You can vote for Fionnuala at this link HERE
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
Fionnuala Britton nominated for European Athlete of the month for December
You can vote for Fionnuala at this link HERE
Proposed Master Plan for the Tramore Valley Park...
As anyone who lives in Cork City will know, there is a genuine shortage of quiet areas away from traffic that are suitable for running and recreational activities. Unlike Dublin with it's Phoenix Park, Cork has very small parks by contrast and anyone wanting to go for a training run has to use the walkways around Mahon, the UCC Farm or take to the footpaths.
Cork City Council now have a master plan for the development of the old Kinsale Road landfill site into a new urban park called the Tramore Valley Park...
Included in it are plans for walking and running trails...
There is also a plan to build a 'green bridge' across the South Ring Road to link to Frankfield...
and then through some wooded area to the residential areas...
Needless to say, some aspects of the plan like the bridge will require a substantial amount of finance to build but some of the simpler parts of the plan like the pathways should be reasonably easy.
In late 2011, there was a 5k charity race there and it did look pretty 'raw' at that stage. With some landscaping and as it matures, it could well become the 'Phoenix Park' of Cork.
The master plan can be seen HERE
Monday, January 07, 2013
Study shows that running economy improves after 4 Weeks in Vibram FiveFingers
At the beginning of the study, researchers at Dublin City University measured the subjects' running economy twice...once while the subjects ran in conventional training shoes (Asics Nimbus) and once in Vibram FiveFingers. None of the runners had used FiveFingers before. When their running economy was first measured, they were slightly more economical (1.05%) in FiveFingers than when wearing the Nimbus. This finding is consistent with other studies showing slightly better economy in minimalist shoes during short tests due to the lighter weight of the shoes.
In this study, running economy was tested at paces of 11 kph and 13 kph (~7:25 and 8:45 min/mile pace). Over the four week test period, the runners gradually introduced the FiveFingers into their shoe rotation. They started with two 15-minute runs the first week, and worked up to three or four 30-minute runs by the fourth week. After four weeks, researchers found two noteworthy changes: First, the runners had become much more economical in the FiveFingers. While running at the same paces as at the beginning of the study, they were just more than 8% more economical in the FiveFingers than they had been in the same shoes at the beginning of the study.
Second, whereas at the beginning of the study the runners were just a bit more economical in FiveFingers compared to running in the Nimbus, by the end of the study that difference had increased to 6.9%.
The researchers also pointed out that the subjects were running at what for them was an easy, relaxed pace and they had shortened their stride and increased their turnover in response to the minimalist shoes. It is not known if the same economies would be present at a faster race pace.
BBC Podcast on exercise, food and alcohol...
In the first part of the podcast (00:00-20:00), Dr.Mosley looks at the subject of exercise and how much is enough? In a BBC Horizon programme last year, it was shown that 3 minutes of intense exercise spread throughout the week delivered many of the health benefits of regular exercise. What it also showed was that people that stayed inactive for large portions of the day...e.g. office workers...were also the group most likely to be at risk.
In the second part of the podcast (22:00-44:00), they look at recommended daily level of fruit and veg and what it means. This might be of interest to anyone wishing to maintain a healthy diet.
In the final part (44:00-70:00), Dr.Mosley looks at the subject of alcohol and how much is too much. Not only can excessive drinking lead to various diseases in later life but as this news item shows, many people don't realise that there are a lot of calories in alclhol which can in turn lead to obesity issues.
The podcast can be heard HERE until the start of February 2013.
Background to the series on the BBC website.
Athletics Ireland looking for volunteers for Euro team champs in June
The LOC for the European Athletics Team Championships 1st League invites applications from Athletics Ireland members to fill the following volunteer positions:
1. Meet and greet personnel – located at Dublin Airport and will work with incoming teams.
2. Team attachés - will work with visiting team.
3. Drivers – Located at Morton Stadium, to be available to drive guests to various locations.
4. Hostesses – Located at Morton Stadium and will work in the trophy and hospitality areas.
5. Stewards – located in Morton Stadium and will work on various stewarding details within competition area.
Criteria
• Minimum age: 18 years
• Full drivers licence applies to option 3 only
• Available Thursday 20th – Sunday 23rd June 2013
• Linguistics skills would be an advantage for options 1 & 2 above
• Response date: 28th February 2013
• Training will be provided
If you are interested in participating in this exciting project please email marketing@athleticsireland.ie
The closing date for applications will be the 28th of February 2013.
Polls now open for the best races in Cork in 2012
The polls are for the best 5k, 4 mile, 5 mile and 10k race in Cork and the best 10 mile, Half-Marathon and Marathon in Munster.
Sunday, January 06, 2013
Elite entries for the John Treacy Dungarvan 10 mile road race...
