After taking some time out to refresh during the summer, we are delighted to be back with some reporting on the great activities which have taken place. Below are some of the summer highlights of 2022.
Highlight of the Summer: Blackrock Best and Most Improved Athletes
The 2021 club adult awards were presented in Carysfort Park on Tuesday 9th August. Many were in attendance to witness awardees from the Fit4Life, Men and Women’s sections.
Blackrock A.C. Fit4Life Best and Most Improved Athletes of the Year
Fit4Life Most Improved Athlete of the year is James Dowling. James trained extremely hard in 2021 to achieve his lifetime ambition to complete the National 50km in Mondello Park, followed by a number of marathons and the Donadea 50km early in 2022. He is forever present at Cabinteely parkrun.
Fit4Life Athlete of the year is Gráinne Grennan. As well as coming first in her age category in many half marathons during the year, she was first in her age category in the National Open Cross Country in Abbottstown and went on to represent Ireland as part of a north-south Masters international cross country in Belfast and scored as part of the winning Irish team.
Both Grainne and James are regulars at club training and club events and continue to have a good 2022, especially Gráinne who is back running well after a serious injury.
Blackrock A.C. Men’s Best and Most Improved Athletes of the Year
Blackrock A.C. Men’s most improved athlete is David Graham. David has been clocking some serious times at races in Scotland and Ireland, even going as far as breaking 3 hours in the Cork marathon this year.
Eoghan Hughes picked up the title of Athlete of the Year for 2021. Eoghan has been a huge representation for the club at various IMRA events throughout Ireland. Eoghan regularly takes part in challenging races such as the Maurice Mullins 50k Ultra, Seven Sisters Skyline 55k Ultra and 80k Ultras such as Ballyhoura, Ecotrail and Glendalough Tucker Trial.
Blackrock A.C. Women’s Best and Most Improved Athletes of the Year
Patricia O’Neill has was awarded Blackrock A.C. Women’s Most Improved Athlete of the Year 2021. Patricia had some great times finishing 22:54 in the Kilcock 5k as well as 4:01:10 at the Belfast marathon.
Female athlete of the year was awarded to Michelle Langan. Michelle completed her first ultra-marathon in Belfast where she completed the 50k distance in 4:40:40 and was the third woman home. She also had a number of great runs at various parkruns in Ireland, first home in some and often in the top 3 for a lot.
Clontarf Half Marathon and 5 Mile 2 July 2022
The Clontarf 5 Miler and Half Marathon took place on July 2, 2022, with a number of club members taking part in both races alongside Clontarf Road and on Dollymount Beach. The first race to finish was the 5-mile race and we were delighted to learn Katherine Duff was second lady overall in a fast 35.08. Ten runners took part in the half marathon with Darren the first Blackrock A.C. person home in a fast 1.35.38, a week after he completed the Waterford marathon. Grainne also came first in her age category, an amazing result so soon after her recent injury. There were some fine runs on the day and congratulations to everyone.
5 Mile Road Race
- Katherine DUFF 00:35:08 2nd lady overall
- Arik Warshager 00:35:30
- Hilary THORNTON 00:49:59
Half Marathon
- Darren KEANE 01:35:38
- Grainne GRENNAN 01:47:00 1st F60
- Andy MAHER 01:46:36
- Jamie KENNEDY 01:49:52
- Melanie PAPE 01:53:02
- Sinead HOWARD 02:00:44
- Rachel KIELY 02:03:41
- Róisín SULLIVAN 02:05:29
- James DOWLING 02:05:29
- Sheila O’NEILL 02:07:52
Athletics Ireland Nationals 2/3 July 2022
A super weekend at the Athletics Ireland Nationals for Blackrock A.C. in early July.
Amelia and Maya picked up silver in the 60m pairs. Matthew O’B won bronze in the u14 800m. While Matthew McK worked with Josh in the 60m to get gold.
Finally, Ciarán Patchell won bronze in the U19 shot putt. Well done everybody!
Irish Runner National 10mile road race – 10 July 2022
The hilly Phoenix Park was the setting for the National 10mile road race on a warm humid day. Among the 645 finishers were 8 from Blackrock A.C. Darren Keane was first home from the club in a fast 1.13.30 and Charlene Carty was the first lady home in her second fastest time ever. Grainne Grennan was second home in her age group and will get a national silver or even gold medal. Congratulations everyone.
