June 4th 2023

Cork City Marathon weekend is a very special weekend in the Cork racing calendar, and this year was one to remember. The sun was shining, the crowds were cheering & the atmosphere was electric. The Cork City Marathon, Half Marathon & this year the new 10K event brings together runners at all levels with one goal in mind; to put in their best effort to cover the distance. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of our Eagle athletes on their achievements and look at a few highlights of the weekend.

The Full Marathon Participants

Some brilliant results in the marathon with Vivian Foley once again leading the club home in a fantastic time. Mark & Anthony were the next two Eagles over the line with PB runs from both and brilliant running by the two training partners. Aoife Cooke crossed the line as the 3hr pacer and 4th lady overall in the Marathon, and great thanks due to Aoife who was a late enrolment to the pacer team. An impressive performance from Ethan Bevan in his first outing in the Eagle singlet & his first marathon. Martin O Leary has kept us up to date on his training through his blog in the run up to the Marathon and ran a fantastic race. Jane Power also ran an excellent first marathon. Despite the heat there were plenty of PB’s and some very strong running from Eagle AC.

9 1397 VIVIAN FOLEY Eagle AC 02:38:17 02:38:14
18 322 MARK MURPHY Eagle AC 02:47:47 02:47:42
28 1811 ANTHONY MC CARTHY Eagle AC 02:50:41 02:50:37
57 17 AOIFE COOKE Eagle AC 02:58:53 02:58:48
98 2002 DAVID O’KEEFFE Eagle AC 03:06:43 03:06:32
129 1268 JIM O BYRNE Eagle AC 03:11:42 03:11:26
177 1270 ETHAN BEVAN Eagle AC 03:17:25 03:17:07
180 643 SIOBHAN HOLLAND Eagle AC 03:18:16 03:18:05
196 642 MARTIN LYNCH INDEPENDENT 03:20:36 03:20:25
236 2158 PETER FLEMING Eagle AC 03:24:58 03:24:52
264 803 KEN MULCAHY Eagle AC 03:27:36 03:27:22
296 69 MARTIN O LEARY Eagle AC 03:29:22 03:29:11
313 592 MARESSA MILLS Eagle AC 03:32:09 03:31:41
356 913 JOHN SHEEHAN Eagle AC 03:36:17 03:36:02
413 630 SHANE O ROURKE Eagle AC 03:41:22 03:40:24
494 697 ANDREW MACDONALD Eagle AC 03:46:11 03:45:44
519 1351 DENIS CARROLL Eagle AC 03:48:26 03:47:45
771 1361 TONY O’LEARY Eagle AC 04:05:04 04:03:02
820 338 JANE POWER INDEPENDENT 04:08:09 04:07:17
1163 671 CHARLIE BYRD Eagle AC 04:32:40 04:31:30
1185 395 PATRICK RYAN Eagle AC 04:33:37 04:33:05
1294 2091 AENID DOHERTY Eagle AC 04:42:54 04:42:17
1479 2072 PROINNSIAS O’KEEFFE Eagle AC 05:00:27 04:58:53
1571 783 ALAN WONG Eagle AC 05:13:45 05:11:42

The Half Marathon Participants

First time out in the Eagle Singlet and Adam Doyle leads the Eagles home in a superb sub 77 min half marathon! Fantastic performances from our racers & pacers.

12    5606    ADAM DOYLE    Eagle AC    01:17:01    01:16:57
15    6859    KEN INCE    Eagle AC    01:18:00    01:17:57
68    7074    JASON O’MAHONY    Eagle AC    01:27:16    01:27:10
84    4643    BRIAN MC GUIRE    Eagle AC    01:29:26    01:29:19
103  4889    MARTIN LEAHY    Eagle AC    01:29:53    01:29:42
109  4359    SEAN O KEEFFE    Eagle AC    01:30:01    01:29:51 (PACER)
134  5680    PAT O’CONNOR    Eagle AC    01:32:10    01:32:06
260  6644    MIKE MC GRATH    Eagle AC    01:39:30    01:38:51
414  4658    KAREN BEVAN    Eagle AC    01:44:43    01:43:53
539  4031    MICHELLE TRAYNOR    Eagle AC    01:48:19    01:47:22
540  6329    RUAIRI EGAN    Eagle AC    01:48:19    01:47:30
594  5900    LISA BOLAND    Eagle AC    01:49:37    01:48:15
610  6317    MARTIN DALY    Eagle AC    01:49:57    01:48:28
723  6205    MAIREAD PEREZ    Eagle AC    01:52:12    01:51:19
724  4422    DENIS BROWNE    Eagle AC    01:52:12    01:51:18
808  6424    MICHAEL NOONAN    Eagle AC    01:54:32    01:53:25
898  7056    NIALL MC SWEENEY    Eagle AC    01:56:11    01:54:43
921  4029    IAN O BRIEN    Eagle AC    01:56:46    01:54:46
954  6566    DAMIEN GERAGHTY    Eagle AC    01:57:16    01:55:54
1040 5382    DENIS LOONEY    Eagle AC    01:58:41    01:56:09
1264 4351    ELAINE GUINANE    Eagle AC    02:02:21    01:59:24 (PACER)
1271 4659    DANIEL LUXTON    Eagle AC    02:02:26    01:59:55
1278  4349    ED FITZGERALD    Eagle AC    02:02:35    01:59:28 (PACER)
1388  6388    DAVID LYNCH    Eagle AC    02:04:50    02:01:46
1568  5915    GREGG MOORE    Eagle AC    02:08:22    02:05:25
1607  5381    BERNADETTE LOONEY    Eagle AC    02:08:58    02:04:49
2186  5091    JOHN SWANTON    Eagle AC    02:19:36    02:15:47
2406  4346    TAMARA LOPEZ    Eagle AC    02:24:37    02:19:21 (PACER)
2463   5710    FRANCES O’CONNOR    Eagle AC    02:26:18    02:23:07
2926   4350    EIMEAR BURKE    Eagle AC    02:43:21    02:40:23 (PACER)
3188  6643    KAREN O SULLIVAN    Eagle AC    03:43:46    03:36:20
3191  6642    SINEAD POWER    Eagle AC    03:46:04    03:38:38

The 10k participants

What a finish from our two leading Eagles home in the 10K Derek & Paul with an amazing duplicate in Chip and Gun times! We would like to give a big welcome back to Glenn Kenneally who was able to wear his Eagle singlet and stand on the race start line for the first time in 2 years. The 10k proved an incredibly successful addition to the weekend with over 5,000 participants registering.

