Category Archives: Events

News 24th July

Committee, Events, News, Races, , , , , , ,

News 24th July

Hi all,

Not that we’re complaining, but this hot weather wasn’t made for Irish runners, and we do have lots of other DFR stuff happening over the next while.  Our Wednesday and Saturday runs continue of course, but we’re staying in the shade as much as possible.  Remember to stay hydrated!

Gaze Film Festival Sat 3 Aug

Andy has been all cultured again and has come up with the following suggestions:

Right I’ve eventually read the program and chosen 2 movies, both are on Saturday 3 August at 8:30pm in the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield, Dublin 7:

Option 1 – Margarita
Option 2 – Let My People Go

Margarita has gotten better reviews, and that’s the one I’ll be going to, but people may prefer the other one. We’ll head to the Front Lounge for a few drinks afterwards and a debrief.

If you’re interested, the book the tickets yourself (see http://www.gaze.ie/) and just turn up!

https://www.facebook.com/events/485470481540286/

DFR summer hike Sun 25 Aug

It’s now a popular annual event, and we’re taking to the hills again on Sunday 25 August for a trek through the forest trails of Glenmalure in Co Wicklow.  It’s an easy enough walk, no hiking boots or specialist gear is needed.  Thanks to Shay Foody for organising and leading this.  Further details will follow.

DFR summer BBQ Sat 31 Aug

We’re in the Hilton Hotel Charlemont this year on Saturday 31 August.  It’s E20 per head, and booking is essential as capacity is restricted.  Please pay by bank transfer or to any committee member as soon as possible to book your place (and advise of any special dietary requirements).

https://www.facebook.com/events/156815194504293/

DFR Committee meeting

We have a committee meeting coming up next week, so if you have any suggestions or issues you’d like to raise, please let club secretary Kieran Cooney know at dfrsecretary@gmail.com no later than Saturday 27 July.

Dublin 10 mile road championship

The third race in the Dublin Series – the Frank Duffy 10 miles – takes place in the Phoenix Park on Sat 24 August.  This doubles as the AAI Dublin County Board team championship, so if you are entering please ensure you note DFR as the club, as all entrants score towards an overall club position.

Rock n Roll half marathon 5 Aug

We’re still keen to cobble together a team entry if enough are planning to run it… we only seem to have two at the moment, but need four, so if you’re planning to enter, let me know.

Other results and events

Well done on some recent events for which I have info:

Clontarf 5 miles: Olwen & Sandra (PB!)
Dublin Series Fingal 10k: Shane R & Ronan
Beast of the East Olympic Triathlon: Hugh, Gregory and Tim

The Great Pink Run 10k is on in the Phoenix Park on Sat 31 Aug.  Why not get the day of the BBQ off to a good start?  See http://www.greatpinkrun.ie/race-info/

London Front Runners are hosting a 10k Pride Run on Sat 17 August. See http://www.pride10k.org/

Check out Martha’s website http://www.ooyosports.com/ for event listings and more.

If you’re considering raising sponsorship for any race you’re participating in, Marriage Equality (http://www.marriagequality.ie/) and Clifden Lifeboat (http://www.clifden10k.com/) have asked to be considered.

Various Voices Festival 2014

Our German Dublin Front Runner Ingo Petersen has a request for help:

“As you are probably aware off, that the Various Voices Festival is in Ireland next year, exactly in Dublin. See the link below.

http://variousvoices.ie/

There will be some of us coming around the 13th-16th June 2014. I will have accommodation, but there are one, may be two gay couples who are looking for private accommodation for some days. They are all singing in the Munich Gay Choir, which is called “Philhomoniker”. And they will participate in the festival. If anyone from the running club could offer a place to stay. I know it is all a bit early, but you know, how organised Germans are. They need to know in time. And all the accommodation offered on the website is pretty much booked out.”

Thanks for sticking with me, I appreciate that’s a lot to digest, but there’s a lot happening!

Yours sunningly,

Ronan

Gaze 2013

Events, Social, ,

Our culture night out to Gaze Film Festival, see it’s not all about running and I’ve eventually read the program and chosen 2 movies both on at 8:30pm in the Lighthouse Cinema.

