The Valentia Half-Marathon was held on Saturday, the 15th of September and attracted a field of 205 runners, up from the 171 of 2011.
This year because of the local festival, the race started and finished in Chapeltown instead of Knightstown. The weather conditions were a bit of a mixed bag with everything from drizzle to sunshine but it really didn't take from the event.
It was obvious from talking to people and from the t-shirts that a good few of those who had turned out for the 2011 race had returned again this year which is always a good sign. It did however seem as if perhaps the event took a backward step this year. The race was organised by the local Triathlon club but it had a more commercial race feel about it.
Some things worked well on the day, some didn't. For example, there was a pre-race briefing which was a complete waste of time. Most people couldn't hear a word of what was said. The obvious place to issue instructions to the runners is at the start line where everyone is congregated.
The course itself was largely ok. It started near Chapeltown and then followed a nice quiet coastal road to Knightstown. There was plenty of support in the main town of the island and then began the long climb up to the quarry. It was a long climb but nothing too demanding. The scenery of the course along this stage was great and makes the route really special.
On the return journey back from the quarry, the course took a right on to an elevated road which ran for several miles along the island. This was without doubt the best part of the race. The view from here of the island, the mountains on the mainland, of the Blaskets and the Dingle Peninsula and of the Skelligs was magnificent. Without doubt, one of the main attractions of the race.
Once the course rejoined the main road near the bridge from the mainland however, the character of the race changed. There was a lot of traffic on this road and there was nothing in the way of traffic management. It was just a case of letting the runners and the cars sort it out for themselves which was a pity as the last two miles kind of spoiled what was up to then a very nice course.
Post race, for whatever reason, there was nothing in the way of post race refreshments. Water and bananas and that was it...which kind of seemed bizarre considering there was a large hall available. Instead, people were instructed to go to some pub elsewhere in the village for the prize giving......where nothing was provided either.
Conclusion....Overall, it had the feeling of being like a commercial race rather than being like a race organised by a club. Out of 5, I'd give it a 3.....i.e. fair but could do a lot better. The course was 80% ok but the last two miles were poor. They should really either change the time of the race or avoid the festival weekend. The dry fit top was of a good quality and there were plenty of water stations out along the course. Some people may not have like plastic cups but at least they prevent littering which happens with bottles. The worst aspect was probably the post race facilities....or lack of them. Sending everyone off to some local pub has a real Bally-go-backwards feel about it. Speaking to someone who did the race last year, it sounded as if was better then.