30    8868    DEREK OKEEFFE    Eagle AC    00:36:34    00:36:30
31   9607    PAUL COTTER    Eagle AC    00:36:34    00:36:30
137  8677    JACK MURPHY    Eagle AC    00:41:47    00:41:33
196  11705   SEAN LUCEY    Eagle AC    00:44:19    00:44:04
224  8200    RUAIRI EGAN    Eagle AC    00:44:54    00:44:40 (PACER)
229  8927    PADRAIG SHEEHAN    Eagle AC    00:44:58    00:44:41
303  9672    GARY GIBBONS    Eagle AC    00:47:19    00:46:56
360  10950    BRIAN HEGARTY    Eagle AC    00:48:38    00:47:32
369  11456    BRENDAN DALY    Eagle AC    00:48:52    00:48:00
406   8325    PAT TWOMEY    Eagle AC    00:49:35    00:49:30
432   8199    KAREN BEVAN    Eagle AC    00:49:57    00:49:29 (PACER)
470   10877   DEREK COSTELLO    Eagle AC    00:50:35    00:49:45
576   9255    MARIA MADIGAN    Eagle AC    00:52:05    00:51:16
929   12115   GLENN KENNEALLY    Eagle AC    00:56:41    00:56:11
955   11343   DEIRDRE CASEY    Eagle AC    00:56:56    00:53:59
1371 10428   KAREN MC HUGH    Eagle AC    01:01:04    00:57:54
1728  11731  REBECCA O’RIORDAN    Eagle AC    01:04:22    01:00:22
2043  10427   JACQUELINE SLYNE    Eagle AC    01:06:58    01:03:46

The Eagle support crew on Farranlea road were a welcome sight. Captain Finbarr Lehane, Chairman Grellan McGrath & Ian Roche were providing cheers and support, and best of all handing out Mr Freeze ice lollies!

The ‘Marathon Afterparty’ in Deep South brought a brilliant end to the weekend with great credit due to Damian Kenneally & Brain Ahern of The Runners Diary Podcast for the work and organisation that went into this. It was such a memorable afternoon, gathering everyone together for post race reflections and hearing from their many guests on stage. Brilliantly organised & brilliantly executed by Damian & Brian.

Thank you!

Thank you to all of the organisers, all the volunteers, all the paramedics who worked very hard on the day, the Gardai, the photographers, the supporters and so many people along the way that make this event possible. Great credit is due to the ‘The Cork City Marathon’ organising team and Race Director Eamon Hayes of Eagle A.C. The work, preparations and dedicated time and effort that go into events like this are astronomical. This is the most important running event in Cork running calendar and we should all work together to build this up & support our marathon towards continued success in the future.

Until next year well done to everyone & hope you all enjoy the memories of an amazing weekend.

Thursday May 18th 2023

The Eagle AC Cheetah Run at Fota Wildlife Park on Thursday May 18th 2023 was an unforgettable evening. There was a buzz of excitement around the wildlife park that only the Cheetah Run can bring. This was a very special evening for the club, marking the the first presentation of the ‘Anne Lucey Murphy Memorial Cup’ to the winning lady on the night. The 1st lady home was Hannah Steeds of Leevale AC, a talented runner finishing in a time of 17:33. Annes husband Joe Murphy presented the cup to Hannah, and her name will now be first engraved on a list of many talented female runners in the coming years. A fitting tribute to a valued clubmate, a much loved runner & photographer in Cork. Michelle Kenny also of Leevale AC took 2nd place in 17:51 and Kealey Tideswell of Clonmel A.C. was 3rd in 17:57. Brilliant running by the ladies.

Our winner on the night was Ray Hynes of Donroe AC, making the trip down from Dublin to be a part of this amazing evening. It was a tight race up to 4K when Ray made a break for home in a blistering time on this course of 15:25. Second place was won by Tipp resident Sergiu Ciobanu, Clonliffe Harriers A.C. in 15:37 and a Cork man Denis Hegarty Watergrasshill A.C. took 3rd place in 15:47. We were delighted to welcome such a high quality field to our 2023 Cheetah Race.

We had 723 finishers in our 5 Km and 79 finishers in our 1 mile event. A total of 802 finishers in a 1000 place sold out event, is an achievement that we are very proud of. A total of 46 running clubs and 15 counties were represented and in celebrating our ladies this year it was fitting that our ladies outnumbered our men.

We appreciate each & every runner/ walker that was a part of this magic evening in Fota Wildlife Park, thank you for your support.

Results & Prizes.

Thank You.

Thank you all for coming out to support the Eagle AC Cheetah Race, for some very exciting running, some amazing supporting and loads of fun. We are proud to host an event where generations of runners, from all over the country, gather to enjoy a fantastic evening of racing, in the amazing setting of Fota Wildlife Park, and in association with the OPW.

Very warm thanks to all of the Eagle AC members who gave their time to volunteer in the various areas, and to the many family and friends you brought along to lend extra pairs of hands. The Eagle AC Cheetah Run 2023 was a night to be proud of our club once again.

Last, but certainly not least, we would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors John Buckley sports and Brooks running for their continued support and very generous sponsorship of this event. Thank you all for your support.

We look forward to seeing you all again next year!

FOTA WILDLIFE PARK

We are delighted to announce that entries open for our hugely popular Eagle AC Cheetah Run in Fota Wildlife Park, on Friday 7th April 2023, bright & early at 8am!

This one sells out quickly, so set your alarms for Good Friday morning and make sure to secure your place for this years event!

Link for ticket bookings: https://eventmaster.ie/event/JVJQipvHRk

A Race Like No Other:

The Cheetah run offers a truly unique experience to run a 5K race (adults & those aged 16 and above) or a 1 mile race for those aged 11-15 years, within a wildlife park. Your supporters will be not only your family and friends but also all the animals within the park. The Giraffes & Ostrich’s always take a particular interest in our runners as they gather for the race start! With the additional celebration of Fota Wildlife Park’s 40th Anniversary, this promises to be one to remember.

Hugh McSweeney, Eagle AC with Sean McKeown, Director Fota Wildlife Park, Conor Kavanagh, John Buckley Sports, Ruairí Egan & Karen Bevan, Eagle AC Race Directors, Eoghan and Conor Looney from Blarney Inniscara Athletics Club. Pic Darragh Kane

The 1 Mile Race

The 1 mile race for juveniles this year (Ages 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15) will commence at at 7:15pm. The numbers will be limited to 100. The one mile race has been measured accurately by Jones Counter, will be chip timed and all finishers will receive a medal. Please note that there are no prizes in the juvenile race.

