What a day we had on Sunday!! - Report by Steven Rice - Chairperson and Race Director

After months of preparation and a huge amount of work from many, many LSA member volunteers and other local community members - for which we thank you all greatly - the 2nd edition of the LSA Peninsula 4-Mile Road Race went down a storm!!

We were lucky enough to have perfect conditions for the 400+ runners who took part across both the adults and (for our first year) kids' races - the ladies race was won by Aoife O'Leary (Sportsworld A.C.) in a fabulous time of 23mins 34s, setting a new ladies' course record. In 2nd place was newly-joined LSA members Iveta Adamova in 25 mins 55s, closely followed by Florence Curley (Donore Harriers A.C.) in 26 mins 2s.

The men's race was won by David Rooney of Raheny Shamrocks A.C., just missing out on the course record by 3 seconds in a time of 20 mins 52s. In second place was Ken Nolan in 21 mins 58s, with Daniel O'Brien (Lusk A.C.) coming in 3rd in a time of 22 mins 14s.

Mens winners of the LSA 4 mile

Ladies winners of LSA 4 mile

Thank you to all who supported the race, especially our fellow clubs who sent big groups of runners to the race - Lusk Athletic Club, Raheny Shamrock Athletic Club, Clonliffe Harriers AC, Balbriggan Roadrunners and Donore Harriers.Also thanks to Mojo Fitness who celebrated their 8th birthday in style by having a big group run the race (sure what else would you be doing on your birthday!!)

Also a shout out to Fingal Women's Running Group, Sloggers to joggers, Fingal Triathlon Club and anyone else we might have missed!

Fingal Womens Running Group

Lusk A/C

Mojo and Happy 8th Birthday

Raheny Shamrocks A/C

BIG THANKS TO:

We got huge support from many sponsors who must get a mention - especially the Shoreline Hotel who provided our first prizes and bananas for runners, not forgetting Siam Thai Restaurants, Freeman Neuromuscular Therapy, Cairn Homes, Eastway Global Forwarding Ltd, Lidl Ireland, Irish Life, CityJet, Diesel.ie, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dublin Airport, Tesco Distribution Donabate, Maxol Service Station Donabate, HSS Hire Ireland and John McDonnell at Mymilkman.ie

Also thanks to Wayne at Hand Catering and Wojtek from HappilyThermomix for supplying coffees, teas, refreshments and treats on the day.

Thanks also to Councillor Adrian Henchy who has supported us since the inception of the event in 2022.

“The Commentator’s View” from the one and only Pat McCormack:

Pat McCormack doing a fabulous job as commentator with 3 visiting Americans

Ably assisted by “Seán Shannon and his Wheels of Steel” my commentary duties kicked off with the underage events as children from 6 to 16 took to the start line and gave their all as they raced up and down the DDR, aptly finishing to the strains of “Chariots of Fire” as they pushed towards the finish line and back into the arms of some very proud parents. While the podium finishers were feted like Olympic Champions, the spirit of the day saw the participation and achievement of every child acknowledged. This really proved to be a wonderful addition to LSA’s mini-festival of running, and no doubt will continue to bring great cheer and colour to our big day in the years ahead.

And then it was on to the adult 4-mile event, the gun firing at 9:30 and over 300 athletes launching like a herd of gazelle up the Estuary Road. As they disappeared around the first bend, we immediately began our preparations to welcome the first finishers home, with lists in order and mic at the ready. Things were made a lot easier this year as we had LSA’s very own Mark Redmond out on the course, sending in runner information as they entered the finishing stretch, and MyRunResults providing access to their real time finisher data as participants crossed the line. All the runners - from the female and male 1-2-3 finishers right through to the walkers - received great support as they sped towards the line. And, just as in the children’s events, the cheering and sense of celebration was served to every runner as their tired legs carried them through those final strides.

A nice and fitting end to event was the reception laid on by the LSA Crew for three visitors who were on holidays from the USA and elected to walk the course. Finishing ten minutes or so behind the final runners they reached the finishing line to the sounds of ‘Born in the USA’ and ‘Proud Mary’ ringing out across the peninsula, punctuated by the claps and cheers of the volunteers, who placed the medals around their necks, and goodie bags into their hands, ensuring that they had a fantastic day to remember. No doubt there’ll be plane loads of our US friends coming over to join in next year’s race!

And then, quietness descended as the volunteers, like busy bees, cleared everything away, leaving nothing behind but the memories of a great morning and the promise of what’s to come in 2024!

(Insert Commentator Mic Drop Here!)

