Great Success for Athenry AC in Waterford National Half-Marathon
There was a fantastic crowd in Waterford this weekend for the Woodies DIY National Half-Marathon Championships of Ireland, hosted by Waterford AC. The atmosphere was one of expectation and high excitement in advance of the race as runners congregated in a strangely muted Waterford town that was anticipating their participation in the All-Ireland Hurling final that same day.
Athenry AC had sent a senior men’s team, a senior women’s team and a masters’ men’s team to the event and attracted many compliments for their support of an event so far from home. The home club had done a fine job with the logistical arrangements and there was no trouble with parking, registration and all of the other usual preparatory tasks. Having hosted the National 10k race this year we’re well aware of all of the work that needs to be done locally to make sure things go so smoothly and we send our compliments to Waterford AC on a job extremely well done.
Three of The Five Athenry AC Women's Team
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Onto the running – our senior men’s team had been somewhat depleted by injury and other enforced absences but we were still hopeful of a strong showing. Six senior men went to the start led by Paul McNamara who held realistic chances of a podium finish. Paul was joined on the team by John O’Connor, Conor Dolan, Robert Staunton, Brian Bruton and Gary Doherty. Conditions were reasonably benign without being perfect. It was a warm day with a slight breeze and the course contained one or two challenging inclines.
Cillian O’Leary of Raheny Shamrocks was first man home in 67:22 and Paul McNamara came home in 7th place in a respectable 70:20. Paul reported afterwards that he had raced reasonably well in the early stages but ran out of fitness towards the end of the race. Of the remaining senior men Rob Staunton and Conor Dolan had particularly strong races. Conor’s 85:49 must surely be considered a breakthrough race for the ever-smiling Athenry AC runner - roll on the Dublin City Marathon.
Cillian O'Leary - Raheny Shamrocks 1st Senior Male
On the women’s side of affairs Athenry went into the race with hopes of a team medal of some colour or other. The club fielded five strong competitors in Ann Carter, Maeve Noone, Jane-Ann Healy, Valerie Glavin and Elaine Walsh. It was apparent at the start line that they would have their work cut out to claim a medal in the team event as the large race entry contained several excellent women’s team entries from Donore Harriers in Dublin, the local Club, Waterford AC and Mayo AC amongst others.
The Fast Improving Valerie Glavin
Maria McCambridge of DSD in Dublin was the first senior woman home in a time of 1:17:10 and not far behind her in 7th position overall was Athenry’s Ann Carter who clocked a little over eighty-five minutes. Next home for the ‘girls in maroon and white’ was Elaine Walsh and not long later the fast improving Valerie Glavin made up the scoring positions for Athenry AC. Valerie’s strong run in Waterford was just reward for some consistent training in recent months and she looks set to improve further in the run up to some target races in the Autumn. Jane-Ann Healy was next home having had a difficult race. It’s to Jane’s great credit that she persevered to complete the course in the interests of the team effort. Maeve Noone came home like a rocket not long later to make up the full Women’s team.
Don't Mess With The Masters
Ann Carter’s race was nothing short of astounding. He time was 1:25:39 which was good enough to win her category (W40) by almost three clear minutes. On a day not best suited to fast running this was a performance of real quality and determination. This Athenry athlete has been improving from week to week for the last two years and who knows what the future might hold for such a talented runner.
The Athenry Men’s masters’ team comprising Philip Magnier, Martin Keane and Peadar ‘Playboy of the Western World’ Nugent were the dark horses of the day. Each of the team members ran strong races and Peadar Nugent picked up a bronze medal in his masters’ M65 category. This is the second consecutive year that Peadar has brought home a medal from this championship.
Congratulations to all the Athenry runners on representing their club so brilliantly on a day of pride for Athenry AC.
Breakthrough Race For Conor Dolan
Detailed Athenry AC Results
Paul McNamara - 7th 70:20
Brian Bruton - 77th 80:55
Robert Staunton - 79th 81:09
Ann Carter - 125th 85:39 (1st V40 Woman)
Conor Dolan - 129th 85:49
John O’Connor - 154th 89:00
Elaine Walsh - 161st 89:49
Gary Doherty - 164th 90:03
Philip Magnier - 222nd 96:12
Valerie Glavin - 240th 98:57
Jane Ann Healy - 246th 99:54
Maeve Noone - 334th 110:51
Peadar Nugent - 363rd 117:11 (3rd M65 Man)
Martin Keane - 392nd 123:28
Athenry AC Women (Ann Carter, Elaine Walsh, Valerie Glavin, Jane Ann Healy, Maeve Noone) – 3rd Senior Women’s Team
Maeve Noone Accompanied to The Line