Energia 24 hour relay race
After weeks of arduous training our Energia 24 four gathered at the Mary Peters’ Track in the early evening of Friday 17th July for the start of their twenty-four hour relay race. Running three two hour stints each, the aim was to achieve as many laps/miles as possible in the next twenty-four hours. Laps were counted by chip device and there was a change of direction every four hours. Runners must stick to their allocated lane and the distance differential is then factored in to the final result. Our team consisted of Stephen Anderson, Eleanor Acheson, Robin Montgomery and Martin Doherty. We wished them Godspeed on Friday and thanked them sincerely for taking on this enormous challenge and for training so diligently for it. There were ten teams altogether in the relay event, so success was far from a formality.
When the results were published twenty-four hours later there was joy and relief for the Orangegrove team and contingent. The team finished in second place out of the ten teams taking part, having covered a remarkable 165.4 miles in the twenty-four hour period. In the end they were less than two miles ahead of the team which finished in third place:
Energia 24 Relay event:-
(1) Dublin Bay A…192.1 miles
(2) Orangegrove AC…165.4 miles
(3) Dublin Bay B…163.8 miles
Many congratulations on a superb campaign! Not only has the team brought credit to itself, it has also brought great credit to Orangegrove as a Club and undoubtedly this success will be one of the highlights of the season 2014-2015. It is important not to underestimate the enormous amount of training that went into achieving this success. Weeks of it! Nor did the team make much noise about it; they just got on with it quietly and efficiently. Particular credit to Eleanor Acheson as the female on the team. It can’t have been easy for her, although I suspect she brought an element of common sense, perspective and a sense of humour to the affair as well as contributing her significant running contribution. And let us not forget all the partners and spouses who will have contributed enormously in many ways in the background.
Behind the scenes Mary Boyd and others played their roles in ensuring that the timetable was adhered to and that the rest of us were aware of what was going on and where. A remarkable team effort and one that clearly underpins the ethos of Orangegrove Athletics Club. I know Martin, Robin, Stephen and Eleanor greatly appreciated the many visits they received during the event and while they trained at Victoria Park and elsewhere and particular thanks to Darren Moan and Carole Bell for their invaluable contribution during the event. Maybe a B team as well next year?!
Thanks to NiRunning and the many OAC photographers for the photos.
