2014 in Review

                              JANUARY.

The Wicklow Masters C/C C/ships was one of the first events of 2014. There was some excellent performances from our athletes, with Suzanne Foot first athlete home in the ladies race and taking O/40 Gold. Grainne Cunningham took bronze also in O/40, Noelle Thorpe won Gold in O/50 and Charlotte Stevens won Bronze also in O/50 category. The ladies team, Suzanne, Grainne, Noelle, Charlotte, Emer Hynes and Andrea Murphy won the team event.

In the mens race Gary Condon was second man home (Damien Lawless M35 was first) but took Gold in the O/40 Category. Joe Cawley was 2nd O/40, Dominic Horan 1st O/45, Gordon McWilliams 3rd O/45, Tom Cavanagh 3rd O/55 and Bernard Quinn 2nd O/60. The mens team, 35-49, took silver as did the 50+ team.

In the Ferrycarrig 5ml in Wexford, Noelle Thorpe, 35.53, Pb, took 1st O/50, Dolores Gilliland, Pb, 39.51, was 3rd O/50, Richard Kavanagh was 2nd O/60 and Jason O'Connor recorded a new PB of 35.47.

Dungarvan 10ml, a very popular race, saw Joe Cawley and Dominic Horan both have excellent runs.

The Raheny 5ml saw Neil Wiktorski open his season with an excellent 26.28 to finish in 18th place. Des OHare, Diana Doll, Denise O'Leary, Leanne Geraghty, Georgina Devlin, Susan Dowd, Siobhan Butler and Colette Mason all recorded Pbs. Suzanne Foot, Helen Barry and Charlotte Stevens were also very pleased with their efforts.

In Florida, Noelle Thorpe set a new Half Marathon Pb of 96.59.

Richard Owens is named Wicklow  and Sli Cualann Athlete of The Year.

Sean Clifford, after 30 years of serving on Committee, stands down. Denis Patterson takes over as Chairperson.

                           FEBUARY

15 of our athletes took part in the Enniscorthy 10k and we took home a number of prizes. Gary Condon was 1st O/40, Noelle Thorpe 1st O/50, Richard Kavanagh 1st O/60 and our ladies came 2nd in the team event. Neil Wiktorski finished 10th in a new Pb of 33.12. Des O'Hare broke 40mins for the first time, Joe Cawley, Denise O'Leary, Diana Doll, Georgina Devlin and Andrea Murphy all set new Pbs. 

Richard Owens finished 6th in the National Indoors 1,500mtrs C/ships, in a time of 3.59.24.

Gary Condon, out of the medals, but puts in a fine run in the National Masters C/C C/ships.

Dominic Horan finishes 5th in 81.36 and Martin Francis 12th, 84.55, in the Wicklow Hospice Half Marathon.

                          MARCH.

Joe Cawley wins Kinvara Half Marathon in a time of 76.11, a new PB.

25 Bray Runners entered Ballycotton 10 ml in 2014. Neil Wiktorski recorded an excellent 53.54 to finish in a very impressive 12th place. Noelle Thorpe set a new Pb of 72.35 to finish 2nd O/50 and Richard Kavanagh finished 3rd O/60. Others to record Pbs were Des O'Hare, Gordon McWilliams, Helen Barry, Diana Doll, Leanne Geraghty, Denise O'Leary, Georgina Devlin, Susan Dowd, Colette Mason and Dolores Gilliland.

The MSB 5k was held on 16th March. Neil Wiktorski finished in an excellent 8th place. Colm O'Heigeartaigh ran a Pb of 18.19. Gary Conlon was 1st O/40, Noelle Thorpe 1st O/50, Charlotte Stevens 3rd O/50 and Dolores Gililland 3rd O/55. Emer Hynes was also impressive, recording 22.59.

Joe Cawley records his second win of the month as he wins the Wicklow Goalbreak Half Marathon in 78.01, Dominic Horan finished 8th in 85.22. Siobhan Butler, running in the 10k event, ran 49.42, a good time over a very tough course.