Link to last years winning times: https://www.myrunresults.com/events/fota_cheetah_1_mile_run/4489/results

The 5K Race

The minimum age is 16 for the 5k race as per Athletics Ireland permit recommendations. This will commence at 8pm.

There will be prizes for the first 5 men and women as well as the usual age categories. The exact number of prizes for the age categories will be determined after the online entries close with the aim of making each age category competitive.

Link to last years winning times: https://www.myrunresults.com/events/fota_cheetah_5k_run/4368/results

How to Enter:

Entry is via ‘Eventmaster’ and the link for ticket booking is: https://eventmaster.ie/event/JVJQipvHRk

The entry fee for the 5k event will be €16 (+ processing fee), entry fee for the 1-mile junior race will be €9 (+ processing fee), the athletics Ireland levy is also applicable to those runners who are not currently members of an AAI club. The places for the 1-mile race are limited to 100 & the 5k places are limited to 900 runners. Each runner can bring a maximum of four visitors along with them free of charge to watch the race, this is a part of race entry. Access will be controlled on the night and gates open at 6:30pm

The Cheetah Run Launch 2023.

This year we were delighted to welcome Hugh McSweeney Eagle AC along with Conor & Eoghan Looney brothers from Blarney Inniscarra AC to launch our 2023 Cheetah Run.

Huge McSweeney is an incredibly talented track & field masters athlete with a resume that few could contest, along with this he has some impressive performances in road races also! Hugh started his running career in 1982 and is a long standing member of Eagle A.C. Over the last 40 plus years he has won to mention but a few, 30 National Gold Medals, 15 National Silver Medals, 2 National Bronze Medals, 2 World Indoor Games (1991) 2 World Masters Outdoors Championships Medals (2022), & 2 European Indoor Championships Medals (2022). Hugh has held 10 National Records over 60 meters, 200 meters and the long jump. This includes a long jump record that lasted for 22 years! If you want to talk about inspiring athletes & life long dedication to the sport Hugh believes that last year ‘2022’, was his best year to date when at the age of 77 he won 3 National, 2 European & 2 World Championship Medals. Hugh Kindly brough along these medals and the Baton from the European Masters athletics Championships

Conor & Eoghan Looney finished first and second in our Cheetah Run 2022 1 mile race in time of 00:05:28 & 00:05:34 respectively. They are a true example of the young & talented athletes we have here in Cork. We would like to wish Conor & Eoghan every success and look forward to seeing what the future holds for them. Perhaps they will come along to defend their titles, they look set to us!

What’s New This Year:

We have a couple of changes to the entry system on the night and the prize giving ceremony this year.

You will enter the park via the main ticket booths and your number collection will be provided from the ticket booths. This should speed up entry and allow you to enjoy the wildlife park as soon as you enter, avoiding number collection queuing.

The Teas & Coffees will be served at the Fota Wildlife Park Coffee shop with the prize giving for the 5K race taking place in the main pavilion outside the coffee shop. The shop will be open this year until 9.30pm for anyone who would like to purchase a memento of their Fota run 2023.

Following the sell-out return to Fota Wildlife Park in 2022, we are looking forward to welcoming everyone again to our exciting and unique race. We are very grateful to John Buckley Sports & Brooks for their ongoing support of this event. We are grateful also to the OPW and to Fota house for their continued support in allowing us to use their property. It is a pleasure to work with everyone at the park and we are delighted to again support their wonderful research & conservation projects.

Fota Wildlife Park has been listed as one of Ireland’s Top Ten visitor attractions (CSO 2010) and is the most popular tourist destination in Cork. This year Fota celebrates its 40th year open to the people of Cork & beyond. Hundreds of thousands visit the park every year. Fota is a non-profit organisation and is also a registered charity. It is completely self-financing, relying entirely on gate receipts and membership fees for its income, and any financial surpluses generated are reinvested in order improve infrastructure and promote the company’s core objectives of conservation, education and research.

Their website is http://www.fotawildlife.ie/

Our Sponsors:

The club would also like to acknowledge the continuing sponsorship of John Buckley Sports for this years race. John Buckley has been a great supporter of road races and athletics in the Cork region over the years and is one of the main shops in Cork for running  gear.

Their website can be found at http://johnbuckleysports.com/

Please note that John Buckley Sports are offering a 20% discount if you bring your race number into their store for the 2 weeks after the race

Course Descriptor:

5K Route

1 Mile Route

RACE DAY INFORMATION 11 am Sunday 19^th February 2023

Important Information:

• Race Day: Sunday 19^th February 2023
• Race Number: Please wear your race number on the front of your t-shirt & on you outermost layer of clothing.
• Number Postage: If you selected number postage prior to the 8^th of February you should have received your number in the post.
• Number Collection: For entries received after the 8^th of February, or where postage was not a selected option, your numbers will be available for collection from 9:30am in Carrigaline Community Complex, Church Rd, Carrigaline Middle, Carrigaline.  (Map location: RJ77+W4 Carrigaline, County Cork) Eircode P43 TK70
• Race Parking: Please allow enough time for parking, number collection and getting to the start line. Be aware that there will be up to 400 people looking for parking in a community area so this can take time. Parking at the Carrigaline Community Complex will be exclusively for wheelchair athletes or local community groups who use this on a weekly basis. We encourage all runners to use the Carpark opposite the park on both the bypass road and the Church road sides of the park. (Please see map below)
• Toilet facilities: Available in the hall, some portaloos outside the hall and more at the start-line
• The start line is located in the Waterpark Estate, please see map for details. This is a 10-minute walk from the Carrigaline Community complex.
• Race start time is 11am Sharp!
• The finishing line is also located In the Waterpark Estate.
• A map outlining parking, registration, start & finish line and race route can be found here: https://munsterraceroutes.blogspot.com/2013/01/cork001.html

Prior to the race

• If you opted for the postal option, your number will have been posted to you.
• For all on-line registrations after the 8^th of February, or where postage was not a selected option, your numbers will be available for collection in the Carrigaline Community Complex from 9:30am
• Please let us know as soon as possible of any problems with receipt of your number and we can resolve this for you.
• Please park responsibility and follow the instructions given by the carpark stewards.

At the start line

• Please listen to the stewards and the safety briefing, prior to the race start.
• There will be a lot of people in a small space, so take care of each other.
• There is a very quick downhill start to this race. If you feel there are faster runners in the race, please let them start in front of you to avoid collisions.
• There will be a lead car at the front of the race and a lead cyclist with the leading man & lady.

