National Half Marathon – our runners do us proud

Group at the Green: back row l-r Val P Glynn, Michael McNeela, John Roddy, Danny Greene, Tom Charles, Christy O’Malley, PJ Hall, Siobhan Duane, Michael McGrath
Front Row: Henry Hughes, Paula Prendergast, Ann McDonnell, Maggie Heneghan, Sarah Flood, Karen Devaney, Mairead Cafferkey, Mary T McDonald, Gerry Galvin

It is clear from the responses of many of our runners in Dublin that they felt proud to be part of the club, wear our distinctive vest, and be part of a National Championship. There has already been many success stories in recent years of those who  progressed through joining Fit4Life and subsequently proved to have great talent and dedication and won National medals. Last Monday’s experience further enhanced the value of these members, and they themselves are now feeling they are really part of a bigger team. This breakthrough is due to a number of factors. On Monday, the camaraderie and support before and after the race by senior members for their fellow athletes really meant a lot. Barriers are being broken down gradually and this can only be a good thing, and is a real  sign of the club’s strength in depth. We had 31 green and red vests at the start line at 8.30 a.m. No doubt they were buoyed up and inspired by the victory over Donegal. Due to some confusion and unknown to us Tom Waldron our M70 man was also there – so that number is 32!

Finish times are on the competitor.ie website and have been added below next to our runners names in the team lists. The top performance of the day known so far was John Byrne’s 71:53 –  17th place overall and inspirational lead finisher. There was  a championship performance from a champion – Ann Lennon’s 82:26, will be well up there among the seniors and looks like a clear winner of W45 gold. Paula Prendegast knocked minutes off her previous best with a terrific 84:29. and with Mary Gleeson’s 85:24 looking like W35 silver, these three top seniors have a great chance of team medals.  Early days to sort out medals for teams and categories but we seem to be well placed. M50 team consistently strong; Pauline Moran now a seasoned W55 contender, and Colette Tuohy well placed for W40 bronze . Fit4Life members all ran well and  PBs achieved by a significant number have been  added to list. In addition their chip times have also been included,  –  many were in the second wave and started two minutes after the gun. Among them a couragous run from Ann McDonnell, while not feeling too good herself, she stayed with her F4L colleague Karen Devaney who was also suffering and enabled her get to the finish – the true spirit of sport. Other stories will emerge from a vibrant week-end in the capital. Let us know yours..Well done to all our participants.  (and also see ‘Three medals for Seamus at WPFG’ )

Senior men
Henry Hughes 79:58 a PB for the Westport man over from London

Men O35
John Byrne 71:53, 17th overall, an inspirational run from our  lead finisher , and hopefully bronze M35
Tom Charles 99:41
John Fitzgibbons M45 93:27
Gerry Galvin M45 86:09
Ambrose Gaughan M40 91: 59 – an amazing 13 minutes off his 2012 Athenry time
Brendan Gill 78:58
Michael McNeela M40 85:55 PB
Christy O’Malley M45 1:52:22
John Roddy M35 2:15:31 another PB for the Kilmovee man
Patrick Walsh DNS injured after Balla

Men O50
Jimmy Feeney M55 95:23
Val P Glynn M60 1:49:53
Danny Green M55 95:26
PJ Hall M55 99:28
Owen Mongan M55 99:57

Women Senior
Mairead Cafferkey 1:51:43 (chip 1:49:27) PB
Mary Gleeson W35 85:30 – in line for silver W35
Ann Lennon W45 82:29 – champion stuff, and a gold W45 performance – hopefully
Paula Prendergast 84:29 another PB performance, slicing minutes off her previous best
Sarah Syron sadly dropped out after 3m
Colette Tuohy W40 86:09,  in line for bronze W40 after another top finish

Women O35
Breege Blehein W45 95:31,  proving she is still as strong as ever
Karen Devaney W40 2:25:22
Siobhan Duane W35 1:58:57 (chip time 1:56:39) PB
Sarah Flood W40 1:59:40 (chip time 1:57:24) her first ‘Half’! so PB obviously
Chris Gallagher W45 94:17 another great finish
Maggie Heneghan W35 1:46:24 (chip time 1:44:07) PB
Mary  T McDonald W35 1:57:47 (chip time 1:55:29) PB
Ann McDonnell W35 2:25:22
Pauline Moran W55 96:43 will be among the W55 medals
Colette Sweeney W40 92:16 a consistent performer