This race could be a real gem but based on the 2012 event, they have some way to go yet.
1 1 224 Brian Murphy 01:12:19 Sen Male 1
2 2 216 Cian MURPHY 01:16:25 Sen Male 2
3 3 248 Michael Houlihan 01:22:38 Sen Male 3
4 4 118 Martin CROWLEY 01:22:55 Sen Male 4
5 5 196 Henry KAYE 01:24:40 Sen Male 5
6 1 21 Gerard O Shea 01:26:10 Relay Male 6
7 1 212 Maria MC CARTHY 01:27:33 3539 Female 1
8 1 187 Robert WHYTE 01:28:28 4044 Male 7
9 6 119 John CLANCY 01:28:51 Sen Male 8
10 1 213 Chris SLATTERY 01:29:02 5054 Male 9
11 2 218 Declan Lynch 01:29:19 4044 Male 10
12 1 238 Geraldine O'shea 01:29:38 4044 Female 2
13 1 207 Karina TEAHAN 01:30:02 SenF Female 3
14 7 179 Fergal SARGENT 01:30:32 Sen Male 11
15 1 130 Denis KELLEHER 01:31:49 4549 Male 12
17 2 112 Deirdre O LEARY 01:33:21 SenF Female 5
18 2 120 Frantisek NEUPAUER 01:33:24 5054 Male 13
19 8 209 John GOLDEN 01:33:53 Sen Male 14
20 3 228 Alison Kirwan 01:33:54 SenF Female 6
21 9 133 Pat O' SULLIVAN 01:34:02 Sen Male 15
22 4 69 Geraldine MC CARTHY 01:36:03 SenF Female 7
23 5 173 Elaine O CONNOR 01:37:35 SenF Female 8
24 2 272 Tony Foley 01:37:42 4549 Male 16
25 2 70 Beth LOWENTHAL 01:39:04 3539 Female 9
26 3 126 Siobhan HOARE 01:39:16 3539 Female 10
27 10 191 Brian MOLONEY 01:39:17 Sen Male 17
28 3 201 Mindaugas ALIMAS 01:39:27 4044 Male 18
29 1 8 Orla O DONOVAN 01:39:49 Relay Mixed 1
30 11 151 Alan LYNE 01:39:53 Sen Male 19
31 3 143 Tim POULLAIN-PATTERSON 01:39:53 4549 Male 20
32 1 202 Anne MANGAN 01:40:02 5054 Female 11
33 4 121 Derry DOYLE 01:40:12 4549 Male 21
34 12 192 Donal CAHALANE 01:40:20 Sen Male 22
35 4 205 Elaine GUINANE 01:40:22 3539 Female 12
36 5 206 John DESMOND 01:40:22 4549 Male 23
37 3 240 Paul O Dwyer 01:40:28 5054 Male 24
38 4 158 Patrick NIEUWENHUIZEN 01:41:25 4044 Male 25
39 13 86 Declan DONNELLY 01:41:49 Sen Male 26
40 14 68 Aidan MCCARTHY 01:42:02 Sen Male 27
41 15 127 Enda PRENDERGAST 01:42:28 Sen Male 28
42 16 222 Stephan O Mahony 01:43:02 Sen Male 29
43 17 274 Ysbrahd Uljee 01:43:03 Sen Male 30
44 5 111 Eddie BIRMINGHAM 01:43:06 4044 Male 31
45 18 247 Kevin Cronin 01:43:10 Sen Male 32
46 19 223 Hugh O Donnell 01:43:20 Sen Male 33
47 6 95 Pat CREMIN 01:43:29 4549 Male 34
48 6 163 Dave GAUGHRAN 01:44:26 4044 Male 35
49 20 97 Slawomir LEWINSKI 01:44:33 Sen Male 36
50 2 66 Conor BLACKWELL 01:44:36 4044 Female??? 13
51 21 267 Mike Higgins 01:44:53 Sen Male 37
52 2 20 Majella County 01:44:57 Relay Female 14
53 7 265 Eamonn Foley 01:45:23 4044 Male 38
54 6 81 Orla O' MAHONEY 01:45:38 SenF Female 15
55 22 170 Ralph SCULLY 01:46:07 Sen Male 39
56 23 89 Trevor WALSH 01:46:24 Sen Male 40
57 1 12 Barry MURPHY 01:46:34 4 Person Mixed 2
58 24 199 Stephen O' BRIEN 01:46:39 Sen Male 41
59 8 198 Patrick O' BRIEN 01:46:39 4044 Male 42
60 7 156 Paula O' SHEA 01:47:08 SenF Female 16
61 25 194 Aongus MC GREAL 01:47:25 Sen Male 43
62 26 136 Denis RIORDAN 01:47:27 Sen Male 44
63 7 186 Eric COOGAN 01:47:29 4549 Male 45
64 8 181 Michael O' DONOVAN 01:47:29 4549 Male 46
65 9 73 Conor FALVEY 01:47:31 4549 Male 47
66 9 182 Arnaldo LAPORTE JUNIOR 01:47:35 4044 Male 48
67 3 184 Aoife O' CARROLL 01:47:39 4044 Female 17
68 2 88 Josie UI CHUIRR?N 01:48:03 5054 Female 18
69 27 220 Colm Casey 01:48:07 Sen Male 49