During the Race

• Our race does not permit the use of headphones of any kind, you need be aware of the people around you, you also need to be aware of on-coming traffic.
• Listen to the stewards, they are there as volunteers for your safety.
• As this is a 5-mile race there will be no water stops on the course.
• The course is on main roads open to traffic. Please keep to the left-hand side of the road. The Gardai and stewards will be on hand to ensure your safety, but please do take care and run safely.

At the finish line

• Water will be provided at the finish line.
• Refreshments: Tea, coffee, sandwiches, cakes & biscuits will be available in the Carrigaline Community Complex after the race. Please keep the flow of people moving through the Hall to allow all participants to access the post-race refreshments.
• Please dispose of all waste in the bins provided

After the race

• The prize presentation will take place at approximately 12.30pm in the Carrigaline Community Complex.
• There will be donation boxes available for any participants or family members who may like to make an additional donation to our charity partners:  Carrigaline Meals on Wheels & Carrigaline Forόige Youth Diversion Project.
• Please exit the carpark safely
• The race results can be found at myrunresults.com.

Our Sponsors

We are very grateful to our sponsors The Edge Spots & Coughlan DeKeyser Architects for helping to make this event possible. We hope you enjoy our event, and we are delighted that we can once again offer post-race refreshments in the Carrigaline Community Complex.  

Thank you all for supporting our Eagle AC club race & we hope you all enjoy the event.

If you have any concerns or queries you can contact us by email on eagleraces@gmail.com

Founding Member of Eagle AC (1982 – 1988)

Eagle AC were saddened to hear of the passing of one of it’s founding members Mr. Fred Gilbert, on December 24th, 2022.

Fred along with his wife Sheila Gilbert and Mick Clancy were the three founding members of Eagle A.C. originally known as the Eagle Track Club upon its commencement in the Autumn of 1982. Prior to this Fred was a well-known coach with the juvenile section of St Finbarr’s Athletic Club.

While Eagle Track Club had adult members from its beginning, the club’s main role lay in coaching the juniors and juveniles. Fred Gilbert was a passionate coach and the club he directed between 1982 and 1988 produced several excellent junior athletes. These included Fred’s sons Tony & Declan Gilbert, who won athletics scholarships to the University of Lowell near Boston. Tony O’ Gorman who won an athletics scholarship to Minnesota University & Fidelma Kirwan, who was a Celtic and schools’ 400 metres hurdles international.

With thanks to Paul Cotter ‘A history of Eagle Athletic Club’ was compiled in January 2022, more about the excellent Junior athletes fostered by Fred within the club at that time can be read here:

Eagle Athletic Club – A History Eagle Athletic Club – A History | Eagle Athletic Club (eagleac.net)

A well-known Eagle AC member since 1983, Mr Joe Murphy was thankful to Fred for giving him an introduction to Eagle A.C. on December 26^th, 1982, so he could complete in the Cork Road Championships.

Thank you to Joe for providing this photo of Fred competing alongside Joe & Michael in the ‘Mallow Metric Marathon’ in 1985.

We are ever grateful for Fred’s contributions to the establishment of Eagle A.C. as no doubt are many Cork athletes who trainer under Fred in their Juvenile years.

We offer our sincere condolences to Fred Gilberts family and friends at this difficult time.

Extracts from:

’Looking Back…25 Years of the BLE in Cork. The book was written and edited by Colm Murphy and was published ~ 1993. Eagle AC by Paddy Linehan

Eagle Athletic Club – A History Eagle Athletic Club – A History | Eagle Athletic Club (eagleac.net)

Contributions from Joe Murphy

Sean Lucey Eagle AC

This Amsterdam Marathon idea started as a prank. My good friend Jack Murphy would constantly send me YouTube videos of Kilian Jornet or Courtney Dauwalter and show how amazing they were completing their 100 mile races over difficult terrain. He would then start saying things like we should sign up to the Jungfrau marathon or the Ultra Trail Mount Blanc. Now don’t get me wrong, this sounds amazing. However over the years I had slowly become bitter and disgruntled with all the injuries I had picked up and was afraid of completing anything. When I joined Eagle AC back in November 2015, I joined because I wanted to complete a marathon. Roll on to the end of 2016 and I had completed 2. From 2017 onwards I then came up with the ingenious idea of injuring myself every summer. Taekwondo, tag rugby (the worlds most dangerous sport) and 5 a side soccer are not good complements for running. Not for me anyway. Would I learn my lesson? As it turns out…No. I decided the best way to prepare for a virtual marathon was to do some mountain biking. Even better, crash the mountain bike, ruin my right quad and do the virtual Dublin marathon 3 weeks later. It didn’t go well. Cue more bitterness. It was at that moment I needed help. I spent a great deal of time annoying Damian Kenneally in the Edge sports telling him my problems (running ones obviously). He gave me crazy advice to give up all this foolish shenanigans and just run. It seemed to work as I hit a 10km PB a few months later. Small bit of confidence restored and it would be around 18 months to the marathon.

When we came out of the good side of Covid and we could go abroad again, my friends and I wanted to do a race abroad, for a while it was looking like a half in Rome but I wanted to try and bring my over enthusiastic friends back down to earth. We booked the Amsterdam Marathon. As well as Jack there was Alan Wong who is no stranger to marathons and David Woods who like Jack would be running his first.

Racing Resumed

So preparation began and i started signing up to races left, right and centre. The year started with the most amazing race in the world. Yes you’ve guessed it, the Valentia Island half marathon. Jack Murphy blitzed it and came 5th also getting sub 90 mins for the second time. Unfortunately, Jack got injured in this race so he was out for a bit. To be fair though Jack always comes back stronger. Alan Wong also is a man that enjoys a come back and was already completing the Cork marathon with Michelle Cheung this year. Not to be left out and also very impressive was David Woods completing a Malin to Mizen cycle in May. Meanwhile I as receiving confidence boosters completing Ballintotis and Limerick 6 mile both at 7:30 a mile pace. The rest of the summer went quite well as we slowly started increasing mileage. As Alan, Jack and David all picked up injuries over the summer I thankfully remained injury free. This was the first summer since 2016 that I didn’t pick up some form of an injury.

There was one more confidence booster to come. As Jack came back from Injury No. 2 (this was from paintballing, less said about that the better), both of us completed the Kilkenny 30km. A really good race. Testing enough with the hills on the course. It measured slightly longer with Polar telling me I ran 30.9km. Jack completed the race in 2 hrs 21 mins and I completed it in 2 hrs 26 mins. I just want to say at this point we had our lunch in Petronellas after the race and it was amazing. Fine spot for food. Not too long later and we were tapering. Alan the poor man still not fully healed but he is made of stronger stuff and was confident of completing the race.

