Good luck to all Newcastle AC members taking part in the London Marathon tomorrow!
You can track their progress by entering their Race Numbers using this link – http://results-2016.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/2016/
Paul 20121
Niall 20412
Richard 20418
Sinead 25618
Rita 26357
Norman 29556
Jerome 29612
Joe 30032
Aidy 30667
Alan 31610
Francie 1249
Impressive PBs over 13.1 and 6.2 for Newcastle Athletes.
A review of the weekend’s racing by Bogusboy
Since the beginning of January many of the Newcastle AC faithful have braved the elements and taken to the roads in less than ideal weather in preparation for one of the many spring marathons across the UK and beyond. For most the focus has been on London, now less than a fortnight away on 24 April. For a smaller number M day was Sunday 10 April in Manchester. Noel Gallagher and Pascal Toner travelled from Newcastle and were joined in the home of Wonderwall’s favourite band by Brendan Donnelly. All three equipped themselves well and turned in great performances. Noel had sought advice from anyone who would give it and had tortured himself and all of his club mates with the burning dilemma, ‘should I go with the hour balloons’? Aiming for a 3:05 to secure a place in London 2017, he showed uncharacteristic patience and prudence in going out steady. Through halfway in 1:30:05, he held on well and ran a very been paced second half to cross the line just 27 seconds outside the three hour mark. Coach Rodgers was quick to point out that this will give him something to fret about and motivate him for the next 52 weeks. No doubt he will be asking more questions of those around him. His planning is already underway and a 1:18 half in Bohermeen is already scheduled. Continue reading
The Meath Spring Half Marathon in Bohermeen by Bogusboy
Finally it arrived. After much talking, planning and many, many hard miles of training, a bus full of maybes was more or less a bus full of hopefuls as Newcastle AC and a few friends headed south to complete the annual pilgrimage to Bohermeen. Since training for spring marathons began in earnest on 1 January, this date has been firmly etched in the diaries of the NAC faithful as the barometer for measuring progress against their goals for the year, particularly in the forthcoming marathons that have been entered. The day got off to a great start with David O’Flaherty romping to victory by more than a minute in the 10k that went out 30 minutes before the half began. His 32:22 marks an impressive new PB as he left Paul Magee of Shercock AC (33:31) and Eoin Taggart of Conliffe harriers (33:54) trailing in his wake. Continue reading
Kerry O’Flaherty continued her Olympic Year preparation with a victory in East Down AC’s Jimmy’s 10k in Downpatrick on Sunday morning. Spring-like conditions greeted the 821 runners at the East Down clubrooms as they signed in ready to do battle. The early pace was fast and O’Flaherty was accompanied by club mate Marty Melville as they passed the first km in 3:13 and then through 3k in 10:01 including the climb to do the short lap of Down Cathedral. Half distance was reached in 17:03 and a solid second half saw O’Flaherty winning the women’s race in 34:49. Continue reading
Travel arrangements for Meath Spring half Marathon in Bohermeen on Sunday 13 March 2016
Pick up points: Newcastle Tech Car Park opposite Gospel hall at 8:45am and Lower Square Kings Inn Castlewellan at 9:00am.
Arrive Bohermeen at Approximately 11am to allow for collection of numbers and warm-up
Race starts at 12pm – start is about half a mile away from the registration.
Changing/showering facilities are available, but they are basic enough.
Meal booked in Monasterboice Inn for @3:15pm – 4 courses for 27.50Euro – assume everyone is eating unless I hear otherwise from you
Bus leaving at 5:15 sharp and dropping off at pick up points @6:45-7pm.
Cost of bus for non-NAC members is £10
So far those listed below have confirmed attendance. Continue reading
| Runner | Chip-time | Prophet | Score | Niall | Score | Joe | Score |
| Shimbob Lynch | 32.26 | 33.10 | 2 | 32.50 | 3 | 33.15 | 1 |
| Kerry O’Flaherty | 34.28 | 34.40 | 5 | 34.12 | 4 | 34.50 | 3 |
| Marty Melville | 34.39 | 34.30 | 7 | 35.06 | 3 | 35.05 | 3 |
| Jack O’Hare | 37.20 | 37.40 | 4 | 37.25 | 10 | 36.48 | 2 |
| Colum Campbell | 37.55 | 37.40 | 5 | 38.12 | 4 | 38.01 | 7 |
| Joe McCann | 37.48 | 37.05 | 2 | 37.35 | 5 | 37.30 | 4 |
| Paul Byrne | 39.08 | 37.40 | 0 | 38.10 | 1 | 37.45 | 0 |
| Aidan Brown | 36.57 | 36.30 | 3 | 36.30 | 3 | 37.05 | 7 |
| Mari Treong | 41.25 | 39.50 | 0 | 39.20 | 0 | 39.05 | 0 |
| Sinead Murtagh | 39.46 | 38.50 | 1 | 38.45 | 0 | 38.40 | 0 |
| Wonderwall | 40.22 | 38.40 | 0 | 38.45 | 0 | 38.47 | 0 |
| The Prophet | 39.29 | 39.30 | 10 | 38.54 | 2 | 38.28 | 0 |
| Niall Carson | 40.25 | 39.25 | 1 | 39.40 | 2 | 39.16 | 0 |
| Frank Cunningham | 42.05 | 40.40 | 0 | 40.30 | 0 | 41.25 | 2 |
| Philip Murdock | 42.43 | 40.50 | 0 | 41.10 | 0 | 41.16 | 0 |
| Jerome Farrell | 44.30 | 43.50 | 2 | 43.25 | 0 | 44.40 | 7 |
| Sam McNeilly | 44.15 | 44.30 | 5 | 44.15 | 10 | 44.24 | 7 |
| Monica McCrickard | 51.45 | 51.30 | 5 | 51.50 | 10 | 51.33 | 5 |
| Michelle McCann | 49.50 | 51.50 | 0 | 50.15 | 3 | 50.49 | 1 |
| DJ Normski | 40.34 | 39.50 | 2 | 39.05 | 0 | 38.52 | 0 |
| Will Owens | DNF | 40.05 | – | 39.10 | – | 39.53 | – |
| The Spartan | DNS | 36.20 | – | 36.30 | – | 36.42 | – |
| Richard Rodgers | 40.51 | 41.00 | 7 | 40.40 | 5 | 41.40 | 1 |
| Total | 61 | 64 | 50 |
Scoring: +or- 0/5 seconds = 10 points
+or- 6/10 seconds = 7 points
+or- 11/15 seconds = 5 points
+or- 16/20 seconds = 4 points