17 June 2010

Euro Qualifiers on the cards at Hireco Clonliffe Harriers/IMC Grand Prix

The weather is getting hotter, you can smell the freshly cut grass from the infield, the warm sun on your back, the track spikes are out and the shades are on - this can all only mean one thing - Irish Milers Club meetings and PBs!! Entries have been flooding in over the past two weeks for our next meeting on Ireland's fastest track in Morton Stadium on July 1st. Owing to the quality of the entries and the times run by Irish athletes in IMC and BMC races this year, we are going BIG TIME at this meeting - by this we mean that we want as many athletes as possible to run PB's the week before Nationals and also want athletes to qualify for the European Championships in Barcelona. There are meetings in Europe that weekend but why bother when you can now run fast at home in top quality events... just to remind you or in case you didn't hear; 19 guys ran sub 4 minutes in Tullamore with 7 of them sub 3.48, two ran World Junior Qualifiers and one ran a Euro Qualifier. I can't remember the last time an Irish distance athlete ran a qualifier for any outdoor event on Irish soil before this.

As previously advertised we are hosting two 800m races (A race - sub 1.55, B race - 1.55 - 2.00) and also two top class 1500m races (A race 3.40 - 3.50, B race 3.50 - 4.00). The A 800m and 1500m races are been paced for Euro qualifying standards. We are going for a 3k for the men (8.00 - 8.40) and both a 800m (2.00 - 2.16) and 1500m (4.15 - 4.45) for the women (Note: If there are not more than 8 entries in the women's 800m and 1500m we will only be in a position to host one race). We already have the best pacemakers (including the one-piece maestro himself!!) in Ireland and from abroad signed up for the night so what have you got to loose - get your entries in NOW as they close in 10 days time and like our last meeting we expect to be oversubscribed. Entries will only be accepted if the following information is provided: Name, Club, Age, Personal Best, Seasons Best and can be forwarded to Garrett Coughlan (garrett.coughlan@ucd.ie). Entries close the weekend before the event (Sunday 27th June) and no late entries will be accepted.

If your not in you can't win, so get those fingers typing, train hard over the next few weeks, support IMC races at home, run the race, get a PB, watch other athletes run PBs, enjoy the night!!

08 June 2010

IMC Races Keep On Coming

We're still coming down from the heaven like state at the Irish Schools at the weekend following the brilliant performances of all the athletes - what races, what atmosphere, what PB's!!!

Now all we've gotta do is repeat it all over again. We are now delighted to announce details of our next event, a new venture called the Clonliffe Harriers/ IMC Hireco Grand Prix, which will take place on Thursday 1st July in Morton Stadium which, with its new surface, is the fastest track in Ireland.

We are hosting two 800m races (A race - sub 1.55, B race - 1.55 - 2.00) and also two top class 1500m races (A race 3.40 - 3.50, B race 3.50 - 4.00). On top of this we want to hold a 3k or 5k for the men and a 800m or 1500m for the women. Why should we decide? Vote with your hands (not feet!!) NOW in our poll as to which race you want in your IMC race series. Morton Stadium is one of the most historic athletics locations in the world so why not create your own piece of history by running a personal best there in July and shape up for the Nationals 10 days later.

As this event takes place 10 days before Nationals and with the huge interest in IMC races this season we expect that demand will be high - athletes are strongly advised to get their entries in early as athletes were turned away at the schools event last weekend due to limited capacity. Entries will only be accepted if the following information is provided: Name, Club, Age, Personal Best, Seasons Best and can be forward to Garrett Coughlan (garrett.coughlan@ucd.ie). Entries close the weekend before the event (Sunday 27th June) and no late entries will be accepted.

This event will be followed by our end of season bash with the BMC in Belfast on July 24th with Northern Ireland and UK athletes and a pasta party!!

05 June 2010

IMC at Irish Schools

Tullamore
05 June 2010

Click here to download the results (PDF)
Read Race Report Here
View Gallery Here

04 June 2010

Irish Milers Club at the
Irish Schools Championships

5th June Tullamore

Timetable

Withdrawals: Text to Michael McGovern at 085 739 1766
PLEASE arrive well before time. Car parking is difficult with the crowds so allow plenty of time.