Juvenile Race Report by Karen Malony - Juvenile Race Director

Girls U8 winners

On Sunday May 21st, 72 junior athletes competed in our first children's road race to open the LSA peninsula road race in joyful fashion. Starting early on a Sunday morning, athletes born between 2008 and 2017 ran, and were rewarded with goodie bags and medals for their excellent efforts. LSA juvenile athletes dominated the field and the podium, with a podium finish in every race. Under 16s were off first for a 1000m race, at 08:52, with the first finisher, Mark Kelly, over the line in under four minutes with Rueben and Leon Capocci hot in his heels. Under 16s girls came in so quickly that second place finisher, Emily Counihan, ran all the way home bypassing the podium and leaving her diesel water bottle prize behind. Under 16s, were quickly followed by the Under 12s. Kate Jones planned her strategy with Dara and patiently waited to move into first position on the home stretch.

Boys U8 winners

The excitement continued for the under 12 boys who came in very close together making our line judges job very hectic, with Ivan Keeling, Cassian Corcoron, and James Highland taking the podium spots. No break for the line judges in the under 8 boys either, where Ollie Cullen flew over the line first, and only a hair's breadth between second place Jacob Dunne and third, Arnie Fleming, diving over the line and acquiring two bloody knees to go with his medal! The girls under 8s was equally exciting, with Rachel Kennedy in first place, a clear second for Leah Highland and a too-close-to-call joint third for Clare McGuinness and Emily Purdue (who arrived with not a single second to spare).

Boys U12 winners

Kate Jones U12's planned her strategy with Dara and patiently waited to move into first position on the home stretch, leaving Sophie Day in second place with a very strong run, and Lara Nolan in third..

Girls U12 winners

Led by first finisher Saoirse Bishop, the under 16s girls came in so quickly that second place finisher, Emily Counihan, ran all the way home bypassing the podium and leaving her diesel water bottle prize behind! Grace McConnell in third place saw her disappear off into the distance.

Girls U16 winners

Emily Counihan U16 winner missing from the podium

Boys U16 winners now known as the podium boys

Thank you to the volunteers for this lovely addition to our annual event, Louise G, Wala, Bronagh, Ruth, Aisling, Jane, Derek, Ben, Mark, Lesley, Joanna, Louise B, Maria, Fiona, Dara and Karen.

Some LSA 2015's having some fun after their race

Mark running U16's at the LSA race

Reuben U16 at the LSA race

A huge thanks to our FIt for Youth Group and coaches for all the hard work put into packing the goodie bags last Saturday

Some more photos from the race

David and Philip McDonald from Raheny a/c

Anita & Deirdre

Richie and Ken after all their hard work

Yvonne and Sadhbh

Ali & Georgean

Dara & Maria

Our amazing pacers and volunteers

AND YES THERE WERE OTHER ACTIVITIES GOING ON OVER THE WEEKEND AND HERE THEY ARE:

League 3 report by Ruth Cappocci

League Day 3

League Day 3 was a great round up of the league for this year. Over the three league days we had 30 athletes participate across the board in all track and field events. Day 3 was always going to be a minefield with the LSA peninsula 4 mile Road Race also happening on the day and all LSA members, coaches and athletes supporting this to ensure it ran smoothly and was another great success.

A huge thank you to Ciarán Handley who offered his services to Dublin Athletics for what turned into a very long day on the Long Jump in order for our 4 athletes to participate on the day in Tallaght.

Liam in the Shot Putt

Mark Kelly, Reuben Capocci and Leon Capocci raced over to Tallaght to participate in the 200m U13 run, U13 Long Jump and High Jump and U15 Shot Putt. These three lads set off from Tallaght straight from their podium positions of 1st, 2nd and 3rd places respectively from the U16 1000m run at the LSA Road Race and either the adrenaline from this or just their sheer enjoyment in participating kept them all going through the day yet again trying new field events and putting full effort into each. Liam Handley also arrived out to try out Shot Putt after his fantastic achievement of two silver medals at league day 3.

Reuben doing the Shot Putt

LSA featured top 10 and top 20 positions in the league tables after the three league days which is a real testament to the possibilities that the leagues can present for participants. The league would normally run across 4 weekends in early Summer and the first six athletes in each event score points, the points accumulate over each league day and at the end the top three athletes win. The leagues are a less competitive environment offering athletes a chance to have a great day out, try new events and put their training to practice. A new interest can be developed, a skill found or a talent unearthed that could give an athlete a chance to find a life long love for a track or field event which they can enjoy for many years to come.

