This is an amazing achievement by one of our most dedicated athletes but it should come as no surprise to us as Joe is getting better and better by the week. Not for the faint hearted, this event comprised a 10k run, 40k cycle and finished with a 5k run. Joe covered the opening 10km run in an outstanding time of 33mins 12secs. This had Joe in 8th position heading into the 40km cycle. Joe had a superb cycle where he put a huge field to the sword by posting a terrific time of 59mins 41secs and on completion of the 5 laps was leading heading into the final 5km run. Joe managed to keep all would-be challengers at bay over the 5km run, covering the distance in 17mins 02secs. Taking transitions into account Joe completed the course in 1hr 51mins 09secs, nearly 20secs clear of second place These times posted by Joe would be excellent in stand-alone races but as part of this challenging duathlon they were out of this world. This achievement is more remarkable when we look at the calibre of athletes Joe beat to claim this title - Brian Campbell (2.29 Dublin marathoner, Barry Minnock (14 minutes on the 3 mile leg in the National Road relays two weeks ago), Kevin Keane (34 mins in the 10 km Great Ireland run a week ago) and Bjorn Ludick who clocked a time of 1hr 55mins in the Triathy. Full results.

OFFICIAL RACE REPORT

The North West Triathlon Club hosted the Irish and Ulster Duathlon Championships on Sunday morning at Burnfoot, Co. Donegal. The race was also a qualifier for the World Duathlon Championships which takes place in Edinburgh this September. The competition on the day was closely fought with Joe Lynch of Dublin Tri Club Pulse coming away eventual winner in a time of 1 hour 51 minutes 9 seconds. Barry Minnock led the way on the first run with a time of 31.28 for 10km. On to the bike and Lynch posted a sub 1 hour time of 59.41 for the 40km. A close race was now on between Lynch, Dublin's Bjorn Ludick, Kevin Keane (Belpark) and Brian Campbell (Hi Elbow) for top spot. On the final 5km run Campbell posted the quickest time of 15.37. However Ludick held on for second place in 1.51.27 with Keane taking third spot in 1.51.50. Campbell was next to stop the clock in 1.51.58 which saw him come away with the Ulster title. In the women's race Eilish Connery of Muckno Tri Club was a clear winner also coming away with the Ulster title. The Monaghan woman posted the quickest 10km run time of the ladies in 36.39 and finished in an overall time of 2.8.33. Aoife Lynch of Pulse Tri Club was second home in 2.10.29 while Wheelworx Tri Club member Bronagh Ni Bhriain took third place in 2.10.42. The Relay team prize went to the North West's Pius McIntyre and Aaron Deane finishing in a time of 1.48.32. McIntyre completed both run legs while Deane took charge of the cycle leg posting the quickest bike split of the day in a time of 56.28. Colm Quigley led the rest of the host club members home in a time of 2.03.32 with Gary O'Donnell crossed the line in 2.04.48. Paul McConnellogue was the next club member in on 2.06.38 with Paul McGilloway stopping the clock in 2.08.20. Brendan Doherty and Cormac Woods were next to finish in times of 2.11.18 and 2.12.46 respectively. James Beattie raced to 2.15.07 with Philip Bradley doing a time of 2.16.09 and Noel Brady took the over 50's age group title in a time of 2.08.27. Mickey Kerr crossed the line in a time of 2.20.25.


