20th Nov 2016, Portarlington, Laois. Leaving Athenry Sunday morning it was minus 3°C and by the time we hit Portarlington the temperature hadn't risen, in fact it was now extremely foggy and felt colder. I had initially planned to run the half marathon but decided at registration to switch to the...

Fit4Life 5km took place on Saturday 12th November. Race Director Anne Lyng and a strong committee of over 20 people plus an additional 30 volunteers organised this year's race. Now in its 6th year this event is specifically for members of Fit4Life although non members were welcome to run. For some...

Frankfurt October 30th 2016. Surviving 26.2miles on coke and a cushion. Jane-Ann; Back in June I designed a 14 week training plan for myself and whoever else was gullible enough to join. Training was tough and training through races was even tougher. Standing on the start line of races with heavy...

Established in 1981 Frankfurt is classed as the third fastest marathon route in the world and Germany's second largest marathon. The course record for the 26.2 mile route is 2:03:42 set in 2011 by Kenyan athlete Wilson Kipsang. The course has a total elevation gain of 27.8 meters spread across the...

Dublin City Marathon traditionally on Bank Holiday Monday was changed this year to a Sunday resulting in a 25% increase in entries compared to last year. In its 37th year, approx 19,500 athletes including 5,700 international participants gathered at Fitzwilliam Square to take on the 26.2 mile loop...

Two members of Athenry AC pulled off a double victory last Sunday in Conamara. Fergal Walsh won the men's race while recording a PB of over 1 min by clocking 35:32. Deirdre Brophy won the women's race running her first sub 40min 10km by completing the distance in 39:45. Also taking part from the...

The first event of the day was the marathon which kicked off bright and early at 8:30am. Starting at Nimo's Pier at the Claddagh, the athletes ran 2 laps of South Park before running through the heart of Salthill as far as the Barna Road junction. The route then lead the athletes back via the Golf...

217 runners took part in this year's 29th Claregalway 10km, numbers being slightly up on last year. Ten athletes donned the maroon and white club colours, taking on the traditional one lap loop. Weather conditions were described as blustery but remained dry! For the third consecutive year, local man...

2506 athletes completed this year's Streets of Galway 8km. The iconic club photo usually taken on the steps of Jury's Hotel was organised by James Lundon. There was a smaller representation from the club this year as the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon was on the following morning. Race conditions were...

National Half Marathon / 07 Aug 2016 / 08:30 a.m. Although most of us relish the challenge of a tough race, the 4:30 a.m alarm call was greeted with little enthusiasm. By the time the porridge was consumed and we had hit the M6 the early start was quickly forgotten as the focus turned to the task in...

A few of us headed in the direction of Mullingar this Sunday for the annual Mullingar AC 10 mile road race. We knew from my better half Esther, who had participated the previous year, that it actually takes place outside the town of Mullingar in a little place called Dalystown, so Google Maps was...

"What am I doing this for?" Despite the number of times that question had popped into my head over the last few weeks, the only time on the day of the Ultimate Trails 55km that it crossed my mind was standing on the start line in the rain. I've been fearful of running long distances in wet weather...

Many years ago when the children were young, we decided to go on a family holiday. So one morning with the exception of the kitchen sink we loaded everything and everyone into the car and didn't stop going until we landed somewhere in the middle of France. On arriving there we were amazed at the...

A week after the Athenry county half marathon it was time for a test over a shorter distance. A good contingent from Athenry AC made the trip to the Headford 8K for this lung buster. The first person I spotted was Marguerite Wilkinson on her warm up, looking fresh after her sub 2 hour half in...

I first broke 3 hours in the 2012 Cork marathon, running 2:53. Every marathon I ran in 2013, 2014 and 2015 was under 3 hours. In order, these were a 2:54, a 2:52, a 2:45 (pb from Connemara 2014), a 2:47, a 2:58, a 2:48 and another 2:54. I say this for perspective, because last Monday June 6th in...

As the tar melted around the roads of Athenry we made the trip to Sixmilebridge in Clare for the annual BMOH 10km in glorious sunshine. Chris made an unusual comment for an Irishman as we hit the M18 near Gort that "thankfully it looks like there may be some cloud cover ahead". This weather...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? June 2010. 2. Briefly, what started you running? I was very overweight and was getting absolutely no exercise. I have arthritis as well and the extra weight and lack of exercise was making it worse. Decided one day to get out the door and try going for...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? A long time: I think it was 2001. 2. Briefly, what started you running? I hate to sit still and I couldn’t kick a ball out of my way so my options were limited. 3. What shoes do you train/race in? ASICS Gel Nimbus or Gel Cumulus. 4. What piece of...

The London Marathon was the reason I first ran a marathon. I remember watching in 2008 and finally thinking "yes, I'm going to do this." I promptly entered the ballot for 2009, didn't get in, and went to Edinburgh instead. I vowed then if I was going to do London, I'd get in on the good for age...

It all started in January when plans were being laid for the year. There was lots of chat going on of going to Manchester and I thought well it’s not a scenic marathon so if I am to do it I will have to train hard and race it. It fitted in with plans at home as nobody had any race plans for the...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? Since January 2013. 2. Briefly, what started you running? To keep fit. 3. What shoes do you train/race in? Have probably tried them all, brooks, saucony, mizuno but use Asics GT3000 now. 4. What piece of running gear/apparel is your most prized...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? The beginning of 2012. 2. Briefly, what started you running? I bought a bike to start cycling, I did some adventure races and realized I prefer running to cycling, so I parked the bike and concentrated on running. 3. What shoes do you train/race in...

Now in the 40th year, the ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon took place on Sunday. 15,149 athletes ran the 26.2 miles (42km) through the streets of North West England. The weather was reported to be very pleasant. It was dry and the sun broke through the clouds throughout the race. A large contingent...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? I joined Athenry AC in 2013. 2. Briefly, what started you running? My asthma was progressively getting worse so my doctor suggested walking or running. I absolutely hated both, as both involved a bit of effort but my friend Brighid Cannon called to...