Gary McGale 1.26.20

Gerard McAleenan 1.33.54

Gary McArdle 1.34.09

Joe hughes 1.37.29

Tania McShane 1.38.42

Patricia Brown 1.44.26

Maureen O’Hare 1.49.44″

Months of training and fund raising was now over, and our local runners all rose early in the dark London morning, and began the journey to the start line at Blackheath. With rain forecast the temperature cool runners were contemplating if they had brought the correct running gear for the day. As the crowds gathered in their perspective areas they soaked up the atmosphere whilst watching the main race warm up on the big screens, clinging to what additional clothing they had to keep themselves warm!

Just after 9.30am the runners made their way to their designated pens, as the count down to the start began they shed any additional clothing to the side and moved off in the wave of people, as the 2012 Virgin London Marathon began. The first mile was slow as the crowds moved forward but the huge amount of people meant that at couple of times they were slowed back to a walk, as there were so many trying to move forward.

Just before mile 3 all 3 different starting points merged together as the route took us towards Woolwich, following the streets around London, and at this point the heat started to pick up. First up of the major sites was just before mile 7 as the route took runners passed the magnificent site of the recently restored Cutty Sark, where the crowds were really out in force and the runners waved at the overhead cameras!

On around the city the feet pounded, cheered on by the spectators who had assembled around the route, the local bars either had music playing or live bands playing suitable tunes to keep everyone’s spirits up! Next up for the sightseers was after mile 12 where the Thames was crossed via Tower Bridge with its grandeur looming over the runners and the spectators who lined the bridge itself.

After the bridge it was on towards the Isle of Dogs where the supporters cheered on each runner as they passed. By this stage the temperature rose again and as the route wound round Canary Wharf the runners were trying to move into the shadows of the large buildings, which usually empty at the weekend were packed to capacity.

Onwards it was for the runners as the miles passed and the made their way towards the embankment. It was at this stage on the embankment from mile 24 on where the crowds really did lift the spirits of the flagging runners who with the tough course and the heat needed all the encouragement they could get, before turning at the Houses of Parliament towards the finish.

Up Birdcage walk the runners came as the end was nearing, turning and passing the front of Buckingham Palace the end was close, but it was only at the 600metres to go marker the runner turned again and the finish line on The Mall could be seen. Lined by spectators on both sides of The Mall, the applause and cheering, and along with the TV cameras and press photographers snapping away, the excitement and atmosphere as each runner crossed the line filled them with joy and delight making whatever pain and agony of the 26miles and 385yards fade into the recent distance, as the realisation that the London Marathon 2012 was complete.

The fastest local man home was Davie “Greyhound” Griffin in the NCR colours who crossed the line under 3 hours on 2:58:43, not to far behind was Michael Dillon also in the NCR colours, with a time just over the 3hour mark on 3:01:14. Cathal McGreevy (NCR) was close behind on 3:02:58 showing great running form of late.
Paddy Havern running for the SAHS was the next local home with an impressive 3:05:14; Gary McGale was exactly 2minutes behind crossing the finish line with 3:07:14.

Sean Smith wearing the SAHS top baked himself a fantastic time of 3:19:03 followed closely by Peter Carr on 3:20:14, almost a minute ahead of Jonny Gregg in the NCR vest who chipped himself 3:21:40. Tea and Jaffas was next home, other wise known as Frank McKenna with 3:22:58 – heard regaling stories to the wee small hours of Monday morning!

Brendan Savage running for SAHS bagged himself a very impressive 3:25:57 and was followed hot on his heals by NCR chairman, in the SAHS vest, Dermot Winters with 3:26:23 showing that the man flu wasn’t going to effect his performance!

The new aerodynamic Colm McCann, again improving and also in the SAHS colours, finished with a fine 3:32:51 showing that Dublin Marathon could be improved upon. Joe Finnegan in his NCR vest was just behind Colm and bagged himself 3:33:00 and with 52 seconds behind Joe, Paul Coulter was next NCR and SAHS man home.

Cormac Cranney at 3:37:47 seen an improvement on his Marathon time, was next NCR man home in the SAHS colours, just behind was Kieran Rice who managed 3:44:16, a great effort despite an ankle injury!! Also improving was Aidan Trainor with 3:47:36 showing that running without the camera helped! Some brilliant running by Liz Graham showed that Granny knows best when she bagged a very impressive 3:56:01. David Lowry (SAHS) prescribed himself 3:56:09

Aine Marmion of NCR was next home in the yellow of SAHS showing a very impressive time for a first ever marathon with 3:56:38! Eamon Murphy for NCR, in the yellow of SAHS, was next over the line with 3:56:40, pippin Sean Downey in the SAHS vest by four seconds! Closely behind by was NCR and SAHS fundraiser Aine Fegan on 3:56:58 showing that late entry meant determined training can pay off for the Virgin Marathon!

