Liz McDonnell 5k run - Sunday 5th (14:30)

This Sunday sees the fourth running of this 5k cross country event in the wonderful setting of Castletown House. It is an event that caters for all standards from those who regularly compete to those who fancy a walk or a job to pass away some time on a Sunday afternoon. Last year's event saw 700 do just that! A map of the course can be found here.

The Liz McDonnell run is a charity event in aid of Arc cancer care and the organisers plan to exceed the €4000 raised last year. Entry to the race is by donation on the day. This is a very worthy cause and we encourage all our members and friends to support this event.

For those of you unaware of the history of this event - Elisabeth McDonnell was a former student at St. Wolstan's Community School, she was a distinguished member of its camogie and hockey teams, who sadly died in July 2005 at the age of eighteen from malignant melanoma. Outside of school her main talents lay in athletics and especially cross country running in which she won awards up to national level. A committee was formed in 2005 to establish an annual event to honour her memory.

For further information contact:
Tony McDonagh
Mobile: 086 8158507
eMail: lizmcdonnellrun@eircom.net

Results - Kildare XC Championships 28th Sept 2008

The Cross Country Championships saw some of our new members compete for the first time. The girls U10 team, made up of
Fina Hayes,
Carragh Hayes,
Rachel McMahon,
Ailbhe Nolan,
Caoimhe Murphy,
Labhaoise Collins
and Emily Gallagher

ran well and finished a very respectable 4th in the team event, all the girls managed to smile when they got their breath back.

Next up was the girls U12 team, unfortunately for Niamh Kane the rest of the team did not show up. Niamh did the best she could and finished a very respectable 9th overall.

The Boys u12 team were next and for some of the boys it was their first taste of competition. Team members;
Sean Flanagan,
Conall Hayes,
Darragh Nolan,
Fiachra O'Boyle,
Adam Garland,
Tim Garland and
Patrick Flanagan.

The boys were up against fierce competition from Eire Óg AC, Sean Finshed in Second place followed by Patrick 8th, Conall 13th and Darragh 18th, they took silver in the team event so well done to Fiachra, Tim and Adam for bringing the team home.

Girls U14 team memers;
Roisín Flanagan,
Jennifer McMahon,
Ciara McMahon
and Emma Brady.

The team had a tough race Roisín was the first home in 14th place, followed closely by Ciara, Emma and Jennifer. The girls took the bronze medal in the team event.

Girls U16 didn't have a team so Aoife Donnan and Ashling Brady made their way to the start line, there were a few nerves but they got off to a great start and both girls ran a good 2k. Ashling finished in 4th place, followed by Aoife who picked off 4 other athletes in the closing 150m to finish in 7th place.

Connor Murphy (U16 3k), Connor ran a very tatictal race and didn't let the competition phase him. After 2k he was in 3rd place, he then made his move and moved into 1st place winning the race in style.

Erica Dixon (U18 3k), Erica ran well and looked very comfortable, in the closing 200m she made her move and went from 4th to 2nd position. All in all a great day.

Many thanks to the parents who attended on the day to lend support and cheer their athletes on. Apologies to those who ended up in Crookstown -

The next meeting in this series is on Sunday 12th in Kilcock. I hope that we will see more athletes competing on the day. Competition ages U9,U11,U13,U15,U17,u19, Masters Men & women.

Events - Kildare XC Championships (28/10) Even Ages

The following are the events that will be held at the Cross Country event in Crookstown next Sunday from 13:00hrs. Warm up will be from 12:00. All athletes are reminded to wear club singlet.

-------------Girls ----Boys
Under 10 --600m ---600m
Under 12 -1000m --1000m
Under 14 -1200m --1500m
Under 16 -2000m --3000m
Under 18 -3000m --5000m

--------------------Women ---Men
Intermediate ------3500m --6000m
Senior -------------3500m-- 6000m
(Sealed handicap)

If you need directions to Crookstown click here

Coaching session postponed

The county board has decided to cancel the coaching session that was scheduled for this Saturday (13/09) in Newbridge. I will post the new date when agreed by the county board.

Sun shines, but youth outshine on the day!

The annual fun day and 5k road race took place on the sunniest Sunday of the year, last Sunday. The day consisted of an AAI (Athletics Association of Ireland) approved 5k road race, a series of track races, an agility challenge and novelty events. The road race, despite the small field, delivered excitement throughout but ended being dominated by some of the younger athletes, in both the men’s and the women’s race, leaving some more seasoned competitors trailing in their shadows. The battle at the front of the men’s race was contested by Eric Keogh (Aged 16) (Dunore Harriers) and John Grimes (Lucan Harriers) with Eric holding on to complete this testing course in a new personal best time of 16:49 – knocking 30 seconds off his previous PB. The ladies race was dominated by Erica Dixon (Aged 16) (Le Chéile AC) who, in this her maiden 5k road race, led the field from the start. The race is open to runners of all levels from those competing with clubs to joggers who may wish to record an official time for a 5k challenge.

Results of the Le Chéile AC 5k Road Race:

Men’s race:
1st Eric Keogh, Dunore Harriers
2nd John Grimes, Lucan Harriers
3rd Tom McSweeney, Dunore Harriers

Women’s race:
1st Erica Dixon, Le Chéile AC
2nd Liz Arkins, Lucan Harriers
3rd Eileen O’Brien, Lucan Harriers

The remainder of the activities saw in excess of 100 children aged 5+ enjoy track races and an agility challenge. The agility challenge is a new addition to this annual event and offered the opportunity to test some of core skills in speed and agility. Groups of children we seen throwing balls, bouncing and jumping over obstacles and sprinting in an effort to better their previously recorded results. The highlight of the day was the novelty events which saw young and old alike, hopping in sacks, hobbling with a partner and sprinting with eggs on spoons over the 20M course. The skills of the judges were pushed to the limits as tight finishes and bending of rules appeared to be the order of the day.

The day was enjoyed by all and demonstrated the ethos of the club with the level of participation and fun experienced by all. Supported by members from Lucan Harriers, North West Kildare, Dunore Harriers and Clondakin AC, there was also many locals in attendance who were new to the sport of athletics.

Fun Day & 5k Road Race - Sunday 7th

The weather men tell us that Sunday "will be a mainly dry day, with bright sunshine at times everywhere" - so let the fun begin.....

The following are the approximate times for the events:

2:00 - Registration

Races
3:00 - U10 800m (Girls then Boys)
3:20 - U12 1000m (Girls then Boys)
3:30 - 5k Rad Race
3:40 - U14 1500m - Girls
4:10 - U14 1500m - Boys
4:20 - U16 200m (Girls then Boys)
4:45 - U8 200m (Girls then Boys)

Agility Challenge
3:00 - Challenge start

Novelty Races
4:00 - Egg & Spoon race
4:15 - Sack Race
4:30 - 3-Legged Race

5:00 - Prize Giving