Waterford 10K on the Way!

By Dermot Keyes - I remember well the physical dishevelment yours truly experienced upon the completion of last year's WLRfm/Munster Express 10K Fun Run, which entailed a tricky enough trail of ascents and declines and very little flat running around the streets of Waterford last autumn.

Well that time is almost upon us again, with this year's run being held on Sunday, September 22nd at 2 p.m., when city Mayor Oliver Clery fires the starting pistol, thus setting the elite, the casual and the in-it-for-the-fun-of-it tarmac thumpers on their way.

The event, which was officially launched on July 24th by the county's provincial hurling championship winning heroes, was a massive success last year, attracting a field of over 900 athletes to the Regional Sports Centre in the city, where the event starts and finishes.

The race takes in an energy-sapping circuit of Waterford, including one or two of the old city's more challenging gradients, before finishing back at the Kilbarry sports arena.

Last year's 10K was something of a rude awakening for this scribbler, his physique testament to canteen food and some all too appealing liquor which had fell before him during his journalistic training in our nation's capital these past four years.

As for last year, a time of 43 minutes, while by no means a disgrace, provided all the evidence I required to realise that where once stood a reasonably lean torso there now stood something likelier to be seen crouching in a scrum rather than alongside a starter's gun. Hence my vastly improved preparation for this year's race, coupled with the prospect of re-signing for my old athletic club down West Waterford way, has provided me with the chance to fall in love with the grand old sport again. All those speed sessions, the distance runs, the jogging days and all those 'lovely' stretches - it's amazing the way the body begins to appreciate punishment of such an ilk again!

As for September 22, with a circuit which takes the athletes from the RSC into the city centre, along the Dunmore Road, turning at the Ardkeen Roundabout for the Williamstown Road before the RSC beckons via the Folly, 'fun' is the name of the running game for this particular event.

There'll be something for everyone in the race, with prizes for male and female athletes in the under 19, senior, over 40, over 50, and wheelchair/enabled categories. As was the case last year, Waterford Crystal will again be providing fantastic prizes for the first, second and third placed athletes, with a total of 27 gongs up for grabs.

An added incentive this year is a holiday voucher worth €500 from Strand Travel World Choice for the first person to pass the line.

Race proceeds, as always will be donated to a number of local charities, and the atmosphere of the race promises to be top notch once again, with all registered participants receiving a souvenir t-shirt on completion of the course.

Entry forms are available from the offices of The Munster Express every week leading up to the event or from either of WLRfm's two studios on George's Street in Waterford City and Harbour Bay, Dungarvan. But for those enthusiasts who will turn up on the day of the race, never fear as the registration office at the RSC will be open for business nice and early.

With nine categories, a chance to win a holiday voucher or Waterford Crystal and help local good causes, there's no excuse not to get your runners on!

While a finishing time in the mid-30's may be a little beyond this child returning to the bosom of mother running at this stage of an early comeback, something better that 43 minutes is surely within my grasp. Surely? The city streets can sometimes be a harsh place. Let's hope they ain't too heavy on September 22nd!

Dermot Keyes is a sports reporter for The Munster Express newspaper in Waterford and will soon be returning to club athletics for West Waterford A.C. That is, if they'll have him!