On Sun 25th Apr, our ladies commenced their summer campaign in the Meet and Train series when they took to the roads for Round 1, which was held in Raheny. Julie Dowd led the way for our ladies when she clocked an amazing time 13mins 52secs for the two mile distance. This gave Julie 17th place from over 100 hundred athletes. This sub 7min per mile clocking is excellent running by Julie and comes as no surprise following her fine winter campaign where she was to the fore for our ladies and the excellent training that she is currently doing. Eithne Richardson was our second athlete to finish, having clocked a super time of 14 mins 51 secs for 28th place. This was yet another brilliant run by one of our ladies as this section of the club continues to grow in strength. Anne Murtagh was the third Lucan lady in 35th place in another fantastic time of 15 mins 07secs. Anne never disappoints when she competes for the club, no matter what the terrain and distance is and this performance was no different. Patricia Daly was the fourth lady to finish in a superb time of 16mins 50secs Patricia is also proving herself a model of consistency when she competes for Lucan. This is no coincidence and comes from the consistent training the she does. Sinead Murphy, is also in a fine vein of form at present, and brought this into the first round of the Meet & Train league. Sinead clocked a very impressive time 17mins 10secs for the 2 mile distance. It looks like Sinead is going to have a fine campaign this summer. Debbie, one of our newer members, also got her campaign off to a flier with her sub 18 mins clocking of 17mins 55 secs. This sub nine minute per mile clocking shows us that we have unearthed another fine athlete at the club. Ann McGee was hot on Debbie heels at the finish, having clocked a fantastic time of 18mins 10secs. Ann is just getting better and better as the year progresses. Ann has already produced brilliant running performances over 10 miles, 5 miles and 4 miles so far this year and now produced another one over the 2 mile distance to prove what a versatile runner she is. Natalie O'Connor made her racing debut for Lucan on the day, we believe, and proved that she has a bright future ahead of her at the club with her 18mins 42secs clocking. This is fantastic running by an athlete making her racing debut. Winifred Ryan followed Natalie across the finish line in a great time of 18mins 57secs. Winifred had a superb winter campaign in the cross country series and looks to be carrying this form onto the roads as the summer racing season begins in earnest. Anita O'Neill can also be well pleased with her performance as she clocked a super time of 19mins 24secs. Anita is also new to the Meet and Train series of running but seems to have taken to it like a duck to water following this performance. Pushing Anita all the way we had Sharon Geraghty. Sharon, too, had a magnificent run as she produced a time of 19mins 26secs for the 2 mile distance. Sharon was also making her debut in this series of races so it was great to see her perform so well on the day. Yet another debutant on the day was Orla Flanagan. Orla had an outstanding outing completing the course in 20mins 25secs. It looks like Orla can look forward to the rest of this campaign with confidence following this performance. Josie Dignam continued her excellent 2010, with another fine outing. Josie covered the two mile in 20mins 37secs as she adds to her list of great performances over all distances ranging from 2 miles to 10km this year. This is even more remarkable as Josie only returned to serious training at the end of 2009 so it has taken her no length to get race fit. Eileen Ni Chonchuir was he next Lucan lady to cross the finishing line after clocking a great time of 20 mins 52secs. This was a fine start to the summer road racing season by Eileen who can look forward to a fine season, we believe. Sharon Webb rounded off a day o great performances by our ladies with her 20mins 53secs clocking. Sharon, too, is in line to produce a string of fine running performances over the coming months, judging by this debut. The second round of the Meet & Train league takes place on Sunday, May 23rd in Griffeen Park, Lucan over 3 miles while the final round is a few days later on Wednesday, May 26th in the Phoenix Park over 4 miles. Well done to all. Full results.

On Sat 24th Apr, Lucan athletes turned out in force for the new BHAA fixture on the calendar, the K Club 10km road race in Straffan. Lorraine Heffernan led the way for our ladies with her magnificent run and time of 45mins 47secs. Lorraine is currently busy preparing for the Bantry half marathon in a week's time but this did not stop Lorraine from producing a personal best performance over the 10km distance. This follows the same achievement by Lorraine over 5 miles in Meath just over a month ago and this time was 5 minutes quicker that Lorraine’s previous time over the 10km distance of 50.35 which she ran in 2005 in the Phoenix Park. Deirdre Counihan, too, is preparing for the Bantry half on Sunday next and warmed up for this by posting a sensational 46mins 19secs on this 10km course. This was a personal best by 3mins 30 secs from Deirdre so she is obviously undertaking quality training in advance of next weekend. Myra Nolan, too, should be thrilled with her performance over 10km. Myra posted a superb time of 46mins 52secs, which was another personal best run. Myra, like Lorraine and Deirdre is Cork bound next weekend so she can look forward to this trip with confidence. In addition Myra gained revenged on Bernie Stapleton for overtaking her on the home straight in the Dublin marathon as she had just two secs to spare on Bernie in this race. Bernie, though, had another outstanding run in the BHAA series. Bernie clocked a time of 46mins 54secs for the 10km as she continues her impressive sequence of performances in 2010 and builds on her excellent podium place just two weeks ago in Raheny. Emer McCarthy was our next lady home in an excellent time of 51mins 34secs.This was a minute quicker than Emer’s 10km time from 12 months ago that she posted in the Cappagh Hospital 10km race in the Phoenix Park. Emer has obviously continued to work extremely hard over the last 12 months Bernie Doyle completed a fine day’s work with her time of 55mins 17secs. This was very strong running from Bernie who has proven her class over the longer distances time and again. Bernie’s time was over 3 mins quicker that her last outing over 10km when she produced a time of 58.27. Shane McCarthy was the first Lucan male home in this inaugural K Club BHAA 10km road race. Shane ran a season's best time of 38mins 40secs. This time was also close to Shane's personal best time for the distance and is even more remarkable as it was Shane's 2nd 10km race in a week following his fine performance in the Great Ireland Run on Sunday last. Joe Corcoran was the second Lucan male to finish having produced another fine performance for Lucan. Joe clocked a time of 40mins 03secs on this beautiful Staffan course that started and finished outside the Smurfit Clubhouse in the K Club. Joe is obviously in excellent form once again as he heads into the summer racing season. James Nealon, too, is proving a fine exponent of road running and indeed is a fine addition to the lucan Harriers set-up. James produced another great performance, this time over 10 kilometres which he covered in an impressive 40mins 57secs. Stephen Rynne never lets the club down with the level of his performances and Saturday was exactly the same. Stephen had a fantastic run producing a time of 43 minutes even. This time was even quicker that Stephen’s time over 10k last year but seeing Stephen train where he always gives a 100%, it's easy to see why he races so successfully. Gerry Martin was our next athlete home in a brilliant time of 43mins 13secs. Gerry is having a great 2010, which comes as no surprise following the excellent training he's been doing and the great knowledge of the sport that Gerry has which he puts to great use in training many of our up and coming athletes. Gerard Moloney was the fifth Lucan male home in an impressive time of 47mins 53secs. Gerard has been troubled by a slight injury niggle since his Barcelona marathon heroics but this has not stopped him in producing excellent BHAA performances over the last number of weeks. A special word must go to Gerry Byrne snr and his colleagues at the K Club for their brilliant organisation and efforts in hosting this inaugural BHAA 10km race. Well done to all. Full results.