Marathon Weekend

We flew out on the early 6 am Friday morning flight. Dropped our bags at the apartment. We stayed at the cityden bolo district. A fine 4 bed apartment with tram and bus routes right outside. The metro was not too far away. First port of call was the Heineken experience. Very nice tour great way to spend the morning as it had been raining outside. After a few Heinekens we headed to the marathon expo and collected our number, also we collected what I would describe as the nicest race t shirt I have ever received.

The Saturday was a cautious affair. As part of the marathon, we opted to do the pasta party. This would entail an all you can eat buffet and a drink as well. It was a great idea before a marathon. Carb loading is important. We returned to the apartment and watched Forrest Gump – just wanted to watch his form really. We originally thought Tom Cruise in mission impossible but his form is questionable.

The day of the marathon arrived. We were up early, breakfast finished, shower done and gels at the ready. We got the metro fairly near to the Olympic stadium, dropped our bags, completed a warm up and headed inside. Oh my word: the atmosphere was amazing. So many runners eagerly awaiting the start. There was already a crowd gathering in the stands. I couldn’t wait to get going. We started to move to where the 3:20 pacer was. Me and Jack were targeting a sub 3:30, David a Sub 4 and Alan just wanted to finish given the injuries.

We watched as the elites went off. Then it was our turn…….. I have to say the first half of the race went very well. I went through the half in 1 hr 40. Very happy with that. It wasn’t until mile 20 when I thought oh ya I forgot these get tough around now but thankfully did not panic. My pacing had gone well I knew that if I kept it below 9 minute miles I should break 3 hr 30. Unfortunately I hit a 9:25 mile at mile 23, I also stopped for a bit as I found the pace starting to get really tough, took on some energy drink and continued on. I managed a few sub 9 minute miles after but mile 26 I hit another 9:25. At 26.2 miles I checked the watch…30 seconds over. No shame in that, Kaka the Brazilian soccer player has a world cup and champion league medal but when it comes to the marathon I have the edge. The official time was 3 hrs 32 mins. Jack completed it in 3 hrs 24 mins, David Woods getting sub 4 hrs and Alan completing it in 5 hrs 36 mins. As I crossed the line there was a tear or two. A tear because after a few years where I felt I was plagued with injuries then Covid coming I feel like I’m getting back to where I need to be. I can’t wait to start training for my next event. What started as a way to bring my friends back down to earth has shot me to the moon.

So Jungfrau marathon anyone? Here guys that Courtney Dauwalter is amazing have you seen her on YouTube? Yes confidence restored and onto the next adventure.

With that I want to thank David, Jack and Alan. It’s good to have friends, it’s great to have friends that you can run with. I hope ye read this because ye were a big help in getting me there. Another thanks goes to Damian Kenneally. A man I very much admire and has been so good the last few years giving me advice.

Race Weekend Notes

Just a last few notes. Great race, very well organised. Plenty of toilets, water and energy drinks on the course. Great support all round. We flew back the Wednesday so we went to the Nemo Science museum Monday. Very good place with plenty of interactive games. Fantastic place for a family. Not great if you’re like me, an engineer who wants to build a bridge and kids won’t get out of your way. On Tuesday we did a canal cruise with Flagship Amsterdam. The hosts were excellent. They gave a great history of Amsterdam and served drinks on board. When it came to food. We had breakfast at the breakfast club and had it in Moak another day, the latter being absolutely amazing and highly recommend their pancakes. When it came to dinner we ate in Foodhallen – a cheap mans marina market really but still very nice with plenty of culinary delights. Also there was cannibal royale. Fine
place for burgers and steaks. I think the pasta party is well worth adding to marathon ticket. There were various pastas there so catered for all. Plenty of nice bars too. Do yourself a favour and order a Kwak. Overall, a trip I highly recommend.

The Cheetah Run 2022 raised a fantastic €5,000 for Fota Wildlife Park conservation charity.

The 2022 Eagle AC annual Cheetah Run took place on May 19th on the grounds of Fota Wildlife Park. The Cheetah Run has taken place yearly since 2009 but this year marked a special return to the in- person event following 2 years of virtual events due to the Covid pandemic.

Roisin Fitzgerald the marketing manager in Fota, who also ran the race on the night, explained that “as well as being a fun and uniquely set road race, it is also a fundraiser for Fota Wildlife Park and the monies raised go towards a specific conservation project”. This year’s even raised a fantastic €5,000 for Fota Wildlife Park conservation charity.

The 2022 Cheetah Run was a sell-out event with 900 adult places and 100 juvenile places available. On the night we had a super turn out with 712 runners completing the adult’s race and 86 completing the juveniles’ race; and what an unbelievable night in Fota Wildlife Park it was.

The evening got off to a flying start when the winner of our ‘11-15 year olds 1 mile race’ Connor Looney of Blarney Inniscarra AC crossed the line in 5 minutes and 28 seconds, followed closely by his brother Eoghan in 5 mins 34 seconds. Emma Flynn of North Cork AC was our first girl home in a time of 5 mins 39 secs, and 3rd place finisher overall. Indeed the future of athletics in Cork looks bright with our first 13 finishers running a sub 6-minute mile over a challenging course.

The Adults race was an exciting event also with the top 2 men, Alan O’Shea Bantry AC and Sergiu Ciobanu Clonliffe Harriers battling it out over the course, before Alan made the decisive break in the closing stages to win by 11 seconds. Aidan Noone of Leevale AC, took the third place spot in a time of 16 mins and 2 seconds.
In the ladies’ race Carol Finn of Leevale AC lead from the beginning and ran a strong race to secure the win in a time of 17 mins 49 seconds. Her club mate Michelle Kenny finished in second place in 18 minutes and 6 seconds and 3rd to cross the line was Kealey Tideswell Clonmel AC, and in 18 minutes and 24 seconds.
Both of our winning male and female junior athletes were from Carraig Na Bhfear AC, and they were Timmy Colbert and Sinead Roche.

List of the full results can be found here:

https://www.myrunresults.com/events/fota_cheetah_5k_run/4368/results

https://www.myrunresults.com/events/fota_cheetah_1_mile_run/4489/results

Friday the 1st of July marked the presentation of the €5000 raised to the Fota Wildlife Park conservation charity.

