Fearghal Curtin runs 4:04.15 PB
Columbia, South Carolina, USA
Saturday December 12th 2020
Fearghal Curtin, Arizona State and Youghal AC
Five and Dime Athletics Meet Banner 2020
Results of Men's Mile
Official Results Men's Mile
Fearghal Curtin, Arizona State and Youghal AC, ran a personal best of 4:04.15, when finishing fifth in the one mile at the Five and Dime outdoor athletics meeting in Columbia, South Carolina, yesterday, Saturday December 12th 2020.
Fearghal marginally improved on his previous PBs of 4:04.77, set indoors, in Ames, Iowa, last February, and his outdoors best of 4:04.88, set in Tempe, Arizona, in April 2019.
Along the way, in the Mile, he was timed at 3:46.34. It was a good workout for Fearghal - he was 'in the mix' throughout, an appeared to be easing up as he approached the finish line
This performance comes just a week after his 13:57 5k, at The Track Meet, in San Juan Capistrano, California, on Friday last, Dec 4th, which was his first race for quite some time.
Intermediate 1500m times in Men's mile
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Update Wednesday December 9th 2020
Competitions will be subject to strict protocol and limited numbers will be competing, in accordance with Government Guidelines applicable at the time.
Age groups are based on 2020 ages (i.e. THIS year). All athletes must be registered Atheltics Ireland members for 2021 (NEXT year)
| Date | Weekend | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 27th February | Cross Country Weekend 1 |
Juvenile Even + U19/U20
|
| Sun 28th February | Cross Country Weekend 1 |
Juvenile Even + U19/U20
|
| Sat 13th March | Cross Country Weekend 2 |
Juvenile Uneven + Senior
|
| Sun 14th March | Cross Country Weekend 2 |
Juvenile Uneven + Senior
|
| Sat 27th March | Cross Country Weekend 3 |
Juvenile Inter Club (U11/U13/U15/U17/U19)
|
| Sun 28th March | Cross Country Weekend 3 |
Juvenile Inter Club (U11/U13/U15/U17/U19)
|
Numbers permitted to participate will be a limited, in accordance with government guidelines. Consequently the following will apply.
Qualification:
• First 3 Clubs from each Regional Championship (Leinster (rest of Leinster clubs), Dublin (Dublin clubs), Connacht, Munster, Ulster/ANI (6 athletes per team, 4 to score)
• Plus First 6 individuals from Regional Championships (excluding those already qualified on club teams)
• Plus 2019 club and individual winners
• Plus up to 23 places available to elite/HP/U23 athletes based on European Cross Championship participation over the past 3 years
If there are remaining places available, they will be allocated on the discretion of the National Endurance Coordinator.
• Qualification: Open entry, but confined to athletes born in 2001 or 2002
• Qualification: First 15 individuals from each Province
• Medals: First 12 individual finishers
• First 8 Provincial finishers to score, 15 medals for Provincial team
• No direct entry. All entries must come through the Provincial Secretary
• Athletes may move up one age group
• Age groups: U11, U13, U15, U17 and U19
• Qualification: First 3 Club teams (from 2020 Provincial competition, substitutions may be made), Teams of 5. This may be increased to 4 teams if government restrictions allow.
• Team Medals: 4 to score, 5 team medals, no individual medals
• No direct entry. All entries must come through the Provincial Secretary
• Athletes may move up one age group
All competition dates and conditions are subject to change, in line with Government guidelines.
Venues to be confirmed.
Athletics Ireland are considering hosting further competitions, and dates for these will be released in due course.
St Stephen's Day, Saturday December 26th 2020
Regretably, another event has fallen to Covid-19, with the cancellation of the ever-popular Belgooly AC's Dick Copithorne Memorial 4 Mile on St. Stephen's Day
Statement from Belgooly AC
It is with regret that the board of Belgooly AC have had to cancel our annual 4 mile road race on St Stephen's Day, due to the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic. This has been a popular and well supported event on the Cork Christmas sports calendar for a long number of years and it is disappointing that it has had to join the long list of cancelled events this year.
Along with being the club's only road race it has also been a significant funding stream for our charity partners. The Bowel Cancer Unit in the CUH. As many charities have seen a major cut to their funding this year the club has taken the decision to make a €500 donation from club funds to the Bowel Cancer Unit in the CUH.
The club will not be holding a virtual race but we would like to encourage our regular supporters to go for a run/jog/walk on St Stephen's Day to keep up the tradition and, if they can do so, to make a donation directly to the Bowel Cancer Unit in the CUH, in recognition of the fantastic work they do for all those people who require their services.
