Weather Forecast for Munster...Fri 24th to Sun 26th May 2013

Weather Forecast for Munster...Fri 24th to Sun 26th May 2013.......Mixed bag. Bright but unsettled.

Friday....Remaining cloudy with bright spells. Strong breeze from the North and temp around 13-14 deg C although it will feel cooler.

Saturday.....Best of the weather in the east of Munster, especially in the morning. Becoming cloudy in the west with spells of rain later in western counties. Winds will be much lighter with temp around 15-16 deg C.

Sunday......Best in the East again, about 14-17 deg C with the lower temperatures in the western counties and near the coasts. Bright again but with a higher risk of showers, especially in the west. More persistent rain later in the day.

Outlook.....Monday is likely to the wet. Tuesday onwards.....bright and breezy. It will remain cool, a bit more like late April than late May.

Hill Running Training Tutorial...Fri 24th May 2014

Notice from Munster Trail Running....
Hill Running Training Tutorial....Don't like hills?...Can't descend properly?

This coming Friday 24th May at The Galtee View Bar, Anglesborough........5 miles to the north of Mitchelstown....Meeting 7pm sharp.

Tom Blackburn will coach all you need to know about going up send downhill....Minimal fee of €5 to cover tea & sandwiches afterwards....All welcome, we would like to encourage all types of runners to attend.
 
Please bring suitable coat, hat and gloves as weather is unpredictable on the hills.
Runners with grip (xtalons or similar trail runners are advisable).

Race notice...Rás na Rinne, West Waterford - Fri 24th May 2013

The 4th race in the Ger Wyley Sports/SKINS Summer Series is coming up on Friday, the 24th of May with Rás na Rinne in West Waterford.

Located just south of Dungarvan in West Waterford, the Gaeltacht area of An Rinn (Ring) is the location for the annual Rás na Rinne.

Directions...Just to the south of Dungarvan on the N25 Cork road near the bridge over the River Brickey, look for the turn off east (R674)  for An Rinn. Just after a bad bend, make sure you take the left at the next Y junction. Pretty soon, you'll see the local Garda station...

The start and finish of the race is on this small road at the west side of the station (You can see the Colaiste Na Rinne in the distance). Entries for the race will be taken at Halla Phobail na Rinne which is about 200 metres down the main road on the right.

 View from opposite direction of Halla Phobail Na Rinne

From the organisers of the race West Waterford AC........21st  Annual Ras Na Rinne 6
Race 4 in the Ger Wyley Sports Nike summer series is the 20th Annual Mooney's Pub Ras Na Rinne 6 miler. The race starts on the road at Colaiste Na Rinne and after a mile it goes onto the Cunnigar beach for 4 miles approximately before returning the on the same road to the finish. The race will start at 8 pm and the entry fee is 5 EURO. The winner each year receives the O' Droma Family perpetual shield with prizes in the usual categories. Entries will be taken at Halla Na Rinne and the presentation of prizes will be held in Mooney’s Pub.
Course Record:  William Harty K.C.K 29.14 (2000), Ladies Lori Stitch U.S.A. 35.14 (1998)
Pauline Lambe Tullamore Harriers AC 35.14 (2009)

A full preview with directions and photos can be seen HERE

Race notice...Poulmucka 8 km road race, Tipperary - Fri 24th May 2013

This 8 km road race organised in conjunction with Clonmel AC is coming up on Friday, the 24th of May at 7:30pm.

Poulmucka is located in South Tipperary, about 5 miles to the north-west of Clonmel...

From the N24 road running from Cahir to Clonmel, look for the turn off for Newinn and Cashel (R687)...

Turn off 2.2 miles from the roundabout on the western side of Clonmel

Poulmucka is located on the R687, about 2.4 miles from the junction above.

The village itself is no more than a pub and a few houses...

Course....The 8 km route takes in a triangular loop to the north-west of Poulmucka...

There are also some hills along the route with the most serious climb around 2.5 miles / 4 kms...

A full preview of the 8 km course with photos can be seen HERE

For the 5k fun run, runners will be brought out to the 3k mark and they run to the finish with both races going off the same time.

Kerry...Photos of the Dingle Womens 10k mini-marathon - Sun 19th May 2013

This was the first year of this event with proceeds going towards The National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI) and Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne in Dingle for the development of a playing pitch/running track.

