This week has been a thrilling whirlwind of exciting events for the formidable athletes of Drogheda & District A.C. From the heart-pounding kick-off of the indoor season to conquering the frosty roads of Phoenix Park and basking in the sun-drenched glory of the Canary Islands and Valencia, the runners have faced a breath-taking medley of challenges.
As DDAC’s athletes gracefully traded in their mucky long cross country spikes from last week’s Louth Senior Cross Country Championships & Juvenile Relays, and swiftly slipped into shorter spikes for the fast-paced indoor event, Track & Meet Live, held at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena on Wednesday evening. The indoor season kicked off with a burst of energy as several DDAC athletes, both juveniles and seniors, showcased their speed and skill on the track.
In the juvenile category, the sprint heats featured impressive performances, with Danielle Nolan securing 2nd place in the U13-U14 Girls 60m Sprint with a swift time of 8.99 seconds. Ruby Berrill and Clodagh Fox displayed their speed in the U15-U16 Girls Sprint, clocking times of 8.97 and 9.64, respectively. Lily Fitzharris added to the stellar performances in the U15-U16 Girls Sprint with a time of 9.12. In the middle-distance events, Emily Rose McDermott covered the U13-U14 Girls 800m in an impressive time of 2:29.35, while Aine Carroll showcased her endurance with a time of 2:50.18 in the U15-U16 Girls 800m.
The seniors left their mark on the track with commendable performances in various events. Frank Cruise powered through the Senior Men 60m Sprint, clocking a time of 9.59. In the Senior Women 800m, Fiona Murphy and Andrea McCabe showcased their middle-distance prowess with times of 3:04.68 and 3:08.64, respectively. Matthew O’Shea impressed in the Mixed 2000m, securing 3rd place with a time of 5:46.85. The Senior Women 400m saw Niamh Carroll taking 3rd place with a time of 1:19.67, and Andrea McCabe clocking 1:23.02. Frank Cruise displayed his versatility in the Senior Men 800m with a time of 2:30.63, while Karl Carton secured 3rd place in the Senior Men 400m with a time of 1:05.98. Frank Cruise returned for the Senior Men 400m, crossing the finish line in 1:17.67. The Track & Meet Live event provided a thrilling start to the indoor season, and DDAC athletes left an indelible mark on the track with their speed, determination, and skill.
On Saturday in the crisp dawn of an arctic morning, DDAC athletes bravely took on the Phoenix Park’s chilly embrace for the annual Jingle Bells 5K. The park was a site to behold with the snow-covered Dublin mountains and encounters with the park’s deer, The race kicked off in sub-zero temperatures, however, as the sun gradually warmed the surroundings, the cold proved invigorating, adding to the thrill of the event. Drawing top athletes from various clubs, the Jingle Bells 5K is an attractive PB course featuring a brief climb at the start and a fast downhill for the second half.
DDAC made a resounding mark with over 40 athletes, the largest contingent from any club this year. Leading the charge for the men, Colin Leonard crossed the finish line in a blazing 15:36, setting the tone for an impressive showing. Shane Russell and David Gallagher followed suit with stellar times of 16:49 and 16:56, the latter achieving another PB after recently clocking a 5K PB in the Rathfarnham 5K. John Reilly, making his comeback after the Dublin Marathon, secured an outstanding time of 17:13, while Alan Wade rounded off the top performers with a swift 17:15.
Among the women, Mary Leech demonstrated her running prowess, emerging as the first DDAC lady home with an impressive time of 18:34. Yasmin Canning, Anna Isgro, and Eimear Knowles showcased their speed and determination, crossing the finish line in 19:42, 20:17, and 20:15, respectively. Notable performances continued with Yvonne McMahon at 21:20, Carmel Keenan at 21:34, Conor Cooney at 22:09, and Liam Callaghan at 24:25.
Elsewhere DDAC made waves on the international running scene with outstanding performances in the renowned Valencia Marathon and Lanzarote International Running 4 Day Challenge.
Against the backdrop of Valencia’s enchanting landscape and under the cool embrace of a 7-degree morning, DDAC athletes conquered the renowned PB flat course, leaving an indelible mark on the vibrant international running scene. At the forefront, Paul Smith, a testament to endurance and speed, charged through the marathon with remarkable precision, securing a stellar time of 2:33:09. This achievement stands as another brilliant chapter in his running journey, following his recent triumph at the Chicago Marathon. Colm Reilly, showing unwavering determination, clocked in at 2:48:43, an impressive feat hot on the heels of his stellar performance in the Dublin Marathon. Alongside, Pat O’Grady and Bryan Harvey added to the triumph, delivering solid performances with times of 2:55 and 3:19:17, respectively.
Following last week’s report on the Lanzarote 10K results, during the week DDAC athletes continued their impressive performances, this time competing in the last 3 stages of the Lanzarote International Running 4 Day Challenge. The challenging event comprised four stages, each presenting unique distances and terrains. A refresher of the 10K results, Fiona Kenna showcased her speed, crossing the finish line in an impressive 42:12, while Paddy Murphy and Mary Kinsella completed the course in 49:01, and Mike Staunton finished in 55:15. Stage 2, a demanding 13K, witnessed Fiona Kenna finishing in 1:02:23, Mary Kinsella in 1:12:49, and Mike Staunton in 1:29:25.
The Beach Race, a dynamic 5K, featured Paddy Murphy completing it in 22:23, Mary Kinsella in 26:24, Fiona Kenna in 26:41, and Mike Staunton in 26:45. In the final stage, the Half Marathon, Dominick Branigan led the way with an impressive 1:23:29, followed by Fiona Kenna at 1:32:58, Mary Kinsella at 1:45:39, and Mike Staunton at 1:50:45.
