The SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon is a favourite for many, including myself as it was my first marathon.

This year 12 athletes from Focus on Fitness took part, four first timers and some back upping the distance in preparation for 2018.

Focus on Fitness was also Ultra Racing in Boise, Idaho, USA as well as Kilkenny, Cork and Waterford. Well done to everyone.

Coalface Adventure Race Kilkenny

This race was on in September, apologies as I forgot to include it in the last report.

This is a new race in the Adventure Calendar, based in a former coal mine, and part of Castlecomer Discovery Park.

Jason Travers took part in the 56 km sport course. This consisted of 4 stages starting with a 19 km cycle, 5 km forest trail run, 27 km cycle and finished with a 6 km trail run. Jason made the transition from duathlon to adventure racing very well and finished a respectable 4th overall in a time of 2:27:39.

No doubt this will be a popular race over the coming years.

Quest Killarney

The very popular Quest Adventure Race Series continues to grow, now with 6 races on the calendar.

Quest Killarney Adventure Race is a great way to finish off the year on a very picturesque but tough route.  Colin Dunne taking part in his first adventure race took on the 55 km sport route.

The race began with a 40 km bike, leaving from Killarney and heading out past Kate Kearney’s cottage, up the Gap of Dungloe and back to Torc Waterfall. A short run to Muckross lake followed for a 1 km paddle before then taking on the tough 10 km run up to Torc Waterfall. The race finished off with a 12 km bike back in to Killarney.

Colin had a great race and introduction to adventure racing finishing in a time of   3:14

Boise Foothills 50K Frenzy Ultra Marathon

This 50km off road race starts in Fort Boise Military base in Boise Idaho, USA, with multi up and down hill sections and what looks like some fabulous scenery in the Boise foothills.

Valerie Arechiga and Mark Hayden took part in the race as a build up to some longer races coming up next year.  Both had a great race and finished strong in 7hrs 30 min.

Solas Run and Walk for Life

The Solas 10 mile run and 5 mile walk is an annual event in aid of the Solas Centre.

Always a great run to watch with the sea of orange t-shirts making there way around the 10 mile route. Starting on the Quay out the Cork Road, around the Ring Road it finishes in the Peoples Park.

Ken Dickenson was first across the line from Focus on Fitness in a time of 1:10 followed closely by Ciara Mc Sweeney in 1:11, podium finish, 3rd female.

Nigel O’Sullivan was next in 1:18, next was Thomas Brown in 1:24 after running 10 miles before hand in a lead into Dublin Marathon. Darrell Evans 1:25:00, Peter Whelan was next in 1:26, Eimear Mc Sweeney and Siobhan Keating  in 1:36.  Eimear again after running 10 miles before to make up distance  for Dublin Marathon.

Karen Power and Julie Monaghan back training after Dublin 70.3 enjoyed the race, finishing together in 1:30:23.

Another great day and a big turnout for a great cause.

Cross Country Dungarvan

Jason Travers is  proving he is a multi discipline athlete having taken on road cycling, duathlon, road running and now with the cross country season kicking off the spikes were out.

A three race series of cross country incorporating the Senior County Championships, Open Cross Country and the County Masters Cross Country was held over three consecutive weekends  in the college grounds in Dungarvan.  The first race was the 8 km  open cross country and Jason ran  30.44, the next race was 6 km county novice  Jason ran 21.46 and finished 6th place. Race 3 was the masters county, Jason had a 3rd place in this race in 22.34,  finishing off a good series of races.

Rebel Run

Neil Griffin traveled back home to Cork to take part in the Rebel run based in Leisureworld, Bishopstown. Neil took on the 10 km distance race and ran a solid run finishing in a time of 46.41

Dublin City Marathon 2017

The SSE Airtricity Dublin City marathon is now becoming one of the big city marathons with a sell out 20,000 runners taking part this year. The conditions were good on the day and the route was lined with supporters along the 26.2 miles.

12 athletes from Focus on Fitness made the start line in Merrion Square. David Devine was first across the line running a PB for the distance in 3.06.35, Tony McMahon running his first marathon ran a great time in 3:20:12, I am sure he will be going back again to the distance. Stephen Butler was next over the line 3:24:42.

Liam Traynor, new to running and  running his first marathon crossed the line in  3:44:46. Rhona Hayden was also running her first marathon and delighted to run 4:16:18. She was followed closely by Jill Stafford who had a great race running a PB 4:17:29.

Ger Nolan back on the long distance ran 4:23:02. Aileen Windle recorded a PB and  took a lot of time off her previous marathon time running  4:27:10. Next across the line was Eimear Mc Sweeney and Edwina Butler  both first time running the distance and finishing together in 4:28:05. Ciara Fitzgearld had another great run taking a lot of time off her previous marathon best as well, running 4:35:21.

Well done to everyone, great results for all and great to see the first time marathoners enjoying the experience.

Functional Movement Classes continue every Monday night, 7pm in WIT ARENA **OPENTOALL**

Track Session every Tuesday, RSC , 5pm **OPENTOALL**

The 2017 season has been great at Focus on Fitness, with some great results and personal achievements for all. It is coming to that time to start thinking about 2018. If you have any goals in mind give me a call and we can get a plan together.

Final few places available on  Focus on Fitness Training Camp in Lanzarote next April. If interested let me know.

I can be contacted through email or social media if you have any questions.

 Martin