2016 was another excellent year for Bray Runners, with our athletes winning medals at National, Leinster and Wicklow C/ships. We also had athletes proudly represent their country at British and Irish Masters C/C C/ships and at World Masters Marathon and Half Marathon C/ships. Many of our athletes traveled abroad, recording excellent times all over Europe, others raced at events throughout the country, recording Pb's and winning many prizes on their travels. Our juvenile section continues to go from strength to strength, under the guidance of their excellent coaches and mentors. Below we have listed some of the achievements of our athletes during 2016.
JANUARY.
The Wicklow Masters C/C was one of the first events of 2016. Both our womens and mens team won Gold. Individual medals were won by Suzanne Foot, Jean O'Kennedy and Dominic Horan, all winning age category GOLD. Ashling Smith, Gary Condon and Tom Cavanagh all won silver, Emer Hynes and Bernard Quinn both won bronze while Andrea Murphy and Joe Cawley were both just pipped for medal but never the less helped their respective teams to gold.
At the National Masters C/C C/ships the Sli Cualann Ladies Masters team (35/49) finished in an excellent 3rd place and won the bronze medal. Bray runners Suzanne Foot finished a brilliant 9th in her age Cat, closely followed by Ashling Smith 11th, Carol Costello (Greystones AC) 18th, Ashling Kirwan 9Parnell AC) 21st and Anne Marie Kenny (Parnell AC) 28th.
In the Ferrycarrig, Wexford, 5mile, Jason O'Connor continued to show huge improvement, in running a new Pb of 34.26, over 90 seconds off his previous best, set on the same course 2 years ago.
Some great performances in the Raheny 5mile. Neil Wiktorski ran a new Pb of 26.14 and was 14th overall. Gary Condon 27.12 and 4th 0/40, Colm O'Heigeartaigh 30.30, Suzanne Foot, 31.29 and 4th in Age Cat., James Nangle, 31.16, Emer Hynes, 42.19 and Elaine Nuzun 48.24,
At the Wicklow Star Awards Helen Barry was named Wicklow Female Master Athlete for 2015.
FEBUARY
Joe Cawley finishes 8th in National 50k C/ships. Ennnisccorthy 10k as always attracted a large group of our athletes. Colm O'Heigeartaigh set a new PB of 37.10, and Jason O'Connor also set a new Pb of 42.37, almost a minute off his previous best. Jean O'Kennedy and Georgina Devlin were both part of the Sli Cualann womens team who finished 2nd.
At the Trim 10ml, Joe Cawley was 1st 0/40 and Dominic Horan was 3rd 0/45. Gary Condon wins race 1 and 2 in the new Wicklow Race Series.
The winners of our Club Awards for 2015 were as follows;
Athlete of the Year, Suzanne Foot.
Master Athlete of the Year, Ashling Smith/Gary Condon.
Most Improved Athlete of the Year, Colm O'Heigeartaigh.
Pat McCourt Trophy (outstanding achievement), Helen Barry.
Barry Keane Trophy, (coaching) Bill Stanley.
Special Merit Award, Jean O'Kennedy.
Personality of the Year. Gordon McWilliams.
March.
Great performances from all our athletes who took part in the Ballycotton 10ml. Niel Wiktorski was our first athlete home in 53.57 and 14th place overall...Gary Condon 54.48, 20th 0/A and 3rd 0/40...Colm O'Heigeartaigh, 61.55, Pb.... Paul Alllen, 66.49, Pb.... Jason O'Connor, 70.14, Pb... Jean O'Kennedy, 76.54, Pb.... Emer Hynes, 89.18..... Andrea Murphy, 89.46..... Richard Kavanagh, 69.48.
April.
In the Rotherdam Marathon, Neil Wiktorski ran a brilliant 2hr.26.41, 2nd fastest marathon time recorded by a Wicklow athlete. Great runs also from Joe Kelly, 3hr.03.06 and James Nangle, 3hr.13.30. Georgina Devlin also had a smashing run, 3hr.30.32 a huge Pb. Andrea Murphy, 4hr.06.43, just outside her Pb. Helen Barry, using it as a training run, ran 3hr 16.