70 28 253 James Barry 01:48:10 Sen Male 50
71 10 94 Dan CREMIN 01:48:10 4549 Male 51
72 1 162 Ann O CONNOR 01:48:27 4549 Female 19
73 29 83 Owen MURPHY 01:48:35 Sen Male 52
74 4 147 Mikael GULLIKSSON 01:48:39 5054 Male 53
75 30 110 Michael WINSTON 01:48:40 Sen Male 54
76 31 200 Paul O' CONNELL 01:48:41 Sen Male 55
77 32 245 Richard Fitzgerald 01:48:44 Sen Male 56
78 11 275 Tom Scanlon 01:48:50 4549 Male 57
79 12 129 Donal MCGRATH 01:48:55 4549 Male 58
80 33 193 Oliver MOYNIHAN 01:49:06 Sen Male 59
81 34 229 Brendan Curtin 01:49:08 Sen Male 60
82 10 93 Peter DUGGAN 01:49:14 4044 Male 61
83 13 254 John Delaney 01:49:19 4549 Male 62
84 237 Tony Conway 01:49:33 Male 63
85 8 117 Veronica EGAN 01:49:41 SenF Female 20
86 11 167 Kieran BEHAN 01:49:42 4044 Male 64
87 35 214 Peter SULLIVAN 01:50:43 Sen Male 65
88 36 258 Joseph Walsh 01:50:48 Sen Male 66
89 2 18 Dermot O Sullivan 01:51:00 Relay Male 67
90 37 104 Shane FOLEY 01:51:04 Sen Male 68
91 38 84 Darragh O' SULLIVAN 01:51:09 Sen Male 69
92 39 132 Gerard O SULLIVAN 01:51:11 Sen Male 70
93 3 125 Janka SOBEKOVA 01:51:17 5054 Female 21
94 1 259 Pat Sheehy 01:51:27 5559 Male 71
95 4 131 Mary COTTER 01:51:49 5054 Female 22
96 40 208 Fergal GLYNN 01:51:51 Sen Male 72
97 41 74 Eddie GANNON 01:52:00 Sen Male 73
98 42 92 Gavin GALLAGHER 01:52:31 Sen Male 74
99 43 115 Sean MURPHY 01:52:35 Sen Male 75
100 9 116 Tracy MURPHY 01:52:35 SenF Female 23
101 12 138 Paul CORCORAN 01:52:41 4044 Male 76
102 4 255 Angela O Connor 01:52:45 4044 Female 24
103 5 114 Anne DALY 01:53:01 3539 Female 25
104 2 10 Grace KING 01:53:06 Relay Mixed 3
105 6 71 Marie-Louise SHEEHY 01:53:09 3539 Female 26
106 13 188 Michael FITZGERALD 01:53:13 4044 Male 77
107 14 264 Mike Scanlon 01:53:32 4044 Male 78
108 44 135 Darren CROWE 01:53:41 Sen Male 79
109 10 242 Louise Fullam 01:54:46 SenF Female 27
110 5 269 Bridget Moore 01:55:15 4044 Female 28
111 15 82 Eddie DORAN 01:55:19 4044 Male 80
112 45 241 Pathrick O'sillivan 01:55:37 Sen Male 81
113 14 257 John Falvey 01:55:41 4549 Male 82
114 16 139 Kevin HUGHES 01:55:41 4044 Male 83
115 2 3 Diane CURRAN 01:55:43 4 Person Mixed 4
116 7 91 Miriam BEASLEY 01:55:52 3539 Female 29
117 11 177 Rebecca CUTTELL 01:56:06 SenF Female 30
118 12 137 Siobhan O'KEEFFE 01:56:24 SenF Female 31
119 5 63 Miche?l ? CUIRR?N 01:56:24 5054 Male 84
120 8 140 Grainne O KEEFFE 01:56:28 3539 Female 32
121 1 236 Kyle Bustard 01:56:32 Junior Male 85
122 15 75 Gerald MURPHY 01:56:40 4549 Male 86
123 46 79 Patrick BARRY 01:57:00 Sen Male 87
124 47 243 Ronan Bonner 01:57:28 Sen Male 88
125 3 2 Niamh O DONOGHUE 01:57:44 Relay Mixed 5
126 6 64 Catriona KIELY 01:58:23 4044 Female 33
127 13 189 Marykate SHANAHAN 01:58:26 SenF Female 34
128 17 165 Sean O' CONNOR 01:58:39 4044 Male 89
129 16 260 Dermot Dilolane 01:58:46 4549 Male 90
130 18 103 Ben O'DEA 01:58:48 4044 Male 91
131 48 134 Stephen O' SHEA 01:58:55 Sen Male 92
132 17 231 Martin Dennahy 01:59:08 4549 Male 93
133 14 65 Anne FOLEY 01:59:13 SenF Female 35
134 3 17 Laurence Lynch 01:59:15 Relay Male 94
135 18 226 Mark O Neill 01:59:45 4549 Male 95
136 15 263 Angela Josey 01:59:46 SenF Female 36
137 9 287 Catherine Foley 01:59:50 3539 Female 37
138 7 266 Leonie Merrick 01:59:54 4044 Female 38
139 19 122 Peter LARKIN 01:59:57 4044 Male 96
