Rás na hEireann 17/02/2013 @ 11.30

pconn062

One of the biggest cross country events of the year including a full programme of junior and senior international races (womens 4k, mens 6k), including a special Larry McGuill 3k for runners and walkers of all abilities.

Date: Sunday February 17th 2013

Where: This years race will be help at the historic Battle of the Boyne site, Oldbridge, Drogheda Co. Louth.

Directions, entry fees, online entry and full race info available @ www.rasnaheireann.com or for more info www.dunleerac.net

Truly a great day of cross country running, if you have any questions post them here and I will do my best to help!

pconn062

From the Dunleer AC facebook page:

Some news on the first of our US based athletes to sign up for the event

Charlie Breagy, élite athlete co-ordinator based in the USA has just announced the participation of Samuel Alexander (Boston Athletic Association) in the Coca Cola Rás 2013. Samuel attended Central Connecticut State University and his college career was highlighted by earning the title of Northeast Conference (individual) Cross Country champion in 2011. As well as the title 10,000m and 5,000 double champion in the 2012 Northeast Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships. While in college he posted personal bests of 29:21 in the 10,000m (Stanford Invitational ’12) and 14:07 in the 5,000m (Penn Relays ’12). This past year, while competing for the Boston Athletic Association, he placed 3rd at the USATF-New England Cross Country Championships with a time of 24:11 for 8,000m. He later placed 31st at the USATF Club Championships in Lexington, KY. Samuel will be participating in the Senior Men’s International 6km on Sunday February 17th at 2pm.

Also added to the start list for Rás 2013 is Mary Kate Champagne from Platssburg, N.Y. Mary Kate is a graduate of Providence College. Her PB’s include 16.12 for 5km Road, 33.50 for 10km Road and 56.20 for 15km Road.....

Remember if you you will not be competing in any of the races on the day there will be some great races on view!

wgtomblin

Excuse my ignorance, but who funds these races, the government?
In terms of the organization, prize money and getting the US-based athletes over here, etc..

pconn062

wgtomblin wrote: »

Excuse my ignorance, but who funds these races, the government?
In terms of the organization, prize money and getting the US-based athletes over here, etc..

No it's definitely not government funded. The prize money and all that is funded by the club and comes mainly from the entry fees mostly. As for the travel for the international athletes I'm not too sure. The race (along with the Armagh 5k) in supported by Coca Cola so maybe that's where their money goes. They usually come over to run two races as the Rás is held in conjunction with another race, the Armagh 5k, which takes place on the Thursday before. I'll ask a few questions and find out a bit more as I'm curious myself now! I'm not involved directly with the organisation of the race, I'm a member of the club and try to look after stuff here.

pconn062

Here is the latest info on this years Rás!

Coca Cola Rás na hÉireann 2013

Dunleer Athletic Club is delighted to announce that Coca Cola has agreed to sponsor the Rás na hÉireann 2013 event. The Club and its Rás committee received the sponsorship news this week and are very pleased to be associated with Coca Cola once again as they work together to provide a top class International Cross Country event at Oldbridge House estate on February 17th as part of a Week of Sport and Culture in partnership with Armagh AC and the International Road Race on February 14th.

The presence of the main Rás partners, in the form of the Office of Public Works (OPW), Irish Sports Council and AAI, Armagh Athletic Club and The Gathering Ireland 2013 initiative at the Tourism Section of Meath & Louth Local Authorities, ensures the continuation of the tradition of this Sports & Culture Week which takes place from February 11th – 17th 2013.

Each of the partners has a hugely important role in the Rás na hÉireann project, and indeed it is due to the generosity and enthusiasm of all of these players that the event has gone from strength to strength each year since its inception in 1970 when Larry Mc Guill first organised the event.

The OPW’s provision of the magnificent cross country course, refreshments facility at the Tearooms as well as the Battle of the Boyne Exhibition area which is open for our visitors is of paramount importance as this fantastic venue provides “one of the best cross country courses in Europe” as reported by the visiting English athletes last year.

The Irish Sports Council, through Athletics Ireland, the governing body for athletics in Ireland is another essential cog in the wheel providing much needed funding, as well as Irish men’s and women’s teams and managers. It is hoped that some members of the ladies European gold medal winning cross country team will be available to compete this year against the US ladies (Joan Bohlke and Mary Kate Champagne so far confirmed). The US Track & Field Federation is also sending 5 men. Details next week.

This year the Rás committee partnership net has extended further to include The Gathering Ireland 2013 initiative, supported by Louth Local Authorities, Meath Local Authorities, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, awarding the Rás 2013 funding for its Week of Sport and Culture. Supporters of athletics from abroad are encouraged to come to Ireland to participate and or spectate at the events planned. Past and present members of Dunleer AC in particular are being encouraged to gather at Oldbridge for the Rás.

