IAU 6H Virtual Global Solidarity Run Ireland
We are pleased to share results for Team Ireland. Congratulations and thank you for participating in the Global Event.
A Team of 20 Athletes from Ireland were scheduled to take part in the Anglo Celtic Plate in Boddington, England at the end of September but like most other events it was cancelled. This is a 100K Race and Team competition between England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland and almost all of the Irish athletes were making their international debut so the cancellation disappointed more than had it been just another race. The IAU 6H Global Solidarity Run then presented an opportunity to use the training and although not the same as the usual race format it gave purpose and focus to the training and provided some much needed motivation. The Team that was selected to compete in the ACP were then given the opportunity to run in the Virtual Race but of course the date wouldn’t suit everyone.
Thanks to all who took part and supported the athletes on the day.
John O'Regan, Team Manager
On the day Team Ireland was represented by:
Women:
Jan Corcoran 73.75 km
Nichola Duffy 67.19 km
Aoife Ní Mhaoileoin 53.20 km
Men:
Matthew Collins 81.00 km
Karl Fitzgerald 73.44 km
Stephen Gregg 67.00 km
Dave O’Keeffe 76.54 km
Jan Corcoran, Karl Fitzgerald & Stephen Gregg decided to run together on their club track (Le Cheile AC) in Co.Kildare. It was a first for the three athletes to run for this duration on a track and although running at their individual paces they worked as a team to support and encourage each other. Their effort was supported by club members and family who took turns to support them from the track side. Each of the athletes had their own plan in mind and used it as an opportunity to prepare for the real thing by allowing the mistakes to be made and corrected. On the day Jan covered a distance of 73.75Km and her longest run to date. Karl followed close behind with a distance of 73.44Km which was a little bit less than his target and Stephen clocked a distance of 67Km. The big advantage of te time based format meant they could run together and celebrate the finish together.
The advantage of this race format meant it was possible for the athletes to run apart but still together as a team and less than 50Km up the road in Navan Co Meath Nichola Duffy was doing something similar on her Navan AC club track. Nichola works as a nurse and over the preceding weeks had been working long hours so you could say her life is an endurance event and although being ‘on call’ she made herself available to run as she said the immense pride she was feeling would keep her awake. Nichola had to fit the run around her work and that meant running in the dead of night. After a long shift she put in another one on the track and with the help of her nocturnal support crew she covered a distance of 67.19Km.
Across the water in Scotland, Aoife Ní Mhaoileoin was fortunate that the Solidarity Run fell on the same weekend as the Kintyre Way Ultra. This presented a unique opportunity and made it a little bit more interesting but also a bit more challenging as it included hills, bogs and beaches. The race dictated the strategy and as well as covering a distance of 53.2Km, Aoife also finished the race as 1st lady. A win win and well done Aoife.
Staying in Scotland, Dave O’Keeffe was going from cancelled race to cancelled race and relished the opportunity to take part in the Solidarity Run. He now had focussed and like with so many other athletes it gave something to focus on and a reason to train not just for the sake of training. Dave ran on a 2Km loop close to home and was supported by his fiancé and friends who all came out to support his solo endeavour. Hitting a low point shortly after 4 hours his support helped him to snap out of it and regain his focus and sent him on his way to a final distance of 76.54Km and that included a 40 Mile PB.
Back in Ireland Matthew Collins started his run at 6:30am within the confines of a local park close to his home in Clongriffin, North Dublin. Matthew was supported throughout by family and friends and then had the added and unexpected support of the locals who stood to watch and clap as he completed loop after loop after loop. With a big race feel he was encouraged to pick up the pace as the hours and then minutes counted down as he clocked a distance of 81Km to lead the team home.
John O'Regan
Team Manager
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