Solid performances at National Half-Marathon

Amidou, James, Rene and Markus post-race

Crusaders had four men representing the club in the annual National Half-Marathon championship in Waterford which attracted a huge crowd of almost seven hundred athletes and sixty-three teams scattered across the senior and masters categories. A course change meant one of the fastest half-marathon routes in the country and weather conditions with sixteen degrees and light drizzle setup the race perfectly for fast times with a finish in the RSC stadium providing excitement to the line.

Our team did not disappoint with Amidou Dembele leading the line home in 1:20:08 followed by Markus Roessel, in training for the Florence Marathon, in 1:21:10, and Rene Borg, newly recovered from his ultra tribulations, in 1:22:48 and James Cottle, our only masters representative, in 1:31:52.

The results meant a massive eight minute PB for Amidou which he could celebrate with James who likewise scored a good PB. The best three scorers placed Crusaders 18th out of 25 teams narrowly beating Clonliffe’s B team. A very strong field had been assembled with nine runners running sub-70 and a hundred one sub-80.

RESULTS (Individual)
1. Sean Hehir, Rathfarnham 65:24
102. Amidou Dembele, Crusaders 80:08 (PB)
116. Markus Roessel, Crusaders 81:10
150. Rene Borg, Crusaders 82:48
286. James Cottle, Crusaders 91:52 (PB)

RESULTS (team)
1. Rathfarnham/WSAF 3:22:18
2. Clonliffe Harriers 3:29:51
3. Raheny Shamrocks 3:31:40
18. CRUSADERS AC 4:04:13

Full results at