01 June 2010

Irish Milers Club at the
Irish Schools Championships

5th June Tullamore

Download Entry Fields Here (PDF - Updated June 3rd)

Fields for this weekends IMC Irish Schools Event in Tullamore are incredibly strong with top athletes competing. David Mc Carthy (Le Cheile), Alan O'Brien, David Mc Carthy (City of Derry), Anthony Leighio and Darren Mc Brearty are the ones to watch in the men's 800m A race. The men's 1500m has a stellar field with Gareth Turnbull, Rory Chesser, Aidan Bailey, Mark Kirwan and Paul Robinson all in the mix. The women's 800m could be the medallists in this years national championships with Kelly Mc Niece, Aoife Byrne, Orla Drumm and Siobhan Eviston all toeing the line. The men's 800m B is equally strong with a host of athletes looking run in the low 1.50's. Old reliables Feidhlim Kelly and Dermot Mc Dermott will take the pace in the races. The timetables for the races is yet to be confirmed but once we hear from the Irish Schools we'll put it up on the website. The IMC also proudly sponsor the Senior Boys and Girls 1500m races with medals for all finalists. As ever at the schools, traffic and car parking are an issue so please ensure you give yourself plenty of time and drive carefully to, within and from the venue with the bank holiday traffic. Fields can be viewed in the attached document.

To compete in an IMC meet you must be a member of the IMC. The cost is € 25 per year. At this late stage you may pay your membership on the day of the event. However we ask athletes to download the form from the IMC site, fill it in and bring the exact change. This will speed things up on the day. The IMC officials will be in their normal Schools spot beside the hedge at the end of the finishing straight up to 20 minutes before the start of the IMC races.

Note: If you enter for an event and subsequently cannot run then you must inform IMC (Michael Mc Govern 085-739 1766) 24 hours prior to meet start. Failure to turn up without informing the IMC, will result in an additional entry fee for your next IMC race. This condition is imposed to facilitate your fellow athletes as fields are normally full.

27 May 2010

Irish Milers Club at the
Irish Schools Championships

5th June Tullamore

Fields for the 10th anniversary Irish Milers Club races at the Irish Schools Championships on June 5th in Tullamore are shaping up with a mix of old and new stars mixing it up. The men's 800m looks like one of the most exciting races at the schools in a couple of years with national bronze medallist, David Mc Carthy (Le Cheile AC) and his younger namesake David Mc Carthy (City of Derry) facing last years winner Alan O'Brien (Crusaders AC) and Darren Mc Brearty (Letterkenny AC). All will be looking for fast times with potential Europa Cup selection on their minds. The 1500m will see the return of 'The Bull' to Tullamore for the first time in many years. Gareth Turnbull was an Irish Schools legend with numerous victories and schools records to his name and many a classy race to remember. He will race for the first time this season against European Junior standard chaser Paul Robinson (St. Coca's) and London based Rory Chesser (Ennis Track Club) who is in fine form over a range of distances at the moment. Aidan Bailey and Mark Kirwan will also add to this event. The women's 800m features former national champion Orla Drumm who has just returned from training in Australia and France where she may face Kelly Mc Niece.

This years event will have a men's 1500m (Athletes 3.45-sub 4.00) with an 800m A (Athletes 1.48-1.53) and B (Athletes 1.54-2.00) race as well as a women's 800m (Athletes 2.10-2.25). There is still spaces left in the races. Entries are now open and should be forwarded via email to Garrett Coughlan (garrett.coughlan@ucd.ie). Athletes should forward their name, club, event, personal best, seasons best, 2009 best and any comments they may have to Garrett before Sunday May 30th, 2010. No entries will be accepted under any circumstances after this date.

