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28 November, 2009

2002 Races
Goal Flash race - Report by Joe Lalor
After a glorious, almost summer like afternoon, a warm run along the sea front looked in prospect for the annual pre league race in aid of the charity GOAL. However as race time approached skies became overcast and a cutting wind rose necessitating for most a rapid change in intended running gear. The unusual venue, of Dollymount, for a "hill race" was a legacy from last year?s foot and mouth outbreak. It was retained because it was popular and it helped northside runners who find travelling across town in Wednesday night traffic to southside hills a problem.
There were quite a few new faces at registration mainly due to runners from the Meet & Train programme preparing for the mini-marathon, many of whom hope to turn out the following week in the Wicklow Way Relay (8th June, pre-entry ONLY). The race started off at a very brisk pace with 66 runners speeding down the tarmac Causeway Road however as they turned onto the beach and headed into the fierce wind they quickly fell into single file trying to gain as much shelter from the runner in front as possible. From about half way along this leg most runners had determined their eventual race position with very little overtaking from here on. Once the race reached the north Wall the pace picked up again as runners were out of the direct wind and on the last leg along James Larkin Road tired legs were aided by having the wind behind.
The race was won by M40 newcomer David Corcoran, a triathlon runner followed home by another newcomer Ruairi O?Donnell with a much-improved Damien Courtney in third. Dessie Shorten when asked if he was somewhat overdressed for the race at the start declared that he was not racing yet he was able to beat Eamonn Horgan in a very competitive sprint finish. First lady again this year was local runner Orla Gormley. A look at the results will show that we can expect a very interesting summer in the M40 and M50 categories especially if recently returned to Dublin Gerry Brady (who we meet going in the other direction) enters the fray.