The club would like to take this opportunity to wish all current and past supporters of our race a very happy, peaceful and safe Christmas, and we all look forward to a brighter and covid free 2021
Friday 4th & Sunday 6th December
Fearghal Curtin
Our top-level athletes have been starved of competition for months (......like everyone else!), however this weekend sees a welcome glint of 'sunlight in the darkness', with The Track Meet in Los Angeles, USA, tonight, where Fearghal Curtin (Arizona State and Youghal AC) and Ciaran O 'Lionáird (NIKE & Leevale AC) run in separate 5,000m races.
The meet location is, apparently, a closely kept secret - at time of writing, the athletes haven't been told exactly where in L.A. the venue is - to ensure that large crowds don't turn up. Strange times we live in!
Also in action the same meet are Barry Keane (Waterford AC), who goes in the same race as Fearghal, and sisters Róisín and Eilish Flanagan (Adams State & Carmen Runners, Tyrone)
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| Irish Interest | ||
Fearghal and Barry run at 4:55am Irish time tomorrow morning, in the Men's Sub-13:30 5,000m, while Ciarán Ó Lionáird runs in the Sub-13:15 5,000m, at 4:45am. Reportedly Ciaran is 'on fire' lately and is on pacemaking duties. The Flanagan sisters go in the Women's Sub-15:10 5,000m, at 4:20am.
The meet is covered live on USATF TV, but you will need a subscription ($12.99 for a month) to watch tonight.
7:30am Sunday December 6th
The Valencia Marathon was due to be held several months ago, but, like all but a few events, was cancelled due to Covid. However Sunday next sees an elite only Marathon & Half-Marathon taking place in the city, with the Men's field reportedly being the strongest Marathon field ever.
| Strongest Marathon Field Ever | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Valencia | Next-best major | |
| Sub-2:05 men | 9 | 8 (2015/2019 London) |
| Sub-2:06 men | 14 | 11 (2020 Tokyo) |
| Sub-2:07 men | 23 | 14 (2020 Tokyo) |
| Sub-2:08 men | 25 | 15 (2019 Boston) |
| Sub-2:21 women | 8 | 8 (2019 London) |
| Sub-2:22 women | 9 | 9 (2019 London, 2020 Tokyo) |
| Sub-2:23 women | 13 | 11 (2019 Boston) |
| Sub-2:24 women | 17 | 12 (2019 Tokyo, 2019 Boston) |
| Sub-2:25 women | 19 | 12 (2019 Tokyo, 2019 Boston, 2020 Tokyo) |
The event is being Livestreamed on the Event Website and on Youtube
The Half-Marathon starts at 07am Sunday, with the Marathon at 07:30am
With so many events postponed or cancelled altogether, this will have a huge influence on Olympic Qualification. Expect fast races! At the front, there will be strong competition for thebig prizemoney on offer - a staggering €5.3 million has been invested in this year's elite half marathon and marathon
Irish interests lie in Ann-Marie McGlynn and Gary O'Hanlon. Aoife Cooke (Eagle AC) is also listed, however 'the grapevine' word is that she has deferred her Olympic Marathon Qualification attempt until Spring
 |  |  |
| Ann-Marie McGlynn | Aoife Cooke | Gary O'Hanlon |
This article, by John Walshe, appeared in The Echo, on Monday November 30th 2020
Richie Crowley, celebrates his win
Results of Athletics Ireland Registered Events - April 2014 - May 2016 (on Old Cork Athletics website)
Results of Athletics Ireland Registered Events - May 2016 to date
Race Calendar / Fixtures List - Athletics Ireland Registered Events
Comprehensive Calendar of Registered Athletics Ireland events in Cork
(by John Walshe, The Echo, Monday 30/11/2020)
Richie Crowley at Cork Athletics International Awards Night 2020, where the members of Cork's winning 1968 National XC Championhip team were honoured.
The Cork senior cross-country championship is usually the highlight of the winter season. Like most other events, this year it too has fallen victim of the many cancellations but hopefully it will go ahead after Christmas if current restrictions are eased.
To win the senior men’s race has never been easy, none more so than during the 1970s. The first nine years of that decade had seen Olympians Donie Walsh and John Hartnett claim seven titles between them, with the other two going to Ray Treacy.
One man who was always there or thereabouts during those years was Richard Crowley of St Finbarr’s, having been runner-up on three occasions along with two third place finishes.
But 40 years ago, on the last Sunday of November 1980, in dry and firm conditions at Clonakilty, the Blarney-man’s day finally came when he took the coveted title for the first time.