Gerard McCoy was just over the 4hour mark with a time of 4:02:27 in the SAHS vest, followed by David Garey with an impressive 4:05:03 showing that the NCR man decked out in the SAHS vest had benefited for the 310k’s in the month of March.

Fiona Kieran in the SAHS vest finished with an impressive time of 4:19:29, just ahead of David Craughwell on 4:20:06 finishing with Tracy Grant both NCR members in the SAHS vests. NCR’s Ciara Heaney massaged a time of 4:24:06, just ahead of Sharon Maginn on 4:25:25, Maggie Trainor was next home for NCR with the trio of ladies in the SAHS vest, and Maggie organised herself a time of 4:25:35

Not to far behind NCR’s first lady, was Mairead Finnegan who managed to deliver herself a brilliant time of 4:26:05, Lorna Murphy pulled a great 4:29:04 out of one of her many hand bags, showing she couldn’t be brought to heal!! Both NCR ladies running in the yellow SAHS vests.

Ciarán McBride in the NCR colours ‘hung’ on in there for a 4:30:58, Colm ‘Bootsy’ Fearon was the next yellow vested NCR man home, ‘snapping’ a pictured 4:41:20. John Mallon for SAHS was next local in with 4:45:08, with Peter Maguire, just behind, finishing well with 4:46:49 showing that despite a fall and visit to the St. John’s Ambulance on the way around the commitment of all these runners second to none!

Eilish McCreesh and Bláithin Ni Dheorain, in the SAHS vests were next home within the local Group twinning 4:52:59, with the sun darkening and the clouds thickening Gloria Havern finished with 5:33:09 ahead of Rory Convery on 5:42:55 – Oonagh O’Brien minded husband Colm on the route around the 2012 London Virgin Marathon, and husband Colm insured they both managed to finish with 5:49:28

Yes folks that was the locals who attended the marathon, it was a very eventful and exciting weekend! The months of training paid off… and it was down to the knitty gritty! The challenge of training and fundraising was put together with the reasoning to run 26.2miles, personal feats and challenges were taken on and they did it well done to all who made this such a tremendous achievement! And to poor Tracey Muldoon who had to arrange and chaperone all of us!

At the bottom line there NCR and friends raised a lot of support and money for a very worthy charity! Hats off folks and well done!

Cormac Cranney
PRO Newry City Runners

L – R. Maggie Trainor, Colm O’Brien, Dermot Winters, Frank McKenna, Eamonn Rooney (Gymtech), Kieran Rice, Lorna Murphy and Cormac Cranney.

Having Sponsored NCR from its inception, Eamonn shows his commitment to the Club, which currently has over 200 senior members as well as growing numbers in the Juniors, proving it currently is the largest club in the area.

NCR train out of Gymtech with Club runs Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6.30pm with various runs on Saturday mornings! If you want to know more about NCR feel free to come and join us at any of the Club runs or alternatively contact us via our Facebook page or web www.newrycityrunners.com

Cormac Cranney
PRO Newry City Runners

L-R Cormac Cranney, Maggie Trainor, Mickey Shields Missing from the Picture Dermot Mathers

Cormac Cranney
PRO NewryCity Runners

Barcelona Marathon 2012

This year’s Barcelona Marathon took place on Sunday 25^th March and the number of entries, 19,500 was the biggest number they ever had.  The long weekend in Barcelona began with a flight from Dublin to Barcelona and after arriving into the city and checking into my accommodation it was of to the Marathon Expo to pick up my race number.  The Expo registration was well organised and it was good to get there on Friday afternoon as it was quite quiet and only took a few minutes to pick up my number and T-Shirt.  There were plenty of traders and exhibition stands at the Expo, so it was a good way to pass an hour and soak up some of the pre race atmosphere.

On Saturday morning they had a 4KM breakfast run.  This run was open to anyone, not just marathon entrants.  There were plenty of marathon runners, non-marathon runners and families (mums, dads and kids) taking part and they had a line of 12-14 people from a local running club at the head of the field that no one was allowed to pass to ensure the pace was kept slow and easy and no one was left behind.  The route followed the last 4KM of the marathon route of the Barcelona Olympics, so we got the opportunity to run into the Barcelona Olympic stadium and run a lap of the Olympic running track.   Afterwards, it was a few minutes walk back down to the race Expo where they were serving a small breakfast for us all.  This was a great opportunity to meet up with other marathon runners and help get the adrenalin flowing for the big race the following day.

