Results from XC, Donegal 5k, Half Festival and parkrun – that is it, over the jump!

Warmup
We hope no one was wearing a hat while out running over the weekend, because that was going to end up a few fields away! As expected, things got a little more quiet this week as we all refocus towards our 2019 goals – and we can see how we are getting on with that in a moment.  Over the weekend I went to see a little known band called ‘The Little Insect Legs’ – they used to support the Beatles. Time to move on with the results!

Mathieson Cup and Shield XC
This wan (as our Maiden City counterparts would say) is named for Mags Mathieson – a tireless supporter and volunteer on the local running scene (who’s helped out with the GTR). Craftily the course, 2k laps, was changed this year to include several short steep ramps and a narrow tree lined path. No blizzard this year, just a face numbing headwind – proper XC weather. All made for a fast and thankfully dry day, as we can see:

The wind may have been howling, but so were our Dub performances! Some absolute cracking times posted by the six entrants – earning themselves some respectable standings in the team event too – considering the smaller numbers. Steven T has messaged everyone about the upcoming XC events – so we might see some more blue tops out in the coming weeks. Of course there’s photos:

Carrigans 5K
Just and no more over the border from Derry towards Letterkenny you’ll find the village of Carrigans. This quiet little place became alive on Sunday morning when a few hundred runners made the trip for the seventh year. Flat and triangular yet scenic route was a fan favourite a fresh Sunday morning:

Great running Paul – a tight little course, but not too far from home.  A nice strong head wind for the about half the course – made it important to get to the finish line as quickly as possible! Now, Paul told me that there were no photos, but I dug deep and found this little gem:

World Half Marathon Festival, Kildare
Donadea Forest, not to be confused with Donaghadee, Kildare hosted the World Half Marathon Festival this weekend. Basically, two days and four half marathons – morning and afternoon on each day. Our Dub did the five-lap course, which had a nice rise half way round but made for a nice pyramid shaped elevation map, on Sunday morning:

A 140 mile trip to get to this one – and a great time around the trail-y and undulating circuit. We’re not quite sure here at Roundup Towers how you a) managed to not get dizzy going round five times and b) how you kept count of the number of laps you’d completed. Nonetheless, a might impressive run near ideal conditions – probably just a little but too breezy between the branches in the forest. Definitely an excuse to take Monday off for a rest! Did no one say photo?!

parkrun
As if Saturday mornings were not exciting enough – there was two tails being shouted about after parkrun this weekend. While some had dull and maybe little drizzle, others battled the elements of heavy rain and wind. All part of the fun of the whole thing, so let’s see who kept their resolutions into the second weekend:

Grab your hat and let’s start a tipping! Taking the final step of the podium was our Roisin out in Larne, who was being a tourist alongside Nessa. We had two new course PBs set by Niall (at Queen’s) and James S (at Valley). Finally, and not least, recent recruit Julia took to Queen’s and set herself an all-time 5k personal best on Saturday morning – magic!  Here’s a stills from parkrun over the weekend:

Warmdown
While we all ponder if the Beast from the East 2 will arrive or not, it is good to know that there are some things that you can set your watch by – the Weekly Roundup. Everyone here at Roundup Towers scours t’internet looking for all the latest results and compiles them here into one, not so easily read format, so that you can get your name in lights and celebration any and all running successes.  A big shout out has to go to the landscape gardeners out there – they really promise you the earth.

Live long and prosper.

Disclaimer: Every effort was taken to ensure the results above are correct (to err is human is it not?!). If you’d also like to make a complaint, then you’ll automatically volunteer yourself for writing duties next week 🙂