The John Treacy Dungarvan 10 mile road race will start at 1pm on Sunday, the 27th of January 2013.
More details on the race website... http://www.dungarvan10mile.org/
Top Cork BHAA races of 2012...
The poll for the best Cork BHAA race in 2012 has now closed. There were a total of 415 votes for the 19 races that were held last year. The results are as follows...
In first place with 127 votes is the Daniel Kingston 5k race in Macroom. This race got over 700 entrants in 2012 and obviously is well supported by the people of the town. It looks likely to be equally popular in 2013.
In second place with 84 votes was the Cork to Cobh 15 mile road race. Another popular race especially in the run-up to Dublin.
In third place with 57 votes is the UCC 10k, a road race with a long tradition. By contrast in fourth place, the Leisureworld 5 mile with 22 votes was a brand new race on the 2012 calendar and looks likely to grow in popularity as time goes on.
After that, the remaining votes begin to taper off with the remaining five shown above still making it into the top half of the most popular races.
The Cork BHAA have 19 races on their calendar again this year and the first one is a cross country event in Beaumont Park in Cork City on the 13th of January.
In first place with 127 votes is the Daniel Kingston 5k race in Macroom. This race got over 700 entrants in 2012 and obviously is well supported by the people of the town. It looks likely to be equally popular in 2013.
In second place with 84 votes was the Cork to Cobh 15 mile road race. Another popular race especially in the run-up to Dublin.
In third place with 57 votes is the UCC 10k, a road race with a long tradition. By contrast in fourth place, the Leisureworld 5 mile with 22 votes was a brand new race on the 2012 calendar and looks likely to grow in popularity as time goes on.
After that, the remaining votes begin to taper off with the remaining five shown above still making it into the top half of the most popular races.
The Cork BHAA have 19 races on their calendar again this year and the first one is a cross country event in Beaumont Park in Cork City on the 13th of January.
Saturday, January 05, 2013
Fionnuala Britton wins BUPA Cross Country race in Edinburgh...
By the 4 km mark, Fionnuala Britton had opened up a 3 second gap on Coulson and was now 12 seconds ahead of the main bunch which included Linda Byrne, a member of the Gold medal Irish team at the recent European Cross Country Championships.
By the 5 km mark, the relentless pressure began to tell on Coulson as Fionnuala now raced ahead. Despite a slight slip in the closing stages, Fionnuala Britton finished over 16 seconds ahead of her nearest rival.
1. Fionnuala Britton...EU...20:40...($8,000)
2. Adrienne Herzog...EU...20:56...($4,000)
3. Mattie Suver...USA...21:00...($3,000)
4. Jess Coulson...GBR...21:05...($2,000)
5. Ana Dulce Felix...EU...21:06...($1,750)
6. Linda Byrne...EU...21:06...($1,500)
7. Ladia Albertson Junkas... ...21:08...($1,000)
8. Julia Bleasdale...GBR...21:10...($800)
9. Lisa Stublic...EU...21:11...($500)
In a post race interview, Fionnuala said this about the race and her 'slip'.......“When I knew the group behind me was breaking down, I thought there is no point letting them get back to me. It's a great result for Europe"......."I fell on my chin in a race before but I fell on my backside this time. Never in a live televised race. Even though I’m known as a cross country specialist, track and field is where it’s really at like and for me it’s not really worked out yet, but it’s everyone in athletics’ aim as well. I really enjoy cross country but the track is where it’s at."
Linda Byrne finished in an impressive 6th place and almost caught Dulce Felix who won silver at the European Cross Country Championships in December.
Overall, the strong performance by the European womens team helped them to take the overall team victory ahead of Great Britain and the USA.
Both Fionnuala and Linda will be taking part in the IAAF Antrim Cross Country on Saturday the 12th of January where there will be strong competition from some Kenyan and Ethiopian runners.
On the 24th of March, Fionnuala Britton competes in the World Cross Country in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
Friday, January 04, 2013
Fionnuala Britton in action tomorrow in Edinburgh...
Following her 2011 victory at the European Cross Country championships in Slovenia, Fionnuala Britton won this race in Edinburgh last year as well so she is now defending her title. In a recent interview, she said..."I'm in good shape at the moment and was pleased with my run at the big Brussels race just before Christmas so I hope I've still got that sort of shape after the holidays."
The European team also contains both of the minor medalists from Budapest where Fionnuala retained her European title - Ana Dulce Felix (Portugal) and Adrienne Herzog (Netherlands) – as well as Sophie Duarte (France) and Lisa Christina Stublic (Croatia), who were both top-nine finishers there.
The Great Edinburgh Cross-Country will be shown live on BBC1 television tomorrow Saturday 5th at 1:10pm. The senior women's 6km starts at 1.42pm.
Athletics Ireland announce coaching courses and workshops for Jan to May in Munster...
