Google+ Running in Cork, Ireland

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Results of the Eagle 5 Mile Road Race - Sun 22nd of Feb 2009
There was a big turnout for this 5 mile road race in Carrigaline with 263 runners taking part. For a non-BHAA / Ballycotton race, that's a serious number and shows that it is probably one of the more popular 5 mile races of the year.
No reports yet of any 'kettle' incidents. The main 'suspect' from last year was on the missing list today so maybe that's the reason ;o)
Update (Wed 25th Feb)....It seems as if there was some problems with the results on the day. The word is that it may not have been software related after all. Appearently, after the power cuts of last year, the race committee decided that this year they would go for the laptop option. They approached that 'well known' Eagle AC member who said he could supply one. Little did they know however that he had bought this laptop off his favourite eBay website. So he turned up early on the day with his new Cray 9000 Hex Core 1.9 THz laptop with a 56" plasma screen. It's supposed to be a rocket of a machine but it's just that it takes 2 hours to boot up. Hence the delay in the results. Mystery solved! A case of 'PC-Gate'???

Results......the results are now up on the Eagle AC website.

Photos......the club also have 2 sets of photos. One set shows people finishing and the other set is from the lead car so you can follow how the race progressed at the front.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

"All Talk and No Results"
Hey John get your facts right.It was even worse than last year. Its about time Eagle stopped advertising the time results will be ready and fooling people into staying on when they cocked things up TWO years running.Hope they are not going for "three in a row" with the new Fota race.
A "Tired Of Waiting" runner

John Desmond said...

If you read my post, I said 'No reports yet of any 'kettle' incidents.'...I did not say there were no incidents. From what I have heard since, there was some software problems which led to the delay.

Anonymous said...

John,
to the "Tired of Waiting" runner, for your penanance say 1 Our Father and 3 Hail Mary's, turn up to Mahon next Sunday for the ESB 5k and show us how quickly a perfectionist like yourself can get the results out. Or are you just All Talk and No effort? I don't think anyone in Eagle is being paid, but I suspect someone on the web at 11:40 AM might be (if they are lucky enough to hold down a job)might be doing so on their employers time.

John Dunphy said...

Eagle Ac put on another fantastic race on Sunday,Great attendance for a race that's becoming popular with road runner's and it won't be long before they break the 300 mark well done to Eagle Ac member's.Also what a great selection of spot prizes afterwards i think they had 40 prizes in total to give away and i was lucky enough to get one.It was also fantastic for the club to have Fota Wildlife Park coming on board with Eagle to sponsor the club which can only be good for the club.This new race in May in Fota will hopefully pull a good crowd,i think the opportunity to race in the wildlife park will be a crowd puller in it's self.How many times have us runner's visited Fota with the kids but never thought that one day we would have a race going to happen there looking so forward to it already.As for the results yesterday yes they took time due to software problems but im sure Eagle Ac will rectify for the next race these thing's happen.

John Dunphy
Midleton Ac

Unknown said...

When is the race in Fota
That is gonna be a HUGE crowd puller I reckon.
I was only thinking recently that it would be a great venue for a run, a few little hills and a nice scenic route.
Excellent idea.

John Desmond said...

Just some points...
1) People should remember that there is a lot of work and effort in putting on a road race and it is all VOLUNTARY!! OK, so there was a problem with the results but people are trying their best so give them a break.

2) Fota race....from what I hear, it will probably be a 5 km race and the PROVISIONAL date is sometime midweek mid to late May. Just from a novelty factor alone, it should be a 'must do' one.

Anonymous said...

I am not here to give out about the race as in my opinion it was a well organised race, excluding the results issue. But one thing I would suggest to the organisers is that in future when they are doing the spot prizes that everyone going into the hall after the race for refreshments put their race number in a box and pull out the prize winners. This would elimate what happened Sunday when they were calling out loads of names but only about one in every four were there to collect a prize. Other then that im sure the lads in Eagle will be much more prepared for the results at their next race. They cant be fully blamed for everything that happened, none of us have full control of what goes on with computers, not all of the world are experts in that field.
As for the Fota race, im confident it will be major success and im looking forward to it.

Anonymous said...

