While most people cherish the Saturday morning lie-in after a tough week at the office, the monotonous tone of the unforgiving alarm clock is no stranger to any athlete worth their salt, and last week was no exception, with most distance races having a 9.00am start.
Preparation really is the key when it comes to successfully racing over the classic 13.1 miles distance, and the athletes would have been up hours beforehand to fuel up and get the body loosened out for the task ahead.
Thankfully, race morning dawned dry and bright for last Saturday’s Waterford Greenway Half Marathon, with little or no wind as the large field of athletes made their way to the start line.
Once the starter’s pistol sounded, it was down to business in earnest with D&D AC’s Johnny Breen and Paul Kierans well to the fore in a field that was packed with quality athletes.
Breen, strengthened by countless tough miles over hilly ground, powered his way to an eye opening 1:19:55 finish, with Kierans close behind in 1:22:57. This pair look to be on schedule for their upcoming Marathons in Amsterdam and Dublin at the back end of October.
Next in was John Cooper who has come back well from injury and his time of 1 hour and 28 minutes is a return to form for this talented runner. For our ladies, our sole entrant Yasmin Canning had a terrific run to finish 5th overall in the Women’s race in a lively 1:30:53, which also placed her first in category.
Training partner John Reilly shared the work with Canning and crossed the line in the same time.
Meanwhile, early on Sunday morning a small group of Drogheda and District athletes had gathered for the annual Longford Marathon weekend, which includes a Half Marathon, Marathon and an Ultra Marathon distance race covering 63.3km (one and a half marathons).
Pictured at the Waterford Greenway Half Marathon were: John Cooper, Johnny Breen, Yasmin Canning, John Reilly and Paul Kierans.
Taking to the start line in the Ultra was experienced Ultra Runner Aoife Mundow, and Dominick Branigan who was toeing the line in his first Ultra. As the gun went at 7am and the Ultra runners set off on a wet and blustery morning, the remaining Drogheda and District runners set about getting ready for the Half Marathon, but first things first, it was time to check out the breakfast buffet!
With the fuelling out of the way and strategies discussed, it was out into the rain and at 9am the half got underway. First home for the club was Colin Cuffe in 1:32:59 which was great running in tough conditions, followed shortly after by Pól Ó Murchú in 1:34:12.
Next it was the Women’s turn with Helga McDonnell coming in first for the club in 1:42:32, followed by Linda Cruise in 1:55:11. It wasn’t long before the Marathon and Ultra runners were storming up the main Street with Aoife Mundow taking the win in 5:06:37, taking 15 minutes off the Women’s course record and finishing 4th overall. Not long after was Branigan coming home in 5:21:34. A very impressive time for his first long distance outing and taking 6th place overall. Well done to all on the impressive times in very challenging conditions.
Further North, at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon, another band of D&D athletes were in action with David Murray leading the way and finishing strongly to cross the line in a solid 1:28:25, which is quality running over this unforgiving distance.
Next in was Michael Alyward in 1:39:37, followed by Joe Carroll (1:48:11), David Thornton (1:49:44), and Dave Cooney (1:51:19). Also running were Emmet Steenson (1:52:46), Seamus Roe (1:56:08) and Gavin Bruce (1:57:26).