On Saturday afternoon they had a pasta party at the race Expo.  Entry to this was free for marathon entrants and one friend or partner    I went up to this but it was really, really busy so I did not hang around.  I did not fancy queuing up for three quarters of an hour for a bowl of pasta.

As Saturday night was drawing to a close, with the race number pinned to my vest and timing chip attached to my shoe as they always advise you to do the night before the race, and my clock and watch put forward one hour for the change to summer time, it was of to bed.

At 06:00AM Sunday morning the alarm clock went off and it was time to get up and ready for the big race.  The race was due to kick off at 08:30   Even though we lost one hour sleep due to the time change, the time change proved to be quite beneficial as it meant the sun did not come up until one hour later.  So that gave us an extra hour of running in the cool morning air before the sun got too high in the sky.

Up at the race start, I have to say the organisation was fantastic.  The baggage drop off point was well spread out and well manned.  It was broken up in different sections for different number ranges e.g. 1-500 501-1000 etc. like it is in the Dublin marathon, only in Barcelona, the baggage is stored inside.  The race starting area is broken up into four sections.  Under 3 hours, 3 hr – 3hr 30 min,  3 hr 30 min – 4 hr and 4 hr plus.  When you are filling in your entry form, you have to specify what entry section you would like to be in and your race number will be colour coded to identify which section you are assigned to.  They have stewards at the entrances into each section and they are quite thorough in ensuring no one gets into the wrong section.

As the start time approached, the atmosphere was really beginning to build.  Then came the count down from 10 seconds to 1 and we were off running through the start line with the sounds of Freddie Mercury and Queen singing Barcelona!!!!

The marathon course was mostly flat with a few inclines (not big enough to be called hills) in the first few miles.  The course stayed in the city and passed by a lot of the cities tourist attractions including the Sagrada Familia, the botanical Gardens, the port area and part of Las Ramblas.  At the 35-36 KM mark the route also ran through the Arc de Triomf, although I thought this was a bit dodgy as it meant you had to cross a path to get across a road i.e. up a kerb and down a kerb and then step up another kerb to get on to the pedestrian path through the Arc.  At this late stage of the race with legs getting tired, it would be quite easy to trip up on one of these kerbs.  As the race stayed in the city, the support and atmosphere throughout the course was really good and they had your name printed on your race number so you could hear people shouting your name as you passed and this helped you keep going during the latter stage of the race.

The weather on the day of the race was perfect running weather.  It was nice and bright with a cool wind blowing that took away the heat of the sun.  As I said above, the hour change was good for us as the sun was not fully up during the early stages of the race so with the tall buildings in the city, there was plenty of shade.  For the first 20KM they had water stations every 5KM and after that, there was a water station every 2 ½ KM.  They had five energy drink stations throughout the course and two fruit stations.  They also had sponge stations (sponges soaked in cold water) near each of the water stations and these were fantastic for keeping you refreshed.  They had kilometre markers every KM and mile makers every five miles.  They also had timing clocks and mats every 5KM, so when you check your results it is broken up at each 5KM stage.

Like most marathons, the majority of the support is at the finish and Barcelona is no exception. From the 41KM mark to the finish, there are hundreds of supporters all cheering you on as you approach the finish line.  Like the start area, the finish area (which is the same place) is well organised.  After getting your finishers medal, there were rows and rows of table all lined up and filled with fruit, nuts and other goodies.  Back in the race Expo area there were 40-50 people in the massage area giving massages, so it was not that long of a wait to get a well earned massage.

After picking up my bag from the baggage area which only took a few minutes, it was back to my accommodation for a nice hot shower to freshen up.  Later that night I went back down to Las Ramblas and enjoyed a few nice beers and watched the sun go down.  It was the perfect way to end the perfect day.

For anyone thinking of doing an overseas marathon I would highly recommend Barcelona.  I thought the event was a really well organised event and it was a good marathon route with a great atmosphere.  Next year’s event takes place on Sunday 17^th March, so if you are looking for somewhere to go next St. Patrick’s day, the Barcelona Marathon is no better place.

Follow the following link to get to the Barcelona Marathon web site.

http://www.zurichmaratobarcelona.com/

Sunday 18^th March, seen the fourteenth running of the popular Jimmy’s 10k in Downpatrick. Unlike last year the sleet and snow stayed at bay and the sun shone for the most, making it a super day to take part in a 10k.

There were very little since of effects from St. Patrick’s Days celebrations as a good crowd fielded in the event. Newry as ever was well represented by all the local club with members turning out in force.

Newry City Runners themselves had a great showing with great results for those taking part in Jimmys 10k!!