12 May 2010

Irish Milers Club at the
Irish Schools Championships

5th June Tullamore

To celebrate the 10th consecutive year of the Irish Milers Club races at the Irish Schools Championships we are delighted to announce an extended time slot at this years event on June 5th in Tullamore. The inaugural race saw Irish Olympian and local star James Nolan finish ahead of UK athlete, Angus Mc Lean and his training partner Colm Mc Clean from Belfast in a stadium record time of 3.40. The event has also witnessed 3 sub four minute miles in 2004 by Nolan and two Australians marking the 50th anniversary of Roger Bannisters historic achievement in style.

The unique atmosphere at this event where former schools athletes compete again at this event as seniors provides great entertainment to the 1000's of schools athletes and their supporters on the day and all athletes are strongly encouraged to compete. Other top athletes to win the race in recent years include Mark Christie and Colm Rooney. The IMC also sponsor medals and trophies each year for all 12 athletes in the Senior Boys and Girls 1500m races.

This years event will have a men's 1500m (Athletes 3.45-sub 4.00) with an 800m A (Athletes 1.48-1.53) and B (Athletes 1.54-2.00) race as well as a women's 800m (Athletes 2.10-2.25). Following on from our very successful meeting in Irishtown last weekend, we expect demand to be high for this event and as there are a limited number of races, entries will be based on personal and season best performances.

Entries are now open and should be forwarded via email to Garrett Coughlan (garrett.coughlan@ucd.ie). Athletes should forward their name, club, event, personal best, seasons best, 2009 best and any comments they may have to Garrett before Sunday May 30th, 2010.

No entries will be accepted under any circumstances after this date. The IMC would like to thank Mr. John Shields, Mr. Enda Fitzpatrick and the Schools Committee for their continued support of this event.

09 May 2010

GV Ryan/Louis Vandereis Meet - Results

8th May Irishtown Stadium

Click here to download the results from last nights meet in Irishtown (PDF)
Read Race Report Here
See photos from the night here
Watch action from the Mens 800m A race here

06 May 2010

3000m the highlight of first IMC of 2010

8th May Irishtown Stadium

The Irish Milers Club series starts this Saturday night at the GV Ryan/Louis Vandereis Meeting in association with Crusaders AC in Irishtown Stadium. A total of 80 athletes will toe the line in search of personal and season best openers in a jam-packed night of athletics in the south-east Dublin venue. Serial IMC race winner, Mark Hanrahan, returning to form Joe Sweeney, national junior XC champ, John Travers as well as Sean Connolly, Paddy Hamilton, Aidan Bailey, Martin Conroy and Mark Kirwan make for a mouth watering 3000m opener.

The three 800m races feature top talent such as Mark Patterson, Noel Collins, Mark English and Alan O’Brien with David Mc Carthy taking the pace. The women’s 800m is just as exciting as Aoife Byrne makes a welcome return to track racing where a host of young talent will be chasing her down. The men’s 1500m is also very strong with Eddie Mc Ginley, Gareth Hill, and Tommy Casey starting as favourites. Athletes can pay their membership on the night, however they are advised to bring a completed membership form which can be downloaded from the IMC website. This year, supporters of the IMC can purchase an associate membership to support the club.

Timetable

03 May 2010

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR THIS
SATURDAYS IMC MEET

8th May Irishtown Stadium

Race Entry

Atheltes wishing to compete in the IMC races this Saturday MUST pre-enter.

Those interested must send their entries in to Garrett Coughlan garrett.coughlan@ucd.ie by close of Tuesday 4th May stating the race they wish to enter, their PB and expected time.

Fields and the timetable will be published on the IMC site later this week

Membership

To compete in an IMC meet you must be a member of the IMC. The cost is € 25 per year. At this late stage you may pay your membership on the night of the 8th May. However we ask athletes to download the form from the IMC site, fill it in and bring the exact change. This will speed things up on the night.

Note: If you enter for an event and subsequently cannot run then you must inform IMC (Michael Mc Govern 085-739 1766) 24 hours prior to meet start. Failure to turn up without informing the IMC, will result in an additional entry fee for your next IMC race. This condition is imposed to facilitate your fellow athletes as fields are normally full.