In the Manchester Marathon, Dominic Horan ran a excellent new Pb of 2hr.55.51. over 2mins off his previous best.
At the K Club 10k, Suzanne Foot was 3rd woman home in an excellent new Pb of 38.45. Joe Cawley aslo recorded a new Pb, 34.21, Colm O'Heigeartaigh, 36.43, was another to run a new Pb. Bill Stanley ran a fine 37.57 and Richard Kavanagh ran 42.00.
The National Relay C/ships took place on Sunday 17th April in it usual venue of Raheny. We had 2 athletes, representing Sli Cualann, on the women's masters (35/49) team. Ashling Smith would run the 1st leg (1mile), Suzanne Foot would run the 2nd leg (2mile) and Carol Costello, Greystones AC, would run the final 1mile leg. The girls had targeted this race since finishing 4th in 2015, and worked extremely hard in training. They were rewarded with a thrilling victory, in what was a fantastic race. Ashling ran the first leg in 5.45, Suzanne ran 11.42 for 2 mile leg and Carol brought the team home in 5.52, 3 seconds ahead of the 2nd placed team of Drogheda and District AC.
The Wicklow Road Race 5k C/ships took place on 20th April in Ashford. As always Bray Runners was well represented and took home a number of medals.
Gary Condon 3rd 0/40; Dominic Horan 1st 0/45; Tom Cavanagh 2nd 0/60;
Suzanne Foot 1st 0/40; Emer Hynes 3rd 0/45; Jean O'Kennedy 1st0/50;
Mary O'Connor 3rd 0/50; Mary Deery 1st 0/60;
In addition to the above medal winners, Joe Cawley, Colm O'Heigeartaigh, Paul Allen, Bill Stanley, Gordon McWilliams, Stefanie Unland, Niamh Coffey, Elaine Nuzun, Ana Molina and Jackie O'Neill all did our club proud.
On the 29th April Joe Cawley recorded an excellent 2.42.10 in the London Marathon.
May.
Jean O'Kennedy was 3rd in her age category at the Leinster Road C/ships which were held in Gowran, Co., Kilkenny. Jean ran a fine time of 13.24 for the 3k race. Jean was also part of the Wicklow County Masters team who also finished in 3rd place. Stephen O'Kennedy ran a fine 22.12 in the Novice, 6k, event.
Some fine running at the Tallaght 5k, Dominic Horan ran 17.26 to win the M45 Cat, Colm O'Heigeartaigh ran 17.34, to record yet another Pb and Jason O'Connor, returning from a couple of weeks off, ran 20.55.
Stefanie Unland, continues to improve with every run. Stefanie ran a new 5mile Pb of 44.21, at the Terenure 5mile on Sunday 22nd May, an improvement of over 6 and a half minutes from same race last year.
At the Bob Heffernan 5k, Gary Condon ran a fine 16.05, 2nd 0/40, Stephen O'Kennedy ran 17.48.
A large group from the club took part in the Bohermeen 5k on Sunday 29th May. Siobhan Butler was 1st in her Age Cat in a fine time of 21.50 and Mary Deery was 3rd in her Age Cat in 26.58. Niamh Coffey ran a new Pb of 24.27, Stefanie Unland ran 26.21, Emer Hynes, 26.58, doing a bit of pacing, Caoimhe Guilfoyle ran a new Pb of 26.58, Cara Barry, 28.29, Mary O'Connor, 28.29 and Jackie O'Neill ran 30.05.
Paul Allen was our 1st athlete home in 19.04 and 28th O/A. Jason O'Connor ran a new PB of 20.04, Tom Cavanagh, 21.31 and 3rd 0/60 and Richard Kavanagh ran 20.39 and 1st 0/60. Fine times from all, considering the temperature during the race was well over 20degrees.
June.