On Sun 18th Apr, we had some good runs at the Spar Great Ireland 10km Run in the Phoenix Park. Derry McVeigh continued his recent busy racing schedule with an excellent performance over the 10km distance. Derry led the Lucan men home as he clocked a time of 38mins 30secs for the 10km distance. This was another personal best run by Derry, we believe, as he builds on his catalogue of fine performances so far this year. It was great to see Shane McCarthy back in action and Shane too produced a fine performance in the hot conditions. Shane went comfortably under the 40 minute barrier with his time of 39mins 13secs. Ken Robinson was the third Lucan male home in another brilliant time of 40mins 33secs. This was yet more exceptionally strong running from Ken, who also trains some of our up and coming talented juvenile athletes. John O'Leary completed a day of fine performances by our athletes, having produced another noteworthy performance in the Lucan colours with his time of 40mins 59secs. Michelle Sheeran, once again showed her versatility as she led the ladies home in a fine time of 47mins 11secs. Michelle has already showed us her talent over the marathon and 5km distances so there is no telling what she will achieve in the sport yet. Clare Oman was the second Lucan lady across the line in a time of 56mins 23secs. This was an excellent run from Clare on the tough Phoenix Park course. The last 6km were particularly testing with the undulations on the course. Anne McGrane was the 3rd Lucan lady home in a great time of 59mins 53secs. This sub 6min/km clocking is exceptionally strong running as Anne continues to prove herself in the distance and endurance events. Nina Healy rounded off a day of excellent performances by our ladies with a 1hr 04mins 21secs clocking. This was a fine run from Nina who made light of the Phoenix Park hills to finish the race in a very impressive manner.

On Sun 11th Apr, the Lucan Senior Men's team competed in the National Road relays in Raheny. Our senior men’s team of Gareth Fereday, David Keogh, Joe Lynch and Gerry Byrne junior competed in the National road relays on Sunday last. As ever our men put in a consistent performance clocking a combined time of 44mins 53secs for the 8 miles. Gareth Fereday led the guys off with a two mile leg. Gareth produced a solid start for the guys before handing the baton over to David Keogh. David put in a strong one mile leg before handing the baton to Joe Lynch. Joe, running the 3 mile leg, put in another excellent performance of distance running. Gerry Byrne junior, took the baton from Joe to run the final two mile leg and produced a scorching run in his first race at national level. It was great to see more of our athletes gain more experience at the national level and also to see Gareth & Gerry compete at these championships for the first time. We are sure that this experience will stand to our team in future seasons. Well done guys.


On Sun 11th Apr, Gerry Byrne Sr ran in the Connemarathon in the west of Ireland. Run in very hot, summerlike conditions, Gerry broke the 4 hour barrier on this undulating course (to put it mildly!) with his superb time of 3 hours 56 mins 02 secs. The last 5- 6 miles of this course are especially testing so it was testament to the great training that Gerry has done over the last four months ,often running double sessions, that Gerry bettered his Dublin time from October by 20 mins. Great running Gerry on a very tough course.