The absence of Leevale’s Walsh and Treacy made Crowley’s task somewhat easier but he still had to contend with some of the county’s top cross-country exponents of the day.
Along with Tony O’Leary (Leevale), Billy Bolster (Avondhu) and Liam O’Brien (Imokilly), Crowley was in the leading bunch from the start which was led by another Leevale athlete, Mick Lawton, a native of nearby Courtmacsherry.
With a mile-and-a-half of the 12km course left to run, Crowley made his move on a hill. He slowly pulled away to finish an untroubled winner having around 80 metres in hand over O’Leary with Lawton third and Pat Whyte (Imokilly) fourth.
Sean O’Flynn (fifth), Mick Walsh (seventh), Gene Mealy (10th) and Jerry Murphy (13th) provided the backing for O’Leary and Lawton to ensue the team award for Leevale as Crowley led St Finbarr’s to the silver medals.
A few years ago Crowley was the recipient of a Hall of Fame Award bestowed on him by his St Finbarr’s club. On that occasion he recalled his early days in the sport and growing up in Blarney. “The first time I ever ran was in the Blarney Sports as an U14, I remember standing on a peg with no shoes on and cutting my leg, I’ll never forget it.
“A neighbour of mine, Tim Crowley, who was a good cyclist, then asked me if I’d go to a local cross-country league on a Saturday. There were around 20 in the youths race and I came third behind George O’Riordan, who went on to play football for Cork, with Pat O’Connell in third.”
Richard Crowley would go on to represent Ireland on three occasions at the International (now World) Cross-Country Championships, at San Sebastian in Spain in 1971, at Ghent in Belgium in 1973 and at Chepstow in Wales in 1976.
He also ran for his country on the track and on the road and has the unique distinction of being the only runner to win three of the most iconic road races in the country – the Quinlan Cup at Tullamore, the 15-mile Cork to Cobh and the Ballycotton ‘10’.
Of his many victories over all surfaces, that Quinlan Cup victory still stands out as the most memorable. Winners at Tullamore over the years include the likes of Eamonn Coghlan, John Treacy, Ray Treacy and John Hartnett, and Crowley’s turn came in 1971.
“The first year I went to Tullamore, I finished 56th. I was 21st the following year, followed by a fifth in 1970, and then I won it. After that, I finished second, third and so on until I got out of the top half-dozen.”
Crowley never had a coach - “we learned as we went along” - and despite a busy working life as a commercial traveller he still managed to train 10 times a week.
“We trained as a group but I feel we didn’t do enough of speed work. I had a lot of trouble with my Achilles tendon so it was a case of run lively and be happy with it or else do speed work and get injured.”
For the record, the other winners at Clonakily that day four decades ago were Fionnuala Morrish of Leevale who led from the start to take the women’s 5km ahead of Valerie O’Mahony (Togher) with Catherine Hourihan in third leading St Finbarr’s to team honours.
Richard O’Flynn of the Bandon club, winner of the county novice the previous month, passed early leader Kieran Stack (St Finbarr’s) with a mile to go to add the junior 7.5km title with Leonard O’Regan (Leevale) in third.
It what was a good day all-round for the St Finbarr’s club, they also took the team honours to add to the women’s victory and to Crowley’s one and only historic senior crown.
Other Guest Articles by John Walshe
Cork Marathon Magic in 1986 as Marion Lyons Wins - Guest Article by John Walshe
The 1985 Cork 800 Marathon - Guest Article by John Walshe
Tullamore Man Won First Cork Marathon - Guest Article by John Walshe
Pioneering Women of Cross-Country - Guest Article by John Walshe
Grange International Cross-Country of 1980 Recalled 40 Years On - Guest Article by John Walshe
Youghal AC's London Emer Casey 10k Exploits
30 Years Ago - Liam O'Brien Wins Cork County Senior Cross-Country Championship
50 Years Ago - When John Buckley Beat The Olympic Champion
40 Years Ago - Jerry Murphy Wins Munster Marathon Championship
Aoife Cooke Runs 55:17 in Mallow 10 2019
Steeplechase Legends Meet at Antrim International
Unique National Double for McGraths
Dick Hooper Speaks at St Finbarrs AC Function
New York, USA
Saturday April 9th 1989
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| Irish Snatch Ekiden Victory - Irish Runner June 1989, Vol 9, No 4, P38 - 39
Download Irish Snatch Ekiden Victory - Irish Runner June 1989, Vol 9, No 4, P38 - 39 - PDF File | ||
Wikipedia: Ekiden (駅伝) is a long-distance running multistage relay race mostly held on roads. The Japanese term originally referred to a post-horse or stagecoach which transmitted communication by stages. The first ekiden was held in Japan in 1917 as a 3-day, 23-stage run from Kyoto to Tokyo for more than 507 kilometres, in order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Tokyo's establishment as the nation's capital (from its previous status as the shogunate seat Edo while Kyoto was capital city). Eki means "station" and den translates as "to convey". It was the name given to the old Japanese transportation system for government documents and officials by relay of horses or men. Ekidens are popular in Japan and have since become widespread worldwide.
