It was a hectic weekend last for many Harriers and we've all just about had time to draw breath before the action continues again this weekend in London.

While the Olympic qualifying mark wasn't to be in Rotterdam for Gary or the other Irish men chasing the standard, it came agonisingly close. Gary's PB time of 2:17:29 is a super time and a super effort and all at GCH were proud supporters on Sunday as news was eagerly awaited from the support team of progress.

The outdoor track season is finally upon us. A few GCH athletes decided to have their opening race at the Leevale track open today at Cork IT. It was a wet, hail stone, sunny and windy day all rolled into one. The wind made for difficult running being measured at +3.6 at one stage. This did not deter our athletes who came away with prizes and pbs.

First up was Caoimhe Daniels in the 800m. Caoimhe had a solid first race running a pb of 2.28.73. I suspect this pb will only last until she runs 800m again. Brendan Glynn ran in the men's 800m.

Spring marathon fever is loosely defined as a lot of people running a lot of marathons - in Spring! This year has the added spice of being Olympic year with two tantalising Olympic marathons in store for the streets of London in August. Many of the future protagonists in that drama will be testing themselves this Spring, seeking fast times to impress on competitors and selectors alike. Rotterdam, Paris, Vienna and Boston marathons all take place in the coming days.

To break up the normal routine, coach Matt Lockett asked a bunch of us would we like to go to the beach! We were surprised, Matt is noted for pushing his athletes through their paces, not for bringing them to nice relaxing places.

True to form, Matt had found some nice sand dunes for us to do an interval session on. A good group of us headed down to Bishops Quarter beach just past Kinvara. It was Saint Patricks Morning, wet and windy but we all had a ball, all be it an intense, feel like you're going to collapse ball.

Club gear will be available to buy before and after Fit4Life training on Thursday evening April 12th from 6.30 to 7.00 and again from 7.45 to 8.15. Venue Westside Library, Seamus Quirke Road, park in Dunnes Stores Carpark and walk through Church grounds to Library. This is an ideal opportunity to get your club colours for the upcoming summer racing season.
Singlets €25
Hoodies €30

Thanks to GCH's on-the-spot reporter Jane Walsh for filing the following race-report for Sunday's road-racing extravaganza in Connemara. She also supplies a link away to a Facebook page containing photos of some GCH athletes in action and there is a small number of photos uploaded to our own photo-gallery at:

http://www.galwaycityharriers.com/albums/connemarathon-2012

Once again, well done to all involved!

This year’s Connemara Marathon events (Ultra-marathon, Marathon and Half Marathon) saw over 3,000 runners take to the hills in beautiful spring sunshine. Galway City Harriers were well represented with runners in both the Marathon and Half Marathon.

It was a busy weekend on the athletics calendar with many club athletes, both Senior and Juvenile in action. Firsly to Quilty, where the long established and popular 4 mile road race took place this morning. G.C.H. had a strong contingent travel to the West Clare venue, including race winner Gary Thornton who posted a time of 19:24. Chris McGrath and Ian Egan were 10th and 11th overall in 21:37 and 21:44, with Sean Hanley coming in 17th in 22:53. This four won the team competition, while Ian Egan took the honours of 1st M40 and Martin McEvilly of 1st M60. Sean Hanley and Bernie Kelly were also well up there in the category results as usual.

At the inaugural meeting of the self appointed sports and social committee, it was decided that while some individual club members may be doing more than their fair share of socialising, that the rest of us might enjoy a regular social outing with our fellow club members.

So on the Last Friday Night each month starting on the 30th March at 7pm
(followed by 27th April, 25th May, 29th June and 27th July)

We will meet up in The Cottage Bar, 76 Lower Salthill for a beer or water or whatever you’re into.

GCH's Jane Walsh has compiled the following race-report from last Sunday's Craughwell 10 mile road-race. To echo her sentiments, many thanks to all at Craughwell AC for serving up another cracking road-race. Well done to all participants and a special congratulations to GCH athletes throughout the field for performing with such distinction. Take it away Jane...

The morning of this year’s Craughwell 10 dawned in what were absolutely perfect running conditions, with a clear sky, lots of sunshine and little or no wind. No excuses then....

The Galway 5km series for 2012 will take place on the following dates and venues:

Tuesday 1st May 2012 - Newcastle, Athenry @ 7:45pm
Tuesday 8th May 2012 - Claregalway @ 8:00pm
Tuesday 15th May - Loughrea, @ 8:00pm
Tuesday 22nd May - Craughwell, @ 8:00pm
Tuesday 29th May - Galway, @ 8:00pm
Tuesday 5th June - Tuam, @ 8:00pm *

*The last night social and t-shirt collection will take place in Tuam this year.

The cost of entry into the 6 race series will be €30.00. There will be no 'on-the-night' single race entries.
Online entry will be used (www.runireland.com)