The club fielded a strong contingent in Clontarf on Saturday as this event continues to grow in popularity. There was extreme wind and a tough beach section to contend with, but thankfully, no hills on this flat course.
We had 3 Fit4Lifers in the 5 miler; all clocking very impressive times. Well done to ever-improving recent joiner Alessandra Verri (55.21), Joan Hodgins (40.43) home from Oz on her holidays and Peig Griffin (52.52) a regular Fit4Life trooper on the circuit. Well done ladies, great running.
We had several more entrants opting for the half-marathon in which Coach Gary, returning from injury, claimed second spot on the podium.
Our Senior group was ably represented, as always. Caitriona Conneely (1.41.43), followed up her good run in Clonee with another strong showing here and Peter O’Reilly (1.43.36) ran a strong race finishing close behind her. Noel Duffy (2.17.31) flew the flag for the long term club veterans with a solid performance also. Well done folks, superb running.
Fit4Life fielded some of their finest distance junkies; Angela Ever-Ready Egan (2.37.40), Hilary I-heart-distance Madden (2.06.52), Jackie Clontarf-Beach-Babe Brannigan (1.54.44) and Lyndon Showpony Thomas (2.12.32). Great going all, we expect nothing less from our usual suspects.
The performances of the day came from 5 Fit4Lifers who were making their half marathon debuts on Saturday. Annette Finlay (2.21.55), daughter Julieann Finlay (2.22.20) and Pauline Singleton (2.19.23) egged each other on to complete their first ever half marathons in considerable style, parting company once they knew the task was in hand. Nice one ladies! Domenico Procopio (2.14.39) and Martin Dillon (1.59.34) dug deep to avoid any unfavourable comparisons with wives Alessandra and Joan in the 5 miler. Normally we wouldn’t give our Fit4Life men an inch, but as a half marathon debut is a very special achievement, and they posted brilliant times, we’ll grudgingly admit that they had the edge in the household bragging rights over the weekend. Special congratulations to our 5 half marathon debutants on a wonderful achievement. 13.1 miles is no easy feat, so take a bow.
Well done to all who represented us in both the 5 miler and half marathon in tough windy conditions. As you’ll see from the photos some of our members were totally rocking the Beyoncé windswept look…but for the donuts!