Mark WILL-WEBER brings us his eyewitness report. The pictures are courtesy of Gerry Curtis.
If you believe in omens, then please note that the sashes for America’s second Ekiden were green. So were the racing vests and silks of the winning team, of course, as Ireland swept to its second straight victory and a world record in this “pass-the-sash” five leg event of marathon distance.
Modelled after the ancient courier system of feudal Japan and rapidly drawing positive attention as well as financial sponsorship, the 1989 race on April 9 brought out stiff competition bent on dethroning the defending champions from die Emerald Isle. At stake was a $20,000 first place prize to be split among the five members of the winning international team, plus $4,000 to any runner who posted the fastest time for an individual leg.
The weather in New York’s Central Park dawned in a chilling drizzle — not a delight for any of the runners, but certainly more a shock to, say, the Kenyan and Mexican teams. Irish weather, someone suggested to leadoff man Marcus O’Sullivan. “Yeah, but I’ve been over here too long and I’m a bit spoiled.”
“Spoiled”, however, is what the Irish team of O’Sullivan, John Treacy, Gerry Curtis, Frank O’Mara, and John Doherty did to the ambitions of the host Americans and a serious British unit. The Mexicans, Japanese, Kenyans,
Soviets and Italians were relegated to also-ran status midway through the second stage, as the second Ekiden became a three-way scramble. (The internationals were chased by 52 US state and city teams!)
O’Sullivan, admittedly somewhat leg-tired after a long indoor season that climaxed with his world 1500m title, gutted his way to third place over 5,000m of a puddle-splashing opening leg. Up ahead, US miler Steve Scott — stage winner at 13:35 — and British cross-country ace Tim Hutchings sash - passed just a second apart, while the plucky O’Sullivan scrambled in 12 ticks back at the first stage exchange at the United Nations.
Said O’Sullivan: “I stayed with Steve (Scott) early in the race, because I felt like he was running smart, but after 3K I began to despair when Steve went after Tim (Hutchings) — felt badly that I couldn’t keep John closer.”
Still smarting from Treacy’s devastating 15K (42:48) leg in the inaugural Ekiden, the Yanks and Brits were well aware they’d need a cushion to limit the damage over the 10.8K leg down New York’s East River FDR Drive. Mexico’s Salvador Garcia and Japan’s Kenji Ide made the mistake of trying to go with Treacy’s building charge and, for their efforts, soon staggered out the back door for a more mortal match between themselves.
Treacy, teeth clenched in his patented expression that flutters somewhere between pain and a smile, arrived on the heels of Steve Spence and Steve Binns just around 8K. Spence (30:39 for the 6.7-mile stint) responded with a spirited surge, which Treacy (leg-winning 30:28) went with. Binns (30:42) fell several precious seconds off the pace.
As the runners kicked in to the Stage Three exchange zone in south Manhattan near the Twin Towers, the Irish were just one second back.
A relative unknown, Gerry Curtis took over for the Irish, trading surges with American Ed Eyestone all the way up 57th Street, bound for Central Park. The footing was certainly faster than a slogging through the mud at Killenaule, where Curtis won his Irish crosscountry crown in February, and as Roy Dooney (team alternate for ’89) had in Ekiden ’88 — he responded with an outstanding leg.
Frank Shorter, two-time Olympic marathon medallist, referred to Curtis as the Irish team’s apparent “weak link” while doing television commentary, but the results would prove otherwise: Curtis (26:17 for his 9.3K leg) muscled by Eyestone (26:22) in the final sprint and provided Frank O’Mara with a small lead. (Some “weak link !)
Gerry Curtis ran a blinder to contribute to the Irish victory
The British, meanwhile, fell out of contention and would eventually finish third overall in 1:59.04.
O’Mara took over for a two-loop (each 2.2 miles) course in the park, as Keith Brantly — performing well of late on the US road circuit — gave chase for the Americans. Brantly (19:49 leg winner) caught and passed O’Mara (20:00), but the Irish still felt guardedly optimistic with John Doherty manning the 10K anchor leg.
