Historic five in a row Ballycottons for Sergiu plus round up

Clonliffe`s Sergiu Ciobanu made it an historic five successive Ballycotton 10 mile wins today. Sergiu`s victory in today`s 38th edition of the Ballycotton 10 in 49.03 maintains his winning streak going back to 2011 and he becomes the first man to win five in a row. Sergiu`s win was by an 11 second margin over Sean Hehir (Rathfarnham) 2nd and Alan O`Shea (Bantry) 3rd.

In an interview published in yesterday`s Irish Examiner the Clonliffe man outlined the importance to him of today`s win: “I will be very disappointed if I don’t win the five-in-a-row. I know nobody has ever done this before. I know Noel (Berkerly)won it several times, but he never managed five-in-a-row. If I do make this piece of history, I will be delighted.

“It isn’t easy to go and win the same race four or five years on the trot. If anyone does this, it means there is consistency in their health, their fitness, training and performance. It shows dedication and hard work.

“Thank God I have had no injury concern over the past five years and that has allowed me to return to Ballycotton fit and healthy every spring. This year I am targeting the Olympic standard in the marathon so Ballycotton is in my plans to eventually achieve the required 2.15.30.”

Today`s Ballycotton 10 was an important element of Sergiu`s built up to next month`s Dusseldorf Marathon. Last Sunday he placed 2nd in the National Cross Country leading Clonliffe to regaining the National inter club title and he plans with further road race before beginning his taper down.

Other Clonliffe in Ballycotton include Alan Worrall 68.38 and Melissa Curley 71.31

Also today in Madrid news just in that Clonliffe’s first womens European Cross Country representative Frances Nic Reamoinn (2003 Junior) finished 2nd in her first race in many many injury-riddled years, a 5k open road race, and only just after 4 weeks of steady running. On her Facebook page Frances posted ‘ I’m happy taking 2nd place it was an emotional moment on the podium here’s hoping for more days like this and it was a nice early birthday present’.

Louise Reilly was 1st woman and 8th overall (19.10) in the 5k “My 1000 hours” race in the Phoenix Park on Saturday.

Saturday`s BHAA cross country was in ALSAA, results not to hand, however, as always guys it would assist enormously if you could please text your name, race and result to 0879599888