As per other years a whole host of Dunboyne AC runners made the short journey to this well organised event run by Bohermeen AC last Sunday. Delighted as we are to support a fellow Meath athletic club’s fundraising efforts, the day produced some great performances from our runners.
In the 10K Loughlin Campion ran a very solid 35:52. Gerard Martin, in an impressive debut race for the club ran 35:55. The two lads ran together as Loughlin continues to build his fitness and shows progression as he strives towards his aggressive personal goals for the coming months. This was a very impressive debut and PB for Gerry who we have high aspirations for this year as already he shows us what great potential he has.
Kevin Clancy ran a strong 37:20 and was given a target of at least 10K PB’s at the start of the year by Alan and this is his second in a month with more great things to come from him.
Alan McKernan (the source for all the inside information and abuse for this report) ran with Kevin until mile 4 when he started to struggle and Kevin sneaked off and left him alone and lost without a care in the world. He still ran a solid 37:39
Lewy McCann ran 38:48. This was a first time Dunboyne race for Lewy who also showed impressive form with this great result. There is a lot more to come from Lewy who achieved a great Iron Man time last year and, along with Gerry, aspires to break 3 hours at the Dublin marathon this year. We have it on good authority that this will not be a problem.
Laura Buckley delivered a superb 39:36. A great run from Laura who is getting back to her best following her spring break to catch up on multiple episodes of Home & Away. The Bullet Buckley will be a force to reckon with in the coming months as the speed builds.
In the Half Marathon, Donal Cashin was first home for the club in 14th place with a 2 minute PB in a time of 1:17. This result followed on from his 2 minute PB at Trim too. The Kanturk flyer is truly flying and obviously in great form at the moment. Phelim netted a similar time to Donal although he came some places behind as he started late working his way from the back of the field through all his fellow runners to finish in 26th position and first in his age category. The coach showed his charges how it is done although they could teach him the benefits of starting with everyone else!
Well done to envelope Emilia Dan who ran a solid race with Kevin Clancy’s brother, Peter. Peter ran with her and stayed alongside her until the finish line unlike his brother who took the selfish approach leaving a helpless ex- friend and running colleague in pain on a lonely country road. It is great to know that there is one nice Clancy out there.
Sarah Meegan, like a phoenix from the flame, rose from injury and a near week off running to record a massive PB and a comfortable sub 1:40 as she ignored her target of 1:39 to come in at 1:38 as she pushed hard to the line.
Super Warren McIntyre yet again turns up and blasts his PB by 5 minutes as he comes in at 1:24 with a smile and a pose with his sexy shades on. Warren has signed up for his first marathon in Berlin this year and is set for a very impressive debut marathon as his improvement continues.
Cian Mangan – Another big PB for Cian who finished the race very strong as he waved to his club support chanting his name as he made a very strong finish in a time of 1:28. Cian is another man gaining from the bespoke training plan created for all to gain and obtain PBs. No plan works without hard work by the runners and Cian is proof that hard work pays off.
Clodagh Dunphy ran a strong 1:32 despite rumours of being out on the lash the previous Friday. These rumours have not been confirmed or denied it must be added.
Juvenile coach Fintan Crehan delivered an impressive 1:36 which was great running on the day and Deirdre Fitzsimons produced a 1:43 which was a very strong performance,
Eimear English made a late decision to run this race but a great one as she ran an impressive 1:31. Eimear is mainly focusing on the shorter races but showed great ability as she ran a very impressive race.
Geoff Hamilton delivered a strong 1:46 run and Lauren Flood ran an impressive 1:51 on the day so well done folks.
The Half marathon couples:
Rob Hale and Stephen Devlin ran 1:29 58. This was a great pacing job by Stephen who prepares for his marathon in Paris in 5 weeks’ time as he helped Rob who ran brilliantly around the course to break 1:30 for the first time. Rob is another who has made great strides with the club and shows brilliant potential to continuously improve. Congrats to Rob on selecting an aggressive target and executing it and Stephen for helping him achieve this.
Paul Lord and Micheal O’ Baille ran 1:56:19. This was a like a scene from Saving Private Ryan as the two lads worked together to get home. Paul made a late decision to run as he was unwell and suffered as a result but Micheal who preaches the mantra of ’never leave a man behind’ stayed with Paul until they both crossed the line. It was like a scene from Rocky as they got split up over the line and were ‘Rocky’ screamed for Adrian in the movie, Paul was seen over everyone’s head screaming for ‘Micheal’ with tears in his eyes which Micheal wiped away as they embraced over at the protein milk stand where they were reunited. This was an epic race by both who never gave up and continued until they got over that line. According to Paul’s wife Super Lisa Lord, Paul was heard whispering Micheal’s name in his sleep Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!
Mark McDonald and Mick Foy. Well done to Mick following his Malta half marathon the previous week, he registered for this race and ran it with Mark guiding him to a great PB as Mark made another very positive improvement move. Mick was heard at his motivational best as a very strong Mark responded and progressed with ease to the finish line. This will be another of many PBs for Mark this year.
It was great to see fellow friends and running colleagues work in tandem to help members achieve their personal goals. This really epitomises our club ethos and shows great comradeship in conjunction with friendship. Well done all!!
There were many great performances by the club on Sunday and one of them was from Mirela Herghelegiu who ran her first ever half marathon and came in comfortably under 2Hrs. Our club has many runners who could be deemed as inspirational but none more so than this fabulous lady whom is seeing regularly getting her miles in around Clonee and she trains hard for her targets. A massive well done to Mirela who year after year improves and inspires.
Well done to all our runners and supporters in Bohermeen last week. Proof, if needed, of what a great club Dunboyne AC is.
Special thanks to Alan McKernan for his enlightening background and sparkling prose in this report. All complaints to him please!!
Lots of great pics here, with thanks to Peter & Rory Mooney: https://www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157677904981873/page1