No results were recorded except for the top 10 finishers...

Photos...
1) Ciarán Williams has a gallery of photos HERE
2) Holiday Dingle have loads of photos HERE

Video...
1) Pádraig Ó Dubhaigh has a full race video here...

Limerick...Results of the Mungret St Pauls 10 km - Sun 19th May 2013

Results of the Mungret St Pauls 10 km in Limerick...

1 Michael Shannon MO 31:27
2 Sandis Bralitis MO 31:33
3 Julio    Cesar Castro MO 33:24
18 Margaret Danagher FO 38:42
21 Tracey Johnson FO 39:13
22 Veronica Colleran F40 39:19

The full results can be seen HERE

Photos...
1) Gallery on the event website HERE

Clare...Results of the Dulick Motors 4 mile, Ennis - Sat 18th May 2013

Dulick Motors Charity 4 Mile Run/Walk in Ennis Co Clare Saturday 18 May 2013. 3:00 pm

1 0:19:43 KENNY ROGERS,  St Johns (Clare) M
2 0:19:46 MICHAEL SHANNON,  St Johns (Clare) M
3 0:21:11 JULIO CESAR F CASTRO,  Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare M
11 25:00 TRACY GUILFOYLE,  Kilnaboy A. C. F
15 25:58 AISLING POWER,  Ennis Track Club F
16 26:02 ZELMA POWER,  Ennis Track Club F

The full results can be seen HERE

Kerry...Lakes of Killarney Marathon - Sat 18th May 2013

This was the first year of this particular event with 110 taking part in the full Marathon, 17 Marathon relay teams and 199 in the Half-Marathon.

The full Marathon course consisted of three full loops within the northern end of the national park with the half being run on 1.5 loops. The course had a number of small hills and took in the picturesque Ross Castle as well as the woods itself on the lake shore.

As with the first running of any event, there were some teething problems but nothing that couldn't be worked out.

What went right.....
1) Nice quiet course. No traffic with only the odd jarvey on the park roads. The out and back sections near Ross castle were on narrow paths but the small numbers didn't really make it an issue.
2) Plenty of water stations......in cups which was the correct decision. Giving out small bottles here would only have resulted in litter within the park. It would be nice to think that runners dipose of used water bottles properly but many don't.
3) Very scenic.....old woodland, lakes of Killarney and the mountains in the distance.
4) Post race hot showers.
5) Post race tea and food.
6) Modest entry fees for the half and full...€25 and €35......and this included a dri-fit top.

What might need to be looked at......
1) The finish line is just too far away from the sports hall where people had parked. After running 26.2 miles, a 1.5 mile walk is the last thing they need. On a cool and wet day, this is a real issue. The finish line should be much closer.
2) Tea and food.....It would probably be much better to have this back at the Sports hall where people could avail of it after they had got changed. This is exactly what happens at most road races and makes for a more social occasion.
3) The start of the half-marathon was about 1.4 miles away. Some might argue that this is ok for a warm-up. Not great for beginners or novice runners who are running near their limit at 13 miles.
4) A lot of people said that the course was short. Considering the canopy of foliage overhead, I'd have serious doubt's about the accuracy of GPS watches at this time of year in the park. The courses were supposed to have been measured by Jones counter.
5) Some of the mile markers were definitely out.
6) The direction arrows had a cyclist on them. Were we following a cycling route or were they borrowed from some cycling event for the day? Not clear.

Overall........It was a good event at a reasonable price. If they can just get the race HQ closer to the finish line then it would help a lot. Going on today, I'd expect numbers to be up next year.

Results.....The results of the Half can be seen HERE and the full HERE

Photos...(Updated Mon 20th)
1) Joe Murphy of Eagle AC has a slideshow of photos HERE 
2) Kerry through a lens Facebook page... HERE 
3) Gneeveguilla AC have 500+ photos HERE

Clare...Results of the Whitegate Dinny Ryan Cup 10k fun run - Mon 6th May 2013

About 100 people took part in this 10k fun run in Whitegate, Co.Clare on Monday, the 6th of May 2013. There are the only results that were issued...