Doherty, his quick-shufde strides contrasting to the high-knee lifting style of Pat Porter’s, took off in pursuit with a seven second deficit.
Meanwhile, Treacy and O’Sullivan arrived at the press tent, watching the race progress on television monitors, Doherty, a picture of concentration, zeroed in on Porter just 4K into the final leg.
The Irish felt their stock rising, as Doherty and Porter batded for 2K over the rolling inclines of Central Park. O’Sullivan, in particular, began to feel better as Doherty controlled the pace, later stating: “I’d have had confidence in John even had he started 20 seconds behind.”
At 6K Doherty unleashed a surge that Porter was unable to answer, and the Irish anchor man zoomed to an unthreatened victory. The numbers reflected what all suspected: Doherty ran a fantastic leg (27:50 for 10K, the fastest of Stage Five) and the Irish were the proud new owners of a world-record for the Ekiden in 1:58.20.
The announced split time raised even Doherty’s eyebrows, but he remained gracious in triumph: “It was difficult for him (Porter) in the lead because I could see where he was and he couldn’t see me. But I felt confident that if I ran hard, then I could win.”
The winning Irish team with agent Kim McDonald
The victory touched off celebration in the Irish camp. Veteran Treacy noted: “We all have our different goals, but we all come together to this. Anytime you run for Ireland and race in the Big Apple, you want to do well.”
The loss, meanwhile, had the US team shaking their heads. Like a wary prizefighter looking all match for his opponent’s famous right hand wallop — in this case, John Treacy — the US was caught off balance by a left-handed knockout blow at the bell in the form of Doherty. Said Porter (28:20), who brought the US home second in 1:58.44: “I felt like I ran a good leg, but John just ran a very superior one.”
Irish Team
All of which goes to show that a “good” effort only gets a runner close in this battle royale known as Ekiden. When the international teams return for Ekiden ’90 — with the Irish out to prove that “good things come in threes”, heaven help the runners who only race well.
I remember watching this live on telly. I don't remember if I planned to watch it, or just came across it by chance. It was on a cable TV channel called Europa (that disappeared not long afterwards), that covered a lot of athletics events at the time.
I don't think the Yanks rated the Irish, even though they (Ireland) had won it the previous year. Probably the highlight for me was the fourth leg, when Gerry Curtis went head to head with the U.S.'s Ed Eyestone. Some time before the event (but not in any way connected with the Ekiden, or his battle with Gerry, Eyestone had said that nobody working a 40 hour week would beat him. [Moral: NEVER say something that you may not be able to uphold...and which may come back to bite you in the backside!].
It was great to hear the Yank's commentary early on suggesting that Eystone would just run away from the 'full-time fireman'. They were initially taken aback when Curtis when ahead, only for Eyestone to come back and take the lead. Almost immediately Curtis came again and buried Eyestone. The Yanks were absolutely gobsmacked that a full time Olympian athlete could be beaten by a full time fireman. It was brilliant!
Those were golden days for Ireland on the International Athletics stage. Great memories!
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Update Thursday December 10th 2020
Yesterday, December 9th, Athletics Ireland released dates for some National Cross-Country Championships, and several queries have been received since, regarding the status of both Cork and Munster Championships.
As per Cork Athletics County Board's statement of November 9th, Cork County Board is committed to holding its remaining Cross-Country Championships at the earliest opportunity, depending on the stae of play with regard to Government Covid-19 regulations and advice.
Cork Athletics County Board has reiterated that the county must be at Covid Level 2, at worst, for Cross-Country to proceed. At this point in time, it is impossible to predict when that may be, so no specific dates, or even months, have been assigned as of now.
The next County Board Officer's meeting is scheduled for Wednesday February 3rd, however Cork County Board has resolved, should the County return to Level 2, a meeting will be held at short notice, and the Cross-Country will resume as soon as possible after that.
Yesterday, December 9th, Athletics Ireland announced dates for the 2020/2021 Cross Country season. These dates are dependent on Covid-19 regulations and advice in force at the time.
| Date | Weekend | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 27th February | Cross Country Weekend 1 | Juvenile Even + U19/U20 |
| Sun 28th February | Cross Country Weekend 1 | Juvenile Even + U19/U20 |
| Sat 13th March | Cross Country Weekend 2 | Juvenile Uneven + Senior |
| Sun 14th March | Cross Country Weekend 2 | Juvenile Uneven + Senior |
| Sat 27th March | Cross Country Weekend 3 | Juvenile Inter Club (U11/U13/U15/U17/U19) |
| Sun 28th March | Cross Country Weekend 3 | Juvenile Inter Club (U11/U13/U15/U17/U19) |
Cork Athletics' release (December 9th)
However it is also necessary that Provincial (Munster, in our case) should already have been held as qualifiers. Yet the Provincial Championships are, themselves, dependent on the Covid-19 regulations and advice.