Dunboyne 4ml; Neil Wiktorski was 16th in 20.59, Noelle Thorpe was 2nd O/50 in a new PB of 27.11 and Grainne Cunningham ran 31.05.

Christy Maloney ran a 5k in Roosevelt Island , New York on Sat 22nd to round off 3 races on 3 different continents in 3 weekends.
Dubai 8k 32min, Marley Park 5k 19:40, New York 5k 19:35.

                       APRIL.

Richard Owens ran an excellent 4mins 21sec in the 1 mile race, part of the Great Ireland Run held which is held in the Phoenix Park each year.

The K Club 10k is a very popular race held over a very fast course. Neil Wiktorski ran a magnificent race to finish 2nd in a new Pb of 32.37. Andrea Murphy ran 48.08 to take over 2 minutes off her best time for the distance. Joe Kelly, 37.19, Siobhan Butler, 47.04, both took over 1 minute off their Pbs. Colette Mason, 49.28 also recorded anew Pb. Suzanne, Grainne and Denise also recorded impressive times.

Gary Condon finished in an excellent 3rd place in the Connemara Half Marathon. Andrea Murphy smashes another Pb in running 1.52.37. Georgina Devlin ran a very impressive 1.43.42 in her debut Half Marathon and Emer Hynes was well pleased  with her 2.01.03.

In the London Marathon, Joe Cawley ran an excellent 2.37.51 to continue his fine run of form.

We had 27 athletes take part in the Wicklow Road Race C/ships. We took home 7 gold  medals, 2 silver and 5 bronze individual medals. Our teams were also in the medals, our senior Men and women were both just pipped for gold, womens masters 35/49 took silver, masters men took bronze and our Masters Women 50+ brought home the Gold medal. In addition to the medals 9 athletes posted new Pbs.

In the Wexford H/M Gordon McWilliams ran a Pb of 91.17, Georgina Devlin also recorded a Pb of 1.42.52 and Diana Doll ran 1.43.57.

                             MAY

At the Leinster Novice and Masters Road C/ships, Charlotte Stevens, Dolores Gilliland and Noelle Thorpe all took home Gold medals. The ladies masters race is run over a tough 3k course and Noelle Thorpe, 12.10, a new Pb, took gold in the O/50 category. Charlotte Stevens, 12.53. also a new Pb, was just pipped for bronze in the O/50 Category. Dolores Gilliland, not to be outdone also ran a new Pb, 13.18, to take the gold medal in the O/55 category. Charlotte, Dolores, Noelle along with Jackie Patrick, Greystones, made up the Sli. Cualann team who took the gold medal in the O/50 Team and also made up the Wicklow County O/50 Team who also took Gold.

On the 10th May the Pieta House, Darkness Into Light 5k, took place in venues all over Ireland and further afield. For many this was one of the highlights of the year. Over 1,000 people took part in the Bray event, with many from Bray Runners taking part. Following the run Denise and Muirish O'Leary hosted a magnificent breakfast for Bray Runners and Friends. This event is highly recommended in 2015.

 Gary Condon finished 3rd overall in an excellent time of 16.07 in the Lucan 5k. Helen Barry broke 19mins for the first time, by running a brilliant 18.59 and finished 4th woman and 1st O/40. Suzanne Foot, finding her form again, after a short layoff, finished 3rd O/40 in 19.16. James Nangle, running his 2nd race in club colours, ran a new Pb of 19.15.

On Sunday 11th May, Joe Cawley won the Easkey Castle 10k, Sligo, in an impressive 35.47. 3 wins in 6 weeks for Joe.

At todays Terenure 5mile we had 11 of our athletes taking, all putting in excellent performances. This race attracts a huge field every year, it also attracts most of the top runners around. As well as the individual categories the team prizes are also very keenly contested.              

