There was a big turnout for this race with 240 runners taking part. It sounds like there might have been the odd hill or two along the course ;o)
Results....the results are now available on their website. (Just a note of caution...it's fine to click on the following link but do not click on the banner ad at the top saying you won something. By clicking on those type of ads, at best they will take you to some stupid website, at worst it will try and install some nasty software on your pc!). The results are here.
We also have the following race report thanks to Donal O'Donoghue who made the trip from Cork.
Race Report...........by Donal O'Donoghue
AnneValley 5 Mile Challenge 2009
It was another trip to Dungarvan today, and on further along the Copper Coast, and then inland to Anne Valley and Dunhill village. Despite any impressions the name may give, this is a regular road race, run in a nice scenic rural setting, where things are so quiet, there's no O2 mobile signal! Online registration had been possible for this race, but by the time I had made up my mind on Friday, online entries had closed. Entry on the day was EUR 10.00 at Harney's Bar, Dunhill, followed by a half-mile trek from there to the start line.
Conditions were dry and mild at 7-9 degrees, with almost no wind. Much more comfortable than the Dungarvan 10 ;o) One could however see snow on the distant mountains.
Total entries were about 250, which included runners, a children’s section, and a walking category.
In most competitive short races, there usually seems to be a ratio of 2:1 in men vs. women. Today, it seemed that there were possibly equal proportions. People were asked to arrange themselves, in order, Elite, Runners, Children, and finally Walkers. However, many kids made a dash towards the front, as soon as the race began, possibly burning precious energy. At least one finished to a big cheer in close to 50 minutes.
Right from the beginning about 10 elite runners separated from the pack, and pulled ahead.
The course was initially down-hill, along the west side of the Anne Valley. At about 1.75 miles, you could see the leaders at the far side of the valley almost a mile ahead. When I myself had reached that spot, I could see that there were still people heading south at the far side. After passing the top of the next hill, we got one more glimpse of them before they disappeared again. We passed below the ruined Dunhill Castle, now shrouded in Ivy. The last mile and a bit overlapped with the first mile, so this meant an uphill struggle. However the final stretch to the finish was downhill again. The roads were rather narrow in places, and even some grass growing down the middle. Mile markers at every mile, and large overhead "Start" and "Finish" banners.
There was a water station at the half-way mark, at which they were also giving out cut Oranges. However I decided the orange slices could be a bit tricky on the move. There were plenty of Road Marshalls in yellow jackets at all the important road junctions. Only one car incursion onto the course, by a careful driver, on a decent wide section of road. There was also an ambulance on duty.
At the finish, everyone received a bottle of Kilkenny Spring Water, and a banana.
The winner was Raivis Zakis, West Waterford AC on 25:42, and the Ladies winner was Corinna Walsh, West Waterford AC on 31:16.
Many clubs were represented, including 45 from Waterford AC, 12 from West Waterford AC, 10 from Carrick-on-Suir AC, and 12 from the local Dunhill GAA. There was even one runner from as far away as Letterkenny AC. However the results are listed without Gender / Age categories. Being St. Valentine's Day, there was a prize for the "First Couple" too.
All proceeds from this year’s race will go to the South Eastern Cancer Foundation, to help fund the SOLAS Centre, which will become the new cancer support centre in the south east, for cancer patients and their families. There was also a list on display, showing the many sponsors.
The next race in the Waterford area is the 6th Annual Bausch & Lomb Kilmacthomas 5, Race number 3 in the Michael Roche Carpets Spring Series, at 11am Sunday, February 22, 2009.
There was just one race flyer circulating at the end, the pink "Every Woman 4 Mile, Kilkenny, 19th April". And surprise, surprise, they were only giving these out to...women!........Donal O'Donoghue
