After last week’s sensational turnout for the Bettystown 5K, Drogheda & District A.C. once again demonstrated their dedication by supporting a slew of spectacular road events throughout the week.
Despite the earlier days being marked by downpours, the weather took a favourable turn just in time for the Oldcastle 5K, and the sun welcomed our athletes for the annual Termonfeckin Half Marathon and 4 Mile, setting the stage for a series of impressive performances.
On Wednesday evening, a handful of dedicated athletes made their way to the small village of Oldcastle for what has become an annual event for some DDAC members.
This race is a highlight on the athletic calendar for both local residents and participants from surrounding clubs, and this year’s event once again proved to be a popular challenge. Knowing the course’s deceptive nature is crucial for any participant aiming for a strong result.
The race commenced with a lightning-fast downhill start, injecting a surge of adrenaline into the competitors who swiftly manoeuvred through a short loop in the south of the village before facing their first significant obstacle—a daunting climb back up the hill they had descended. As the participants reached the halfway point, their exhaustion was met with welcome relief—a gradual downhill run that provided a chance to regain momentum.
The DDAC results were remarkable. Nuala Reilly finished with a time of 24:28, a whopping 41 seconds faster than last year. Conor Cooney followed closely with a time of 24:42, Gerry Mullins clocked in at 25:16, and Olivia Reilly completed the race in 27:09.
On Thursday evening, a few DDAC members took on the Docklands 5K, a flat event ideal for setting personal bests. The annual race starts on the south docks of the Liffey River, heading west and crossing the Talbot Memorial Bridge before heading east along the north quay, turning at the halfway point and swiftly heading back.
Despite its flatness, it remains a daunting challenge with some of Dublin’s top athletes in the mix. Once again the DDAC results were impressive, with Sinead Weldon finishing in 22:48, Barbara Byrne in 22:54, and Gavin Bruce in 24:28.
Sunday morning saw the sun shining brightly on the athletes as they faced a scorcher in the Termonfeckin Half Marathon & 4 Mile and the Dublin Race Series Irish Life Fingal 10K.
The Termonfeckin event is always highly anticipated, drawing a significant number of participants each year, especially from DDAC. Many athletes from the club use this race as a starting point for their marathon training season, setting the tone for their upcoming challenges. The half marathon featured a gruelling stretch of road from Termonfeckin into Greenhills Business Park, seeming endless before returning along the coastal route on the Drogheda road through Queensborough and Baltray, incorporating short undulating hills for an exhilarating finish in Termonfeckin. Similarly, the 4-mile race followed the same demanding route, starting and concluding at Beaulieu Cross.
Thirty-eight DDAC members participated in both parts of the event, delivering spectacular results.
In the half marathon, Martin Russell finished in 1:28:26, Ben Reynolds in 1:30:10, and Michael Walker in 1:37:51, all contributing to the 1st Male Team victory. Eimear Marron finished in 1:44:37, Andrea McArdle in 1:46:59, and Helen Dillon in 1:48:11, leading to the 1st Female Team triumph. Other notable performances included Nuala Reilly finishing in 1:50:30 (1st in her category), Emmet Steenson in 1:54:29, Darren Maguire in 2:25:15, and Claire Corcoran in 2:36:53.
In the 4-mile race, Robbie Keane finished with an impressive time of 23:29, followed by Ciaran Maree in 27:10, Margaret Carroll in 34:33, Yvonne Russell in 35:35, Maria Cooney in 37:25, Martin Woods in 38:53, Aishling Reilly in 42:54, and Edel Smith in 43:54.
Lastly, at the Fingal 10K which kicked off the Dublin Race Series, 14 DDAC members took on this daunting challenge in an event that attracted almost 2,800 participants this year.
A handful of these athletes are gearing up for the Amsterdam Marathon in October, and the Fingal 10K serves as a perfect starting point for their preparation. The results were outstanding, with Rodney Thornton finishing in 35:29, Johnny Breen in 35:35, Paul Kierans in 37:45, David Mutray in 40:24, Mary Leech in 40:21, Yasmin Canning in 41:12, Eimear Knowles in 43:01, and Carmel Keenan in 45:42.
As always, a full list of names and results can be found on Drogheda & District A.C.’s Facebook page. Congratulations to all our athletes for their stellar performances this week!