140 16 152 Neva WATCHORNE 02:00:10 SenF Female 39
141 6 262 Poudie Dineem 02:00:11 5054 Male 97
142 49 153 Gavin MAC DONAGH 02:00:11 Sen Male 98
143 20 105 Aidan COTTER 02:00:34 4044 Male 99
144 4 11 Colm MOYNIHAN 02:00:36 Relay Mixed 6
145 21 166 Stephen O' LEARY 02:00:49 4044 Male 100
146 50 77 Jonathan CLIFFORD 02:01:28 Sen Male 101
147 51 60 Kevin MULLEN 02:01:36 Sen Male 102
148 10 85 Elaine HOULIHAN 02:01:48 3539 Female 40
149 3 4 Caitriona DE PAOR 02:01:55 4 Person Mixed 7
150 52 61 Kieran BARRY 02:02:16 Sen Male 103
151 19 59 Joerg GRUEBER 02:02:16 4549 Male 104
152 22 180 Vincent DEVLIN 02:02:33 4044 Male 105
153 11 76 Louise SHERLOCK 02:02:39 3539 Female 41
154 8 123 Fiona O'RIORDAN 02:02:52 4044 Female 42
155 2 108 Pat CREMIN 02:03:12 Junior Male 106
156 2 159 Daniel KINGSTON 02:03:47 5559 Male 107
157 17 128 Orla SAWEY 02:03:50 SenF Female 43
158 5 124 Jane MCGRATH 02:05:51 5054 Female 44
159 53 178 Rory MC CARTHY 02:06:17 Sen Male 108
160 54 203 Bryan FORAN 02:06:20 Sen Male 109
161 18 78 Mary EDWARDS 02:06:53 SenF Female 45
162 19 101 Gillian O SULLIVAN 02:07:31 SenF Female 46
163 20 251 Donal Cronin 02:08:09 4549 Male 110
164 21 252 Frank De Lacey 02:08:09 4549 Male 111
165 12 249 Biddy Hughes 02:08:25 3539 Female 47
166 7 268 Neil Hogan 02:08:25 5054 Male 112
167 4 14 Ross BRENNAN 02:09:36 4 Person Mixed 8
168 20 16 Aideen Murphy 02:09:54 SenF Female 48
169 21 239 Cara O Riordan 02:10:30 SenF Female 49
170 1 19 Aine O Connor 02:10:37 4 Person Female 50
171 55 160 Hugh MURPHY 02:11:00 Sen Male 113
172 22 175 Aine COTTER 02:11:07 SenF Female 51
173 8 99 Don BOWEN 02:11:24 5054 Male 114
174 22 100 Fergus BOWEN 02:11:24 4549 Male 115
175 56 261 Ross Paterson 02:11:33 Sen Male 116
176 3 144 Olof NILSSON 02:12:36 5559 Male 117
177 23 244 Kevin Kelliher 02:13:11 4044 Male 118
178 9 230 Siobhan Kearney Kelly 02:14:25 4044 Female 52
179 4 148 Kent SJOBERG 02:14:52 5559 Male 119
180 57 211 Gerard FEELEY 02:15:13 Sen Male 120
181 5 7 Sarah O'CONNOR 02:15:18 Relay Mixed 9
182 13 273 Alison O'sillivan 02:16:25 3539 Female 53
183 23 221 Andrew Quigley 02:16:55 4549 Male 121
184 23 109 Norma BREEN 02:17:06 SenF Female 54
185 24 217 Karen O DRISCOLL 02:17:16 SenF Female 55
186 10 141 Cyntia LAPORTE 02:17:21 4044 Female 56
187 58 107 Danilo DUSOSWA 02:18:36 Sen Male 122
188 25 168 Imelda MULLEN 02:19:41 SenF Female 57
189 215 John YOUNAN 02:19:41 Male 123
190 24 246 Denis Collins 02:19:43 4044 Male 124
191 1 185 Catherine CERONE 02:20:40 5559 Female 58
192 26 256 Blathnaid Coakley 02:20:55 SenF Female 59
193 27 90 Sinead DE FAOITE 02:22:20 SenF Female 60
194 6 145 Cathrine GLADH 02:22:31 5054 Female 61
195 59 232 Gerord O Sullivan 02:24:50 Sen Male 125
196 11 225 Deardre O Gorman 02:26:51 4044 Female 62
197 60 174 Brian O CONNOR 02:27:52 Sen Male 126
198 1 161 Joerg GERSCHNER 02:28:31 6064 Male 127
199 28 96 Nora BUTLWR 02:29:12 SenF Female 63
200 1 102 Thomas WALDRON 02:32:52 7074 Male 128
201 2 54 David MCGRATH 02:44:14 6064 Male 129
202 2 55 Rosalind BROWN 02:44:14 4549 Female 64
203 9 276 Barry Lynch 02:49:48 5054 Male 130
204 29 67 Elaine O CONNOR 02:51:06 SenF Female 65
205 7 277 Linda Lynch 02:56:08 5054 Female 66
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