WHAT'S ON (Sat Mar 11- Tues Mar 21)

Sat - CROSS-COUNTRY: NCF & AIB BHAA Races, Swords (take Lissenhall exit off M50), 11.30. Women's 2.5m/men's 5m. Entry Eu8; reg St Colmcille's GAA Club. C: Paul Barnwall 087-1267323/Eddie Hughes.

Sun - CROSS-COUNTRY: National Short Course C'ships, Dublin. C: 01-8308925. Four County League Rd 1, Tinryland. ROADS: Adare 10K, Adare , Co Limerick, 2.0. Walkers welcome. T-shirt all finishers. C: Willie Costello 061-396532. Dungarvan 10k (final race Michael Roche
Carpets Spring Series) Dungarvan, 2.0. C: Gerry Cantwell 086-3503571/Tony Ryan 087-7657805/James Veale 086-8184762.

Wed - HILLS: Irish Schools Mountain Running C'ships, 1.30. C: www.imra.ie.

Thurs (St Patrick's Day) - ROADS: KBC St Patrick's Day 4 Mile, Farmleigh, White's Gate, Phoenix Park, 10am. Prizes sen,masters,juniors,teams M&F; corporate team; fancy dress; spots. T-shirt,goodie bag all finishers. Entry Eu15 on day; reg Castleknock College until 9.30am. C: 087-8361957; www.msbac.com. North Laois 5k (in association with Heritage Health & Fitness Club), Portlaoise, 12.30. Prizes in usual categories M&F; official charity Debra Ireland
Fighting Blindness. Walkers welcome. C: 0502-61470.

Comeragh Scaffolding Ned Kelly "4", Moyglass, Fethard, Co Tipperary,
12 noon. Prizes sen,masters,teams M&F. C: Kevin 086-8231019/Noel
086-4191832. Croom '5K', Croom, Co Limerick, 2pm. C: Matthew Moloney
086-2315313. 2nd Annual Paddy Desmond Memorial 5k, Rising Sun,
Ballinhassig, Co Cork, 11.30am. C: Jim Murray 021-4771723.

Sat - INDOORS: Junior Indoor C'ships, Nenagh.

Sun - ROADS: Parnell 5k, Avondale House, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, 1pm. Fastest course in Ireland! Prizes sen, masters M&F. Entry Eu10 /Eu5 jun C: Bill Porter 0404-46010/0404-43250. ESB BHAA 5 Mile, Curraheen, Bishopstown, Cork, 11am. C: Tim Murray 021-4506186. INDOORS: Senior Indoor Relay C'ships, Nenagh.

Tues - TRACK: Alsaa Winter Track Race Series, Alsaa, Dublin Airport; 3000m, 7.30. Incorp Peter Doody Memorial. Entry €3. C: Gerry Martin 01-6241742 or Paddy Noonan 01-8315803.

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WHAT'S ON (Mar 11-16)

WHAT'S ON

Sat - CROSS-COUNTRY: NCF & AIB BHAA Races, Balheary Park, Swords, 11.30. Women's 2.5m/men's 5m. Reg St Colmcille's GAA, Balheary Road (take Lissenhall exit off M50). Prizes usual BHAA categories; tea, refreshments. Entry Eu8 (or Eu5 if you bring a non-BHAA friend). C: Paul Barnwall 087-1267323/Eddie Hughes 01-4947960.

Sun - CROSS-COUNTRY: National Short Course C'ships, Tymon Park, Dublin. C: 01-8308925. Four County League Rd 1, Tinryland, 2.0. Men's 5 mile; women & youths 2 mile. ROADS: Adare 10K, Adare , Co Limerick, 2.0. Walkers welcome. T-shirt all finishers. C: Willie Costello
061-396532. Dungarvan 10k (final race Michael Roche Carpets Spring Series) Dungarvan, 2.0. C: Gerry Cantwell 086-3503571/Tony Ryan 087-7657805/James Veale 086-8184762. DUATHLON: Limerick Series Rd 3, St End'as, Killmallock Rd, 11.0. C: www.triathlonireland.com/
ORIENTEERING: Sugarloaf, Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow 11-1.0; Glenpatrick, Glensheelan, Co Waterford 11-1.0; Modeligo Wood, Fermoy, Co Cork, 10-1.0; Knockreer Estate, Killarney, Co Kerry, 11-1.0.

Wed - HILLS: Irish Schools Mountain Running C'ships, St Columba's, Rathfarnham, Dublin, 1.30. C: Vivian O'Gorman 087-2186071 or www.imra.ie.