Well done to Eagle and John Quigley on a well organised race and everyone gets technical problems (or kettle problems) now and then.I am sure they will be well sorted by the Fota race. John Quigley is one of the hardest working people in Cork athletics and deserves praise not criticism. On a point of information were headphones banned in this race ? I did not see it mentioned anywhere and if not why not?.

Danny Mc Carthy Capt.Midleton A.C.

Anonymous said...

John,
wouldn't it be great craic if they could run the Fota race through some of the enclosures, see how we would measure up against the cheetas!
Headphones and late results would be the least of our problems.

Thanks to all the volunteers for their Trojan work.
Fergus

Anonymous said...

John,
this is "Tired Of Waiting" again and I wish to reply to whoever made made comment No 3 and say that their arrogange is only exceeded by their ignorence.What my employment status has to do with anything is beyond me.Have I not got the right to make a comment at whatever time of day or night I wish. I simply highlighted the FACT that Eagle are about the only club that advertise the approx. results time obviously to get people to stay on and they cocked this up two years in succession.
As regards turning up in Mahon I know the results in Mahon will be late (as they are calculated by hand and under a completely different system ) but at least there I know that and have the choice of staying or going and am not promised them at a particular time.
As regards my penance I did not know we had any "ex priests" in our running community and will watch my back more in future.

Still "Tired Of Waiting" for the official and TEAM results.

Anonymous said...

Hi Anon ,
Are you involved in organising a race ?? Do you give up any spare time to help get D PERFECT race and afters ie tea coffee etc and fast results which you EXPECT??Doubt it as would not B a Crib....
How about a positive attitude and give praise for the fast entry desk,accurate course,fantastic Friendly
service in kitchen.ALL VOLUNTARY::
Yes results didnt go as planned but??Apologies were made on the day to all who waited patiently
and our good prizes were worth the wait..
Yours In sport Monica Twohig

John Dunphy said...

Thats telling them Monica you go Girl.

John Dunphy

Anonymous said...

Hi Monica Twohig (member of Eagle AC which you forgot to mention) you know what they say about self praise. Its a pity you cannot take a little criticism maybe Eagle AC should change its self annointed logo to "Cork's Friendliest Running Club (but don't you dare criticise us)".
Afterall as can be seen the latest explanation a new computer was introduced without even been tested which speaks for itself especially after last years "cock up".
As regards you praising your prizes
(you raised the topic)they really were rather measly in comparison to most other races especially in the ladies category( see next Sunday's for comparison).
Anyway Monica keep up the good work and I am glad the long wait is over and the results are out at last (three days later)
" Exhausted From The Wait"

Anonymous said...

I can't believe this storm in a teacup. I read 'De Blog' yesterday and was bemused with 'Tired of Waiting's' initial gripe over the results being available, what was it, an hour and a quarter after they promised. ...and then his rant against Comment No.3

Lo and behold, when I got home, my Ballycotton pack was waiting. In it was an article by John Quigley. Have you read it, Tired of Waiting? Puts a different perspective on things when you read that. There are more important things in life than being forced (with an open door) to wait for results.

btw, I see Eagle have added a comment on their website about people being out from 7am until half three on Sunday - long day. Many thanks for a very enjoyable day on Sunday. I also save on food as I was stuffed leaving the place!

Anonymous said...

Joe Roche, Eagle AC.

On behalf of Eagle AC, I'd like to thank everyone for their comments on our race, positive or negative, they are all taken on board and in good spirit. We especially like the comment with regard to placing race numbers in a box after the race, to be drawn from in order to distribute spot prizes.
Sincere apologies to all for the delay in issuing race results, it is always our intention to have prompt results (thus the advertising),as part of our endeavor we purchased the latest version of "RACEMASTER" a tried and trusted race results software package, but despite the best efforts of our more than capable, and hard working results team, regrettably we encountered some problems. We've learned valuable lessons, and we have already taken positive steps to ensure that we will not have a repeat of Sundays unfortunate setback. We have already began preparations for our next race, due to be held in Fota Wildlife Park in May. Our aim as always is to provide a safe, accurate and well marshaled race, which you the runners and supporters can enjoy. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our club members, their friends and families for their help prior to, during and after last Sundays race, without you, there wouldn't be a race. And finally, thanks to John Desmond for supplying the forum which allows us to express our apologies and our thanks to everyone. Hopefully we'll see you all in Fota.