The MASTER LADIES TEAM PRIZE (35+)  was won by Sli Cualann, Helen Barry, Noelle Thorpe, Charlotte Stevens and Jackie Patrick (Greystones AC) were the scoring members of the team, with great back up from  Andrea Murphy, Grainne Cunningham and Sandra Brady.

Neil Wiktorski, finished in an excellent 12th place in a time of 26.20 at the Terenure 5ml. Dominic Horan continued his very impressive season, by finishing 3rd O/40 in 28.51. Helen Barry set another PB, 31.37 and was 4th O/40. Colm O'Heigeartaigh, running his first 5miler, ran a fine 32.05. Diarmuid Potts, 33.59, and Richard Kavanagh, 34.04 (3rd O/60), were both happy with there times. Noelle Thorpe also set a new PB, 34.41, 2nd O/40 and first time under 35mins. Andrea Murphy, 38.38, set a new PB. There was also great runs from Charlotte Stevens, 38.06, and Grainne Cunningham, 40.27. Sandra Brady continued her comeback to racing by running 42.19.

Richard Owens opened his track season in Watford last weekend, he ran a new 1500mtrs PB of 3.51.46

Gary Condon finally breaks 16 minutes for 5k. At the Enfield 5k Gary ran 15.52 to finish in 11th place overall.

Neil Wiktorski ran a fine race in the Edinburgh Half Marathon, 25th May, he clocked 72mins 55seconds to take a very creditable 9th place. Unfortunately weather conditions were very poor, with torrential rain and a very strong head wind throughout the race.

There was some excellent performances from our runners at the Dunboyne 5mile . James Nangle, 30.35, set a new Pb, closely followed by Helen Barry, 30.52, also a new Pb, 45 seconds faster than the one she set only 10 days previous in Terenure. Des O,Hare continued his very impressive form by running a new Pb of 31.06, which is an amazing 1 minute 17 seconds off his previous best, set earlier this year. Suzanne Foot, returning to top form, ran 31.39, Cathy Mitchell ran 39.19 and Grainne Cunningham, 39.20, took over a minute off her time in Terenure 5 mile.

At our Awards Night, Richard Owens is named as Athlete of the Year for 201

                         JUNE

 James Nangle continued his run of posting a new Pb in every race he has run since joining Bray Runnres. James ran an excellent 18.57, first time to break 19 for 5k in the Bohermeen 5k. In the same race Neil Wiktorski finished in 4th place in 15.58, Gary Condon ran 16.15 to take 2nd O/40 and Suzanne Foot, back to her best, ran 19.26 to finish 3rd O/40.

Ferns 4 mile; In the ladies race Suzanne Foot, 25.14, put in a brilliant performance to finish 2nd Lady overall, and together with Hannah Nolan, Sile and Paula O'Byrne they took 1st place in the ladies team event for Sli Cualann, beating Kilmore AC by a single point. Elaine Nuzun ran a fine race, recording a Pb of 37.03, while Denise Cox, 44.22, was 1st lady O/60. In the mens event, Gary Condon, 21.19, continued his excellent run of form by finishing in 5th place overall. Richard Kavanagh, 26.16, took 1st prize in the O/60 category. The Sli Cualann mens team (Gary 5th, Damien Lawless 6th, Mick Byrne 10th, Thomas Moore 13th) finished in 2nd place, beaten by an excellent S.B.R.

Ashford 5k; Joe Cawley finished in 2nd place in 17.14, and Dominic Horan finished in 4th place also in a time of 17.32.

