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Championship Races: County T&F: Due to the lack of availablility of tracks in Cork this summer, the county senior and masters T&F was held on the first day of September this year. We had 5 athletes running. In the 800m James was 3rd overall in 2.08 with John 5th in 2.11. Stephen was just behind John in 2.12 but was 1st M35. Ollie was 2nd M45 in 2.17. John raced again in the 1500m and finished 2nd with Denis grabbing a gold in the M60 in 7.21. East Cork XC: More traditionally the cross county season kicks off in September and two weeks after the county T&F we had 13 race in the East Corks in Ballynoe. First up in the ladies race, Tamzin gave it a good rattle and finished 2nd leading the ladies team to a silver medal. In a close team tussle with Midleton AC Christine ran well to finish 4th, Siobhan was 9th one ahead of teammate Avril and Eibhlin just behind them in 12th. On the masters side Christine was 2nd in F35 with Siobhan 2nd in F45 and Avril 3rd F45. The three also were 2nd F35 team. Well done all! The mens race was a pleasing clean sweep. With Tony and Frank showing a gulf in class to the rest of the field battling it out for the full 6000m before Franko finally pulled clear with a strong sprint finish in the home straight and take the title. Tony despite doing all the front running settled for 2nd (for the 2nd year in a row). Stephen O'Brien broke clear from the chasing pack early on and had a comfortable run for 3rd (1st M35). With John completing the team in 4th. Ollie Smiddy was 8th (and 1st M45), with rookies Aaron and Karl finishing commendably in 12th and 13th. Denis finished in 22nd. The mens M35 team were credited as silver team but only had 3 athletes counting so this one can be left as a footnote in the record books! Other Races: The Womens Mini Marathon which is a 5k (don't get Dave Dwyer started!) was on last week and as usual the turnout is massive for the event. We had Tamzin running who was pacing her sister and finished 226th in 26.46 with Siobhan finishing 260th in 27.32. Tony's 8.53 in the Cork City Sports was omitted last month as well. He was 8th in the Open race (The Cork City Sports organisation committee if they see this should look at the link for the 2024 results, it seems to be a bit like Tim O'Donoghue this summer and gone missing) Also a big welcome to Olwyn Reidy who has transferred to the club and will officially be a member on October 1st (just in time to boost the ladies team for the county seniors XC). Next Up: The county senior cross county is next Sunday in Ballynoe hosted by St Catherines. There is no timetable up but the juveniles start at 12pm so womens race should start approx 2pm and mens at 2.45pm. Please get your entry to Eadaoin before the deadline on Tuesday October 1st.   
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Championship Races National Masters and East Cork T&F: National Masters: We had two competing at the National Masters T&F this year. Donal and Stephen made the trip to Tullamore to compete in the 1500m. Both were in the M40 category and Donal bagged a national medal for his troubles, made all the sweeter no doubt as he also secured the bragging rights with Stephen just behind in 4th. Donal ran 4.29 and Stephen ran 4.31. Both very strong runs at the end of a long summer season. East Cork T&F: The East Corks were split in two this year with the main events held in Carrignavar on their 300m grass track and the 5000m races held separately in MTU a few weeks later. In the Tour De France there is a most combative rider award and this most certainly would have went to John Spelman. He competed in 5 different events ranging from 100m to 5000m and took two Golds and two silvers away for his troubles too! Perhaps the decathlon is where he will specialise in the future! Not too far off him was another prolific racer, Tony ran three events and took home a gold, a silver and a bronze. Ollie proved he is the top M45 around taking gold in the 800m and 3000m and also competing in the 5k on the track. Other golds were in the masters 800m Eibhlin Cleary (F35) and James Mc (M35). In the masters 3000m Nicky took M35 gold. Frank won a tactical 5000m over Tony up in MTU with a blistering last lap to reclaim his title from 2022, winning in 15.30. Tony as mentioned was 2nd in 15.35 and James (2023 winner) was 3rd in 16.19. Denis raced in the 3k and 5k and Michael Furlong was 8th in the 5k. Well done to everyone who took part and helped organise. National League and Cork City Sports: Well done to John, Frank and Paul who all admirably represented East Cork AC competing with the "East Cork Athletics Division" in the National League over the summer. Paul and Frank scored high points for the team in the Finals, both coming 2nd. Frank ran 3.59 in the 1500m behind Sean Tobin and Paul ran a strong 5k in 15.15. Special mention again to John and Frank who both doubled up in the preliminary round. Cork City Sports - Nicky and John both ran in the Cork City Sports in the Open 3k. Thanks as well for all club members who helped out on the night and all the prep work for weeks and months prior with the many jobs that were needed to make the event such a success. Other Races July - Top 5's: Well done to Tony for winning two road races in July, Corkbeg 4 mile (20.29) and Churchtown South 4 mile (20.52). And hard luck to James for coming second in both! Tamzin was 2nd in Corkbeg in 24.47 and 3rd in Churchtown South in 24.38. Nicky was 5th in Churchtown in 21.22. Tony also came 5th in Fermoy 4 mile in 20.43. There were 17 others racing in July. Details below. Bravo too for our Race Directors Eibhlin in Corkbeg and Conor in Churchtown South for putting on two wonderful races to keep the flame lit in East Cork. Other Races August - Top 5's: We had three winners on the roads in August. First up was Tony again winning the Conna 5k in 15.48. Frank ran on the Stryker 4 Mile passing his Grandparents house on route to taking down the win in his trademark style with a big kick for home in 20.23. And finally Michael Harty made a return to the racing after a block of training to win the Amazon 5k in a a swift 15.11. James was 2nd in Rathcormac and 5th in Conna. Tamzin was 3rd in Conna and Paul Hartnett was 4th in a competitive Cork City 10k in 31.17. |
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