Racing 795 AGM 21/11/2019 Secretary’s Report
Hard to believe we are nearing the end of another year and so the reminiscing begins again! 2019 was Racing795’s 11th year in competition.
With each year the club has grown, not only in membership but also in the range of sports and competitions the red, yellow and black club colours are represented at. This year we had members competing in triathlons, ironmans, mountain bike races, duathlons, cross country running, adventure races, running events, trail runs, swims and cycles.
We may be classed as a small club but my god we are a mighty club.
Our club had members compete all over the world with Don taking on Ironman Barcelona, Eimear the Paris Marathon, Bill the Liege- Bastogne-Liege Sportive, Elaine the New York Marathon, Rosie a 10km in Winterthur Switzerland and Ciara Dunne in the British Columbia Mountain Bike Race.
Our club had members compete in Triathlons of all distances all over the country from Carlow, Blessington, Dunmore East, Dun Laoghaire, Kilkenny, Athy, Tri an Mhi to the Moby Dick.
Our club has been represented on mountains county and country-wide but especially at Imra races on Mount Leinster.
Our club has increasing numbers of Ultra-marathoners in our midst; congrats Mike, Eddie, PJ, Kevin M.
Our club has had members swim for miles from the River Lee to the Saltees and of course the local River Barrow.
Our club has members who’ve cycled miles and miles of roads and mountains in Wexford, Carlow and beyond with Kevin G and Frank taking on the Leinster Loop, and we even have a South East Radio Female cyclist of the year in our club ; Eve Furlong congrats!
Our club has weather resistant members; Yvette sea-swims in January and trail runners and mountain bikers ignore weather warnings in the snow on Kilbrannish.
Our club even have members competing on National Television with the Hogans continuing to do themselves, family, club and county proud on Ireland’s Fittest Family.
Our club has the best marshals around with Niall’s call for marshals for the first club duathlon of the year met with a mass influx of volunteers……though somehow among the many hands helping, certain results still went astray…
Our club includes coaches and volunteers who give up time and energy each year to train and motivate each other and so thanks especially Jarlath for the trail running, Liam for the interval sessions, Nigel for the golf club running, David Furlong for mountain biking, Mike for the Open water swims, Don for the pool training, and PJ for the club championship organisation and endless enthusiasm!
Our club hosted a K Capital Club Race in April with great success.
Our club hosted another National series Triathlon in Carlow, overcoming all sorts of crap to get started …Paul Hutton, you are one patient and resilient man!
Our club hosted a very educational and interesting club Open Night this year when Paula kindly imparted her wisdom of optimum recovery nutrition onto us.
Our club has seen many incredible achievements, firsts and Pbs this year including Marion with her first ever trail run, Olivia and Ciara Bowe taking on their first marathons, Olivia with a 2nd place in the steeplechase trail run, 3rd place for Marion in the Blackstairs 5 steps adventure race, Ciara with a half ironman in Dun Laoghaire, Eve Furlong with a school’s cross country win and an amazing third place in the Junior BMW Triathlon National Series and age group title.
Our club has had members add to and start ironman medal collections ; Congrats to Bill and Paul on Ironman Youghal, Don on Ironman Barcelona all with brilliant times.
Our club ladies are the best around; beating the Carlow Tri ladies in the third club duathlon of the year.
Our club had a club record turnout in this year’s Dublin City Marathon with Marion, Mick Mahon, PJ, Mary, Olivia, Darren, Eddie, Shane, Mike, Allan, Jarlath, Clinton, Orla, Kevin M, Ciara B, Rosie, Damian taking part as well as Brendan who was unlucky, but surely will be back next year and not to forget Trish who also cycled home for good measure.
Our club currently has 74 members and is one which welcomes new members from all sporting backgrounds and abilities and this year welcomes the newest members; John, Eithne, Declan, Shane, Peter, Damien, Adrian, Eddie, Rosie, Jamie, Marie, James, Allan, Daire, Clinton, Brendan, Mick, Darren, Michelle and Matthew.
Our club has had such levels of participation this year that I’ve tried to do a Frank Burke on it and Google doc all the records as we’d be here all night if I had to name everything everyone did.
Our club has had one hell of a headmaster at the helm for the last two years. Niall O Muiri our club owes you a great deal of debt and gratitude for the time, craic, enthusiasm, patience and ever the light-hearted banter you’ve given this club …and what in the name of god were you thinking making a Calamity Jane your secretary?! Personally, I can’t thank you enough for your kindness, patience and guidance for as long as I’ve been in the club and in particular over the last two years. On behalf of the club I’d like to extend a huge thanks for being the time and efforts you have given as Chairperson and wish you all the best with the time you’ll be able to dedicate to training now! Thanks Niall.
Unfortunately I will leave the committee this year and just want to say a special thanks to Ciara who has subbed for me in recent months when I’ve been as láthair quite often. It seems like only yesterday that I was on a bike rolling backwards down Carrigduff, but there always seems to have been someone behind pushing me on and keeping me going. I’ve made too many friends to mention you all, but Racing795 thank you for introducing me to the world of triathlon but more importantly for being my family in Wexford/Carlow over my years here. Like every family we’ve a few nutters among us but that’s what keeps us interesting!
Our club is made up of a special bunch of people who each bring expertise, enthusiasm and experience to the pack.
Onwards and upwards for 2020. Our club…Racing795.
Eimear Bowden
Secretary 2019
Racing 795 
Leave a comment