SE short course league final standings.

After 5 short course events, the league placings are now calculated here
Conal Whelan pipped John Casey on the long course by just 1 point. Robert Pim edged out uncle Andrew, Agris Kramnis and Tom Callery by small margins. Brid Casey was the best female finisher.
Medium results are awaiting correction as Liisa has two variations on her name spelling.
Aislinn Callery won the short course ahead of Finlay McHardy and the Casey duo of Liam and Eimear.

First urban sprint race in Ireland?

Waterford Viking Quarter was the venue for a close fought urban race. The Beach Tower on the old Norman walls was the start, the course took in both Cathedrals, Reginald's Tower, the Adephi Qauy, the People's park, the Bishop's Palace and finished in John Robert's Square.
A huge thanks to everyone who made this event possible@ the City Council; St Patrick's Gateway centre (who allowed us use their hall for registration and download, and supplied stewards for the road crossings);  Wato club members (especially Andrew Pim chief logistics organiser on the day and Elizabeth Storey on registration); and DUO members (who looked after download and all computer matters on both days, and supplied loads of pix). Click here to see more pictures.
The long course was won by Conor Short (DUO) who pipped 4 runners from UCD. Robert Pim was the best Wato runner, just 5 minutes behind the winner. Ciaran Kearns from Fingal won the Medium course from Niamh Corbett (UCDO) and Eadoin McKavanagh (GEN). There was local interest in the short course with Jana Cox and Laoise Doyle both in the top 4 places.

Unique event at the Castlecomer quarries

October 26th was a unique event in the IOA calendar as Wato hosted the first ever combined Munster and Leinster league event. 185 competitors navigated the intricate contours of the Castlecomer brick quarry by kind permission of Errol Delaney.
On the brown course, Aonghus O'Clerigh from Ajax continued to show the youngsters who is boss with a fine win. He was followed home by Cillin Corbett (UCD) and Angus Tyner (Setanta). Gints Plaudis from Wato was a credible 4th.

John Casey (Wato) won the blue course with Richard Latimer (BOC) 2nd and Roisin Long (UCD) 3rd.
Niamh Corbett (UCD) won Green course from Aoife McCavanagh (GEN) and Regina Kelly (DUO).
There was another Wato winner as Brid Casey beat off the challenge of Aaron Prohaska from Austria and Tim Ryan (DUO) on the light green course.
The red course was dominated by Queens University with Denise O'Connor the best Wato runner in 5th place.
The orange course was won easily by Vaiva Redmond from Kilkenny. Full results on the IOA website here.
A huge thanks to all Wato members for their help on the day. Special thanks to Norman Storey who organised the parking and the signs. Thanks also to Pat Healy who controlled the event, mapped the area and took these photos. More pictures here.

Cub scouts invade Cariganore

The 4th round of the SE short course league took place at the WIT sports campus at Carriganore, Waterford. Almost 250 participated in a day of variable weather. The morning was beautifully sunny but from 12.30 until 2 there were torrential wintry downpours. It was so heavy that some abandoned half way round their course. I don't blame them.
A huge thanks to Norman and Elizabeth, Nigel, Jeni and Jordan, and Angela who all helped order the chaos of so many scouts, cubs and beavers in a short space of time.
The results are posted on the IOA website here.
Andrew Pim pipped his nephew Robert on the long course. Jordan Pim won the medium course ahead of Paloma Balado from Newtown, Denise O'Connor from St Pauls and Molly O'Shea from Newtown. Aislinn Callery had 15 seconds to spare over Zane Kramina (CorkO) on the short course.

Nigel and Norman giving instruction at the start

Before the storm

Apres le Deluge

Pressure at the start