01 May 2010

Closing Entries for May 8th Event
Extended to Tuesday

Closing entries for May 8th meeting have been extended to Tuesday evening at 11pm owing to the volume of entries received and interest in the meeting, as well as the number of athletes abroad at the moment. Top athletes entered so far include Joe Sweeney, Sean Connolly and Martin Conroy in 3000m, Mark Patterson in 800m paced by David Mc Carthy and Aoife Byrne in the women's 800m. Entries are now open and should be forwarded via email to Garrett Coughlan (garrett.coughlan@ucd.ie). Athletes should forward their name, club, event, personal best, 2009 best and any comments they may have to Garrett before April 30th, 2010. If you enter for an event and subsequently cannot run then you must inform IMC (Michael Mc Govern 085-7391766) 24 hours prior to meet start. Failure to turn up without informing the IMC, will result in an additional entry fee for your next IMC race. This condition is imposed is to facilitate your fellow athletes as fields are normally full.

29 April 2010

Crusaders Grand Prix T & F Meet in association with the Irish Milers Club

Sat 8th May, at Irishtown Stadium 5.00 -7.00
The aim is to pack this two hours with Track and Field events that will leave you wanting for more.
Here are the events.

Pole Vault - Arranger :Ruairi O’Brein, Crusaders with Ireland’s top pole vaulters for this exciting event.

Discus and Shot - Arrangers : Alish O’Brien and Phil Conway and have put together a great field.

400m Hurdles - Arranger : Jeremy Lyons and who has put together a field of 7 of Ireland’s top hurdlers for a race that is always filled with drama.

Sprints - Arranger : Crusader John Coghlan and has put together fields for the 100m, 200m and 400m.

Track races - To top things off The Irish Milers Club are putting on 800m, 1500m and 3,000m which will attract the cream of Irish track talent. Fast paced and always exciting, their series of races are a must for both athlete and spectator.

Commentator - Top race commentator, Susan Walsh who is renown for her exciting, knowledgeably and quick witted commentary she is sure to bring atmosphere to this meet.

Prizes - Top male performer of the night receives the GV Ryan trophy and top Female performer receives the Louis Vandereis Trophy which are in honour of Crusader’s legendary coaches.

Timetable

Queries to Meet Director - Michael McGovern: coach1mcgovern@gmail.com Ph: 085 7391766

Next Grand Prix Meet 1st July Morton Stadium. CLonliffe Harriers in association with the Irish Milers Club

16 April 2010

3k confirmed on May 8th Due to Permit Issue

We had initially advertised that we would be giving you, the athlete, the choice of a 3k or 5k on the night of our May 8th meeting with Crusaders in Irishtown, by voting on our website. Initially our permit was confirmed as far back as December 7th 2009 at a Dublin Board meeting. An AAI permit was subsequently granted almost four months later, on March 31st 2010. Following the advertisement of our 2010 event schedule on April 8th, we received correspondence from AAI that owing to Le Cheile AC hosting a 5k run in Kildare on the morning of our May 8th meeting that there were issues with the permit. Under instruction from the AAI Permit Sub Committee we are unable to host a race over 1500m within a 50 mile radius of Irishtown Stadium, despite been initially granted the permit with no provisions on distance events hosted. With the kind permission and understanding of Le Cheile AC, we are now able to host a 3k race on the night, however there will be no 5k option as initially proposed on our website. We sincerely apologise to athletes who had planned to run a 5k race on this night, however the situation is out of our control and is firmly in the hands of the AAI Permit Sub Committee. As athletes and coaches may be aware, the securing of permits for our races is a ongoing issue since the inception of the IMC, however we will strive to continue to provide our members with top quality races to the best of our ability within the current system. We have already secured our meetings for the remainder of this season with sincere thanks to assistance from the Irish Schools, Clonliffe Harriers and Northern Ireland Athletics.

