Your Monday Catch Up: Irish Running News

It has been a strange sort of week for the Irish athletics and running scene. On one hand there was very little racing on home soil. On the other hand the news cycle was never busier. A storm of opinion followed the Dublin Marathon ballot. The Irish Athletics Awards brought out the best of the sport. The Euro Cross team announcement stirred plenty of excitement for Portugal in December. Even with limited race action there were Irish runners flying the flag at the Manchester Road Race in the States. And before the week closes there is a bargain worth grabbing for the NI Running Show

Kate O'Connor takes the Top Honour at the Athletics Ireland Awards

Kate O Connor was crowned Athlete of the Year at the National Athletics Awards in Santry, recognising a standout season that included major medals on the world stage and new national records in the heptathlon and pentathlon. Derval O Rourke received a huge reception as she was inducted into the Hall of Fame, marking an outstanding career and lasting legacy in Irish athletics

Read about all the award winners

Dublin Marathon Ballot Results Leave Confusion and Anger

The Dublin Marathon ballot stirred trouble last week after a record 47000 runners entered the draw. Rejection emails went out on Tuesday with no acceptance messages sent until Wednesday, leaving many thinking it was a glitch and holding out false hope. By the time confirmations arrived the damage was done, with anger spilling over online. The five euro administration fee again drew criticism, as it remains unique in the word outside Tokyo

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The Irish Euro Cross Country Team Named

The 34 strong Irish team for the European Cross Country Championships in Portugal next month was confirmed last week. The senior squads include newly crowned national champs Brian Day and Fiona Everard along with last year's Euro U23 silver medallist Nick Griggs. The mixed relay squad makes a return after a three year absence. It has set the stage for an exciting championship campaign on Portuguese soil

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Lynch & Keane Impress in America

Last Thursday saw two Irish runners cracked the top-ten at the 89th running of the Manchester Road Race in Connecticut. Peter Lynch finished a superb fourth in 21:08, while Barry Keane came in eighth, clocking 21:29. Not bad for a quiet racing weekend on the running calendar

Black Friday 2-4-1 Deal for NI Running Show Tickets 

The Black Friday two for one offer for the NI Running Show is still running and well worth grabbing before it disappears. The event takes place in February at the Eikon Centre in Lisburn with speakers, brands, workshops and more across the weekend. Grab the offer and plan ahead for a big weekend for Irish runners

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