The Weeks Ahead.

The next few weeks will see our athletes taking part in a number of races in all parts of the country. On Saturday Joe Cawley will be heading west to Kinvara in Co. Galway to defend the half marathon title he won there last year. On Sunday we will have over 20 of our athletes taking part in the Ballycotton 10. A large group of supporters will also be there. Our own Gerry Curtis ran 48.07 to win this race back in 1993.

There will be a Fit4life 3k in Shanganagh  on 2nd April, if not running please come along and help out. On Monday 6th April the Leinster 10ml C/ship will take place in Raheny. A number of athletes have already committed to run, we would like to see as many of our athletes as possible take part in this very prestigious event.

Next up is the National 10k C/ships, on 11th April, which are held in conjunction with The Great Ireland Run. Also on the 11th April is the K Club 10k, a great place for Pbs.

On Wednesday 23rd April the Wicklow 5k Road C/ships, always very popular with our athletes. Again we would encourage all our athletes to take part in this excellent event.  

On Monday 4th May the Leinster Novice and Masters Road C/ships will take place. Distances are 3k for Ladies and 6k for men. This is an event where our athletes have performed brilliantly over the past few years, so lets hope this year will be no different.

On 17th May the Terenure 5mile takes place, again a great race and always very well supported by our athletes. Last year our ladies, Helen, Noelle, Charlotte with Jackie Patrick were part of the Sli Cualann Ladies team who won the Masters team event. Lets try and retain this title this year.

Finally, a race that is always very popular with our athletes is the Dunboyne 5mile. An evening race held over a very fast course, ideal for those chasing a Pb. It is on Tuesday 26th May at 7.30pm.

Special Olympics, Volunteers Needed

On Saturday the 9^th May 2015, Special Olympics will be holding a South Leinster Track & Field Event at the Watershed Sport & Leisure Centre, Kilkenny.

This is one of the highlights of the Special Olympics Leinster Sporting Calendar each year.

To ensure the smooth running of this event, Special Olympics Leinster will be looking to put a team of volunteers in place to run the event to a high standard.

The recruitment of this team will begin with a Volunteer Information Evening, details below:

Date: Monday 9^th March

Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Location: The Watershed Sports & Leisure Centre (Sports Hall)

Google Maps Link: http://goo.gl/maps/

We require Volunteers with all types of skills(Anyone can help!), but we are particular keen to involve those from an Athletics/Event Management background.

If you are available to attend the meeting on Monday 9^th March or interested in volunteering at our May Event, please give me a call on 01 629 1662 or send an email to paul.divilly@specialolympics.ie

(Feel free to share this information and the attached posters with members of club or via your facebook page).

Looking forward to seeing you on the 9^th March,

Kind Regards,

Paul Divilly

Regional Development Officer- Volunteers & Clubs

Special Olympics Leinster

4^th Floor, Park House

North Circular Road

Dublin 7

Regional Office: 01 629 6999

Direct Line: 01 869 1662

Email: paul.divilly@specialolympics.ie

Neil Wiktorski Back to Winning Ways

Neil Wiktorski continued his comeback to racing, after a long layoff through injury, by winning the Wicklow Hospice 10k on Saturday 21st March. Neil ran an impressive 34.23 over a very tough course in Avondale. Dominic Horan finished 7th overall and 2nd O/40 in 36.33. In the Half Marathon event, also in Avondale, Martin Francis finished in 5th place and 2nd O/50 in a very impressive 83.59. Also great to see Martin back racing.  

Richard Owens 7th in National Indoor 1500mtrs Final

Sli Cualann athletes were in action over the weekend in Athlone at the Irish Senior Indoor Championships. Claire Earls and Richard Owens made it through to the finals of the 800m and 1500m respectively. Claire finished 5th in the women's 800m final on Sunday, running an impressive 2:13.94. On Saturday, Richard Owens ran 3:59.46 to earn him a spot in Sunday's final. He then improved to 3:57.86 in the national title decider, where he finished 7th.