Joe Roche,
Vice Chairman,
Eagle A.C.

Anonymous said...

To Mr or Ms. 'Tired of Waiting' - I am tired of reading your pathetic gripe of WAITING for results! In fairness to Eagle AC it was a brilliant race - I didn't see chains on the door forcing anybody to stay on to wait for results - I suggest that if you are bored waiting for results, why not get a black bag and go around the hall and help the organisers pick up the rubbish after the teas etc. As for the 'measly' prizes - it is VERY OBVIOUS that you don't help out much at races - i was a prize winner myself and thought the gear was absolutely lovely and of a very good quality. What the hell do u expect for €8 - you got an accurately measured course, great stewarding, nice challenging, scenic course - lovely catering (I liked the addition of the nuts!) and provisional results on the Eagle Website that evening - would you ever take a 'chill pill' and go and enjoy your running and appreciate the work that goes into organising such events. On the day people are certainly out from 7am to 3pm but nobody sees the weeks and weeks of work beforehand and the follow up work also.

I also read the Ballycotton booklet when i got home and agree with the other Anon comment that there IS more to life than HAVING TO WAIT for results -it is such a petty complaint. By the way why not sign your name??? I can't understand all the Anon comments.

So might I expect to see you with a black bag collecting rubbish next Sunday at the ESB race???!!

Aine Murphy

Anonymous said...

hi ANON,
IN reply to your latest comment,Eagle AC welcome any worthwhile criticism to help us hold a successful road race ,Which is how we have celebrated 21 years and gone from strength to strength..
Unfortunately AGAIN (you forgot to mention your name)so I dont know who i am replying to?
Any other comments on prizes or other issues will be gladly accepted to me or any Eagle ac member...
Yours in Sport
Monica Twohig (Eagle AC)

Unknown said...

John,
"Tired Of Waiting" / "Exhausted From The Wait" seems to have more chips than a gambling casino.

The acid tone of his (though I reckon it's a woman) comments, coupled with sniping anonymously at everyone in sight - now hit out at Eagle, yourself, the person who left the third comment, priests/ex-priests and Monica Twohig - is there anyone else left to criticise? - really doesn't sit well with the normal camaraderie among the running community.

So Exhausted From The Wait reckons that the prizes last Sunday were measly. I doubt if she's complaining about someone elses prize - otherwise why bother bitching about it, so she must have been among the prize winners. If only the rest of us could be so lucky.

Come on Exhausted or Tired, reveal yourself. We'd all love to know who our 'good spirited' and friendly fellow runner is.

Anyone can hurl from the ditch. It takes just a little bit of conviction to put your good name behind it.

To Eagle AC - Drive on! The person who never made a mistake never did anything. Looking forward to Fota - maybe the cheetahs will make me run faster!

Gary Murphy,
Cork

John Desmond said...

Just to close off this particular thread, a few comments...
1) Thanks to everyone for their contributions, regardless of their point of view.
2) There is no obligation on anyone to reveal themselves. If I restricted the comments to 'known users', there would be hardly any comments. In fact, it would probably be pointless.
3) The overall feedback that I have seen about the Eagle race was overwhelmingly positive. The only real issue was the delay in the results but as someone said earlier, there was no obligation to stay and wait. You really have to puts things in perspective...If the results had been lost, then that's a serious issue. Late results are a lot better than no results.
4) No matter who is organising the race, constructive critism should be always welcome. Clubs can only improve their races if they know what went wrong. There is however a difference between constructive critism and just plain moaning! I'll leave it up to readers of this blog to decide for themselves which is which.
5) And on a final point, it would be worth pointing out that nearly all of the local races depend on volunteers. After reading a few negative comments, some of the volunteers might think 'What's the point?'. No matter what event it is or who organises it, those volunteers should remember that their efforts are noted and appreciated by the vast majority of runners.

John Desmond

Anonymous said...

Well done Monica on another excellent race and I am delighted "Tired Of Waiting" did not get a prize as it seems to me a clear case of "sour grapes".
On a lighter note I wish to deny the vile rumour that we encouraged Joe Roche to transfer from Midleton AC to Eagle AC for any sinister reasons.
Yours also in sport
Danny Mc Carthy Capt Midleton AC