Ballymore Cobh AC Notes

With the road race season in full swing, Ballymore Cobh athletes have been busy of late and the regular training sessions are reaping dividends with many personal and club records being broken in recent weeks.

Tom O’Riordan and Fiona O’Sullivan both came over the line together in the Fit Magazine 10k race on The Marina recently. In doing so, Fiona set a new club record for that distance when she stopped the clock at 47.34.

A midweek visit to nearby Carrigtwohill was next on the schedule and it was here that Shane Meyler (20.27) ran very impressively to post a club record over the 5k distance.

Kevin Jones (23.10) continued his busy summer when completing the course along with his son Marc (28.10) who is rising through the ranks of the clubs juvenile section.

Yvonne Allen (23.37) and Avril Hastings (25.25) also contributed with noteworthy performances with both ladies recording a seasonal best in their respective age categories.

Next up was the penultimate leg of the Ballycotton 5mile Series with Churchtown South playing host to nineteen athletes lining up in the Black and Amber colours, three of whom done so for the first time.

Whilst making her debut in the Ballymore Cobh AC singlet, Orla O’Rourke (36.14) was first home of the clubs female representation, at the same time setting a club record for the distance. Meanwhile, Fiona O’Sullivan (36.59) and Avril Hastings (42.39) both continued their consistent run of form when improving on their previous best efforts over 5miles.

Trevor Cummins (31.16), Luke Doyle (34.12) and Stephen Pender (34.40) all bettered their personal bests on the night and Kevin Jones (38.34) equalled his.

Eight club members have lined up in all three of the series races so far and pending completion of the fourth and final leg next month, these athletes will receive a plaque marking the achievement.

Amongst other upcoming targets, many are aiming for the upcoming half marathon in Clonmel while the three part RebelRun4Fun 5k Series being held in Ballincollig Regional Park should prove popular when it gets under way this weekend.

Closer to home and at 7pm on Monday August 25th, Ballymore Cobh AC will welcome home the one and only Sonia O’Sullivan, as we celebrate her European Championship Gold medal, which was won over 3000m in Helsinki 20years ago, by hosting men’s, women’s, boys and girls races over the same distance.

The Commodore Hotel will play host to the after race prize giving where there will be finger food provided, before a Q+A session with Sonia where you will get the chance to find out what it took for the girl from Cobh to become the greatest athlete that this country ever produced.

All levels of ability are encouraged to come along and take part in this unique event and we look forward to seeing you on the night.

For more information + to register online, go to http://precisiontiming.primo-solutions.co.uk/ps/event/TheSoniaOSullivanBallymoreCobhAC3000mRoadRace