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Life in the Old Boys

On a cold day in February, having broken his hip slipping on the ice (well, he sprained his ankle jumping in the AAAs), Edinburgh-based old fart Steve Fleming was getting a taxi to training when he was unexpectedly set upon by the driver. "I was a sprinter when I was young", started the taxi driver, forcing Fleming to pull out his trendy iPod earphones, and totally wrecking his buzz. "Gave up when I was 33. No choice. Once you hit 30 the speed goes, doesn't it." Fleming was quick to whip out a ladder and make for the moral high-ground, having just recorded his 3rd PB in as many weeks, "How old do you think I am then?"

The great unwashed and hoi polloi in general are quick to dismiss any late-twenties performance drop as singularly being down to age, the usual theory being that the speed "goes". Athletes being incredibly gullible and vain are quick to accept this judgement and dive straight into retirement in order to avoid the ignominy of being thought of as "past it", "over the hill", or worse, "enjoying their athletics"! But in recent times, Da Cru have been fighting back against this prejudice and coming right back out of retirement.

Fleming, oldest of farts, retired back in 2000 then came back to pick up national medals in triple and long jump, and set club records in the triple and 4x100m relay. Aged 33 (clearly much too old to be a sprinting taxi driver) he ran a 60m p.b. and went head to head with the ghost of Carlos for the indoor long jump record. He also became only the second ever Irish man (after Kron) to pick up a AAA long jump medal (in the modern post-1960 era), and is hungry for more. Too old?

Giant former high-jumper Antoine Burke first applied for his bus pass at the end of last year when he turned 30 but has recently dragged his old body back into shape to pick up a medal at the indoor AAI champs 400m in 48.5s. The man known almost as much for his cooking as his athletics will certainly be challenging to repeat the feat outdoors and nab a place on the European Championships 4x400m team. Too old??

More famous, though less tall, than these two late maturing oaks of men is the great Peter Coghlan, driven into early retirement less by age than by
the vicissitudes of the system. But he's back in hard training, appropriately enough at a gated village in Florida, with European metalware in his sights. And who would doubt him. Too old??? By the standards of the previous paragraphs he's just a nipper.

Other Crusaders legends in or near their third decade include Eugene O'Neill (currently getting a hip replacement), Lorcan Carpenter, John Coghlan. All still developing. All with loads to give and hunger for pbs, medals, records, speed, power, glory.

There's no question that as you get older there are more and more obstacles in your way but a falloff in speed or strength or talent is not one of these.

The real question is where are the youngsters???

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MARCH TIME TRIAL (MILE)

Visitor Mick Coyle of Naas had a great run at the monthly time trial held over a mile at Irishtown, which attracted a reasonable turn-out despite the big freeze. Mick ran the mile in 4 mins 48 secs. Oran Murphy stayed with him for the first 400m, with both men clocking 1:14 and had a great run to finish in 5 mins 17 secs. Ageless veteran Ann Woodlock of Donore was using the time trial as a blow-out before the European Master's Indoors in Linz, Austria from March 15. Anne, who only started running 24 years ago for the first women's mini marathon, clocked 7 mins 17 secs, which may be an Irish over 65 record?

Orla McEvoy and Aoife Joyce ran together most of the way, with Orla just outsprinting Aoife on the line. Even closer were Geraldine O'Shea and Emer O'Sullivan who crossed the line together, while Maureen McGinley ran steadily behind them. Thanks to Susan Kelly (Donore) for acting as time-keeper.

Due to the popularity of the time trials, these will continue every first Thursday of the month, alternating the mile and the 3000m. Next run, a 3000m, will take place on Thursday April 7. Newcomers to track especially welcome; next year, we hope to make a formal league of it. So get on track - you might like it!

Thursday Track Time Trial (1 Mile), Mar 2, 2006.
Conditions: Bitterly cold. All Crusaders unless otherwise stated.
1 Mick Coyle (Naas) 4.48 (1.14,2.25, 3.39)
2 Oran Murphy 5.17 (1.14,2.33,3.55)
3 Orla McEvoy 6:23.90 (1.30,3.08,4.50)
4 Aoife Joyce 6:24.0 (1.30,3.08,4.50)
5 Emer O'Sullivan 7.04
5 Geraldine O'Shea 7.04
7 Ann Woodlock (Donore W65) 7.17
8 Maureen McGinley 7.32

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