Finally, Armagh Athletic Club through President Brian Vallely, the world renowned piper and artist and his committee provide an ideal partnership, with athletes coming to Ireland North and South to compete in the Armagh International Road Race on Thursday evening 14th February and in the Coca Cola International Rás na hÉireann cross country event on Sunday 17th February, and to enjoy music and culture, language and history.

Full details of the Coca Cola Rás na hÉireann International Cross Country Sports & Culture Week incorporating The Gathering are available on the websites: www.dunleerac.net and www.rasnaheireann.com

pconn062

So, only a week to go to the 2013 Rás na hEireann and only 4 days to our sister race, the Armagh 5k road race.

The following International athletes have confirmed their participation at next weeks Rás:

USA
Brendan Gregg
Ethan Shaw
Tristan Mannix
Eric Ashe
Samuel Alexander
Mary Kate Champagne
Joan Bohlke

French Athletes
Jacky Delauny
Isabelle Carderon
Herve Carderon
Cristina Chatelaint
Michel Chaetelaint

For more info on the Armagh 5k, possibly the most competitive road race in the country, check out the website!

http://www.armaghroadrace.com/

pconn062

Full start list for elite races in Armagh 5k:

http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/latest-news/armagh-5k-3k-start-list/1940

dna_leri

Women's 3K looks interesting, Mary Cullen v's Lisa Dobriskey !

pconn062

dna_leri wrote: »

Women's 3K looks interesting, Mary Cullen v's Lisa Dobriskey !

It does indeed, looking forward to seeing that. Just spotted Paul Pollock on the men's side as well, will be curious to see how he runs.

pconn062

The latest update from the Dunleer AC facebook page!

While we await confirmation of Irish teams for the Coca Cola Rás na hÉireann at Oldbridge on Sunday next 17th February, the Rás committee is delighted to announce the participation of Leinster Senior Cross Country Champion 2013 Fiona Roche from Tullyallen. International participants from England, Scotland and Wales will participate in the Armagh International Road Race on Thursday February 14th, while US and French athletes are to compete in the Coca Cola Rás na hÉireann, thanks to Charlie Breagy, élite athlete co-ordinator originally from Ardee and currently residing in Rhode Island, USA.

USA Men
Brendan Gregg, Ethan Shaw, Tristan Mannix, Eric Ashe, Samuel Alexander, Keith Hanson (Coach)
USA Ladies
Mary Kate Champagne, Joan Bohlke

French Men
Jacky Delauny, Michel Chatelaint, Herve Caderon
French Ladies
Isabelle Caderon, Cristina Chatelaint

The Dunleer AC juveniles, junior and senior athletes will be participating in both events and are looking forward to a fantastic International Week of Sport & Culture and to a Gathering of Dunleer AC members and friends. This is a very special time for Dunleer AC as past members are remembered and their lives celebrated during Rá week, with Larry Mc Guill and Louis Duffin in particular remembered for their contributions to Rás na hÉireann, Larry since 1970 and Louis since the late 1990's. Memorial Cups will be presented by the Mc Guill and Duffin families to the winner of the senior men's race and to the first Dunleer man home in the senior race respectively.

Oldbridge House and Tearooms will be open for business as usual during the Coca Cola Rás na hÉireann event and the cross country course provided by the OPW will be enjoyed by all of the visiting athletes. The course will be prepared by Tom Neary and the Dunleer AC committee members who pull out all the stops to ensure a wonderful event for all participants. Local primary school children will feature strongly once again thanks to the support of local teachers, as well as juvenile athletes from all over the country. Online entries please to www.rasnaheireann.com. Races for all ages. Sincere thanks to the Irish Sports Council and Athletics Ireland, Coca Cola, The Gathering and local businesses for their support of the event.

dna_leri

Any results from last night's races available?

Clum

Unofficial but from what I picked up on twitter Mary Cullen set a course record of 9.07 or 9.08, knocking 7 or 8 seconds off the old record. Ava Hutchinson ran 9:17 and Kerry Harty 9:27 but I've no idea what positions they finished in.

The mens top 3 was Ethan Shaw, Richard Weir and Paul Pollock.

Edit: results are here - insidetrak.blogspot.co.uk

pconn062

One day to go!

Just back from putting the final touches to the course, the ground is in very good condition with only one muddy patch to deal with on each lap. Remember this race is only 5 euro for seniors, best value in the country and even if you don't want to dust off the spikes, why not come down to Oldbridge and watch a great display of cross country running featuring top athletes from the US, France, the UK and Ireland. Junior events kicking off at 11:45 and senior races starting at 13:30. The race is signposted from all sides, just follow the "Rás na hEireann" signs!

pconn062

What a great day was had at Oldbridge today, a brilliant day of cross country running from the junior races right up to the International senior races. Many thanks to everyone who came out to support and run, I will post results here as soon as they become available.

pconn062

Senior race results attached below!