Latest news catchup

by Club PRO Paul Deering 

It may be holiday season but the club's members haven't been taking a break with plenty of representation at various events over the past couple of weeks.

Shane Hayes winning 'The Gathering 5K' in Donegal on Monday last

Following on from the great success of Emmett Dunleavy with his silver medal performance in the 3,000m steeplechase at the national championships and Zak Irwin's two bronze medals at the Schools International in Santry there has also been plenty of local action.

 Father and son, Enda and Fintan Whelan represented the club at the national half marathon in the Phoenix Park at the week-end. Enda posted 1.40 while Fintan managed a pb in 1.39, a continuation of his recent good form having managed another pb over 8k in Coolaney in 31.33.

Also in action over the Bank Holiday week-end was Nicky Davey who was just on 40 minutes in the Dublin Bay 10k.

In Coolaney, US based Sligo student, Tommy Casey, showed a clean pair of heels to the field winning in 25.11 with Sligo AC club mate, Seamus Somers third in 27.41 and Ultan McNasser fourth in 28.08. There were category wins for Danny Hannon, Seamus Somers, Patricia Foy and Roseanne Mitchell. Of note also on the night was the performance of 14 year old Keenan Deering (35.58) who knocked two minutes off his pb from his last 8k in Rosses Point earlier in the summer.

On Sunday last the club was well represented at the Ballisodare 5k which was won by Tommy Casey in 15.26 in what was one of his last races on home soil before his return to the US. The club wishes him continued success in his academic studies and sporting life in the States. Richard Gorman who ran an 8k in Mullinabreena earlier in the day was second in Ballisodare in 17 minutes flat while Shane Hayes, back to his best after injury, was third in 17.20. A notable performance was that of Ciaran McMurray (15) who came home in 18.26. He was sixth in Coolaney in a very impressive 29.14. First woman home in Ballisodare was Catherine Bradley in 21.39 while Sligo AC colleague, Pauline Henry was second in 22.05.

Shane Hayes continued his good form in Tir Chonaill AC's The Gathering 5k in Donegal town on Monday evening last winning in a pb of 17.14. Another young athlete doing the club proud was Philip Hunter who broke the 20 minute mark for the first time, finishing eight overall and first junior in Donegal in 19.53.

This coming week-end there's the next race in the County Sligo Road Race League sponsored by Sligo Credit Union and Filan's Centra, the Gleniff Horseshoe 8 mile event. There are also eight mile races in Ballinafad on Saturday and Strandhill on Sunday. Anyone looking for a shorter distance, there is a three mile race in aid of North West Hospice in Mullaghmore on Sunday afternoon around the scenic Head.

County Sligo Trail Running Championships 2013

This 9k Trail Run will take place in the beautiful surroundings of Sligo's Union Wood on the outskirts of the town and is open to all levels of runner.

The start will be just off the main Sligo-Ballygawley Road at the entrance to the Woods opposite Union Foods. Showers will be available afterwards in the nearby Castle Dargan Hotel, followed by a BBQ at the hotel.

Entry will be limited to 200 runners and the price is €13. You can enter online here - also, please keep an eye on our facebook page for updates and further information relating to this and other Sligo AC supported races.

The Sligo 'Coast to Coast' 10 Mile Road Race

The Sligo 'Coast to Coast' is a unique event in the northwest of Ireland. It's a 10 miler which starts in the beautiful seaside village of Strandhill, loops around Sligo bay and finishes in the scenic village of Rosses Point.

This fantastic event which will see competitors bussed from Rosses Point beach car park to the start line in Strandhill will take place on the 29th September 2013. The course is fast and flat and will suit all levels of runners, walkers and wheelchair competitors.

You can enter online here - also, please keep an eye on our facebook page for updates and further information relating to this and other Sligo AC supported races.

Knocknarea Mountain Loop 8 Mile Road Race

Our friends in Strand Celtic are holding the Knocknarea Mountain Loop Run/Walk fundraiser again this year on Sunday the 11th of August 2013.

The walk kicks off at 10am followed by the run at 10.45am. You can register on the day from 9am at Sligo Enterprise Centre (Airport Business Park), Strandhill, or on Saturday the 10th of August at Strand Celtic Clubhouse, Strandhill Community Park from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

Entry fees for the run and walk are economically priced at €10 for the run, and €5 for the walk. This 8 Mile event is a great warm up for anyone taking part in the Warriors Run and is open to people of all abilities and you will have plenty of time to recover for the main event on the 31st of August.

Ransboro 10KM Road Race Results

Last Saturday evening saw the running of the annual Ransboro 10KM Road Race. This years event featured a modified (easier??) course and had some added spice with the addition of the new Interclub Perpetual Competition between Sligo AC, North Sligo AC and Dunshaughlin AC.

I think it's fair to say that this was another great race (2013 has had some crackers!) with yet another sprint finish, this time between Liam Feely or North Leitrim and Robbie Matthews of Dunshaughlin AC (with Liam winning). 

A full report will be posted shortly.

Full results from the race can be found here.

Interclub Challenge Perpetual Cup

Sligo AC's Mens captain Michael O'Connell with Sligo AC Chairman Seamus Somers and Ladies Captain Deidre Deering.

The Ransboro 10KM Road Race was host to a new Interclub Challenge competition between Sligo AC, North Sligo AC and Dunshaughlin AC (Meath).

Sligo AC where successful on this occasion and I'm told are already planning the defence of the title, in Meath, in 2014.