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28 November, 2009

2002 Races
Crohane race - Report by Tim Foley
BRIDGIE TERRIES SPONSORED CRUACHAIN CLIMB A HUGE SUCCESS
The second running of the Cruacahain Mountain Race on Sunday last proved a huge success with entries up over 100% on last year and a great local entry. The race was sponsored by the Daly Family of Bridgie Terries and our gratitude is extended to them for their generosity. The race which starts at the end of the Cul De Sac across the N25 from Bridgie?s goes all the way across to Cruahain and after completing the ascent of our most famous local landmark the competitors do a loop through the woods above Deelish before returning back to the Pike. The 12k trip is a unique race in local athletic circles. First across the line on Sunday last was Irish International Sean Twomey of Kerry in a time of 52.27 who held off the challenge of Tadhg Vaughan of Coolquil who finished second in 52.30. A further 26 seconds back was Sean Whelan of Eagle AC in 52.56 and next was Tom Blackburn of Bilboa in 53.24. In fifth place was the first local athlete Conor Murray of West Waterford AC in a time of 57.44 and he was followed home by another local man Mark Vespa.
Pat Murphy of Eagle AC was the first Veteran home in a time of 55.13 and in second place was John Whelan of West Waterford AC. in time of 59.39. Matt Alexander of Coolquil finished third in this category in a time of 64.08. In the over 50 category first place honours went to Bernard Collins of Limerick in a time of 65.57. Brian Byrne of Riocht was second in 69.15 and Joe Laffan of Limerick finished third in 70.00.
The first lady across the line was Blaithin Hannon of St. Finbarrs in 62.16 who is the reigning Munster Champion for this discipline. In second place was Michelle Power of West Waterford AC in a time of 76.35 and in third place was Anne Marie Hickey of West Waterford in a time of 91.01. The Veterans prize in the ladies event went to Eilis Hayes of Thomastown in 68.53 ahead of Teresa Touhy of Macroom in 73.59 and Siobhain O?Mahony of West Waterford in 85.03. Winner of the Super Vet Category in the Ladies Race was Julie Hillard of Riocht AC in a time of 85.57.
In his humorous speech at the presentation of prizes Munster Board Chairman Matt Twomey paid tribute to West Waterford AC who organised the event and to Bridgie Terries for their sponsorship. He said that he expected that now that the event had become established that it would grow in stature as the years go by.