Sean McKeown, Director of Fota Wildlife Park said “We’re absolutely thrilled and humbled by the great fundraising done by the Eagle AC committee, race organisers and supporters year after year. We would like to say a huge thank you to all involved, especially as this was the first year the race could be held physically here at Fota since the pandemic. We’re delighted to announce that the €5,000 raised will be donated to an on-site conservation programme for one of our native species, the Curlew.”

Ruairi Egan, Cheetah Run race director said “We at Eagle AC were thrilled to return to the wildlife park this year to host the real edition of our long-standing fundraising Cheetah Run, following two years of virtual events. The fact that it sold out completely once again is a testament to the uniqueness of the race and the popularity of Fota Wildlife Park. Our thanks go to all of our members who volunteered on the night, the staff of the park, all at Fota House and the OPW. Well done to all who took part on the night and it’s a pleasure to present this year’s donation.”

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors John Buckely sports and Brooks running for their continued support of this event. Thank you all for your support, involvement & help in getting the Cheetah Run back to the super event that it deserves to be, live and in person on the grounds of Fota Wildlife Park.

We look forward to seeing you all again in 2023.

Some excellent running by our Eagle AC marathoners last weekend Sunday June 5th 2022. Damian Kenneally led the club home in 11 place overall and with a 14 minute PB, brilliant running by Damian. Kevin Gilleece was second home and with another superb run; running a 2:45 marathon. Mark Murphy was next up with his second sub 3 marathon in about 6 weeks! More PB’s for Paul O Brien & Jason Crosbie, and a PB by 10 minutes for our first lady home Siobhan Holland! It was the first run over the marathon distance for Michelle Cheung accompanied by Alan Wong. Congratulations to Michelle on a brilliant achievement. Well done to everyone who ran, we are super proud of you all!!

Marathon Results 2022

11 290 DAMIAN KENNEALLY Eagle AC 02:38:42 02:38:38
17 276 KEVIN GILLEECE Eagle AC 02:45:10 02:45:07
69 154 MARK MURPHY Eagle AC 02:59:31 02:59:23
116 34 PAUL O BRIEN Eagle AC 03:06:13 03:05:55
189 2037 KEN MULCAHY Eagle AC 03:15:09 03:15:03
190 2131 JASON CROSBIE Eagle AC 03:15:18 03:14:55
220 1604 SIOBHAN HOLLAND Eagle AC 03:18:42 03:18:23
344 621 DARREN CASEY Eagle AC 03:28:56 03:28:47
362 187 FINBARR LEHANE Eagle AC 03:29:54 03:29:17
389 1689 KAREN BEVAN Eagle AC 03:31:52 03:31:15
421 293 JOHN SHEEHAN Eagle AC 03:33:59 03:33:23
624 1827 HELEN CRONIN Eagle AC 03:47:01 03:46:03
747 1682 SIBEL LEBLEBICI Eagle AC 03:55:08 03:54:15
924 179 DAN KELLEHER Eagle AC 04:02:38 04:01:50
1226 1215 DENIS CARROLL Eagle AC 04:26:59 04:24:55
1301 2886 PATRICK RYAN Eagle AC 04:31:06 04:28:47
1619 1843 MICHELLE CHEUNG Eagle AC 05:22:11 05:19:29
1620 1844 ALAN WONG Eagle AC 05:22:11 05:19:30
Pacer 62 DEREK O KEEFFE Eagle AC 3hr first 16 miles

Cork City Half Marathon 2022

Impressive running in the half marathon by the 28 Eagles who took on this distance. Brilliant times recorded here too, PB’s, strong running and groups working together are always great to see. Some lovely stories shared on social media also of our club members making us proud and helping out other runners on the course requiring some assistance or encouragement along the way. That’s the spirit of running, nice work Proinnsias O Keeffe & Ken Mulcahy. Congratulations and well done to all involved.

Half Marathon Results 2022

13 4091 FERGUS NUGENT Eagle AC 01:14:40 01:14:39
58 5259 PAUL COTTER Eagle AC 01:22:31 01:22:28
78 6853 CATHERINE MURPHY Eagle AC 01:24:51 01:24:36
82 6010 DAVID O’KEEFFE Eagle AC 01:25:19 01:25:03
112 5955 PAT O’ CONNOR Eagle AC 01:27:28 01:27:27
134 7089 MARTIN LEAHY Eagle AC 01:29:00 01:28:40
185 3069 JASON O’MAHONY Eagle AC 01:31:29 01:31:17
340 7098 PHILIP CORCORAN Eagle AC 01:38:38 01:37:41
416 4233 GARY GIBBONS Eagle AC 01:40:28 01:39:57
680 5927 MICHAEL NOONAN Eagle AC 01:46:24 01:45:33
731 4896 DENIS BROWNE Eagle AC 01:47:51 01:46:35
805 3827 AENID DOHERTY Eagle AC 01:49:52 01:47:38
827 6128 OLGA O’SULLIVAN Eagle AC 01:50:12 01:46:49
849 6833 PAT TWOMEY Eagle AC 01:50:30 01:50:08
977 6967 MARESSA MILLS Eagle AC 01:52:16 01:48:42
1092 5448 DENIS LOONEY Eagle AC 01:54:24 01:50:46
1148 6996 EIMEAR CROWLEY Eagle AC 01:55:17 01:50:44
1248 5318 LENNY MC CARTHY Eagle AC 01:56:41 01:54:33
1296 7170 JAMES QUINLAN Eagle AC 01:57:17 01:54:09
1476 3207 ELAINE GUINANE Eagle AC 01:59:19 01:59:19 (Pacer)
1520 5548 DAVID LYNCH Eagle AC 01:59:41 01:56:33
1624 3206 ED FITZGERALD PACER Eagle AC 02:01:09 02:00:22 (Pacer)
1648 3345 KAREN KELLEGHER Eagle AC 02:01:35 01:56:39
1690 4131 DANIEL LUXTON Eagle AC 02:02:21 01:58:47
1825 3455 FRANK COTTER Eagle AC 02:04:31 02:00:49
1688 4523 PROINNSIAS O’KEEFFE Eagle AC 02:02:17 02:01:20
2036 4008 FRANCES O’CONNOR Eagle AC 02:08:15 02:03:31
2203 5449 BERNADETTE LOONEY Eagle AC 02:11:32 02:10:11
2205 5795 OLIVIA HOLMES Eagle AC 02:11:39 02:10:25

Cork City Marathon Relay 2022

Our 2 Relay teams put in strong performances to finish 8th and 18th on Sunday. Mark and Aoife provided a top class pacing team for Damian Kenneally finished with an overall time of 02:38:43. While Grellan McGrath, Ian Roche, Chris Finnegan & Ken Nyhan ran a very strong combined time of 3:11:11.
We had several members who also ran with relay teams outside of the club, joining family & friends on the day. Well done to everyone involved in such a great event.

