After the last two years of virtual races and runners running on their own because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the arrival of 2022 brought the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the resumption of real races.
The Winter racing session kicked off the Dublin Master Cross-Country Championships in St. Anne’s Park, Raheny in early January. Emma McGrane and Jennifer Ryan were part of the Blackrock A.C. Women’s Team O/35 which finished 15th overall.
Raheny 5 Mile
Always a favourite fixture amongst all Blackrock A.C. runners was the Raheny 5 mile which took place in late January. Thirteen Blackrock A.C. women participated in this event with six of the BAC women scoring Personal Best results (Emma McGrane 35:25, Michelle Langan 35:30, Patricia O’Neill 37:30, Breda O’Keeffe 38:45, Sinéad Howard 41:30, Deirdre Howard 49:30. It was an enjoyable day out, even with the bonus of having to run an extra 500m on the day!!!
February may have seen a dampening of the weather, however, it didn’t hinder Patricia O’Neill from scoring a Personal Best result of 79 minutes 27 seconds at the Trim 10-mile race.
March saw some brighter and longer days and more Blackrock A.C.women participating in races including the Bohermeen half marathon, Mullingar half marathon and the Wicklow Way trail half marathon. Clare Morgan came second in her age category (F60) at the Dunboyne 10K. BAC women also participated in the BAC club fundraiser, Run 4 Ukraine, clocking up the kilometres while raising vital funds for two charities, Moral Fiber and the Irish Red Cross.
Blackrock A.C. women continue to participate in local parkruns on Saturday mornings, including Poolbeg, Marlay Park, Shanganagh and Cabinteely. Michelle Langan was the first woman home in Tullow Park Run on 26th March 2022 in a time of 22:01. Sinéad Howard had a PB at Poolbeg park run on 15th January 2022 with a time of 25:29. Antoinette Healy had a PB at Poolbeg park run on 5th March 2022 with a time of 22:59. She was the second woman home and won her age category 60-64.
Blackrock A.C. Women’s training
The Women’s section continues to train at Carysfort Park on Saturday mornings under the guidance of Patricia Craddock-Smith and Mary Butler. Michelle Tracey guides the long distances runners for runs during the week and on Saturday mornings. Sinéad Howard guides the runners on runs on Sunday mornings and Tuesday evenings.
The women’s section has welcomed several new members to our section since the start of 2022.
The Blackrock A.C. women are looking forward to participating in real races in 2022 and have set their sights on participating in many races including the VHI mini-marathon and the Dublin Marathon Race Series including the Dublin City Marathon.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter to keep up to date.
Add Comment