Carrick Road Runners Athletic Club, Co. Tipperary, Ireland

Carrick Road Runners Athletic Club Notes 18th February 2008

It was a very successful day out for the ladies of Carrick-on-Suir AC in Clonmel on Sunday last for the first of the year's county road races. The ladies novice was run over a flat fast 3k course on what can only be described as perfect weather conditions for running. Most of this team are new to the sport, so this was a great achievement to clinch a team bronze and the potential is there for bigger and better things over the coming road season. Here is how the ladies finished. Our first finisher in 9th position was Teresa O'Sullivan who has really come on in leaps and bounds over the past few months. Just behind Teresa was Bernie Sexton who is another runner who has been flying in the Winter League lately and brought this good form to Clonmel. Catherine O'Donovan finished a very strong 12th while Una Ryan was 15th to cross the line. In 16th was Susan Collins a runner who recently moved up from the 2.5k to the 5k Winter League with great success. Well done to all of these athletes you have done the club proud!

Men just miss out on bronze
After a slight miscalculation in the team scores our men's team just missed out on 3rd spot in the team competition, being pipped at the post by a strong Clonmel AC team. It was so close the Carrick AC team of Ger O'Loghlin, John O'Sullivan, Keith Barry and Anthony Grace were initially presented with the medals but a re-check of the points meant that Clonmel were eventually to be declared bronze medal winners with Carrick-on-Suir AC a very close 4th. The boys should not let this get them down, as with the ladies the potential is there for some great performances over the coming months and it is all still to play for. Here is how the Carrick men finished: 10. Ger O'Loughlin, 14. John O'Sullivan, 16. Keith Barry, 17. Anthony Grace, 29. Tommy Falconer, 30. Mark Connolly, 37. Brendan Cronin, 39. James Fox, 47. Mick O'Shea.

Super-Valu Winter League Prize Ceremony
Just a reminder to all runners who competed in this year's highly successful Winter League. The presentation of prizes will take place in The Strand Bar, Bridge St., on Friday night next 22nd February with a 9 p.m. start. We encourage any athlete (even if you only ran on one occasion) to come along as there is very generous prize fund on offer and a great night is guaranteed! Remember prizes are awarded to those who have shown the biggest improvement not necessarily the fastest runners and as the league has been broken into divisions there is a good spread of prizes amongst the competitors. Finger food will be served.

Fit 4 Life
The club's Fit 4 Life programme will kick off for 2008 on Tuesday 19th February in Kildalton College, Piltown from 7 p.m. More details on the Fit 4 Life programme will be circulated to all members over the coming weeks. Please note all those who wish to take part in the Fit 4 Life programme must become members of the club, at a cost of €30 for the year (a snip!) and therefore be affiliated to the AAI (and will then be automatically covered for insurance reasons.)

The first night of Fit 4 Life will be an information and registration evening where committee members and the Fit 4 Life leaders will be available to offer more information on the programme and to answer any questions. Most importantly Fit 4 Life is for everyone over the age of 16 years of age. You don't have to be a runner already. If you are a regular walker and you are interested in graduating onto jogging or running then this is for you. Fit 4 Life will also serve as an introduction to the club's other activities including our summer series, 1 mile challenge series as well as the Winter League and other events.

Fixtures
Fit 4 Life commencing Tuesday 19th February, 7 p.m., Kildalton College, Piltown. (Meet and train all subsequent Tuesdays for 15 weeks).
Easons Dungarvan 10k: 2 p.m., Sunday March 2nd, Dungarvan.
Ballycotton 10: 1:30 p.m., Sunday March 9th, Ballycotton, Co. Cork.