Sunday 27th Jan 2008 will go down in Galway road racing history as the day that 100 non competitive athletes took to the roads of Craughwell with one main goal get past the finishing line.
Thanks to Tony Nevin from Craughwell ac who had the initiative and dedication to organise this race for all Fit4Life members from Athenry Craughwell and Galway.
Congratulations to Johnny O'Connor, the Athenry AC "Club Person of the Year" for 2007. Johnny accumulated a total of 65 points over 28 races during the calendar year 2007 to win out over Paul McNamara on 57 points and Alan Burke on 56.
This friendly intra-club competition consists of tallying every race run (or triathlon competed in) by an Athenry AC member. Two points are awarded per race or triathlon, with 3 for a marathon, and three for an official AAI race.
Last Saturday saw the resumption of the Fit 4life program in Athenry. We had a fantastic turnout with over 20 people taking part.
We started out with a small warmup around Ard Aoibhinn and then did some warm-up drills at the top of the estate. The group split into 3, with a running group, and walk/jog group and a walkers group taking various routes around the town and meeting back up in Ard Aoibhinn. This means there is something there for everybody, regardless of the level of ability.
Congratulations to each and every Athenry AC athlete who completed the arduous course in today's Connaught Senior Cross Country Championships at the Dartfield Horse Museum near Loughrea. With the continuous rainfall of the past week this was never going to be pretty and 12 - 15mm spikes were the chosen weapons of the day. Never have we witnessed such a mudbath, but the club can hold it's head high with fantastic performances throughout the field.
Jarlath Cloonan has done an excellent job of Joe Keating's camera work from the 2006 (not last year's) race.
Running is jam packed full of legendary stories but this happens to be true.
I was there: I have the evidence of my camera and my own eyes to depend on too.
Peter Delmer ran in (and finished in a leisurely 31:44) the Tuam 8KM last Sunday afternoon, but not without having got there the hard way: he ran from Athenry to Tuam beforehand. According to the AA Route Planner (http://www.aaroadwatch.ie/routes/) the distance is 45.7 KM but that is via the N6 in Oranmore! But hey, why let those basic facts get in the way of a good story!
Connaught Senior and Junior Cross Country Championships
This Sunday, 20th January
Starting at 1pm
The venue is verified as Dartfield just off the N6, about 3 miles on the Dublin Side of Loughrea. Fiollow the signs for Dartfield Horse Museum.
There was some confusion over the venue due to a typo on the entry form.
Athenry Athletic Club have entered a senior ladies team and a senior mens team. Best wishes to both.
From Vincent Conway P.R.O. Galway Community Games
The forthcoming Community Games Cross Country competition is taking place this year on the 2nd of March in the New Venue of the Palace Grounds in Tuam at 2 o clock. This will we hope add a feeling of newness to the event and we look forward to the participation of each area in this year’s event. Please note that the fee for entry to this competition this year is €2 per athlete. Entries to be sent to Rita Mannion before the Friday 15th February.
An outstanding 32 Athenry AC athletes turned out in Tuam today. Both teams finished in 3rd place, with the Men's team missing out on a prize by just one point - 42 (Mayo) to 45 (GCH) to 46 (Athenry).
In particular, it was great to see our Fit4life participants in Athenry AC colours. You have the bug now!
7 116 27:06 Brian O'Connor Athenry AC Ms
12 114 28:07 Brian Bruton Athenry AC MS
13 6 28:10 Mick Rice Athenry AC m40
14 8 28:19 Seamus Gilhooley Athenry AC ms
31 110 30:49 Alan Burke Athenry AC MS
43 135 31:33 Peter Delmer Athenry AC MS
46 9 31:48 Ann Carter Athenry AC fs
Result from the Tuam 8km attached.
Plenty of photos in our gallery
Full report to follow.