Wallace wins a second Waterford Viking Marathon
Alexander Wallace of St. Coca’s A.C was the winner of this year's Waterford Viking Marathon in 2:26:49. Photos: Noel Browne.
On Sunday in excellent weather conditions the Annual WLRFM Viking Marathon was held in the City and surrounding areas and it was another very successful event with an Autism friendly run section with 14 participants which was the first event ever held in Ireland.
The following were the winners first of all in the Marathon. It was by a man who also won it back in 2019 Alexander Wallace, St Coca 's AC Kilcock in 2.26.49 who competes in over 40 to 45 competitions, 2nd was Tudor Mircea, Clonliffe Harriers A.C 2.29.05, a previous winner and 3rd was Simon Nolan Bandon.in 2.35.17. First Women home was Beth O'Connor United Striders A.C New Ross in 3.14.19, 2nd was Siobhan Holland, Eagle A.C, 3.24.19,and 3rd Aoife O'Sullivan, Donoughmore A.Cin 3.27.51.In the Half Marathon for men first home was Pat Fitzgerald, Waterford A.C in 1.14.00,.2nd .was Barry Meehan Raheny Shamrock A.C in 1.14.06 and 3rd was .Mark Scannell Cork in1.14.18. First woman home was Linda Grogan, Dundrum A.C, Tipperary in 1.25.49, 2nd was Leah Headon (Ind ) in 1.28.16 and 3rd Edel Byrne Tramore A.C in 1.31.23.In the quarter Marathon Andrew Connick Ferrybank A.C was first home in 33.06 2nd was Fergal Campbell (Ind) in 33.31 and 3rd was Craig O'Brien, Ferrybank A.C in 33.58 First woman was Kealey Tideswell, Clonmel A.C i n 35.54,2nd was Sharon Kiely Moyne AC Tipperary in 37.22 and 3rd was Gráinne Brennan Carrick on Suir in 40.46.Well done to all who took part and also to the organisers and all the volunteers.
Last week was a very busy one for Olympian Thomas Barr Ferrybank with three 400 metres hurdles races aiming to secure an Automatic Qualifying time of 48.70 for the Paris Olympics. He had races in Finland, Poland and Switzerland. On Tuesday in Turku Finland he finished 4th in 49.46, then on Thursday he had a super run in Bydosczck Poland finishing second in the race in a big season's best of 48.79 and on Saturday he was in Geneva, Switzerland where he was 4th in 49.51.His time in Poland 48.79 lifts him well up the rankings and still gives him a chance of getting into the Olympics, he is of course going to Paris with the Irish mixed Relay team
In Morton Stadium last Saturday morning there was disappointment for Kate Veale, West Waterford and Brendan Boyce Finn Valley Ireland's two racewalkers who finished 6th in the Olympic Race Walking Marathon Qualifying race in 3.13.34 .The winners were the Czech Republic in a fine time of3.02.09 who now get the final qualifying spot. Kate competes in the National Championships next weekend defending her 5 km title TAILTEANN SCHOOLS INTERPROVINCIAL A number of athletes from Waterford schools competed for Munster in last Saturday's Tailteann Games in Morton Stadium. Rebecca Walsh St Declan’s Kilmacthomas won the shot putt and Ellis McHugh Waterpark was second in the 300 metres hurdles in a personal best.
The National U12 Championships and Children's Games 9 to 11 were held in Tullamore on Sunday last but due to timekeeping problems at the fixture it will be later in the week to confirm placings of Waterford athletes.
On Wednesday last at a graded meeting in Dublin Eoin Kenny ran his second fastest ever 400m time of 47.79 seconds to finish in 2nd place in the A race and Matteo Mary ran a time of 3.52.94 finishing 5th in the 1500m A race, both Waterford AC.
On Saturday and Sunday next, the biggest weekend of the domestic year on the Irish Athletic Calendar goes ahead in Morton Stadium, the National Senior Championships Track and Field .Every prominent athlete in the country will be competing male and female including quite a few from Waterford with two defending titles. These two are Thomas Barr Ferrybank aiming for his 12th title in the 400 metres hurdles and Kate Veale West Waterford going for her 9th title in the 5km walk and five in a row this year.
Last May Shay Murphy Waterford AC did an exam to become a World Athletics Bronze referee. Last week got news that he had been successful. Congrats and very best wishes to Shay wherever it may take him.
