Athenry Athletic Club

A great interview with the great man by Ian O'Riordan of the Irish Times

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/other/2008/0807/1217628560587.html

Athenry runners were very much in evidence at this weekend's Future Streets of Galway road race. A record entry of 64 runners for any single event from our club was an indication of the high esteem in which this fine race is held by Athenry AC runners and indeed all runners in the West of Ireland. It was heartening to see so many club singlets in evidence around the start line and warm-up areas at the Claddagh.

When the photograph at the top of this article was being taken before the Streets of Galway in Eyre Square back in 2001 we were able to get almost our full contingent into the picture although, from what I remember, one or two were busy ogling the fitness instructors who were doing a disco-dance style warm-up routine in the middle of the square. This year Athenry AC has 64 members in the final list of entries posted by GCH this week. We'll need a wide angled lens to get all those finely toned bodies into the same picture this time around.

Galway athletes Philip Magnier (Athenry AC) and Martin McEvilly (GCH) flew the Irish flag at the recent 16th European Veterans Athletic Championships in Ljubljana, Slovenia from July 23 - August 3, 2008.

Philip took part in the 10,000m and the 5,000m events in the M55 division on the 24th July and 30th July respectively, posting competitive times of 44:22 and 21:21 in these races.

Martin McEvilly was in superb form taking a bronze medal in the 2,000m steplechase (M60 division) in a time of 7:28 and placing 6th in both the 10,000m and 5,000m in times of 39:44 and 18:37 respectively.

For many of us here at Athenry AC the 'Streets', which takes place next Saturday evening, is the highlight of the Irish road racing calendar each year. Galway City Harriers organise a top-quality race each summer for the enjoyment of runners from all over the country and their commitment and generosity are rewarded by seemingly ever larger and more enthusiastic crowds. The race has become part of the social fabric of the City of Galway and an occasion when people take precedence over cars even if only for just a short few hours.

Noreen Cooley was in touch to let me know that one of our Fit 4life runners has well and truly caught the running bug and is looking for bigger thrills!

not sure if you aware that assumpta feeney, a january fit for life recruit just completed the New York half marathon on 27th July, her net time was 2:18:04 and gun time 2:25:53 if you get that ;) ... it may be an inspiration to others like her, including myself. Anyhows assumpta off in Las Vegas this coming week, flying home saturday morning the 9th and hoping to make the streets of galway race!!!!!!

Maire Beatty in Fine Form in Swinford

Report and Pictures from Tom Hunt - Mayo AC

From Tom Hunt Mayo AC

Ballinamore Athletics Club and the local Community held a celebratory pre Olympic 5k road race on Friday evening in support of local athlete Colin Griffin's participation for Ireland in the Olympics. Colin flies out next week to take part in his event the 50k walk which is scheduled for August 22nd.

Report and Pictures from James Sexton

Kildysart Cultural Festival and the 3rd annual “Dermot Power” Memorial 4 mile road race 01-08-08

Results:

1. Seamus Power Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare 20 : 08
2. Jason Fahy Olympic Harriers 20 : 23
3. James Mc Intyre Finn Valley 21 : 53
4. Brian Murphy Marian 22 : 03
5. Tony Scanlon Galway City Harriers 22 : 40
6. James Liddane Tulla 22 : 51
7. John Lane Craughwell 22 : 53
8. Thomas Garrahy Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare 23 : 24

DOC file of results from the recent 10KM held in Dundrum, Co. Tipperary.

See also http://www.tipperaryathletics.com/results/2008/coillte_10k_road_race_200....

The Galway athletics community came together this week to wish their two Beijing bound athletes all the very best of luck in their respective competitions. Olive Loughnane from Loughrea and Paul Hession from Athenry were given a friendly send-off by family, friends, sponsors and clubmates at a reception sponsored by Irish running website www.RunIreland.com.

A special 5K Road race will be held in Ballinamore on Friday, August 1st, at 8 pm as part of the local community celebrations that evening to mark the selection of Colin Griffin to take part in the 50k walk in the Olympic Games.

The Race will be open to all over 14 years, with a particular welcome for joggers and walkers. It will also be part of the Ballinamore AC participation in the AAI Fit4Life programme which is supported by the Irish Sports Council.

Pictures and Report from Tom Hunt - Mayo AC

Focus Ireland are urgently seeking volunteers to enable their Focus Ireland Triathlon in Grand Canal Square Dublin to go ahead next Saturday the 3rd of August. If you could help them you should contact them directly - details are here:

http://www.focusireland.ie/htm/fundraising/challenges/triathlon/voluntee...

What goes around comes around.