Senior Men.
1    Adrian Lenihan Duhallow (35 . 30)
2    Joe Colleran Ennis (39 . 02)
3    Issac Rae Ennis Track (39 . 20)
4    Oliver Mc Inerney O C Mills (39 . 22)
6    Kieran Mc Clean Portumna (40 . 45)
7    Sean Mc Namara Tuamgraney (40 . 55)
8    Sean Barry Kilnamona (44 . 58)
9    Paul Kelly Whitegate (46 . 33)
10    Sean Murphy Limerick (46 . 36)
11    Trevor Kelly Whitegate (48 . 01)
Junior Men
1    Noah Mc Mahon Ennis Track (39 . 59)
2    Michael Hynes Whitegate
3    Evan Starr Whitegate
Masters male (Over 40)
1    Mike Cunningham Mooreabbey Milers (37 . 19)

Ladies
1    Veronica Colleran Ennis Track (39 . 45)   
2    Anne Murray Flagmount (45 . 44)
3    Marita White Byrne Whitegate (48 . 33)
Junior Ladies
1    Katie Hynes Whitegate (63 . 54)
2    Deirdre Corry Scariff (63 . 59)
3    Molly Spazzi Whitegate (73 . 40)
Masters Female
1    Loretta Duggan Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare (45 . 21)

Tipperary...Results of the Ballynonty 3 mile road race - Tues 14th May 2013

Ballynonty A.C. Summer Series 2013...Tuesday 14th May 2013 – 3 Mile Race
Place Name Club Time
1 Fintan Rice Fethard Ac 16.52
2 Paddy Cummins Moycarkey Ac 16.57
3 Ross Alexander Coolquill 17.15
4 Paudie Coen Dundrum Ac 17.28
5 Pakie Ryan Ballynonty Ac 17.45
6 Noel Ryan Ballynonty Ac 18.05
7 Michael J Ryan Dundrum Ac 18.11
8 Damien Mc Donnell Moyne Ac 18.23
9 Owen Fanning Ballynonty Ac 18.41
10 Jimmy Mc Cormack Ballynonty Ac 18.51
11 Stephen Ryan Tipp Town 18.57
12 Kevin Shelley Ballynonty Ac 19.53
13 Ben O Dwyer Moycarkey Ac 20.37
14 Martin Ivors Coolquill 20.49
15 Neilie Hall Ballynonty Ac 20.58
16 David O Mahony Thurles Crokes 21.08
17 John Durnin Ballynonty Ac 21.35
18 Seamus Taylor Ballynonty Ac 21.44
19 Paddy Shelley Ballynonty Ac 21.55
20 Joe Grinsell Clonmel Ac 22.38
21 Alina Neumerzhitskiy Clonmel 22.43
22 Vasiliy Neumerzhitskiy Clonmel Ac 22.45
23 Jennifer Rice Fethard Ac 23.09
24 Seamus Healey Ballynonty Ac 23.22
25 Michael Heffernan Ballynonty Ac 23.52
26 Mary Ryan Tipp Town 24.21
27 Noel Walsh 24.46
28 Leanne Young Thurles Crokes 27.09
29 Meave Kennedy 27.15
30 Pauline Durnin Ballynonty Ac 29.57
31 Threasa Burke St Pat GAA 32.46
32 Cathriona Boland St Pat GAA 38.03
33 Trish Strappe St Pat GAA 38.13

Tipperary...Results of the Ballynonty 2 mile road race - Tues 7th May 2013

Ballynonty A.C. Summer Series 2013...Tuesday 7th May 2013 – 2 Mile Race
PLACE NAME CLUB TIME
1 Ross Alexander Coolquill 10.43
2 Paudie Coen Dundrum Ac 10.59
3 Pakie Ryan Ballynonty Ac 11.12
4 Noel Ryan Ballynonty Ac 11.32
5 Damien Mc Donnell Moyne Ac 11.45
6 Jimmy Mc Cormack Ballynonty Ac 12.11
7 Kevin Shelley Ballynonty Ac 12.36
8 Neilie Hall Ballynonty Ac 13.01
9 Matt Alexander Coolquill 13.06
10 David O Mahony Thurles Crokes 13.13
11 Martin Ivors Coolquill 13.18
12 John Durnin Ballynonty Ac 13.37
13 Seamus Taylor Ballynonty Ac 13.56
14 Paddy Shelley Ballynonty Ac 13.57
15 Alina Neumerzhitskiy Clonmel 14.41
16 Vasiliy Neumerzhitskiy Clonmel Ac 14.42
17 Mary Ryan Tipp Town 15.52
18 Leanne Young Thurles Crokes 17.39
19 Noel Walsh 17.39
20 Threasa Burke St Pat Gaa 19.01
21 Pauline Durnin Ballynonty Ac 19.21
22 Trish Strappe St Pat Gaa 24.02
23 Cathriona Boland St Pat Gaa 24.24

Tipperary...Results of the Annerville 10k road race - Sun 12th May 2013

There was a big turnout again for this year's Annerville 10k road race in Clonmel with 362 taking part.

