Kendall is keen in Bohermeen
By the NACRacespy
Mark Kendall showed tremendous form in recording a PB of 1:16:00 and finishing 10th overall in the Meath Spring Half Marathon in Bohermeen. Kendall, in the form of his life as he is undergoing intensive training in an attempt to beat his incredible 2:43 in London in 2012, was up with the leaders from the gun and enjoyed a consistently high tempo throughout the race averaging around 5:46 per mile for the 13.1 mile course.
The Annual Club 5 Mile Handicap is on Tuesday 11th at 6:30pm, leaving from the Newcastle Centre – numbers are very low at this point. Please contact Joe McCann asap if you wish to run so he can confirm handicap times.
Joe has also organised a time trial race on Saturday morning (15th Dec) as part of the club Christmas celebrations along with Murlough AC runners. It will be a 3.5 / 7 mile (1 loop or two!) of the Tollymore river loop. Meeting at 9:30am in the main carpark. There were a large number of Murlough runners present on Saturday for a run over the course, but only three Newcastle AC athletes. Hopefully there will be a full turn out on Saturday. Mulled wine and mince pies will be served in the Clanbrasil barn after the run. Joe has requested that everyone come along and share in the festive spirit with our close neighbours and good running friends. Please contact Joe if you intend to run.
The menu for the Christmas dinner on Saturday 15th is included below. Dinner will be served at 7:45pm sharp, so please be in O’Hare’s by 7:30 at the latest. Payment of £12 per person is due on the night. Please email or text your menu choices to Joe McCann by Wednesday at the latest.
Main Course: Turkey and ham, Roast Beef (£2.50 extra) or Goat’s Cheese Bruschetta (for the vegetarians among us!)
Pudding: Fresh fruit pavlova or Christmas pudding with brandy sauce and cream.
Harty is club champion after an impressive run
by Joe McCann
The Seeley Cup is the high point of the Northern Road Running year and is the one occasion when everyone who is anyone turns out to test their speed endurance against the very best from all of the local clubs. This year saw an excellent turnout as 801 athletes completed the course. As always Newcastle AC was very well represented in this blue ribbon event won in some style by Paul Pollock is just under 31 minutes, with Paddy Hamilton second.
Despite much speculation in recent weeks, Newcastle AC has declared its hand early in announcing their squad for the forthcoming Seeley Cup Event on Saturday 17th November. This race is the ‘Blue Ribbon’ event of the road running year and one can always expect fast times. Back in the halcyon days club members such as Deon McNeilly, the Rodgers twins, John Curran and Noel Douglas to name but a few have all posted extremely good times. While times have been more modest from the Newcastle faithful in recent years there is always a great deal of excitement as this races is also the official club 10k championship. Last year David O’Flaherty was the best for the club in 35:05, a time only good enough for 45th place overall as Andrew Ledwith edged out Paddy Hamilton by a second to record a win in 30:47. O’Flaherty will be keen to retain his club title and if recent form is an accurate barometer he is capable of getting a low 34 time. He will be pushed hard by his club mates, many of who have been focused on this particular event for months.
McGreevy sets a Club Record, while O’Flaherty and Kendall impress on the roads
by Mad Dog Blackfoot
David O’Flaherty was the best of the Newcastle AC athletes with a superb 4th place at the Gr8 Dundrum run, suffering the heartache of losing a podium finish in the closing stages. The quality of the field was such that David’s time would have won the race in 2011 and broke the course record! Continue reading
W‘hen’ will I be famous?
by Rooster Roadrunner
Queen’s Cross Country
Newcastle AC was represented by Brendan Quail, Eugene McCann and Ryan Quigley at the first Cross Country Race of the season at the Queens’ University ‘Dub’ playing fields in Belfast on Saturday 13th October. Continue reading