By Owen McLoughlin

The South Dublin Primary Schools Cross Country took place in St. Enda’s Park on April 12^th. This was the 15^th year of the event and it has grown exponentially. There were over 300 in the girls’ race and 270 in the boys. The girls’ race is the largest of its kind in the country and is hosted by Rathfarnham WSAF AC and Scoil Mhuire NS, Ballyboden. Brian Rankin has kindly given sponsorship to this event in recent years. The girls’ race was won by Zoe Ritchie with her sister Jodie in 3^rd place. This was an incredible achievement as they were running against the best children in the county. Ryan O Neill was 3^rd in the boys’ race followed closely behind by Cathal Keogh in 4^th position. Both of their performances were excellent. Cathal was first scorer for his school (Ballyroan BNS) who took the gold team medals for the first time this century and wrested the trophy from St. Brigid’s Foxrock. Ryan contributed towards team silver for his school, St. Mary’s BNS (Grange Road). Thanks to the volunteer stewards from the club who gave of their time and to the staff of Scoil Mhuire who co-ordinated the whole event. All in all it was a great occasion with soft conditions underfoot!  

Some photos!            

Cathal Keogh in the red top!

Ryan O'Neill leads out 270 boys!

Zoe Richie leads out the girls!

By Sue Ryan

This year Fit4Life started a little later than usual but it was nicely timed to finish just before Easter week. Well earned Easter eggs.
Big numbers signed up this year so we added an additional coach to the sessions. This enabled the group to break into three different pace groups. 
We run Fit4life as an introduction to club running. It is an eight week programme, once a week. Each week we do different types of speed sessions, like we do at a club session. Explaining the importance of pacing and recovery. We did 400’s, 1k's, 1miles, pyramids, hill repeats and a few Parkruns for good measure.
It was a very focused and determined group and weren’t going to let The Beast of the East stop them from their Tuesday session. We wouldn’t let it stop them either! So the Tuesday before “The Curfew” we did a longer warm-up and ran our interval session as usual. However the week after was different. When all the snow seemed to have vanished from everywhere else, the paths in Loreto Park in Nutgrove were still impassable. No one told us there was a localised Red Weather Warning there!  So we moved onto a small patch of grass, had a great session and kept our feet dry too.
No one stops Rathfarnham AC athletes, even guest ones, from running.
Congratulations and well done to everyone who took part and challenged themselves. We admire your commitment to the eight weeks despite seriously cold weather. You all did great. A warm welcome to those who are continuing their training with us as full members of the club.
A big thank you to all in the club who volunteered and offered to help, we couldnt have run Fit4Life without you. You all added greatly with your own knowledge and experience.
Lets do it again next year!
Sue

Editor's note: Massive congratulations to Sue and her crew for brilliant organisation! 

Tallaght track remains closed for training on Saturday 10th March.

Unfortunately tonight's Monday Juvenile training has had to be cancelled because there is still snow and ice in the park.