Our May 8th race program will include a men's 800/1500/3000 and a women's 800 or 1500m as part of the GV Ryan/Louis Vandereis Crusaders meeting. Entries are now open and should be forwarded via email to Garrett Coughlan (garrett.coughlan@ucd.ie). Athletes should forward their name, club, event, personal best, 2009 best and any comments they may have to Garrett before April 30th, 2010. If you enter for an event and subsequently cannot run then you must inform IMC (Michael Mc Govern 085-7391766) 24 hours prior to meet start. Failure to turn up without informing the IMC, will result in an additional entry fee for your next IMC race. This condition is imposed is to facilitate your fellow athletes as fields are normally full.

16 April 2010

2010 Membership

You can download the membership form for 2010 here.

2010 membership is now open. Membership is €25 or £20 and can be paid by sending a cheque/draft made payable to Irish Milers Club to Niamh Cummins (details on membership form) or at any of our races. New associate membership this year of €10 or £10 for coaches and supporters of the IMC. Membership entitles athletes to all BMC and IMC races. As ever we update the BMC with our membership database weekly during the summer to ensure you can enter their events. You can download the membership form in the membership section of our website.

16 April 2010

The Irish Milers Club Announce 2010 Fixture List

Its now 9 years since the IMC races hit the scence and their track preparations for the 2010 season are all but complete. The IMC committee are comprised of athletes and coaches and we PROMISE to always bring you what you want i.e. great races and great times. We have been working very hard over the winter months so that you can have a brilliant season with the IMC. There are a couple of great additions and a brilliant end of season meet for you. But sure, see for yourselves:

Our opener is May 8th in Irishtown. Once again we are holding a joint meet with one of the most supportive clubs of the IMC, Crusaders AC. This will be a meet like no other as we roll out the IMC vision of what a meet should be i.e. short, sharp, on time, atmospheric and, most importantly, making sure as many athletes get PBs as possible. We will have the usual 800/1500/3k.

Irish Schools in Tullamore June 5th
Next up is the Irish Schools meet in Tullamore on 5th June. Race in front of a HUGE crowd in what is the best organised event in Ireland. We have kindly received an excellent time slot with the Irish Schools committee which will allow us to put on a men’s 1500m, two 800m men’s race and a women’s 800m. This will be our best Schools IMC races EVER. So mark this one into your diary. Why not race and then watch some of the brightest athletic talent in Ireland?

An evening in Santry with IMC and Clonliffe on July 1st
We are delighted to announce that we are holding a joint meet with Clonliffe AC in the newly re-laid Morton Stadium in what promises to be a meet with an almighty SPARK. Again we will have great atmosphere, we will have great competition and we definitely expect loads of PBs. This is our first tie in with another club other than Crusaders and we are delighted with this exciting development. We know that the IMC, Clonliffe and MOST important of all you, the athletes will benefit.

End the Season with a PB on July 24th in BELFAST!!!
OK the Finale and BOY, what a meet this is going to be !!! With the Euro Champs in Barcelona there is a very early Irish Nationals on 10th /11th July. BUT don’t let that be the end of your season. End it with what will be the BIGGEST track meet in the whole of Ireland for many years. We have teamed up with our friends in Northern Ireland Athletics and our cousins the British Milers Club (BMC) and we are having a BMC meet in Belfast for the first time to be held on Saturday 24th July at the Mary Peters Track and we want ALL our IMC athletes to come up and race this unique event. No, in fact we insist you come up as you cannot afford to miss this unique opportunity. They’ll be talking about this one for years!!! And after your PB why not stay the night for an end of season party and get to know your rivals from Northern Ireland, your IMC organisers and the BMC members. Our Northern Ireland colleagues are in the process of arranging reasonably priced accommodation and a pasta party type event after the meet – details to follow.

So there you are. We hope you agree that this promises to be a great series of races. As athletes and coaches we know what you the athletes want from a meet. You want to be sure that the races start on time. IMC races ALWAYS stick to the stated times. You want good fast paced races. IMC ensures and pays for good pace making. You want atmosphere. An IMC meet always has a good feel to it with knowledgably commentary and kicking tunes!!

See you in the Summer!!!!