Annerville 10k Road Race - 12th May 2013 Clonmel, Co.Tipperary
                       
Place    Athlete's Name    Club or Location    Cat    Mins    Secs    Awards       
1    Sandis Bralitis    West Waterford A C    Senior Men    32:20    1st Man
2    Michael Harty    East Cork A C    Senior Men    33:36    2nd Man
3    Danny Smith    Ballynonty A C    Senior Men    33:56    3rd Man
6    Siobhan O'Doherty    Borrisokane A C    Senior Women    35:58    1st Lady 
14    Angela McCann    Clonmel A C    Senior Women    37:05    2nd Lady
40    Aine Roche    Clonmel A C    Senior Women    40:33    3rd lady

The full results can be seen HERE

Report from Clonmel AC...Sandis Bralitis wins Annerville10k...The Annerville 10K Road race took place today in Clonmel with over 360 participants taking part. Conditions while cool were ideal for running and we witnessed some great performances. Sandis Bralitis of West Waterford went to the start to defend his title and right from the start he set a strong pace and soon went into the lead, a lead he never relinquished as he came home a very worthy winner in 32 mins 20 secs. This was a great performance as he was well clear after 2K. Behind him we had a group of three, Mick Harty of East Cork, Danny Smith of Ballynonty and David Ryan of Clonmel having a great race between them. It was only over the final 2k were the places finally decided with Mick finishing 2nd in 33:36, Danny 4th in 33:56 and David 5th in 34:07 who won the over 40 award. 

Siobhain O Doherty (Borrisokane) like Sandis was defending her title and she was very determined to retain her award and so she went off at a strong pace, a pace she maintained all the way to the line to win convincingly in 35 mins 58 secs and was 6th overall, great performance, considering she ran 47 secs faster than last year. Then we had Angela McCann also running very well after her marathon victory in Limerick last weekend when finishing 2nd Senior Woman in 37:03. Then we had Aine Roche of Clonmel 3rd in 40 mins 33 secs with Madeline Loughnane of Thurles Crokes 4th in 40:40 while Marie Fitzgibbon of Thurles Crokes was 5th Senior woman in 41:15.

This year’s event was another major success and the Club would like to acknowledge the tremendous work the organising committee put in. The Club would also like to thank the Gardai and Civil Defence for all their help and assistance. The Club would also like to thank our friends from Poulmucka along with our many stewards for all the work in ensuring the whole event was successful. The Club would also like to acknowledge our Ladies committee as well as all the members who supplied the Post Race Refreshments. The Club would also like to thank the South Tipperary Vocational Committee and Noel Lonergan for the use of their fine facilities at the Mall.
The two teams from the Forge Gym would like to thank everyone who encouraged them as they pulled two 50Kgs all the way around the route for a very worthy cause, Cystic Fibrosis. 

Waterford...Results of the Portlaw 5 mile road race - Fri 10th May 2013

There was a huge turnout of 249 runners for this years 5 mile road race in Portlaw, a jump of 45% on the 2012 figure.

1. Sergiu Ciobanu (Clonliffe Harriers) 24:43
2. Philip Harty (West Waterford AC) 25:56
3. Ravis Zakis (West Waterford AC) 26:16
1. Dympna Ryan (Dundrum AC) 29:26  
2. Jackie Carthy  (Kilmore AC) 29:39  
3. Angela McCann (Clonmel AC) 29:44

The full results can be seen HERE

Report from Carrick Road Runners AC......O'Neill Pharmacy Tom Jordan Memorial 5-mile

The 2013 OutfieldSports.ie Three Counties Challenge moved to Portlaw, Co. Waterford on Friday evening last when a field of 249 runners lined up for the O' Neill Pharmacy Tom Jordan 5-mile road race.This was the fifth running of this popular race but the first time that it has formed part of the Three Counties Challenge organised by Carrick-on-Suir AC.The record turnout reflects the popularity of this series which is now in its seventh year. Conditions on the evening were quite cold and blustery, but there were lots of very fast times and many athletes achieved a personal best time for the distance as the course is particularly flat and fast.