On Sunday 5th June Ashling Smith won Gold in the 1500mtrs at the Leinster Masters T/F C/ships in Tullamore. Ashling recorded an excellent time of 5mim 17sec,
The Dunshaughlin 10k is another very popular race with our athletes. Gary Condon recorded a magnificient new Pb of 32.43 to finish 7th O/A and 1st O/40. Joe Cawley 35.32 and Dominic Horan 36.18 also had great runs. Colm O'Heigeartaigh 36.36, James Nangle 37.54 and Paul Allen 37.56 all recorded excellent new Pbs. Joe Kelly, doing a bit of pacing, ran 39.00 and Jason O'Connor 41.53 also smashed his Pb. Mark Duncan 53.10, was another to record a new Pb. Richard Kavanagh 42.14 finished 3rd 0/60.
Not to be outdone our ladies also had an excellent race. Helen Barry 39.18, was 3rd in her age Cat, Georgina Devlin 43.55, breaking her Pb of only 2 weeks ago, Siobhan Butler 44.48, Pb, breaking 45mins for the first time, and just missing out on a Category prize. Jean O'Kennedy 46.23, finished 3rd in her age Cat. Emer Hynes 50.20 and Andrea Murphy 50.35 completed a great night for Bray Runners.
On Sunday 10th July, Jean O'Kennedy finished 2nd in her age category at the Pink Rock 10k in Kilkenny. Jean recorded a fine new Pb, 46.01
On the 23rd June, Jackie O'Neill ran an excellent new 5k Pb of 29.14.
July.
On Saturday 16th July 6 of our athletes made the trip to Roscommon to take part in the Roscommon Harriers 10ml. Gary Condon continued his fine form in running 55.54 to come home in 5th place and 1st in 0/40 Cat. Joe Cawley finished 8th in 59.25 and Colm O'Heigeartaigh ran a new Pb of 61.12 to finish 13th. Together the 3 lads finished 2nd in the team category.
August.
At the DLR Bay10k there was another very impressive run from Colm O'Heigeartaigh, 12th in a time of 36.38, a mere 2 seconds outside his Pb. Fine runs also from James Nangle, 39.02, Paul Allen 40.45 and Bernard Quinn 45.32. Emer Hynes ran 53,51 and Mark Duncan ran 53.52.
The National Half Marathon C/ship was held on Sunday 7th August in conjunction with the Rock and Roll Half Mar. On a very warm day, athletes ran into a strong headwind for most of the race on what is a very tough course. Gary Condon was 16th athlete home in a fine time of 74.58, a time which saw Gary finish in Bronze medal position in the M40 Category.
Jean O'Kennedy also recorded a great time of 1.41.52 to finish 5th in her age category. Jean was also a member of the Sli Cualann Ladies Masters Team along with Ann Marie Kenny ( 3rd in Age Cat in 1.31.18) and Ashling Kirwan (5th in Age Cat in 1.36.18). The team finished in an excellent 2nd place and took home the Silver medal.
The Indaver 10k in Duleek was held on Sunday 14th Aug. Jean O'Kennedy, fresh from her fantastic run in Nat Half Marathon, smashed her 10k pb by 1min 35sec, running 44.26 and taking 2nd in Age Cat. Mary Deery also recorded a fine Pb, 54.24 and was also 2nd in age cat. Cathy Mitchell, 48.26, 2nd in Age Cat and also a new Pb. Jason O'Connor was another to set a new Pb, running 41.33. Tom Cavanagh 44.43 was 4th in 0/60 Cat and Richard Kavanagh 41.50 was 1st 0/60.
Bray Runners mixed relay team finished 1st at the Parnell AC 4 x 1 Mile relay, approximate times Richard Hourihan - 5:02, Dominic Horan - 5:09 - Ashling Smith - 5:32 and Stephen O'Kennedy - 5:30 (official team time 21:16).
The National Masters T/F C/ships were held in Tullamore on Sunday 21st Aug. Ashling Smith won the bronze medal in the 1500mtrs, running an excellent time of 5mins 16sec, a new Pb. Ashling has already won Gold in the National relays, Team Bronze in National Masters C/C and Gold in the Leinster Masters T/F so far this season.
