The Frank Duffy 10 miler is a race that is etched in most distance runners calendar this time of year. A bridge to completing a half or a marathon for most who do it. We’d 9 of our 7pm group making up the huge amount (34) of Dunboyne AC athletes in action in the Phoenix Park on Saturday on a day which wasn’t the worst for running in.
Gerry O’Reilly led the blue and whites home on Saturday in a time of 63:43, a time Gerry should be happy with but he wanted a minute or two more on the day. He went through half way in just over 30 minutes and felt in the red and knew his target time wasn’t going to be hit on Saturday.
Claire Ni Fhaircheallaigh was on envelope duty again, the race series has been kind to Claire in this regard and why wouldn’t it with a time of 66 flat, placing 7th in her category and 13th lady overall, super running. Claire’s in great shape ahead of Berlin.
There’s never much between Claire and Kevin Clancy in training reps or in races. Kevin ran 68:38 on Saturday, a strong run that should set up Kevin for a crack at a sub 90 Half.
Mentor Mick Foy was out with one eye on his half marathoners / marathoners and the other on getting a good race in. He was taking on his second 10 miler in 6 days, possibly not a goal race for Mick after Monaghan outing but good running none the less with a time of 75:19, a second ahead of John!
John O’Malley had an excellent run with a time of 75:20, which we can only assume was a PB. He clearly brought the runners on holidays with him recently.
Antoinette Howlin was another taking on her second 10 miler in 6 days, but with a time 3 mins outside of last weeks we think this one may have been a race Antoinette, who like Mick, was taking on as an MP run following her super run in Monaghan last Sunday. She looked comfortable whenever she was seen on the course, probably with a few miles either side of the race knowing Antoinette! Another PB marathon in store come Autumn.
Paul Lord had a great race with a time of 77:13 running an even split between the first and second half, the latter being more difficult in this race. Paul’s been having a friendly battle over the course of the race series with Geoff, which he got the better of this time around. Roll on the half Geoff! Geoff nevertheless performers really well with a 78:42. Catch him next month!
Noel Duffy was well up in his category in this race with a time of 82:51. Noel’s raced regularly this year and hasn’t missed many sessions since coming back in and training regularly with the group and he’s clearly seeing the benefit of that in his times.
Well done to all and best of luck with the next 4 weeks training ahead of the Dublin Half for those taking on Dublin and the last 2/3 weeks before taper for those taking on Berlin.
Gerry O’Reilly 63:43
Claire Ni Fhaircheallaigh 66:00
Kevin Clancy 68:38
Mick Foy 75:19
John O’Malley 75:20
Antoinette Howlin 75:35
Paul Lord 77:13
Geoff Hamilton 78:42
Noel Duffy 82:51
Alan Doyle 84:36