The men's race saw a very clearcut winner as Sergiu Ciobanu from Clonliffe Harriers covered the five miles in 24:43 and came home more than fifty seconds clear of the second-placed Philip Harty (West Waterford). Philip's clubmate, Ravis Zakis, took third place, ahead of Kevin Moore (Dundrum AC) and Ruairi O' Donnell (Ferrybank). Alban Coghlan, who is a native of Carrick-on-Suir,but runs for Crusaders AC finished in sixth place. The first Carrick AC member to finish was Patrick Roche in ninth place with a time of 27:54.
 

The ladies' race was a cracking contest as each of the first four finishers broke the 30-minute barrier. Victory went to Dympna Ryan (Dundrum AC) in a time of 29:26.  Second place went to Jackie Carthy from Kilmore AC (29:39) while Angela McCann (Clonmel AC) clocked 29:44 in taking third prize just six days after her victory in the Great Limerick Marathon. Carrick AC's Martina O' Dwyer was timed at 29:47 in fourth and Sylvia Malone (Waterford AC) was fifth in 31:10.
The team prizes were very closely contested with Carrick AC (Patrick Roche, Daragh Byrne and Michael Murphy) taking the men's prize. The Waterford AC trio of Joan Mahony, Claudia Merry and Sarah Lee won the ladies' prize.

Carrick AC would like to thank all who helped to make the race such a resounding success. Thanks to O' Neill Pharmacy, Portlaw, for the generous sponsorship of the race.The club would also like to thank Alan Treacy of Outfield Sports for the continued sponsorship of the overall series which has gone from strength to strength  over the past seven years.

Once again, Brian Nugent and the Portlaw Red Cross team pulled out all the stops with their superb organisation of the event. It has been through the dedication and hard work of Brian and his team that the race became established and all in Carrick AC are delighted to have the race as part of the summer series. A big thank-you to all of the thirty stewards who ensured the safety of the athletes and to all who helped with registration, timing, results and post-race refreshments at The Forge Bar .
 
The series moves back to County Tipperary next for the Carraig Hotel 'Deadman's 5' miles on Friday, June 7th with a 7:30pm start. Last year's renewal was won by Ruairi O' Donnell in 27:04 with Sylvia Malone (Waterford AC) taking the ladies' race in 31:09. With fields of 213 and 249 lining up for the first two races of the five-race series, another bumper entry is predicted for the 'Deadman's'.

O' Neill Pharmacy Tom Jordan Winners :

Senior Men : 1. Sergiu Ciobanu (Clonliffe Harriers) 24:43   2. Philip Harty (West Waterford AC) 25:56   3. Ravis Zakis (West Waterford AC) 26:16   4. Kevin Moore (Dundrum AC)  26:47    5. Ruairi O' Donnell (Ferrybank AC) 27:20
O/40 : David Kenneally (Thurles Crokes AC)
O/45: Michael Dunford (West Waterford AC)
O/50: Brendan Cronin
O/55: Leslie Smith (Coolquill AC)
O/60: Paschal Proctor (West Waterford AC)
Junior: Yves Lemaitre
Team: Carrick AC

Senior Ladies : 1. Dympna Ryan (Dundrum AC) 29:26  2. Jackie Carthy  (Kilmore AC) 29:39  3. Angela McCann (Clonmel AC) 29:44  4. Martina O' Dwyer (Carrick AC)  29:47   5. Sylvia Malone (Waterford AC) 31:10
O/35: Maedbh Savage (Waterford AC)
O/40: Suzanne Dullaghan (Waterford AC)
O/45: Ann Dunford (West Waterford)
O/50: Gabrielle Blair (Waterford AC)
O/55: Bernie Sexton (Carrick AC)
Junior: Jennifer Rice (Fethard)
Team: Waterford AC

Photos...(Updated 8pm Sun 12th May)
1) Some photos can be seen HERE
2) John Coleman has a large gallery HERE