8 8347 A LESBIAN & A SCOTSMAN WALK INTO A BAR Eagle AC 02:38:42 03m 45s/km
18 8175 EAGLE AC RUNNERS Eagle AC 03:11:11 04m 31s/km

Parkrun 100

An exciting weekend was further improved when two of our Eagle AC runners marked their 100th Parkrun. Congratulations to Mick Dooley running his 100th Park Run at the Glenn River Parkrun & Ian O Brien choosing his local Ballincollig Parkrun to tick off his big100 total.

A special word of thanks to Joe Murphy, Derek Costello & Mick Dooley for all the photos over the weekend.

The 126th Boston Marathon, April 18th 2022.

Report by Mark Murphy, Eagle AC.

My Boston Marathon story began in January, when I decided to focus all of my training on the 126th Boston Marathon 2022.

Training for the Boston Marathon

I wanted to build my weekly mileage steadily from January. That meant avoiding shorter races, the only races I entered in the run up were Dungarvan 10 and Mallow 10. The idea for those 2 races was, to run them as my long run with a 10 mile easy warm up, then for the race itself, run it at marathon effort at first, and aim of hopefully discovering my marathon pace. The idea was to gain confidence running at that marathon pace over long periods of time.
January block of training went well, I was building mileage every week, without pushing the pace too hard. I managed to get my first 20 miler done on the last Sunday of January which was nice.
The first Sunday in February was Dungarvan 10, so I got to put my first 5 weeks of training to the test. I started with 10 easy and then tried to run the race at marathon effort. I was disappointed with it, as I lost discipline in the first 3 miles of the race. I went off too quickly, settled down around 5 miles and held on after that. Not ideal and exactly what I wanted to avoid doing, but lesson learnt, a slap on the wrist and move on.
I steadily increased my mileage in February, also increasing my long interval speed sessions. By the end of February I had built a nice base with a consistent block of training. I was getting in the speed on the track and hitting 20 to 22 miles on my Sunday run every week, and up to 70 miles average weekly mileage.

I continued this progression into March. My main focus at this stage was to make every run count, that meant to work hard in Tuesday track sessions while making sure the easy recovery runs were very easy. I also started to add marathon effort miles to my Sunday long run.

Then came Mallow 10 on March 21st. My hope for this was that I would have more discipline than i did in Dungarvan, and comfort and confidence at my marathon pace and effort. Mallow went well on both counts and that was a nice confidence boost. I hit 80 miles that week, which I think was my first time ever.
At this stage I was feeling very confident in my training and thankful that it all went so well to this point. I am now 4 weeks out from Boston.

The following week went just as well. I ran 80 miles again including a 24 miler on the Sunday with 12 MP building on my 10 at Mallow the previous week. When I finished that 24 miler though I had a bit of a disaster. As soon as I finished I felt a sore throat, and although the session went well, I was concerned . When I got home I did an antigen test, and yes; I tested positive for COVID! “I’m 3 weeks out from Boston”

This was not a part of the plan.

This was a blow, I was really drained for a few days. It was very annoying, when on the previous Sunday I was running a 24 miler and bursting with confidence, but on Wednesday I was panting walking up a flight of stairs. I had to rest for a few days and my confidence took a big hit. On Friday I tried to do a bit of a progression run, but I was wasting my time. It was very windy and my energy levels were reduced, my confidence was knocked further. By Sunday I was feeling a bit better but obviously not where I was.

I was 2 weeks out at this stage, and very worried that my dream of breaking 3hrs in Boston was gone. I tried a small bit of speed work, it was difficult because I was supposed to be tapering but I had to do something to try and build my confidence back up.

I knew I had the training done; but I had run Boston in 2019 in good shape and blew up after 10 miles. So for me Boston was all about confidence in running at marathon pace and the discipline to stick to it early on.

On the Wednesday before the race I tried 4 miles at marathon pace, this felt good, I even had to slow down a few times. This was great, but still only 4 miles. I flew to Boston on Thursday, not as confident as I had been 3 weeks earlier but kept trying to tell myself to trust the training. Mallow, 4 weeks earlier at this stage felt like months ago. I knew at this stage that the race was going to be a mental battle as much as anything else.

Making it to the Start Line.

Once I arrived in Boston straight away you can see and feel that this race really is a big deal. It’s on the news and weather updates constantly, people are genuinely excited to talk to you about it and wish you well. I went for a walk to Boylston Street to have a look at the finish line and the excitement was palpable. Deep down, I was still wishing I was at the same level of confidence as I was 3 weeks earlier.
The race day has arrived, ‘Marathon Monday’. I am dropped to Hopkinton where I get on a yellow school bus filled with other excited Marathoners; some are quite and some are looking to chat. I was quite, trying to focus on the race and going over it in my head. I had run this 3 years earlier but it’s a blur, as I blew up and it was very humid, so don’t remember much. What I do know, is that it’s a quick start, the first 3 miles are pretty much rolling hills, but much more down than up. I have decided at this stage that my marathon pace is going to be 6:40 minute miles. I said I would go ‘all in’, trust the training and muscle memory etc.

I am in the holding area before the race starts, on a lovely sunny morning, but a bit chilly so I’m glad a brought a tracksuit to donate. You wait in this area for an hour or 2 before the race, so it’s best to put a bit of thought into it. I arrived at 7:30am, the race start is at 10am. I am in wave 1 & coral 5, due to be called to the start line at 9:15am. Sure enough we are called on the button. This race is conducted to military precision, really well organised. So we start to move to the start line, it’s about a mile walk and the place is buzzing. The whole town of Hopkinton is closed off. There are people in their gardens and driveways, in party mood and cheering us on. Again it hits you, this is a big deal. Not only is this the Boston Marathon but it is the first one in 3 years, people are excited to see a crowd and to be in a crowd. I am getting a bit of a spring in my step. I arrive in my starting pen, and cannot believe I have made it, after all the ups and downs over the last 2 years, and there have been a lot of downs.

The announcer asks us to please face our nearest American flag for the national anthem. It is sang with passion and emotion and you can’t help but get caught up in it. As soon as she is finished there is a fly over – WOW, This is really is a special race!

The Boston Marathon

We are off! I know it’s going to be a slow start because of the crowd of runners, so I tell myself to take it handy, don’t worry to much about pace in the first mile, it’s pretty much down hill anyway so the pace well sort itself out, which it did. 

