Records Tumble at 24-Hour Irish Champs Monday, July 22nd, 2013

Monday, July 22nd, 2013

By any measure of endurance it was extraordinary at the Mary Peters’ track in Belfast at the week-end as the records tumbled.

There were two national records and 5 new track records in the 24-hour race where no fewer than 22 runners topped the 100 miles mark.And, there were also records in the 24-hour relay and the 12-hour race.

The 24-hour was won by Cork man Eoin Keith,44 ,who set new figures of 152 miles(245kms).This broke his own Irish record set in London in 2008 by some 4 miles.Keith had gone through the 100 mile mark in 1 5hrs and 26mins breaking that record in the process.

Right behind him Ruthann Sheahan,38, was scattering records before her like confetti. Sheahan, from Leap Village in west Cork , in finishing second overall, did not so much beat the Irish record as demolish it.

She went past the best mark of 113 miles after just 18 hours and 48 mins and, despite the soaring temperatures, went on to record a distance of 140 miles(225kms) which will surely stand in the record books for a long,long time.

In a race started by Dame Mary Peters,it was the first national records to be registered on the reopened track indicating that even for the ultra runners - this is a venue designed for pushing the bar ever higher!

Behind Keith and Sheahan, two-time champion John O’Regan,44 from Leixlip in Kildare put up the bravest of defences of his title to finish third - his 137 miles(221kms) improving the all-comers track record he had set two years ago by 5 miles with the ever-consistent Belfast ultra-man,Madrid-based Eddie Gallen,50, also bettering the all-comers with a new PB of 134 miles(215kms).

And, there was a great family story behind them with Susan McCartney,36 from Belfast but currently living in Berkshire, posting remarkable new PB figures.Two years ago McCartney had collapsed on the track -this time she posted 122 miles(197kms) to take runner-up in the Irish Champs with, in a great battle,her brother Tim Brownlee just behind her in sixth with 117 miles(189kms).

In the 24-Hour Relay, Donadea Runners from Kildare, successfully defended their title improving their record by 4 miles to 185 miles(299kms) for the two men,two women combination each running three stints of 2 hours.

And, Aidan Blake,33, from Ballinteer in Dublin set new best figures in winning the 12-hour race covering a distance of 72 miles.

Even, Belfast’s Lord Mayor Mairtin O Muilleoir who,with Energia, sponsored the race, got in on the act joining the runners for the last hour.

Race Director Ed Smith says: “ The new track bore witness to the best ultra running ever seen in Ireland.There is a lot of blood,sweat and tears left behind but the result is a phenomenal roll-call of records and endeavour.”

Mens Irish Championship: 1. E.Keith 245kms.2.J.O’Regan 221kms.3.E.Gallen 215kms.
Womens Irish Championsip: 1.R.Sheahan 226kms.2.S.McCartney 197kms.3.D.McLoughlin 166kms.

World and European 24H Team Announced 2013

The World & European 24H championships will take place in Steenbergen, Netherlands on May 11th/12th. Ireland will be represented by a strong team in the men’s category.

The team will comprise of:

John O’Regan
Eoin Keith
Eddie Gallen
Dan Doherty

The team is very experienced and some of the members have been in very good form recently. Eoin Keith set an Irish record over 48 hours at the beginning of the year. Dan Doherty has had some very strong performances over 100K including finishing 8th in the recent European Championships. John O’Regan is the reigning 24H national champion and along with Eddie Gallen competed strongly in last year’s World 24H event. A strong team result is a possibility if all goes to plan.

In an event of this nature the support crew are crucial to the team’s success. On this occasion John Collins, John Belton and Kevin Belton will support the team. They will attend to the various requirements over the 24 hour period and ensure that the team competes to their abilities.

IAU 24-hr World & European Championships 2012

24-hr World & European Championships 2010.

This is the one I've been waiting for and can now confirm that I've been selected to represent Ireland in the 24-hr World & European Championships 2012 which is less than 3 weeks away.  My year was planned around this race and even though confirmation of selection only happened recently I had trained as if I was doing it.  All races have led to this point and my peak and taper was planned around the race date.

The following appeared on the Athletics Ireland Website.

The World and European 24 Hour Championships takes place in Katowice, Poland on 8/9 September.  Ireland will have teams participating in both men’s and women’s events.  The men’s team will consist of John O’Regan and Eddie Gallen.  John is the reigning national champion having won the title at the Energia 24 Hour race in Bangor, Co Down on July 6/7.  Eddie finished third in this race and was runner up to John in 2011 also.

The women’s team will comprise of Deirdre Finn and Ruthann Sheahan.  Deirdre was the national 24 hour champion in 2011 and also included the Bangor 24 Hour race as part of her preparations for Katowice.  The weather conditions were very wet on that occasion so the team will be anticipating a different challenge in Poland.

Each of the team will have a support person in attendance to assist with refuelling and race strategy in what promises to be a gruelling competition.

Energia 24 hour race & Irish 24 hour Championships 2012

Successfully defended my title having won the Energia 24 hour Irish Championships in Bangor at the weekend.  Still a bit tired after the race and will try put a race report together shortly.

There's a good selection of race photos available from Peter Mooney and race results are available from Precision Timing.