Munster...Results of the Kilnaboy 4 mile road race - Fri 10th May 2013

A total of 185 people turned out for this 4 mile road race in Kilnaboy

1  22:25 MIKE CUNNINGHAM,  Mooreabbey Milers M
2  22:35 THOMAS GARRAHY,  Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare M
3  23:21 DAVID LYONS,  Ennis Track Club M
1  25:35 TRACY GUILFOYLE,  Kilnaboy A. C. F45
2  26:10 AOIFE CARROLL,  Mallow A C. F 35
3  26:49 RITA KIERCE,  St Marys (Clare) F50

The full results can be seen HERE

Weather Forecast for Munster...Fri 10th -Sun 12th May 2013

Weather forecast for Munster...Fri 10th - Sun 12th May 2013

Mixed bag for the weekend with the possibility of rain never too far away. Temp 12-15 deg with a persistent westerly breeze.

Friday....Bright day with some showers, Heavier rain in west Munster later in the evening.

Saturday.....Another mixed day with the possibility of showers. Improving in the evening.

Sunday.....The weekend finishes much as it had started with low pressure dominating. Should be a bit brighter than Saturday.

Week ahead........The unsettled conditions continue with max temperatures staying in the low teens. Will feel more like Spring than Summer.

Limerick...Results of the Ballyhoura Trail Marathon - Sat 4th May 2013

This trail Marathon in the Ballyhouras. South Limerick had 64 participants.

Full Marathon Hours / Minutes
Thomas Blackburn 3.54
John Cronin 4.06
Ivan Scovah 4.11
Ruth Ann Sheahan 4.23
Mary Finn 5.51
Alice Ningonierma 6.37

The full results can be seen HERE

Kerry...Results of the Jack and Jill 10k charity run...Sat 27th Apr 2013

This hilly 10 km charity run was held in Kenmare, Co.Kerry on Saturday the 27th of April 2013.

These are the results that were released by the organisers.....

2013 Jack And Jill Results            
1 34.37    Michael Dullea Drimoleague
2 36.54    David Comber Ballincollig
3 39.34    Sheldon Kirkwood
4 39.40    Shane Cooney
5 42.37    Alan O'Leary Kenmare
6 43.00    Ellen Vitting Kenmare
7 43.21    Pat Sheehan CTB
8 43.37    Pawel Glowczyk Kenmare
9 43.38    Aidan Mc Carthy Kenmare
10 44.26    Patrick O Toole Kenmare
11 44.40    Flor Sullivan Kenmare Veteran
12 45.06    ????
13 45.16    Peter Conway Glanmire
14 45.18    Martin O Halloran Dingle
15 46.08    David Lynch Killarney
16 46.30    Carlo Wilson Kenmare
17 46.47    ????
18 46.49    Micheal Price Kenmare
19 47.08    Mary O Shea Sneem
20 47.23    Slawomir Lewinski
21 47.26    John Granville Kenmare
22 48.30    John O Sullivan Kenmare
23 49.15    Donal O Sullivan Kenmare
24 49.30    Ogie Sheehy Kenmare
25 50.32    Colman Whelton Kenmare

Children and recommended age limits for road races...

I got an e-mail recently from a race organiser who had to deal with a query about children taking part in a road race that he was organising.

As a rule, children are not encouraged to run long distances or on hard surfaces as they are still growing. Most races for children and teenagers are on soft surfaces and are of a short duration. Examples might be say cross country or track races.

When organisers apply for a licence for a road race from Athletics Ireland, the permit states the following....

9. Athletes must be 18 years of age to compete in events of 10,000m and over. The recommended age groups for juveniles are: Up to U11 – 1 mile /  12 – 13 years of age = 2 kms / 14 - 15  years of age = 3 kms / 16 – 18  years of age = 5 kms.

This also applies to the Athletics Ireland insurance i.e. underage runners are not insured.

If you are someone organising an event like a fun run or are thinking of bringing your child to a race, you should consider these guidelines.

Race notice...Annerville 10k road race, Clonmel - Sun 12th May 2013

Located in South Tipperary, this 10 km road race should be of interest to a lot of runners.

