The Eagle AC Summer Series 2020 (Virtual Edition!) drew to a close this week when the final race of this year’s series was held. Race No. 4 took place between Wednesday 19^th – Friday 21^st August and saw 63 members in total log an entry. This was a great number once again, especially when we weren’t so lucky with the weather this time around to say the least!

A special mention from this month’s entries must go to Tamara Lopez who managed to log her 5 miles whilst running around her garden! It was great to see Martin Daly back in action after a recent injury also, as well as Derek Costello who logged a brilliant 5 miles and is hopefully well on the road to recovery after a tough year of injuries. For the photos from Race 4 see the album here –https://www.flickr.com/photos/125872653@N04/sets/72157715606774967/

The club committed to donate at least €1 for each run logged throughout the series to Fota Wildlife Park.  A GoFundMe page was also set up in order for members to make a voluntary donation to the cause if they so wished. Between the 4 races there were 293 runs logged. This, combined with the amount of €950 raised through our GoFundMe page translates to a total of €1,243 being raised by Eagle AC for Fota Wildlife Park. We would like to sincerely thank members who contributed so generously to this cause over the past few months. The money raised from the Summer Series will go directly towards the feeding bill and operational costs of the park.

This time around, we had two raffles to complete – one for all those who took part in Race 4 and one for all those who completed all 4 races in the Summer Series 2020. In total, we had 53 members who took part in all 4 races. A huge thanks to The Edge Sports who donated the prizes so generously for this series. Their generous sponsorship ensured that we could donate 100% of profits from the series to Fota Wildlife Park.

Race No. 4 Raffle Winners:

Dolores Casey – €20 voucher – The Edge Sports

Michelle Traynor – €15 voucher – The Edge Sports

Anne Murphy – €10 voucher – The Edge Sports

Andrew McDonald – €20 voucher – The Edge Sports

Ray Harrington – €10 voucher – The Edge Sports

Sean Lucey – €10 voucher – The Edge Sports

Geraldine Corcoran – €15 voucher – The Edge Sports

Mark Smith – €15 voucher – The Edge Sports

Donal Hannigan – €20 voucher – The Edge Sports

Overall Summer Series Winners:

Ken Nyhan – €20 voucher – The Edge Sports

Frank Cotter – €10 voucher – The Edge Sports

Derek Costello – €15 voucher – The Edge Sports

Ruairi O’Callaghan – €15 voucher – The Edge Sports

Gary Gibbons – €20 voucher – The Edge Sports

Karen Bevan – €15 voucher – The Edge Sports

Denis Looney – €20 voucher – The Edge Sports

Dermot Slyne – €10 voucher – The Edge Sports

Olga O’Sullivan – €20 voucher – The Edge Sports

Congratulations to all of the winners this time around.

Many thanks to all those who have put in lots of behind the scenes work to make this series happen over the past few months. Especially to Damian Kenneally who is the brainchild behind the Summer Series!! And to Ruairi Egan who organised all of the vouchers and photos for each race. A big thanks to Derek Costello also, for putting the Flickr albums together for every race and to Denis Looney who organised the GoFundMe page.

Finally, we would just like to say a huge thanks to all members who took part in the 2020 series in such great numbers . Hopefully it was a way to help keep members somewhat connected and motivated over the past few crazy months!

All that’s left to say is Roll on Eagle AC Summer Series 2021 – Hopefully a non-virtual event!!

Eagle AC Member Profile:

Name : Mike McGrath

Member of Eagle AC since : 2002 I think thanks to the great Joe Murphy !

How long have you been running? What made you take it up : I started running Cross Country ( because I couldn’t get on the School rugby team ! ) when I was about 14 but have been running consistently and competing in Road Races I’d say for over 40 years. 1^st marathon was Dublin 1983 !

Favourite thing about running : The Buzz you get after a long run or speed session and being out in the fresh air !

Favourite race distance to run: Half Marathon

What is your main goal for this year: I haven’t run a Marathon since Dublin 1993 so as I was 60 last December I’ve decided to run the Gap of Dunloe Marathon, as my previous goal marathon, Manchester was cancelled in April.

Your best race/most memorable racing moment to date: Running 3.03 at the California Marathon in Sacramento CA on my birthday in Dec 1990 ( -7C at race start ) to qualify for 1991 Boston Marathon ( sub 3.05 required based on your Age )

Tell us something most people might not know about you : I also play golf  ( Handicap 5 ) and won an All Ireland Medal playing for Muskerry in 2007.

Biggest heroes  (sporting or non-sporting) : Steve Jobs (Apple Inc founder ), Ernie Els ( World Class Golfer ) , Tony Robbins ( Self Help Guru )

One bit of advice you would give to someone thinking of taking up running : Start slow and increase your mileage gradually , Think long term !– I always say “ it’s better to run 50 x 20 mile weeks rather than 20 x 50 mile weeks !

3 things you would take with you onto a desert island :

My coffee machine, i phone , and my running shoes of course !