Dunshaughlin 10k; Helen Barry continued her amazing progress this season by smashing her PB by 1 minute 39 seconds, running 39.01 and taking 1st place in the O/40 category. Gary Condon also smashed his Pb by a very impressive 35 seconds, running 33.36 and taking 1st place in the O/40 section. Also in the prizemoney were Suzanne Foot, 39.50, just 5 seconds away from a PB, 3rd O/40 and Richard Kavanagh, 2nd O/60 in 40.39. Joe Kelly also showing excellent form, ran a new Pb of 37.08, 10 seconds off his previous one, as did Des O'Hare, 39.04, 54 seconds off his previous best. Colm O'Heigeartaigh, running his first 10k ran a fine 39.25, and James Nangle, 39.21 continued his run of a new pb in every race he has run since joining Bray Runners earlier this year. Siobhan Butler finished in 6th place in O/45 category, in a brilliant time of 46.13, an excellent Pb, 51 seconds off her previous best from the K Club earlier this year.We also had some great running from Andrea Murphy, 48.20, Grainne Cunningham, 50.26, and Sandra Brady continued her comeback with a solid 53.19. Denise Cox, 70.24, added to her 1st place in Ferns last week by finishing 2nd O/60. Martin Francis, making a welcome return to racing, ran a fine 38.40, to finish 4th O/55.

                                        JULY.

Gordon McWilliams  took part in Ironman Austria in July. Gordon, taking part in his first Ironman event finished 3rd in the 0/45 category, in a brilliant time of 11.hours, 10mins, 1 second. His swim was 1.10.16, followed by 180k on the bike in 5.45.45 and he then ran a 3.57 marathon. Distances; Swim, 3.86k, Bike, 180k, Run, 42.2k (Full Marathon).

In Kilmore Quay, Co.Wexford, the annual 5k (5x1k laps) took place, Gary Condon was once again very impressive in running 16.35 and 7th O/A. Emer Hynes ran 24.32 to finish in 27th place in a top class field. Richard Kavanagh was 1st O/60 in 19.45.

At the Morton Games in Santry on Friday 11th July, Richard Owens, ran a very impressive 1.52.34 to finish 7th in the 800mtrs A final. 

The Carbury 10k was also on the 19th July, conditions were extremely hot and humid, making life difficult for the almost 200 athletes taking part. Leanne Geraghty set a new Pb of 47.20 to finish in 4th place in the womens race, Grainne Cunningham, 52.09, and Sandra Brady, 55.02.

Gary Condon ran an excellent 56.48 to win the Roscommon 10ml road race. Another PB for Gary.

At the Donadea Forest Trail 5k, Colm O'Heigeartaigh ran an excellent 19.00.

The inaugural running of the Mullingar 10mile took place in July, Angela Ross Innes, running her first race as a Bray Runner ran 1hr 41 08.

                  AUGUST

We had a number of athletes take part in the DLR 10k on Monday 4th August. Colm O'Heigeartaigh continued his fine run of form in running 39.33. Suzanne Foot finished 4th Lady in a time of 40.34. Bernard Quinn ran 44.14, 2nd O/55, Charlotte Stevens recorded a new PB of 47.17, over a minute off her previous best for the distance. Charlotte also finished 2nd 0/45. Andrea Murphy 49.58. Grainne Cunningham, 53.02, also performing well over what is a very tough course. Elaine Nuzun ran a new Pb of 60.45. Not only a new Pb but 3 minutes 57 seconds faster than the same race in 2013. Ana Molina, 61.20, almost 1 minute faster than in 2013. Rachel Daly, running her 1st race for as a Bray Runner, ran 62.30.

Bernard Quinn finished in 3rd place, running a fine 44.03, over a very tough 10k course, in the Ashbourne 10k on Sunday 24th August.

The Frank Duffy 10ml was held yesterday 23rd Aug. We had a number of athletes taking part, all achieving either new Pbs or recording their goal time for the event. Charlotte Stevens, running her first 10mile, recorded an excellent 78.31, chip time, to take 1st place in the O/50 category. Great running from the ever improving Charlotte. Neil Wiktorski, ran a fine 54.12, for 21st place, Suzanne Foot, 66.50, PB, Helen Barry, 67.16, Pb, finished 5th and 6th respectively in the O/40 Category. Dave Carraher continued his preparations for Dublin with an excellent 75.09. Georgina Devlin smashed her Pb by almost 2 minutes, running 75.01. Elaine Nuzun and Ana Molina both ran a very creditable 1hr.42.