From the organisers....Clonmel AC.......The Annerville 10K Road Race......This very popular sporting event takes place this Sunday, 12th May, in Clonmel at 2pm. The entry fee is 10 Euros. Entries will be taken at the Clonmel Vocational School, the Mall from 10 am onwards and the first 400 entrants will receive a specially designed T Shirt. The course has been officially measured by the Jones Counter and has an AAI permit.

This year the organising committee has put together a great array of prizes that will include many Spot Prizes for down the field finishers. There will also be post race refreshments served in the Clonmel Vocational School.

This year the array of Prizes is as follows: 150 Euros for the 1st Man and 1st Lady, 1st 5 Senior Men’s, 1st 2 Master Men 0/40, 0/45, 0/50 and 0/55 1st 0/60 and 0/65. 1st 5 Senior Ladies, Master Ladies – 1st 2 0/35, 0/40, 0/45 and 0/50.

For further enquiries please contact Niall O Sullivan at 086 1660888.

Directions, maps and a full course preview with photos can be seen HERE

Race notice...Portlaw 5 mile road race - Fri 10th May 2013

The second race in the 3 Counties Challenge is on next Friday, the 10th of May 2013 with the Tom Jordan Portlaw 5 mile road race in Co.Waterford...

Note from the organisers......The outfieldsports.ie 3 Counties Challenge moves to Co. Waterford for the second race in the series, the Tom Jordan Portlaw 5 Mile Roadrace ,sponsored by Dermot O'Neill Pharmacy on Friday 10th May @ 7:30 . This is a new race to the 3 Counties Challenge, although  Carrick on Suir AC have helped organise the Race for our friends in the Local Red Cross in the last few years. In our opinion this is one of the best 5 mile courses in Munster and is  a great race to set a PB.
Registration can be done online at www.runireland.com or on the night from 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Centre in Portlaw. As with all the series races Entry Fee is €10.00.
As normal the race is AAI Permit approved, Accurately Measured and very well stewarded ,including Red Cross Ambulance. Refreshments after the race and prize presentation will be at the Forge Bar.
All proceeds on the night go to the Local Unit of the Portlaw Red Cross.
The prize fund is as follows:-
1st/2nd/3rd  Man/Woman - €200/€125/€75
Age category Prizes - Mens o-40/0-45/o-50/o-55/o60.
Womens o-35/o-40/o-45/o-50/o-55
Mens & Womens Team Prize
First U-19 Boy/Girl.......Please note that all runners must be aged 18 or over.
Plus loads of spot prizes.
Don't forget, anyone running 4 out of 5 Races in the series will receive a €25.00 voucher for Adidas Running Shoes at Outfield Sports.
For further information see www.carrickroadrunners.ie or the Carrick Roadrunners Facebook page.

Located in Portlaw in Co.Waterford, this race should be of interest to runners from a wide catchment area...

...especially those in Waterford City which is only 14 miles / 22 kms away. Note that Portlaw is located just west of the R680 road which runs from Waterford City to Carrick-on-Suir...

Directions.......If you are coming from the North / Carrick-on-Suir side then look out for the turn right. You then keep following this road into the town....keep going straight...and you'll end up at the roundabout near the registration point.

If it's from the South / Waterford City side then take the left...

...and then you'll come to a T-junction where you turn right.....cross the bridge......and then take the first left.....

This will take you to the roundabout which is located at the western side of the town.

If you are coming from West Waterford then take the N25 east as far as Carroll's Cross Road, Ballyshonock........turn left at the old red/orange thatched cottage, which is signposted "L4022 Portlaw". The large QK Cold Storage plant is on the opposite side of the road. This road takes a shorter route to Portlaw.

There are a few places that you need to take note of...

1) Entries will be taken at the Heritage / Resource Centre which is located next to the roundabout.
2) The finish line is right outside the Community Centre, about 150 metres from the registration point.
3) Post race refreshments and prize giving is at the Forge Inn which is only about 600 metres away from the roundabout.
4) The start line is about 700 metres from the registration point

Course....As you can see from the map above, the race starts on the northern side of the town, takes in a clockwise loop and finishes back in the town itself. It is mostly flat and fast for the first three miles with the only real hill between miles 3 and 4.

Full course preview with photos....HERE

Some of the key locations for the race are shown below...

Entries taken at the Heritage Centre at the western side of the roundabout

Finish line outside the Community Hall. Roundabout is just up the road

Post race refreshments at the Forge Inn. The start line is just beyond