Results

Kilcoole AC really did dominate at the Wicklow Road Race Championships in Ashford this evening. Not only did we have 50+ competitors out of the 160, but we also claimed medals in almost every category available.

Úna Britton was back in action at the “Sea Ray Relays” in Knoxville Tennessee, competing in the 5000m on the track. She ran a fabulous PB of 16:53, running under 17 minutes for the first time. It wasn’t all that long ago that Úna would run 21 or 22 minutes in races like the Wicklow 5k Road Race, so this progress is a testament to her hard work and dedication over the last few years. Our juveniles (and seniors) would be well advised to take note: work hard and listen to the right advice! Úna is now setting her sights on the 10,000m this Thursday at the “Drake Relays” in Iowa. That new PB suggests she is capable of running in the low 35s for 10,000m, so no pressure Úna!

Upcoming events

Sea Road Cup This Friday!

The “Sea Road Cup” is a longstanding annual Kilcoole AC “fun” race between Juveniles and Seniors. This year, it will take place at Coláiste Craobh Abhann, where there will be a series of shorter races (200m up to 800m) for the juveniles on the playing pitches from 7pm. Some of the “older” juveniles will then join the seniors out on the road for a handicapped 1 mile race around the school at 7:30pm. Arrive for 6:45 to get checked in and cheer on the juveniles. Most importantly, don’t forget to bring your cakes biscuits etc. for tea/coffee & prize giving in the school afterwards. All parents and members welcome!

In the handicapped “Sea Road Cup” race, the “slowest” runner starts off first and the “fastest” starts last. In theory, everyone should finish very close together and have an equal chance of winning. (Though, the handicapped times have been slightly shifted in favour of the juveniles to make it interesting!) The winner will receive the prestigious “Sea Road Cup”!

Results

Fionnuala Britton ran a new road PB of 33:07 on a tough course in the 10k “Great Ireland Run” this past Saturday. She narrowly missed out on a win, finishing 2nd to 2014 European Cross Country Champion Gemma Steel of Great Britain. However, Fionnuala did claim the honours in concurrent National 10k Road Race, finishing ahead of Lizzie Lee of Leevale AC.

Leinster Novice & Masters Road Race Championships 4th May

These Championships take place on Monday 4th May in Gowran, County Kilkenny. The men’s races are 6k and it’s 4k for ladies. Ideally we would field teams in every race. Club members have travelled to this in previous years and been very successful and we are looking for the same again this year. Let your captains know if interested.

Upcoming events

Results

Another fine performance from Úna Britton this week, as she travelled north to compete in the first leg of a 4x1500m relay in a wintry Cincinnati Ohio. Úna gave her team the lead after the first leg in conditions that were reportedly “feckin’ freeeezin!!” in a time of about 4:42. “Team Úna” retained their lead until the 3rd leg only to be overhauled by their sister team from Eastern Kentucky University, ultimately finishing in 2nd overall.

Upcoming Events

There is a 3k Fit4Life Race in Shanganagh Park on Thursday night (2nd) at 7:30pm (hosted by Bray Runners). Entry is €5. The route is very similar to the parkrun 5k, but it’s shorter!

By the way, there are just 3 weeks to go until the Wicklow 5k Road Race Championships in Ashford on Wednesday the 22nd. Get ready!

Upcoming events

Results

Fionnuala Britton won the St. Patrick’s Festival 5k for the second year in a row on the streets of Dublin this past Sunday. She ran a time of 15:52 to hold off the challenge from some of Ireland’s top distance runners, including Anne-Marie McGlynn and Siobhan O’Doherty. Meanwhile, the men’s race was won by John Coghlan of the host club MSB AC in a time of 14:32.

We also wish the best of luck across the Atlantic to Úna Britton as she resumes her US collegiate season. Úna will be competing every weekend for the next two months in the colours of Eastern Kentucky University.

Upcoming Events

Back home, our next Championship race is the Leinster 10 mile Road Race in Raheny on Easter Monday. Our friends from Sli Cualann are sending a strong team of 30+ male and female athletes across all age-groups (S, O40, O45, O50) to this race. This means there is a great chance for our runners to claim spots on medal-winning County Wicklow teams.