Angela Ross Innes ran 4.33.50 in the Reykjavik Marathon, the first 3 autumn marathons she would run.

Gary Condon was 2nd in the Longford Half Marathon in a time of 75.52.

                      Sept.

The annual Fit4life 5k in Shanganagh was a great success in 2014.

3 Pbs that stand out are Ana Molina, 26.46 and Elaine Nuzun, 26.47 both taking huge chunks off their previous best, which they recorded earlier in the year and Jackie O'Neill also recorded a Pb of 30.13. Another time to take note of was Aishling Smith's 21.38, 3rd 0/40, and running her first race as a Bray Runner. Bill Stanley ran a fine 18.17 to take 3rd O/40, Tom Cavanagh, 21.17, Angela Ross Innes, 26.58;  Rachel Daly, 27.51; Cara Barry, 29.38; Catherine Cronin and Emer Farrell both running 31.46; Mary Hourihan, 33.10, were all well pleased with their times.

Bray Runners were to the fore at the Lakes 10k in Blessington. Neil Wiktorski finished in 3rd place in a very impressive 33.01. Suzanne Foot ran a new Pb of 39.36 to finish 2nd lady overall, she was closely followed by Helen Barry, 39.42, Helen taking 3rd lady overall. Bernard Quinn was 1st O/55 in a fine time of 43.35. Georgina Devlin smashed her Pb by running 45.33 and finishing 4th O/35. Gordon McWilliams ran 42.14,  Dave Carraher posted a new Pb of 44.28, Andrea Murphy, 48.18, Grainne Cunningham, 51.18 and Sandra Brady, 52.47, completed a very impressive list of Bray Runners.

The Athlone Half Marathon took place on Saturday 13th Sept. We had a number of athletes taking part, a couple running their first half marathon. Siobhan Butler ran a fine debut half marathon in a time of 1hr.44.20. Andrea Murphy also ran an excellent time of 1hr,47.12. Leanne Geraghty ran a fine 1hr.53.20.  Emer Hynes 1hr.55.59. over 5 minutes off her time in Connemara earlier in the year. Grainne Cunningham, 1.57.19. Gordon McWilliams, ran 1hr.34.38. Georgina Devlin, using this as a training run, posted a time of 2hr.04.25. Gary Condon, nursing an injury, ran 1hr.20.47.

On Sunday, 14th Sept, the annual Ratoath AC 5k took place. Richard Kavanagh, 19.51, was first O/60.

The Dublin Half Marathon was held on 20th Sept, in Dublin's Phoenix Park. Joe Cawley ran a brilliant 75.55 to record a new Pb. Gordon McWilliams ran a fine time of 1hr.32.01. Georgina Devlin ran a great new Pb of 1hr.39.50. getting under the 1hr.40. mark for the first time. Ashling Smith, running her first half marathon, ran an ecellent 1hr.41.08. Dave Carraher smashed his H/M Pb by over 6 minutes, running a great time of 1hr.42.01. Andrea Murphy ran 1hr.49.12, Angela Ross Innes ran 2hr.08.53.

Charleville Half Marathon, Richard Kavanagh ran 1hr.29.05. to finish 1st in the O/60 Category.

On Sunday 28th Sept., the Tipperary Womens 10k was held in Thurles. A number of our athletes made the trip and all were well pleased with their days work. Suzanne Foot finished in 5th place in 40.53, a fine effort, considering Suzanne had been nursing an injury over the past week or so. Siobhan Butler finished in a very impressive 8th place in a time of 45.38. A new Pb for Siobhan, and over 3 minutes faster than this race 12 months ago. Emer Hynes recorded an excellent 49.51, Diana Doll, 50.40, continued her comeback to racing. Sandra Brady ran 52.32, also continues to bring her times down, as she returns from injury. Angela Ross Innes, ran 54.51, her 2nd best 10k just 24 hours after running the Moone Kilomarathon in 2.40.07. 