All improved their 10k times with 3 obtaining Personal Bests! First home in the blue and yellow vest was Gavin Crilly 40.40- PB looking like he was just out to stretch the legs. Gerard McAleenan ran well sporting the NCR vest for the first time finishing on 41.32-not a PB for Gerard but a PB for Jimmy’s 10k, was the next NCR home.

The Legend Pat Rocks begged a fantastic time of 42.36 and a PB, showing that he is still teaching the youngsters a thing or too taking 3^rd place club man home!

Peter McEvoy was hot on Pat tail with another fantastic time and PB at 42.47- showing that his training with Pat is rubbing off on him!

Patricia Brown banked herself 47.13- which whilst not a PB, but was over 2 minutes off last years time, the sore hip didn’t hold her back. And just behind Patricia and learning a thing or to by following in her dad’s footsteps, was Roisin Rocks taking over 3 minutes off last years time at 47.44.

By Patricia Brown

There were big numbers taking part in the race on Sunday.

The timekeepers did a fantastic job recording them all.

As you can imagine it is a very difficult task to ensure everyone’s time was recorded. Some runners came in with their tops off or had their numbers in their hands or in their pockets and as a result their times may not have been noted.

If your name or time is not listed, please contact us on any of the nos below:

Patricia Brown 09780266619

Shereen L Feenan 07930287023

Paul Close 07500038908

Billy Campbell 07801554618

Click on Link To Download Results as Spreadsheet     Hilltown 10k 2012 Results

NCR Kit Bag

Kms now have available to order Kit Bag £17.50 you can contact KMS on 02830256007 or at www.kmssports.com

Frankie Rea, Tony Malone, Dale Mathers, Kieran Rice, Ronan Mynes, Dermot Mathers, Denise Mathers

By Dermot Mathers

 One of the first major long distance events of the season is also arguably one of the toughest events on the running calendar, the Arduous Wicklow Way 50km Ultra and 25km Trail run.  As usual with this type of endurance race Newry City Runners have a hardcore crew who made the journey to Johnny Foxes pub, for the out and back course on a stunning spring morning. 

 The course itself consisted of inclines of over 2,200 feet following the Wicklow Way, through Crone Woods, passing above the beautiful Powerscourt Waterfall before reaching Balinastoe where they turn to run back over the same route that showcases some of Irelands amazing scenery, if you have the energy to take it all in.

 The ever experience and former winner of the Wicklow Ultra, Dale Mathers was the first local runner home and third overall in 4hrs.29mins with his wife Denise following suit also coming in third in the ladies category in 6hrs.12mins – both are true unsung heroes in ultra running circles but deserve plenty of praise for what they have achieved over the last few years.  Next to follow was Dermot Mathers in 5hrs.40mins in preparation for his treadmill attempt in 4 weeks time, with Ronan Mynes and Kieran Rice (6hrs.12mins) both whom have become very accomplished Ultra runners in their own right.  The very experienced Tony Malone and determined Frankie Rea finished the Ultra crew off coming over the line in 7hrs.1min.

 The Trail 25km started from Balinastoe with close to 200 runners taking part 3hours after the start of the Ultra.  The ever-adaptable Paul Watters (2hrs 17) was the first local home, closely followed by Mickey Lynch (2hrs.17) as both Newry Tri members made very light work of the mountains.  Team Purple’s Brendan O’Hagan (2hrs.25) was not too far behind, with NCR’s Frank McKenna (2hrs.34), Derek Mathers (2hrs.39) and James McNally (2hrs.45) finishing off a stunning but challenging run and a well deserved Guinness in Johnny Foxes pub afterwards.

First NCR member home was Stephen O’Gorman (1.21) followed by Gavin Brown (1:32) PB and Pat Rocks (1:34) PB First NCR lady was Liosa McKeown (1:37) she was followed closely by Joe Hughes  (1:38) and Niall Smith (1:39)and Aidan Trainor (1:41) PB not to be out done by her dad Roisin Rocks came home with a PB (1:45) and crossing the line with her was Patricia Brown (1:45) who lifted 2^nd place in her category. Niall King was next NCR home in a time of (1:47) with Robbie Marsh at (1:49) being chased by Maureen O’Hare as she crossed the line (1:49) Johnny Murchan ran (1:54) just back from injury. Declan Keenan came in at (2:13) with Oonagh & Colm O’Brien finishing at (2:23) in preparation for Oonagh’s first marathon in London in 4 weeks. The Ladies were placed second in the team event, so all in all a good day for the NCR Team.

Next week it’s the Omagh Half Marathon so we can expect some great running.