On Sat 10th Apr, Lucan athletes competed in the BHAA DCC 2 & 4 mile road races at St Anne's Park in Raheny. In the women's 2 mile race, Lucan made a dream start to the road racing season as both of our athletes got on the podium in their respective categories. Bernie Stapleton got her BHAA road racing season off to a tremendous start with a third place finish in her category. Bernie posted a brilliant time of 13mins 52secs in summer like conditions as she continues to impress in all races. Eileen O'Brien, fresh from her third place finish in her category in the Wilmslow half marathon less than two weeks ago, went one better this time out by securing second place in her category in this 2 mile race in a fantastic time of 15mins 10secs. Meanwhile in the men's 4 mile, Derry McVeigh was the first male across the line for the Lucan men in a brilliant time of 23 mins 30 secs. This was 25 secs quicker than the time posted by Derry in Dunboyne less than two weeks ago and shows that he is getting quicker & stronger all the time. James Nealon was the next Lucan male home in 24mins 24secs. James, too, has been doing some terrific training of late as this time was more nearly 50 secs quicker than his time of 25.13 in Dunboyne a fortnight ago. Stephen Rynne fresh from his strong run in our cross country race on Tuesday evening last put in another superb performance, clocking a time of 26 mins 39 secs. This time was nearly a minute quicker than Stephen's time of 27.32 from 12 months ago and shows us that he is getting better and better all the time. Gerard Moloney was our next finisher in 29 mins 24 secs as he continues his string of fine performances since his return to action after the Barcelona Marathon. Gerard has had a busy running schedule so far this year as is looking stronger all the time. Well done to all.

On Sat 10th Apr, our juvenile athletes once again produced brilliant performances at the Woodies DIY/AAI Juvenile Indoor championship in Nenagh. Sarah Reihill competed in the U14 girls 800 metre event. Sarah produced a great performance, where she just missed out on a place in the final by less than half a second. Sarah managed to run a personal best time of 2mins 35.21secs which proves that her times are consistently improving. Harry Larkin competed in the boys U14 800 metre event. Harry produced a brilliant time of 2mins 21.71secs in the heats and this time qualified him as second fastest qualifier for the final. Unfortunately, Harry was disqualified in the final, which we feel was harsh, but Harry will have still gained from the competition. Well done to both athletes.

On Tue 6th Apr, the Lucan Harriers women's Cross Country Championship were held in Griffeen Park. Congratulations to Bernie Stapleton who became the Lucan female cross country champion for 2010. Bernie clocked a superb time of 14mins 05secs on the muddy 2 mile course in Griffeen Park as she continues her excellent from. Julie Dowd was runner up on the night in a very swift time of 14 mins 24 secs. This was yet another fine performance by Julie who has proven her class on the cross country terrain in the Meet & Train series. Deirdre Counihan was the third lady home in a very good time of 14 mins 30 secs as she continues her fine string of performances. Lorraine Heffernan was the fourth lady home in 14 mins 39 secs, following her fine run in Dunboyne just over a week ago. It was great to see Nicola Kavanagh back competing and it was like she was never away as she produced a very good time of 15 mins 29 sec. We also had excellent performances from Anne Murtagh ( 15.39), Eileen O’Brien ( 15.48), Sinead (16.44), Bernie Doyle (16.48), Emer O’Sullivan (16.49), Ursula Murphy (17.29), Nicola O’Flaherty (17.35), Clare Oman (17.35), Anne McGrane (18.25), Winifred Ryan (18.34), Natalie O’Connor (19.23), Nina Healy (19.26), Barbara Whelan (19.42), Anita O’Neill (20.24), Sharon Geraghty (20.27), Joyce (21.21), Siobhan Costelloe (22.24), Siobhan Donnelly (22.24), Josie Dignam (23.02) and Eileen Ni Chonchuir ( 23.02). We also had a race over 3 miles for the men who were unavailable for the BHAA race in Maynooth on March 20th. Liam Landers was first across the line in 19mins 36 secs. This was yet more strong running by Liam who is running very well and is testament to the great training he is doing. Stephen Rynne, is known as a cross country guru following his great performances in the BHAA races this winter and last night was no exception as Stephen produced another excellent time of 20 mins 21 secs. Fergal O’Brien was the 3rd Lucan male home in a fantastic time of 21 mins 13secs. This was Fergal’s first race since his fine performance against John Higgins in the China Open just over week ago. Brendan Maher was hot on Fergal’s heels at the death, clocking a time of 21mins 21secs. This was another fine performance from Brendan who now looks back to full fitness following this performance and his performance in Dunboyne on Sunday week last. Well done to all.

On Sun 4th Apr, Henry Langton ran in the Alfie Hales & Adidas 4 mile Spring Road Race in Waterford. Henry competed in his first race of 2010 and showed the benefits of his diligent training over the last three months. Henry's target on the day was to go sub 25 for the four miles and had no problem achieving his with his brilliant time of 24mins 51secs. We believe that Henry is going to produce fine performances this year. Full results.

On Fri 2nd Apr, Joe Lynch certainly made it a Good Friday as he produced a brilliant early season victory in the Naas Wheelworkx duathlon. Joe dominated the bike course and this set him up for the win as Joe is an exceptional strong runner. Joe ‘s overall splits were: Run 1 = 10.36, Cycle = 33.04 and Run 2 = 12.02. Taking the transitions into account this gave Joe an overall finishing time of 57.13 for a victory by over a minute. This performance is even more commendable as Joe is just returning from a very tough training block. The attached link contains all the details from this event. Full results.