**Seniors in action at the Rock’n’Roll Half Marathon incorporating the National Half Marathon Championship, Dublin, Sunday 2nd August 2015***
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A good group of our Seniors gathered themselves on North Wall Quay early on Sunday morning to take on the third running of the Rock’n’Roll Half Marathon incorporating the National Half Marathon Championships.Breezy, balmy, showery and littered with drags, it wasn’t a day for PB’s but nevertheless our crew accomplished themselves excellently and it’s clear the Hanson plan is working wonders so far. Ger Solan was the first familiar face seen in the Park, having another excellent HM following his impressive Bohermeen Half earlier in the year. Although slower on Sunday it’s representative of the tougher course and distance and dare we say it Ger looks in form again for a right good crack at sub 3 in October. Ger placed 5th in his category of 60 athletes entered in the National Championship, less than a minute away from a medal. Another with a similar goal in mind in October is newbie Paul Hanaphy. A revelation in his first season with Dunboyne AC, like Ger Solan last year he has seen his times fall every month. Another strong run on Sunday from Paul which is sure to fall again ahead of the marathon on a softer course. Evergreen Emilia returned from her holidays and she obviously brought the runners with her. Emilia had a fantastic run nipping in under the 90 min mark but more importantly claiming a silver medal in her category. Never too far away from Emilia is always Claire and so it was on Sunday again, Claire posted an excellent time that placed her highly in 5th place in a very competitive category. Super progress. Sub 90 for Claire next time out and a fast Berlin in September. Paul O’Donnell has been looking lean and fast of late and has put behind him recent injury woes. His time on Sunday was almost 5 minutes faster than that in Bohermeen, over a much more difficult course. Stephen Doyle we missed last year but he’s been consistent with his training at the track in 2015. On Sunday Stephen had a super run of 1:37 proving it didn’t take him long to find his racing pace again following the break. Geoff Hamilton was a sever grinning from ear to ear in every photo we seen of him, most were from early on, and afterwards, we hope it was the same after 10 miles Geoff! Geoff rocked inside of 1:50 with 5 seconds to spare. Rolling in just the other side of 1:50 was Paul Lord who no doubt will have a scalp on Geoff in mind next day out with such a small ,argon between them! Another relative novice showing promise this year is Garbhan Blake. Garbhan had a super run, not 100% if it’s the first go at this distance but a fine run irrespective of whether it is if not. Anne Gorman swopped her runners for a bike recently and completed the torturous 200km Ring of Kerry cycle. It was back to racing over a distance she is more familiar and possibly more fond of too on Sunday. Anne Marie Sheehan joined the Seniors last year with DCM in mind and going on form this year she will take a chunk off her 2014 if the race is on her horizon again. Well done to all who ran, supported and helped out on the day. Super efforts from all and some big PBs ahead in the Autumn marathons. Ger Solan 1:24:19 Check out some photos here, with thanks to Sam Hamilton and Rob Webb: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/ |
