Ballymore Cobh AC News

Togher A.C. 5k Race – Tue. 27th Dec. 2016

With proceeds generously split between the host club and the Cork Mental Health Foundation, this 5k race through the streets of Togher on the south side of Cork city took place in near ideal running conditions.

Shuttle buses provided to ferry participants the short distance to the start line, a more than ample amount of stewards in place and even pacers provided, which was the first time this scribe witnessed such over a 5k course, made for a very pleasant race day experience indeed.

From amongst the large number of Ballymore Cobh A.C. members taking part, we have selected a few highlights as follows:

Carol Leahy pushing on her partner in crime, Eucharia Gould, to a new personal best (pb).

Rockin’ it, Bernadette Navin knocked 52 seconds off last years time into touch.

A smashing pb for Helen Hayes as she put in a performance that ticked all the right boxes.

Recuperating from a serious illness and after making a last minute decision to enter, this lady proved her mettle with a head-turning performance.
“If you had told me in September that I’d be back racing in December I wouldn’t have believed you. I have had a rough few months health wise… was hoping I’d get in under the 30 minute mark, so was absolutely delighted to do that sort of time [27:23].
The support from the majority of people in the club has been unbelievable over the last few months.”
Karen Geasley, doubt ya, girl! And welcome back.

The subject of a lovely end of race photo as she ran hand in hand with her young son, Simon, Leilia Pender was delighted to have finished in a sub 25 minute time, given she has been, of late, out carousing on the Christmas egg nog and other assorted liquid refreshments like a girl half her age and with twice the powers of recovery.

Despite his best intentions to clock a 19:20 run, he evidently had consumed his way through Christmas on a strict diet of pie in the sky, Shane Meyler running his slowest 5k time to date well outside the 20 minute mark.
“I just felt like a little bandy-legged horse.”
‘Nuff said!

Running under his pseudonym of Jason Crosbie, a cousin who pre-registered but couldn’t make it on the day, Stephen Pender, like his better half, was running on alcohol fumes and little else and then only went and produced a pb by an incredible 30 seconds.
We’ll finish up with a quote from the man himself:
“New tactic – drink like a fish two days out from a race and let residual alcohol power you through the run on the day ??”.

Results in full:
(All times are gun times unless otherwise stated)

Stephen Pender 18:59 (watch)
Fergal Quinlan 19:32
Shane Meyler 20:09
Tony O’Sullivan 20:23
Fiona O’Sullivan 22:24
Lynne Doherty 22:53
Leilia Pender 24:53 (watch)
Karen Geasley 27:23
Ted O’Riordan 27:37
Helen Hayes 27:42
Ber Navin 28:07 (watch)
Anne McKeown 30:56
Rachel Hegarty 30:57
Carol Leahy 33:05 (watch)
Eucharia Gould 33:05 (watch)

Thank you to all who made the effort to take part, and of course, our fabulous friends and supporters – we loves ya!