The first 5 miles I was telling myself to hold back, don’t over run it, keep the head. I said if I felt good at 6:40 pace in the first 5, I would do another, be honest with myself and don’t push it. I know from experience if you are struggling at 10 miles your walking at 20.

After 5 miles I have all of the downhill sections done, I know it’s going to level out. This can cause havoc with your calves if you have over run it. I am feeling good tough. The crowd is unreal, never a quite spot, and I can see why people over run it, and get carried away. With this in mind I notice that a couple of my miles were quick, and I tell myself to “cop on and keep the head”. I am heading for 10 miles feeling good, but there is a long way to go. I am happy with my pace at this stage and consistently in or around 6:40 pace. If anything I am still holding back, so there is belief creeping in. Heading towards Wellesley college, know as the scream tunnel and about a half mile away I can hear it, it’s like running towards a stadium. The hairs are standing on the back of my neck, I am getting emotional, hard not to, it’s going well, I go through the scream tunnel and it’s electric. That was definitely a quick mile. So again I chat to myself, calm down, don’t over run. 

I get to half way in 1hr 27 min and I know I have now banked a nice cushion, but the hills are coming, miles 16 to 21 are the tough ones. They are known as the Newton hills. I hit 16 miles, and see the sign that I am entering Newton. I make the conscious decision to just keep going on the hills, try and run strong but forget about 6:40 pace for a bit. The first hill is OK, not too bad, I am now heading for 17 miles and feeling good in Newton. Once again I get emotional as the crowds are just awesome, the support is amazing. 

I am constantly talking to my Dad who I lost nearly exactly 12 months to the day and he was always very supportive, also to Béibhinn my goddaughter who died 19 months ago at 9 years of age and was the reason I started running in the first place. Now I am trying to control my emotions, maintain the pace and get through the toughest part of the course.

I am at 18 miles, I have passed a couple of the hills at this stage and my calves are starting to burn. I do have heartbreak hill ahead, but I’m now counting down, single figures left. I am also happy, that although the pace has dropped in places I do still feel in control. I hit the 20 mile mark and heartbreak hill. There is no doubt about it, it’s tough, and longer than I thought. There are people stopping and walking everywhere, the crowd is amazing as usual, urging you up. I say to myself, “it’s only a hill, get over it”, but my pace has dropped right back, and I get worried for a second, as I am really feeling it. But then, I see the top and an end to it, that gives me encouragement to push on over it. I reach the top and 21 miles, delighted with myself. I lost a bit on that mile, so I try straight away to find my 6:40 pace again, and I do. By mile 22 the pace is back, but I am now really having to fight. My calves and thighs are burning, but it’s only 4 miles, no chance than I am stopping. I would love to push, on but decided to hold what I have, and through miles 23 to 25, I am just holding on. Then in the distance I see the famous Citgo sign by Fenway Park. I know this marks 1 mile to the finish, I am nearly in disbelief, this is the last mile of the Boston Marathon. It’s difficult to know exactly what my time is because I am reading about 0.2 of a mile out on the course markers, but I know it’s good. I turn onto Boylston, an absolutely amazing atmosphere, and yet another WOW moment. I can see the finish line, my legs are cramping but I don’t care. Nothing is stopping me at this stage. 

I cross the finish line, what a relief. The most emotional I have ever been crossing a finish line, thinking about my Dad and Béibhinn. Mission accomplished 2:56:17. Absolutely delighted! 

An Amazing Experience.

Boston Marathon to me was an amazing experience. I have not run New York or London, but I don’t imagine a city or a community could be as excited or passionate about their marathon anywhere else, as they are in Boston. The Boston Marathon is the oldest annual city marathon in the world, and this year marked 50 years since the first ladies competed at Boston. There is the obvious passion and desire to maintain it’s importance as an event, while remembering the victims of the Boston Bombing in 2013. 

For me it was a massive event, really special. Will I run it again?? Probably!

Written by Elaine Guinane 21.04.2022

Anne’s favourite thing about running? ‘The high you get after a good race, and having a great chat with the rest of the runners over a cup of tea’. When Eagle AC said goodbye to one of its longest-standing members on Sunday April 10th, we said goodbye to a runner, a photographer, a parkrunner, wife and best friend to Joe and a wonderful club member.

Anne Lucey Murphy joined Eagle AC in 1984. Like so many, Anne’s initial intention was to run a 10km, but soon found herself completing the full Dublin Marathon. She turned her hand (or feet) to many distances, taking part in everything from track races to road races to cross country. From the early days as an athlete to her final running days, Anne valued all aspects of running and threw herself into the running community in many ways. A true team player, she stepped up many times to take part in championship races for Eagle AC, including the last pre-covid County Road Championships in Castelyons 2019, where Anne won Silver in the F60 Category. Later that year she was part of the Eagle AC marathon relay team, where Anne ran the anchor leg to bring the mixed team home in 8th position out of 400 teams.

In recent years, Anne made her biggest mark on the Saturday Parkruns. Herself and Joe went the length and breadth of Munster, and often further afield, taking in parkruns in such places as Macroom, Bere Island, Killarney and Tramore. Their participation locally was of course huge also, with Anne completing a massive 93 runs in Ballincollig. The Tralee parkrun held special significance for Joe and Anne, where they did their first parkrun and also where Anne reached the outstanding milestone of 100 parkruns. In total, Anne ran a whopping 148 parkruns!

Even the pandemic and race shutdown did not stop Anne and Joe’s club involvement. Both took part in the Club virtual 5 mile series in Summer 2020, as well as completing the Eagle AC 12 Runs of Christmas challenge (of which Joe was the lucky winner!) There was no shortage of photographic evidence from either of them!

Running was central to Anne’s life. Even on holidays she was never one to slack off-the running shoes were always packed and Joe and Anne often fitted a race abroad into their holiday schedule. Indeed, they had no sooner touched down in the USA in 2016 on a visit to their late son Joseph when they scooped category prizes in a race in Midlands Park, New Jersey!

Perhaps even bigger than her participation as a runner was Anne’s contribution as a photographer. Anne’s encouraging words and the click of the camera have pushed many runners over the final stages of a race. Their facebook page is undoubtedly the first port of call after a race for many participants. The quality and volume of photographs taken by Anne and Joe have provided athletes with a fantastic record, wonderful memories and a sense of belonging to the running community.

A true pillar of the running community, Anne will be missed by her clubmates, her fellow parkrunners and the wider running community.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam.