR GREAT IRELAND RUN, 2.5 KM

Boys (12-15)

1. Chilnnie Izuchukwi (Tullamore Harriers) 8:09

2. Conal Hayes (Le Cheile AC) 8:15

3. Jamie Wall (Tinryland AC) 8:18

Boys (9-11)

1. Eoin Quinn (Mullingar Harriers)

2. Andrew Shaw (Mullingar Harriers)

3. Andrew Daly (Mullingar Harriers)

Girls (12-15)

1. Siobhra O’Flaherty (St Laurence O’Toole AC) 8:38

2. Amy Clarke (Na Fianna AC) 9:08

3. Edel Monaghan (Enniskillen Running Club) 9:30

Girls (9-11)

1. Beatrice Drummond (Mullingar AC)

2. Neasa Reilly (Blackrock AC)

3. Ciara Quinn (Glenmore AC)

Woodies AAI 10k Championships

Men

1. Stephen Scullion (North Belfast Harriers) 30:15

2. Sergiu Ciobanu (Clonliffe Harriers) 30:59

3. Eddie McGinley (Annadale Striders) 31:00

4. Philip Harty (West Waterford AC) 31:26

5. Robbie Matthews (Dunshaughlin AC) 31:54

6. Andrew Connick (Ferrybank AC) 31:59

7. James McCarthy (East Cork AC) 32:04

8. Cathal O Donnabhain (St Finbarrs AC) 32:07

Women

1. Linda Byrne (DSD AC) 34:24

2. Eilish Kelly (Raheny Shamrocks AC) 35:37

3. Teresa McGloin (Finn Valley AC) 35:41

4. Siobhan O’Doherty (Raheny Shamrocks AC) 35:58

5. Anne-Marie McGlynn (Lifford AC) 37:00

6. Catherina McKiernan 37:41

7. Sinead Jennings 37:50

8. Natasha Adams (Lifford AC) 38:07

Mark English (UCD) provided the standout performance at the Irish Universities championships at the Mardyke in Cork, held on Friday and Saturday. He cruised to victory in the second heat of the 400m on Friday to win in a time of 49.45, with Timmy Crowe (DCU) and Eamon Wallace (Maynooth) the other heat winners. In the final on Saturday English put in another strong run to win in a time of 47.56, a new PB for him to improve on his previous best of 48.08. Wallace chased him home in a time of 48.59, his first time under 49 seconds.

David Hynes (WIT) and Steven Colvert were both given the same time of 10.66 in the 100m, but the photo finish showed Hynes a fraction ahead. They met again in the 200m but this time the photo finish equipment was not needed as Colvert crossed the line well clear to win in a time of 21.5, with Hynes second in 21.92.

Clare Fitzgerald (UCC) dominated the womn’s field events, winning the shot, discus, javelin and 8kg weight throw.

The championships were held on the newly laid surface of the Mardyke, which was re-named on Satuday the Sonia O’Sullivan Track.

Results

After another succcessful squad session on Wednesday evening in Athlone, attention now turns to the next session.

The next relay squad day is on in the Mardyke in Cork on Friday April 19th, at 5.30pm. This date was chosen to coincide with the Leevale Senior Athletics Sports Meet on April 20th at the Cork IT Athletics stadium.

Not only is this meet an opportunity for all squad members to compete in a senior event and avail of the electronic timing etc., it will all be an opportunity for squad members to compete as a Team in the relay event on the day. This gives an opportunity to put into practice what the squad has been working on at each of the sessions.

Contact sprintcoachsheehan@yahoo.ie for further information

The Connemara Marathon series of races took place for the 12th year on Sunday 7th April. Conditions were cold and windy and yet a field of almost 2800 competitors across all races took part. There were three races on the day, a Half marathon, Full marathon, and Ultra-marathon (39.3 miles)

The Half Marathon was won by Matt Bidwell (Galway City Harriers) for the second year in a row in a time of 1:19:29. He was followed by Phil Kilgannon (Sportsworld) in 1:21:18 and in 3rd place was Clive Brown in 1:22:29.

read more

Jerome Debise reports on his particpiation on the 2013 Rome Marathon last month

http://www.kikourou.net/recits/recit-14290-marathon_de_rome-2013-par-jer...

Galway City Partnership host their 2nd Annual 10k run/walk/jog event in Labane, Ardrahan on April 20th at 11am.
Entry Fee: €15 online entry or €20 register on the day
Registration: www.runireland.com
Category prizes include: Senior Men/Women 1st / 2nd /3rd 1st, Over 40/50/60 Men & Women, 1st Local Man & Woman, 1st Junior U-19 and spot prizes for Fit4life participants.
Approved by AAI.
Attached is the map of the course The is route map is http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/69429872

read more

Athletics Ireland will conduct a Throws Officiating Training course on Saturday 20th April 2013 at Athlone IT for current Level 3 (National Level), Level 4 (Chief at National Level) or Level 5 (National Technical Official) Accredited AAI officials.

The course will include both theoretical (classroom) and practical (stadium) sessions and will be based on the following section of Chapter 5 of the IAAF Competition Rules Handbook - Section IV Field Events:- C- Throwing Events.

At the end of the course, there will be a short exercise consisting of score cards and questions on material covered during the day.

The start time will be 10 am with an expected finish time of 4 pm. Lunch and refreshments during the break will be provided.

The course is open to all Athletic Ireland registered Level 3/4/5 accredited officials. As well as those who mainly officiate in Throws, we would encourage all others at Level 3/4/5 to attend to enhance your knowledge of officiating in another area.
It is proposed to hold a similar training event in the next year; Track – 2014. In 2012 there was Jumps.

These three events will provide a good foundation for the next National Technical Officials process which is scheduled for 2015. The Course tutors will be the Athletics Ireland Officials Education tutor(s) along with Athletics Ireland Area Technical Officials.

If you wish to take part please confirm your attendance to aaitechcommittee@gmail.com

The Woodie’s DIY AAI Spring Throwing Competition will also take place the following day Sunday 21st April 2013 at 11.00 in Athlone IT.

The Woodies DIY National 10k championships will be a part of the eleventh Spar Great Ireland Run this weekend. The run incorporates the Irish road championships under the auspices of Athletics Ireland and the largest field ever for the event, an 8% increase on last year of 475, has entered as club runners chase fast times and personal bests.

The home challenge will be led by national cross-country champion Sergiu Ciobanu of Clonliffe Harriers alongside Stephen Scullion from Belfast and Sean Hehir from Rathfarnham.

Defending national champion and Irish gold medal winning European cross country team member Linda Byrne will go up against Gemma Steel of Great Britain. Both will be pushed hard by Spanish number one Diana Martin, British Olympian Julia Bleasdale and Italy’s Elana Romagnolo.

As part of the SPAR Great Ireland Run’s commitment to keeping athletics in the public eye a new race, the SPAR Great Ireland Mile, has been added to the event programme and will precede the 10k Run on Chesterfield Avenue, the main road in the Phoenix Park. This new race will bring exciting competition out of the stadium and make the sport more accessible, especially to the large number of children who will be present in the Phoenix Park on the day.

The mile will feature 15 top runners from Ireland and Great Britain including the fastest man in Ireland over 1500 metres last year, Paul Robinson of St Coca’s AC. Also in the field will be Colin Costello, former European Junior 1500 metre champion, Anthony Whitehead, former European 1500 metre silver medallist from Great Britain, Ireland’s top under 23 Darren McBrearty from Letterkenny, Nick Samuels from Great Britain and Eoin Everard from Kilkenny.

The SPAR Great Ireland Run is the only event in Ireland recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the world governing body of athletics, with an IAAF Silver Road Race Label in recognition of the event’s high standard of organisation, elite participation and media profile. Over 10,000 adults and children will enjoy a family running day out in the presence of the world’s greatest distance runner on Sunday as the eleventh SPAR Great Ireland Run 10k, SPAR Mini and Junior Great Ireland Runs and SPAR Great Ireland Mile will take over the Phoenix Park in Dublin.

Kenenisa Bekele from Ethiopia, the defending champion and course record holder, triple Olympic gold-medallist and world record holder at 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres will top the bill as world champions, Olympians, Ireland’s finest runners, celebrities, politicians and children hit the roads of the Park at various distances.

Bekele will be the inspiring presence for over 1,200 children who have signed up for Ireland’s largest ever running events: the SPAR Mini Run for 5 to 8 year olds and the SPAR Junior Run for 9 to 15 year olds. Bekele will be strongly challenged by his compatriot and current world 10,000 metre champion Ibrahim Jeilan. Both men are seeking places on their national team for the World Championships in Moscow in August.