- Darren KEANE 01:13:30
- Peter BREDIN 01:14:06
- Charlene CARTY 01:15:46 5th F40
- Grainne GRENNAN 01:19:54 2nd F60
- Leo WELDON 01:29:54
- Sinéad HOWARD 01:33:24
- Rachel KIELY 01:36:29
- Eileen O’SULLIVAN 01:46:26
4 Prize Winners at the BHAA Irishtown 5km
Irishtown Stadium and Ringsend Park were the setting for the Dublin City Council BHAA 5km race on July 13th with a number of Blackrock A.C. participants among the 117 finishers. On a lovely evening for running, we had many fine runs and a number of prize-winners on the evening with the full listing below. Well done everyone.
- Ted Burke 17.52 (8th and 2ndM45)
- Paul Hunt 18.08 (10th and 2ndM40)
- Tiernan Downes 20.21 (2nd M55)
- Arik Warshager 20.35
- Carmel Brennan 25.55 (3rd F55)
- Martin Conlon 27.13
10th July 2022
World Masters Finland
Brian Caulfield represented Ireland, coming 9th in the world masters Half Marathon in Finland, with a superb time of 1.17.06. Nice one Brian!
16th July 2022
International Relay
Well done to Blackrock A.C. athlete Donal who represented Ireland in Belfast. Dónal’s relay team picked up a silver medal while Donal came 5th in the 200m.
U15 Girl’s Relays Tullamore
Superb performance by Blackrock A.C. U15 girls Alex, Brianna, Eva, Matilda and Salla who picked up bronze earlier at the 4 x 100m relay in Tullamore.
Frank Duffy 10 Mile. 20 August 2022
Phoenix Park was the setting for the Frank Duffy 10mile Road Race on a new course on a warm windy morning. This also formed part of the Dublin 10 Mile Championship. Among the high numbers in the event from many clubs where a big contingent from Blackrock A.C. with 32 finishers on the day including many first-timers. Congratulation to Grainne Grennan who was first in her age group. We wish Paul Hunt well who had to withdraw during the event due to injury.
Ladies
- Charlene Carty 1:14:52
- Grainne Grennan 1:18:50 (1st O-60)
- Patricia Forde 1:23:53
- Aisling Joyce 1:27:11
- Rachel Kiely 1:30:39
- Grainne Deacy 1:31:08
- Carmel Brennan 1:31:17 – First ever 10miles
- Monica Keane 1:32:58 – First ever 10miles
- Janel Gleich 1:34:40 – First ever 10miles
- Clare Lorde 1:34:44
- Holly Furlong 1:45:55 – First ever 10miles
- Lorna Carr 1:49:47 – First ever 10miles
- Deirdre Howard 1:50:35
Men
- Andrew Flynn 59:25
- Hugh Hunt 1:02:44
- Mark Kilcoyne 1:06:07
- Darren Keane 1:09:11
- Ger Fitzgerald 1:11:52
- Ronan O’Neill 1:12:28
- Tiernan Downes 1:12:51
- Kevin Costelloe 1:16:02
- Niall Browne 1:19:45
- Dermot Hughes 1:19:57
- Jamie Kennedy 1:20:18
- Ruairi McGowan 1:22:12
- Pat O’Brian 1:24:13
- Leo Weldon 1:26:50
- Brian Coughlan 1:28:17
- James Dowling 1:28:35
- Brian Canavan 1:36:48
- Martin Conlon 1:40:56
- Kevin O’Hagan 1:53:42 – First ever 10miles
Avondale Forest Parkrun 27th August 2022
A group of Blackrock A.C. members headed to Avondale Forest where they were warmly welcomed by the organisers of Avondale Forest Parkrun. As always, there was plenty of coffee and chats after as well as some taking part in the treetop tour followed by the slide down!
Other Blackrock A.C. Summer Highlights
Congratulations to Mark Kilcoyne for smashing his first sub-19 in a 5k with 18:44 at Shanganagh Parkun.
Brian Lenihan was 4th overall (34:46) and Paul McDonnell 8th (38:48) at the Banna 10k down in Kerry, more superb times.
A big congrats to Benjamin Roquette and Paul Mulhern on their impressive sub 5:30 times at the Ironman 70.3 in hot weather in Cork.
New Tuesday Tempo Run
In preparation for the Dublin City Marathon this October. Barry Thornton is running tempo sessions in conjunction with Blackrock A.C. Men’s Tuesday session. Needless to say, this is open to men and women as you can see below. We have been experiencing record numbers at these sessions and everyone is invited to join. Meet at the clubhouse in Carysofrt Park at 7pm on Tuesdays.
Continued Relief Support for Ukraine
Blackrock A.C. man Igor Pashcjenko and his wife Olga continue to do amazing work for relief efforts in Ukraine. They are hosting an upcoming Bake sale this Saturday, more information can be found here.
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