Currently, it is understood that Munster have contingent plans to hold Munster Cross-Country Championships in late January and early/mid February, but all must be confirmed.
Given the above, it is highly unlikely the remaining Cork County Championships will be held before late March. Nevertheless, it may be possible to 'juggle' Cork dates/fixtures to 'fit in' with National and Munster dates, given the smaller numbers (due to qualification conditions) applying at National.
The Annual General Meeting of Cork Athletics County Board, normally held in January, is to be held as soon as it can be held 'in person'.
Rob Heffernan to the fore at Rio Olympics - Photo: Getty Images
In a body blow to Race Walking, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) has confirmed the removal of the 50 kilometres race walk from the Paris Olympics. The IOC said the decision to cut the men's 50km event was made with consideration to gender balanced competition - There is no Women's 50m equivalent at the Olympics.
The decision will be a major disappointment - to say the least - to Irish Olympian Brendan Boyce (Finn Valley AC), who specialises at the distance, along with up-and-coming Irish race walkers, such as David Kenny (Farranfore Maine Valley) and Callum Wilkinson (Togher). Following the tremendous success, in recent years, of Rob Heffernan, Olive Loughnane and Gillian O'Sullivan, and many others too, including Leevale AC's Alex Wright, there has been an upsurge in the uptake in race walking in Ireland.
Jessie Barr expressed disappointment at the decision, saying “We have such a strong history of it. The organisers seem to think it’s OK because the 20km (walk) is still there but it’s like taking the marathon out and keeping the 5,000m. They’re completely different events — one is a sprint, one is endurance — so taking away the 50km seems very unfair.
“Someone like Rob (Heffernan) wouldn’t be a world champion if there was no 50km,” she said. “Someone like Brendan Boyce doesn’t do the 20km walk, he only does the 50km, so he’s probably going to be lost to the sport. Rob has also set up a race-walking academy in Cork. Does this change their plans for the future?
“The IOC are saying they want to reduce the number of events and athletes competing in the Olympics, yet they’re adding in new sports and removing ones that have been there so long. “There’s probably other people out there delighted that their sport is being recognised now on the global stage but we’re always going to have a bias towards the walk in Ireland,”
Rob Heffernan claimed the world title in the 50km race walk, in Moscow, 2013, and was upgraded to Olympic Bronze from London 2012, where he had finished fourth, following the disqualification of Russian Kirdyapkin for doping. At last year’s World Championships, Brendan Boyce finished 6th in the 50km race walk.
However Skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing and breaking were officially approved for the Paris 2024 programme. The IOC said that it had considered the race walk programme at the Games, which, for Tokyo 2020 will include men's and women's 20km events, and the men's 50km.
World Athletics (formerly IAAF) had proposed to include cross country on the Olympic programme for the first time since Paris last hosted the Games, in 1924, however the IOC rejected the proposal.
The IOC said "With a view to not increasing the overall size of the Olympic Games, the Executive Board determined to maintain the same number of athletics events on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic programme (48), while offering the opportunity to World Athletics to replace the men’s 50km race walk event with a new mixed-gender event"
"This replacement mixed-gender event could be either a race walk or a track event, as long as the event and competition format fit within the existing venue/courses."
World Athletics must confirm the event by May 31st 2021.
"We had really detailed discussions with World Athletics regarding cross country, we know it is a key part of their strategic plan". "It had to fit into an existing Olympic venue and looking at the necessary adaptations.
"Looking at the potential venues, the equestrian eventing or mountain bike venues, it was quite expensive and complex to convert one of those venues into an athletics cross country venue.
Sub 14 Minutes for Fearghal Curtin on Good Night for Irish
San Juan Capistrano, California, USA
Friday December 4th 2020
Last night's meet was held in JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano, south of Los Angeles, California. The location was a well kept secret, even from the participating athletes, who were 'kept in the dark' until just before the event. Normally one would expect any T&F Meet organiser to be willing to sacrifice a lamb for publicity, however, given Covid, it was the opposite. Following last night's successful meet, today's second day of the meet is, apparently, in doubt, as parts of California go into partial lockdown from 1pm today.