Also in the field will be Australian Collis Birmingham who broke up African dominance by finishing eighth in last month’s World Cross Country Championships, Moroccan marathon star Abderrahime Bouramdane, nine times European cross-country champion, Sergiy Lebid from Ukraine and 2:09 marathoner Urige Buta from Norway.

Willie O’ Byrne, Managing Director, BWG Foods (owners and operators of SPAR Ireland) said:

“We are delighted during SPAR Ireland’s 50th anniversary celebrations to be headline sponsor of the SPAR Great Ireland Run 2013. It is fantastic to see international athletes of the calibre of Kenenisa Bekele and Gemma Steel travelling to Ireland once again to defend their titles in the SPAR Great Ireland Run, particularly in this year of The Gathering. It is also wonderful to see that we have a greater number of children participating in this year’s SPAR Junior Great Ireland Run and the SPAR Mini Great Ireland Run, ensuring it is an event for all the family.”

RTE Two television will broadcast the Run live in a special programme.

Personal late entries for the event will be accepted at Life Style Sports in Blanchardstown on Friday 12 April (10 am to 7 pm) and Saturday 13 April (10 am to 4 pm) subject to availability.

The Run gets under way at 1:10 (elite women) and 1:30 (men). It will be preceded by the SPAR Junior Run at 11:30, the SPAR Great Ireland Mile at 12:20, and the SPAR Mini Run at 12:30.

Many participants are running for good causes including SPAR’s charity partner, The 3Ts - Turn the Tide of Suicide, providers of 1800 247 100, 1 Life, 24 hour suicide prevention helpline. The Run’s other nominated charity is the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation. The Baby Max Wings of Love Fund is the nominated charity for the Mini and Junior Runs.

A group of five Irish athletes will take part in the Rotterdam Marathon this Sunday, 14th of April. Brian Maher (Kilkenny City Harriers AC), Maria McCambridge (Letterkenny AC), Barbara Sanchez (Raheny Shamrock AC), Claire McCarthy (St. Finbarrs AC) and Ailish Malone (Clonliffe Harriers AC) will all have aspirations of a quick time as they are set to go the distance on Sunday. All five athletes are members of the highly successful Marathon Mission (MM) squad, the MM continue to improve the competitive depth in quality of times being run by Irish Marathoners and raise the standard amongst top ranked Irish Marathoners. The evidence of this ongoing support will once again be witnessed in Rotterdam on Sunday as the Irish athletes look to make their mark.

The final National Throws squad of the winter took place last Sunday in a cold but dry Tullamore. Unfortunately turnout was low, due to a number of clashes, but the work carried out by athletes in attendance was superb. The day was focused purely on throwing and technique and the development over the course of the day was very evident.

Coaches in attendance were as follows: John Farrelly (Shot Put), Sean Egan, Liam Hickey, Neil Williams (Hammer), Louis Wildenboer, David Courtney (Javelin), Garry Power, Peter Collins (Discus), David Sweeney (National Throws Coordinator)

The coaching team at Athletics Ireland would like to wish all athletes the best of luck in the upcoming season. We sincerely hope that there are many personal bests, Provincial and Irish records, and that we have lots of athletes qualifying for international championships.

Athletes will now be focusing on upcoming competitions, and there are plenty of these to choose from. WE are delighted to have the first ever Spring Throws Festival. This has been rescheduled to Athlone. It promises to provide some early season opportunities for those trying to qualify for international championships. All entries and fees should be submitted to Athletics Ireland office. Details are on Athletics Ireland website.

Other competitions over the next month or so include:

12-13th April       IUAA Intervarsity T & F Championships                 Cork CIT

13th April              Long Throws Competition                                            Antrim Forum   (see Athletics NI website)

21st April              Spring Throws Festival                                                  Athlone                               Sen, Jun and & Youths (Entry Form)

28th April              Munster Jun/U23/Juv Chps                                         Cork CIT

Various dates    Schools Regional/District Championships            Various venues

1st May                  Dublin Graded Meet - No 1                                         Irishtown

15th May               Dublin Graded Meet  - No 2                                        Morton Stadium

18th May               Letterkenny International Meet                                               Letterkenny       http://www.facebook.com/LetterkennySub4Mile