Fit4Life and Seniors at the Race Series 5 mile Sunday 12th June 2016

by Ana Quigley , June 12, 2016

(with Many Thanks to Louise Taylor for this fantastic report!)

The SSE Airtricity race series kicked off on Sunday 12^th June with a 5 mile distance. Fit4Life were well represented along with Seniors from the club. The race commenced at 10am in the Phoenix Park. We decided to meet at our usual rendezvous point at 9am. The weather was slightly overcast and mildly humid but conditions seemed good for running. Ana and I met Vivienne and Margaret. They were shortly followed by Sam, Geoff and Aoife. We headed down to the baggage drop but obviously stopped at Fit4Life favourite hangout…The Porta loos!J  We were swiftly joined there by Alessandra, Domenico, Annette, Julianne, Lisa, Rob and Sinead, Ann, Laura, David and Olwyn. We also met John O’Malley and Paul Lord from the Seniors. We heard that Peter Somba was running and we were all hoping for a triumphant finish for him. Dunboyne scouts were on duty at the baggage drop and were so happy to oblige us by taking our bags and keeping them to one side for us. Very grateful indeed! We could easily get use to this sort of VIP treatment. We headed to the start line but not before posing for some photos along the way in true Fit4Life style.

Nearly 3,000 runners took on the 5 mile this year. The race went out in waves and we were all in the second wave. Off we went! Chesterfield Avenue was the starting point. We then proceeded up to the monument and right down north road. It was here we met one of our resident photographers Claire Clifford. She was only too happy to oblige by taking some fantastic photos of us mid run. Thanks so much Claire! We headed down Old Lamp Road, Acres Road, a nice downhill run on Kyber Road  and then the dreaded Military Road, for me anyhow!!  Hills hills and more hills for roughly 2 miles. The temperature increased at this stage in more ways than oneL Dunboyne scouts manned the water station and cheered us on as they normally do. Thanks so much Scouts! We continued along Upper Glen road and to the finish on Furze road. Think it’s safe to say we were all delighted to see the finish line. Some fantastic times achieved by Fit4Life and a few PBs for some I’m sure. The Seniors put on an impressive performance as always. Catherina Mullen who regularly trains with our Seniors came 3^rd overall. She was in good company on the podium with Gladys Ganiel and Catherina McKiernan. Super times all round for them and the icing on the cake was Peter Somba’s race winning performance. All times are listed below.

We collected our goodie bags and were overjoyed with our race t-shirts. Some very observant Fit4Lifers spotted the incorrect race date on the shirts but that didn’t dampen our spirits. We gathered at the finish line for the final snap of the day. It was a great race and very well organised. Think it’s safe to say we all enjoyed the first race of the series.

Link to Claire’s photos here