Fearghal Curtin, Arizona State and Youghal AC
Fearghal Curtin, Arizona State and Youghal AC, ran 13:57.93, in his race, to record a time just over 4 seconds off his PB of 13:53.53, set in April 2019. Sources close to Fearghal suggest that "He will be disappointed with that", however as, reportedly, he has not had any proper test, not even a time trial, for several months, coming close to his PB, in these circumstances, must be regarded as a good performance. 
Barry Keane, Waterford AC, in the same race, ran 13:41.98, for 9th place, recording the fastest 5,000m by an Irishman this year.
Barry Keane, Waterford AC
Womens 5,000m A Race
Eilish & Roisin Flanagan
Sisters Eilish and Roisin Flanagan, Adams State and Carmen Runners AC (Tyrone) went in the Women's Sub-15:10 race, with both recording PB's. Roisin finished 9th in 15:38.27, putting her 16th on the Irish all-time listings, while Eilish ran 15:40.14, from her previous best of 16:00.39, from 33rd to 17th.
Ciarán Ó Lionáird, NIKE and Leevale AC
Ciarán Ó Lionáird, NIKE and Leevale AC, was on pacemaking duty, tasked with bringing the field through 3k in 8 minutes, and reports said that "He as on fire!". Of course, being "the rabbit", he is recorded as DNF, but that doesn't tell the full story ......he did the job he was tasked with!
Mallow
10:30am Sunday July 4th 2021
Mallow AC's hugely popular Mallow 10 is set to resume again on Sunday July 4th 2021, moving from its traditional March slot for 2021, but will revert back to March for the 2022 event.
Runners pass Mallow Clockhouse, in Steve Murphy's photo from Mallow Star
Mallow AC's permit applications for 2021 and 2022 were approved at a virtual meeting of Cork Athletics County Board Officers, on Wednesday last.
4th July 2021 - Date for Mallow 10
With several different Covid vaccines slated for roll-out early in the new year, we would all hope that athletics, and races, will have resumed well before July, however, with their long lead-time, due to on-line entry, and the massive clamour for places, Mallow AC have taken the prudent approach, giving themselves some 'breathing space' in moving the 2021 race to July
Mallow 10 2021 Event page on Cork Athletics Fixtures Calendar
Mallow 10 2022 Event page on Cork Athletics Fixtures Calendar
This article, by John Walshe, appeared on EchoLive! website, on Wednesday December 2nd 2020
U12/13 Girls: Alicia, Rachel, Ava, Elle-Kate, Robyn, Keeva, Miah and Myah. Photo: John Walshe
Results of Athletics Ireland Registered Events - April 2014 - May 2016 (on Old Cork Athletics website)
Results of Athletics Ireland Registered Events - May 2016 to date
Race Calendar / Fixtures List - Athletics Ireland Registered Events
Comprehensive Calendar of Registered Athletics Ireland events in Cork
by John Walshe
With no actual cross-country championships for the foreseeable future, an initiative by Athletics Ireland of a virtual club challenge competition was enthusiastically taken on board by a number of Cork clubs, including Midleton AC.
“The cross-country challenge was a much welcomed initiative by Athletics Ireland’s Regional Development Officers Grace Lynch and Colin Byrne and it proved a nice diversion from training for our U9 to U15s in these unprecedented times,” said Midleton coach Joan Hough, who organised the challenge.
Clubs were to hold their club trials on training days between November 1 and November 24.
A flat as possible 500m grass lap was set up at the club’s training venue of Midleton College’s Cricket Field. Depending on the age groups, the athletes ran one, two or three laps with all athletes awarded with a race time.
“The longest distance of 1500m closely replicates the ‘Daily Mile’ which a lot of our primary schools participate in and the distance is within the reach of every athlete,” explained Joan.
“This helps to keep young people active, building up their stamina and immune system over the winter months.”
Cuan Twomey, Conor Hughes and Thomas Hennessy who took part in the Boys U12/13 race.
Photo: John Walshe
There was a great turn-out over the three Tuesdays with a total of 74 in all participating.
And if this wasn’t enough for the eager young athletes, after recovering from their races a number of relays and fun novelty events took place.
“The overall results were extremely good with each athlete going for their own personal best and making a great effort to take part.
"It showed that all our athletes have clearly benefited from continuous training during this lockdown period,” said Joan.
The results were forwarded to Athletics Ireland for collation with the other clubs throughout the country and Midleton await the overall results, once they have been collated.