This year some of our athletes were in contention for these top three league placings. With both Mark Kelly and Liam Handley placing in the top . In 2019 our very own Anna Gavigan won the U16 league and won her first Dublin medal in 2018 for High Jump. Anna has since gone on to win many more medals, trophies and events and has travelled far and wide with her skills and talents including going as far as the European Throwing Cup and participating in the U23 Discus in March this year. Anna has always been an inspiration to our younger athletes and her continued success is a real testament to the possibilities open to athletes who get a chance to try out events and have fun when the opportunity arises.

Participation in the leagues is dependant on support from both parents and coaches and a big thank you is owed to all the parents who supported across the three days and helped our athletes. I would also like to note the extra time our coaches gave up to officiate on different days at different events including myself and it’s important to say that this is on top of time given to training each week some coaching on more than one day each week. Your support, time and effort is greatly appreciated. As a coach a little note to add is that not only are events like the leagues a great opportunity for fun, learning and participation for our athletes but they are a fantastic opportunity for coaches like myself to learn more about the track and field events, meet other coaches and clubs but also a great opportunity to see our athletes have the chance to practice their skills with full use of some fantastic facilities. If you haven’t had a chance to attend or officiate at these types of events I highly recommend and encourage you to do so.

Next up on the back of the fun and enjoyment of the leagues we have another big number of athletes competing in the Dublin Athletics competitions on May 27th and 28th. The very best of luck to them all and we look forward to hearing your stories following this.

Leinster Schools Medals for LSA athletes -Report by Enda Gavigan

Leinster Schools Medals for LSA athletes.

Things are really hotting up now with T&F competitions coming thick and fast for the next couple of weekends.

Whilst much of the club was working flat out to deliver another excellent LSA 4 Mile event, a couple of T&F athletes were on the road out of Dublin for competition.

Action kicked off with the Leinster Schools Finals in Tullamore with our own Eabha O’Farrell, Inter Hammer, and Anna Gavigan, Senior Discus, representing Loretto Balbriggan.

Eabha was first up and set the tone with an excellent 38m throw to take bronze.

Anna followed in the same vein, winning the Senior discus with a best of 45:82m, just outside the championship record.

These two great podium performances mean both athletes have booked their places in the All Ireland Schools finals coming up early June.

Anna was in action again on Sunday morning in Templemore, Co. Tipperary at the Templemore May Open. A repeat performance here bagged her yet another win with a best of 45.56m.

Eabha featured again, joined by Alison and Michelle Branigan who all travelled to the Lucan Harriers track midweek for the Dublin Graded meet 3, all taking on the 400m.

It was a lovely evening for a blast and as luck would have it, all three we’re in the same heat with a sea of LSA blue powering down the back straight. Never as much power on the home straight for 400m runners of course, so the three dug deep to battle for the line with Eabha winning the heat in a very impressive PB of 1:03.7 and Michelle and Alison coming through in 5th for Michelle 1:09.78 and Alison 6th at 1:11.94. Well done indeed to the three!

Lots more action this coming weekend with Dublin Juvenile Championships action at Tallaght AC track, U20 LSA representation for Ireland at the Loughborough Throws International meet in the UK and U20 and Masters in action at the Leinster Junior/Senior/Masters Championship at the SETU track in Carlow. It promises to be a hectic and exciting few days. 

Stay tuned!

PARKRUN

Well done to everyone who took park in parkrun over the weekend

Ann Murphy

Julie & Family

Sinead Kealy

Congrats to Cathal Brady on his PB

ONLY 15 PLACES LEFT ON SUMMER CAMP

Registration is now open for our summer camp on 17th, 18th & 19th July from 9.30am to 1.30pm at Ballymastone.

To register one child: CLICK HERE

To register 2 children:CLICK HERE

For 3 children: CLICK HERE

Best of luck to all our juvenile athletes taking part in the Dublin Champs this weekend and to the those taking part in the Leinster Championships in Carlow. Looking forward to seeing all the photos.

And FINALLY LSA ON TOUR

Our wonderful Club Newsletter Editor Kelly Mulcahy on tour in Venice Italy. Welcome back Kelly and thanks so much for all the hard work you put into the newsletter on a weekly basis. It's very much appreciated.

Marie O'Sullivan (Fit for Life's Queen of the Hills) on tour in France

And Finally....

Kelly will be back next week...I hope I have left no one out!! Dont forget of you've any news at all send it to Kelly on WhatsApp 0879583807. Thanks Jen xx