                                 OCTOBER.

Our womens team of Siobhan Butler, Charlotte Stevens and Grainne Cunningham, ably managed by Noelle Thorpe, won a brilliant silver medal at the Wicklow Novice C/C Championships. Siobhan finished 6th, Charlotte 10th and Grainne 14th. William Foot, running his first race for Bray Runners, finished a very creditable 17th place and Bernard Quinn finished in 33rd place.

In the Bilbao Half Marathon, Ana Molina and Elaine Nuzun ran 2.19.30, their first half marathon.

Gary Condon set an excellent new marathon PB of 2.35.03 in Frankfurt in Oct. His time was over 3 minutes faster than his previous best. Emer Hynes ran an excellent 4.01.26.

The Leinster Masters Cross Country were held in Avondale, Rathdrum on Sunday 26th Oct. Siobhan Butler, running her first race at this level, put in an excellent performance to finish 6th in the O/45 Category. Charlotte Stevens ran a magnificient race, she took the bronze medal in the O/50 Category.

The Dublin City Marathon is one of the highlights of the year for many of our athletes, in 2014, 13 athletes took part. Helen Barry was very impressive in running 3.02.03 and winning Silver medal in the National Marathon C/ships, O/40 category. Des O'Hare, Gordon McWilliams and Andrea Murphy also recorded Pbs. Ashling Smith, running her first marathon, ran a fine 3.54.08

Des O'Hare;                3.04.22. Pb.  Martin Francis;   3.11.34. 

Gordon McWilliams;     3.15.31. Pb. Georgina Devlin;  3.47.53.

James Nangle;            3.51.00        Dave Carraher;    3.54.08.

Ashling Smith;            3.54.08. Pr.  Ciara Carter;        3.59.03.

Andrea Murphy;         4.05.56  Pb.  Susan Dowd;       4.14.33

Colette Mason;           4.17.37        Angela Ross Innes; 4.28.29

In addition to the above we also had Joe Cawley (3hr) and Dominic Horan (3.30) Pacers.

                                November.

On Wednesday, 12th Nov, Ana Molina and Elaine Nuzun achieved their seasons goal by breaking the 60 minute barrier for 10k. They both ran 58.33, new Pbs by over 2 minutes, in the Run In The Dark 10k. In the same race Sandra Brady ran 51.12, another athlete who has worked very hard all year, after returning from injury.

In the Clontarf Half Marathon, Angela Ross Innes ran 2.08.06.

                             December.

Angela Ross Innes ran a very well deserved new PB in the Clonakilty Marathon, Angela ran 4.27.53.

We had a couple of great performances at the Donore Harriers 5k on Sat 6th Dec. Charlotte Stevens added to her very impressive season by winning the O/50 Category in an excellent 22.18.  Ashling Smith was also very impressive in recording a new Pb of 20.33, over a minute off her previous best, which she set in September.

On Sunday 14th Dec, Wicklow Senior and Junior C/C  C/ships were held. Ashling Smith won Gold in the Ladies Senior Race and Richard Owens won Gold in the mens Senior event. The Ladies team, Ashling 1st, Charlotte 7th, Siobhan 9th, Emer 11th and Andrea 12th won the Silver medal in the team event. The mens team went one better by taking the Gold medal. Richard Owens was ably supported by Gary Condon 4th, Joe Cawley 5th, Neil Wiktorski 9th and Dominic Horan 16th.

At the Waterford half marathon, Joe Cawley ran a fine 77.30 for 4th O/40. Dominic Horan, despite feeling a bit unwell, ran 84.54. 

                              December.

At the Aware 10k Sandra Brady ran 50.38, her best 10k of the year.

The annual Burke Oil/Inbhear Dee 5k took place in Wicklow Town on St. Stephen's Day. Conditions were very poor, cold and very wet. Joe Cawley continued his impressive run of form in running 17.17 for 9th overall and 2nd O/40.