All the athletes will receive a certificate for their participation in the Virtual Club Cross-Country Challenge and the top 10 individual times and the top three teams combined times in each age group will also receive medals.
“Our thanks must go to all the parents for their support.
"We also want to thank all the volunteers at the check-in, to our transition year students who helped steward and officiate and last but not least to our coaches, all of whom combined together to make the Cross-Country Challenge happen and congratulations go to all.
On your marks for the Girls U9/10 race. Photo: John Walshe
"It was a great success and it was great to see so many athletes participate in this online event,” concludes Joan Hough.
Other Guest Articles by John Walshe
Cork Marathon Magic in 1986 as Marion Lyons Wins - Guest Article by John Walshe
The 1985 Cork 800 Marathon - Guest Article by John Walshe
Tullamore Man Won First Cork Marathon - Guest Article by John Walshe
Pioneering Women of Cross-Country - Guest Article by John Walshe
Grange International Cross-Country of 1980 Recalled 40 Years On - Guest Article by John Walshe
Youghal AC's London Emer Casey 10k Exploits
30 Years Ago - Liam O'Brien Wins Cork County Senior Cross-Country Championship
50 Years Ago - When John Buckley Beat The Olympic Champion
40 Years Ago - Jerry Murphy Wins Munster Marathon Championship
Aoife Cooke Runs 55:17 in Mallow 10 2019
Steeplechase Legends Meet at Antrim International
Unique National Double for McGraths
Dick Hooper Speaks at St Finbarrs AC Function
Results of Athletics Ireland Registered Events - April 2014 - May 2016 (on Old Cork Athletics website)
Results of Athletics Ireland Registered Events - May 2016 to date
Race Calendar / Fixtures List - Athletics Ireland Registered Events
Comprehensive Calendar of Registered Athletics Ireland events in Cork
Irish Runner CDL Dublin City Marathon 1989 Results Supplement - Page 7
A touch of class was how one vastly experienced athletics afficionado described 52 year old Derry O'Driscoll's briliant 2:30:56 marathon performance in Dublin on Marathon Monday.
This was a quality performance by the St. Fnbarr's runner, and one good enough to sweep the top spot in the O/4O age category. It was yet another top drawer run for the Cork father of eight who, for the past serveral years, has been a model of consistency on the Insh roads
As with every race he enters. Derry went out to give his very best possible performance in Dublin. He ran through the opening mile in 5:30 and, at 3 miles, he was joined by his great Cork rival John Buckley. Neither runner knew at that point that Michael Roche of Waterford, last year's second placer in the O/40 divison, was a non-starter. "It was probaby best that way". Derry said, "as we were pushing all the way at that stage"
By two miles, John Buckley had pulled away from Derry O'Driscoll, but the CMP Dairy General Manager had his pacing right, and he felt his confidence rising as he hit the 10 mile checkpoint in 56:59.
Derry O'Driscoll, John Buckley, Billy Porter and Robert Taylor
Soon he had hauled in John Buckley, and he was also conscious of a good German veteran who was making a serious challenge on the vets' title.
At 15 miles, Derry spotted Michael Roche in a spectator's role at the side of the rood. The sighting further strengthened his resolve to push on harder and, by 20 mies, he felt that the race was within his grasp. His second 10 mile split was just 57:01 and his only serious challenger at that point was the Scot, Gregory Redden, who joined him on the road for a brief period.
By 24 miles the race for the leading vet of '89 was over, but there was no let up for Derry, as he maintained his poise and rhythm all the way to the finish.
The Dublin Victory crowned a great year for the Corkman. Already he had won the National O/40 10 mile and half-marathon championships, but the Dublin victory was particulaly special to hm.
A moderate weekly trianing mileage of 80 miles is Derry O'Driscoll's recipe for success. The training week consists of a daily 10 mile run at lunchtime, with Tim Goulding, Tim O'Donovan and Billy Horgan, in about 63/64 minutes. A weekly speed session of 8 x 400m (63-68 secs) or some 200m runs is also included in the schedule.
Regular racing, Derry feels, is the key to keeping his sharpness. "I also do a lot ol physical work at home in my garden, such as wood chopping and general gardening, and I feel this helps my overall strength", he says.
Derry is a master of time management, and as well as his busy schedule as general manager of CMP Dairy, and his running, he also finds time somehow to pursue a night-time course in Law at UCC. Now that he has won everything on the roads in Ireland in the veteran class, it is likely that Derry will soon be making a big impression in the vets' division of some international marathons, such as Boston or London. Derry has no intention of slowing down going into the '90s.