The workshops include Sports Psychology, Strength & Conditioning, Hurdles, Sprints, Throws, Turbo Javelin, Shot Putt, Long & Triple Jump, Discus and Hammer. The fee's are normally very low and you just turn up on the day.
The coaching courses might be of interest to members of athletic clubs. There are Assistant Coach, Athletics Leader and Level 1 Coaching courses on offer.
For further details contact RDO Steven Macklin at 0876335565 or e-mail steven@athleticsireland.ie
The list of courses from January to May can be seen HERE
Thursday, January 03, 2013
Last call for overseas entrants for the Ballycotton 10 mile road race...
 |
| Direct flights to Cork from the UK |
Info for UK visitors.....The Ballycotton 10 mile road race is one of the largest road race in Ireland. It sells out early every year but a special window is left open for anyone outside the island of Ireland to enter. Entries must arrive by post before next Tuesday, the 8th of January.
The 2013 Ballycotton 10 entry form can be seem HERE
Ballycotton village itself is about 25 miles from Cork airport. There should be plenty of accommodation available in Cork City, Midleton or near Ballycotton itself.
It had been hoped that the organisers would have an updated entry list sometime before Christmas. I would guess that at this stage, they are more likely to wait until the last of the overseas entries come in and update it then. If it's anything like last year then the full list should online be in mid-January.
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
New 3D Running Video Game released...
A South American company called Alpes Soft has recently released a 3D video game which lets users play the role of a professional athlete. The game is described as follows......."Competing in multiple running events, the players will be able to collect medals while reaching podiums. Players can choose to compete in events like marathons and half marathons, customize their characters and start a running career. The game also features optional connection with Facebook, so players can link their runner with their Facebook profiles and share collected medals with their friends."
I'm kind of guessing that this might be one game that won't be hitting the top of the gaming charts anytime soon ;o)
To each their own I guess.
I'm kind of guessing that this might be one game that won't be hitting the top of the gaming charts anytime soon ;o)
To each their own I guess.
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
Results of the Bandon 5 mile road race - Tues 1st Jan 2012
Place Time Name Team Race Age Category min/mile
1 0:24:44 O'SHEA, Alan Bantry AC M 04:56.7
2 0:24:58 HARRINGTON, Chris Leevale AC M 04:59.5
3 0:25:08 MCGRATH, Sean East Cork AC M 05:01.5
24 0:28:42 FINN, Michelle Leevale AC F 05:44.3
37 0:29:38 HOLLAND, Ann-Marie Eagle AC F 05:55.5
39 0:29:47 CROWLEY, Carmel Bandon AC F40 05:57.3
The full results are HERE
Photos...
1) Joe Murphy has a slideshow HERE
2) Gearoid O'Laoi has another gallery HERE
Launch of the 2013 Cork City Marathon...
Speaking at the launch, Ireland’s highest placed athlete in track and field at the London Olympics 2012, said that the Marathon is a chance to get involved in one of the biggest sporting events in Cork and the best New Year’s resolution anyone can make. “Signing up to do the Cork City Marathon is the perfect New Year’s resolution, whether you run, walk or jog it, the race is accessible to everyone. Now is the time to get started, get out for a walk and build up your fitness gradually. I’m confident that anyone who sets their mind to it can achieve a medal on June 3 rd”, he said.
His wife Marian added “We’re delighted to come on board with the Cork City Marathon for 2013, it’s a wonderful event that encourages health and fitness. The buzz around the city on marathon day is something truly unique and we think everyone should experience crossing that finishing line at least once in their life”.
Lord Mayor Cllr. John Buttimer said at the launch, “The marathon is a huge boost to Cork City over the Bank Holiday Weekend as it attracts local, national and international visitors to our city. It places Cork on the map as a primary destination, not just for runners, but holidaymakers, visitors and locals who are all looking for a
fun filled weekend.”
“This is going to be a great weekend for Cork. We are looking forward to even more people getting involved this year by running it themselves or coming out to support
the athletes.” said Jim O’Donovan, Race Director, Cork City Marathon.
The Cork City Marathon kicks off on Patrick Street at 9am sharp on Bank Holiday Monday, June 3rd. It will touch the four points of Cork from North to South, East toWest to include Blackpool, Blackrock, Bishopstown and The Lough. Runners have the option of running the full 26.2miles marathon distance individually, a half marathon distance of 13.1 miles, or they can run a leg with a relay team.
The ‘Marathon for Everyone’, encourages individuals of all levels and abilities to get involved – from first timers to professional athletes, for charity or a sense of personal achievement. It is supported by Cork City Council which is committed to growing the event which is quickly becoming one of the major events in the Irish sporting calendar.
Entry forms and full details are available online at www.corkcitymarathon.ie
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