I became a member of Bray Runners by being in the right place at the right time. It had never crossed my mind that I could ever run, even though I had spent years on the sidelines cheering people on. I was in Shanganagh Park on the 29th March when I saw Dermot and Carmel leading a group of ladies around. I spoke with Dermot and he said I was welcome to join. I turned up the next week wondering if was mad! I had no previous sporting experience in my life (only avoiding it at school!). I need not have worried; the groups were very friendly and welcoming, introductions were made and off I went. I found it really hard going, but I survived, and felt so good afterwards. I went back for more and more!
I had no ambitions; my only aim was not to be a couch potato anymore. However, with all the encouragement and patience from Dermot, Richard, Pat and all the girls, I slowly got a bit better week by week. Now, I look forward to not only the training, but also the social aspect of every Thursday.
All the training came together for me on September 6th when I took part in the Fit4Life race in Shanganagh Park. I finished the 5km in 34 minutes! It was magic, the highlight of my year. I’m still dining out on it!Thank you all. Would recommend running to all ages
Mary didnt mention that she finished 2nd O/50 in that race.
Lorcan started athletics with Bray Runners when he was 8 years old, having taken part with his school in the Cumann na MBunscoile, winning the 100m.
For the first few years in the club, Lorcan competed at Co. Wicklow level in all events open to him, Track and Field and Cross Country. Lorcan won a number of County medals for Cross Country, taking part in the Leinsters in 2004 with a very credible 24th place out of 125 competitors. He also won medals in all Track and Field events in his age group over the first few years in the club.
At under 12 (2005) Lorcan first was allowed to compete in the high jump and was instantly hooked.
He won the county championships a number of times but for the first few years a Leinster medal eluded him.
In 2008 and 2009 Lorcan won Bronze in the Leinster Championships but failed to medal at national level.
In 2010 and 2011 Lorcan won the Leinster Championship High Jump but was unable to compete in the National Championships due to international Basketball commitments.
In 2012 Lorcan was 2nd in the Leinster High Jump Championships and went on to win the National Championships.
Lorcan has also competed in the Schools Athletics events, winning medals at East Leinster level every year since he started, with the exception of this year as he had recently suffered a back injury.
In 2011 Lorcan was 3rd at Leinster level and went on to represent Leinster in the All Ireland Schools Championships where he came second, jumping his Personal Best of 1.90m - well above his own height of 183cm.
High jump is an event that ties in well with Lorcan's Basketball trianing and this would be the main reason for sticking with it as a speciality.
Much of Lorcan's training is done in conjunction with his Basketball training with jump drills and Abs work being a very big part of that.
Locan can be seen out in Greystones, at the track, in the run up to competition season, working on his run up and jump technique.
This year Lorcan began to compete in 100m again and has been biten by the bug - he increased his training sessions to concentrate on his 100m Sprint and was delighted, 6 weeks after deciding to compete in this event, to win Bronze at Leinster level, missing out on silver by 2/100 of a second. He then went on to compete at the National Championships in 100m also, getting to the final and coming 7th overall.
Basketball is Lorcan's chosen team sport and he played for Ireland U16 in 2010.
He was awarded Basketball Ireland U16 School Boy player of the year in 2010 and this year was announced as the Basketball Ireland U19 Schoolboy player of the year.
As Lorcan is now in sixth year and working towards the Leaving Cert, he is looking at his options. He continues to play basketball for Presentation College Bray and Dublin Raiders BC. He has taken a particular interest in the 100m and hopes to compete in this event at the Schools Athletics and Club Athletics in the coming school year both indoors(60m) and outdoors.
