October 1st at Donore Harriers was the traditional annual opening run and group photo. A little later on and with a great turnout, Donore Harriers celebrated the achievements of its runners 40 years ago in 1976 and 50 years ago in 1966. Club President Iain Morrison introduced and there was a minute’s silence for the Donore members who passed during the year and who had family members present.

A keen custodian of Donore’s rich past, Willie Smith spoke about the 1966 European championships and the Montreal Olympics 1976. He also made a presentation to the family of high jumper Dick Raftery who were present.

Dr Cyril White who joined the club in 1944, has been President of the club and a former coach and is also well know as a race starter . He spoke and paid tribute to the volunteers that have made the club a great one. He also found out this year that he is longest serving starter in athletics in Europe, playing this role for 62 years, congratulations Cyril!

Michael Gygax was there to talk about his excellent new book on Irish Masters Athletics and brought copies of it for sale. It features a number of Donore athletes some of who were present, Willie Dunne, Ann Woodlock and Tony Murphy. There were many extended family members of the late Jim McNamara present, also family of the late Maurice Mullins. Michael read extracts from the book and Jim McNamara’s older brother Maurice paid a a moving tribute to Jim.

Thanks all who attended and helped out, especially the family members of the deceased – great to see faces old and new.

Midweek & Weekend round-up

There were no less than 3 night-time races during the week which featured runners from Donore Harriers. In Sligo was the Ballymote Firefly 5k challenge organised by Corran AC and Dermot McDermott. John Travers won the road mile event in 4.01 seeing off Alberto Sanchez in 4.02. The 5k featured young Sam Allen and he was an excellent 4th in 15.56. Earlier in the week, the Twilight Team Challenge took place around Sandyford Business Park. The winner in 17.21 was back from injury Ian O’Leary; 3rd overall and 1st woman was Ide Nic Dhomhnaill fresh from a great Rathfarnham 5K days before. Karla Doran was 3rd lady in 18.55 and great to Aislinn NiDhomhnaill back in action where she ran 19.20.
The ParkWest 10k and 5K nighttime races took place in the Clondalkin area and the indefatigable George Brady was 3rd in the 10k in 36.30. Luke Boland came 2nd in the 5k race in 17.04 with Peter Nugent running 20.09 There were only two Donore athletes in the Dublin Simon Fun Run, held over 5 miles in the Phoenix Park last Saturday. Anthony Flannery came in 4th in 27:16, while Tony Barry dipped under the 30-minute barrier finishing in 15th place in 29:42.

In Galway, Mark Dooley showed excellent form ahead of the cross-country season with a clear win in the half marathon. His time of 71 minutes is particularly impressive considering his victory was a solo run, with 2nd and 3rd place 7 and 8 minutes behind and bodes well for the important races coming up over the next few months.