Neil Wiktorski finishes 9th in a time of 55.23 at the Frank Dufffy 10ml, Suzanne Foot was 1st in age Category in a tme of 66.22.
On Saturday 27th Aug, Gary Condon finished in an excellent 3rd place in the Tullamore Harriers Quinlan Cup Half Marathon.
September.
At the Lakes 10k on Saturday 3rd Aug. Joe Cawley ran a fine 36:11 to finish in 10th place. James Nangle, 37.48; Suzanne Foot, 6th lady, 39.34; Georgina Devlin, 44.24; Siobhan Butler, 48.21; Andrea Murphy, 53.07; Emer Hynes, 53.42.
At a well attended Club 5k H/Cap, despite the inclement weather, on Thursday 8th Sept, Peter Doran smashed his Pb in recording 23.52 and was first athlete home, nett 41 seconds ahead of the fast finishing Andrea Murphy,26.03. Denis Patterson,22.07, just pipped Jason O'Connor,19.37, and Aoife Boyle, 23.08, in a photo finish for 3rd. Both Jason and Aoife recorded excellent new Pbs, Jason breaking 20mins for the first time and Aoife setting a new mark for the second time in a fortnight. Aoife Stokes, 26.46, was another lady to set a new Pb, 2nd one in 5 days. Paul Allen ran the fastest time of the night, an excellent 18.53.
Gary Condon, was thewinner of the inaugural Fionnuala McCormack Kilomarathon (26.2K) on Saturday 10th Sept. Gary ran an excellent time of 1hr.34.16 to finish just over 1 minute ahead of John Travers, Donore Harriers.
October.
Stephen O'Kennedy won the Wicklow Novice C/C C/hips which were held in Ashford on Oct 2nd. Great runs also from Colm O'Heigeartaigh 4th, Paul Allen and Tom Cavanagh. The team finished in 3rd position.
Our Women's team also also put in a great performance, finishing 3rd in team event.The team was Jean O'Kennedy, Charlotte Stevens, Aoife Boyle, Audrey Power, Sarah Corcoran, Mary Deery, Elaine Casey, Mary O'Connor and Jackie O'Neill.
A number of our athletes took part in the Frankfurt Marathon on Sunday 30th Oct. Pbs and excellent performances were the order of the day. Neil Wiktorski, recorded the fastest marathon time recorded by a Wicklow athlete, running a new Pb of 2.25.32. Joe Kelly also ran an excellent new Pb of 2.57.51 Suzanne Foot, another to run a PB, a fine 3.05.37. Gordon McWilliams, 3.12.28 and Georgina Devlin, 3.20.02, also posted new Pbs. Andrea Murphy ran 4.19.59.
November.
World Masters Marathon and Half Marathon were held in Perth, Australia, on Sunday 6th Nov.. Conditions were tough, very very hot. Course was flat but there was no shelter from the sun anywhere on the route. Joe Cawley finished in 7th place in the O/40 Caegory in a time of 2.58.25, a indication of how tough conditions were. Richard Kavanagh finished in 9th place in the 0/60 category in the Half marathon in a time of 1.38.26.
In the 0/35 team competition, JOE CAWLEY, was a member of the Irish team who won the bronze medal behind Poland and Australia. Congratulations to Joe, a well deserved medal.
At the British & Irish Masters C/C C/ships, hosted by Scottish Masters in Tollcross Park, Glasgow, our own Charlotte Stevens was part of the Irish team who put in excellent performance to finish 4th place in their event.
December.
One of the final races is the Streets of Wicklow 5k, always well supported by our athletes.Gary Condon was 5th O/all and 1st 0/45 in a fine time of 16.22. Emer Hynes, 25.36, was 2nd in her age category and Mary Deery, 25.46, was 1st in her age category. Both Elaine Casey, 26.45 and Mary O'Connor, 27.53, recorded new PBs.