Option 1 – Margarita
Option 2 – Let My People Go 8:30

Margarita has gotten better reviews, and that’s the one I’ll be going too, but people may prefer the other one. We’ll head to the Front Lounge for a few drinks afterwards and a debrief.

facebook

Thanks
Andy

Summer Pilates 2013

Events, News, Pilates, , ,

Summer Pilates classes will commence on Tuesday July 2nd at 7pm in St Andrew’s Resource Centre on 114 Pearse St Dublin 2

http://www.standrews.ie/contact/directions.html

When you get there simply ask at reception and you’ll be directed to the exact room.

The cost of the 6 weeks course is €60-payable in advance- we need to pay this on the first night.

In addition you will need to complete the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire to ensure that you are up to the physical exertion and bring it with you on the night.

We will need to bring our own yoga mats- these can be bought for as little as €2 in shops like Euro World so this should not cause a difficulty.

Thanks to Pat Lonergan for all his hard work in sourcing the instructor.

Pride Run 2013 A Success

Events, News, Pride Run

After months of hard work, the second annual DFR Pride 5k Run took place last Friday 21 June – and was a resounding success.

We had lots of very positive feedback on the night from members and non-members, a great reflection on the club.

While the weather didn’t exactly befit the longest day of the year, it didn’t stop 448 people registering, an amazing 100+ more than last year, with 369 finishing.

It was a very competitive race, with an amazing winning time of 15.38 by Gary O’Hanlon, winner of the 2013 Connemara marathon.  Faced with that level of performance, it was great to see such strong performances by our own DFRs, with four in the top 10: Seamus Moore, Peter Dunne, Patrick Bamming and Andy Chambers.  The DFR connection was also in evidence with Anthony Sharkey (Declan Treanor’s partner) finishing third overall, and Marius McNichols (ex DFR) also in the top 10.

In the women’s race, the DFR connection continued, with Rachel Morgan (Joe’s sister) winning in 19.00.

It’s not all about the elites: we had over 70 DFRs complete the run, including many of our newer members.

And the Couch to 5k programme also threw up winners in their own right.  I spoke to a few of them afterwards, and they were all deservedly chuffed with their achievement, something many of them would never have considered possible three months ago.

See the full results here: Precision Timing

The after-party was another great success, and looks now firmly established as the Pride Festival kick-off.  (It must have finished late as only three people did the Saturday morning run.  We should probably have checked the Polo Grounds for any stragglers.)

While final figures aren’t available yet, we’re sure it’ll be another great contribution to Headstrong.  A special thanks to Rachel and Anthony for donating their prize money to Headstrong, a fantastic gesture.

Bear with me for a few thank yous, as the Run wouldn’t have been possible without input from many people:

Firstly, thanks to you the members who registered or volunteered.  This race is not possible without our members’ support.  Our volunteers on the night helped present a very professional front to the entrants, from registration to bag drop to t-shirts to marshals to medals to water to bananas to ticket sales….. Thanks to all, your help made a difference.

Thanks to our main sponsor PWC, and to Irish Ferries for providing our raffle prize bon voyage Olwen!).

An event like this doesn’t just happen.  Many people put a lot of effort and their personal time into making sure it’ll be alright on the night, so a huge thank you to the Run committee:

Particular thanks are due to Dave Shaw as Race Director.  He undertook this job many months ago and has been hugely committed to it all that time.  He was assisted by a number of people working quietly but very effectively behind the scenes:

Aidan Rodgers and Val Maher set up the “Couch to 5k” programme, which was a great success and proved very popular.

Dave Lee set the stage for the after-party.

Declan Keating’s contacts were invaluable in establishing good working relationships with the Gardai and OPW, vital to our presence in the Phoenix Park.

Kieran Cooney and Andy Chambers were always on hand to offer advice and do  whatever needed doing (and there was always plenty!).

Treasurer Dave Prendergast kept a close eye on the budget, and will finalise the Run accounts for our presentation to Headstrong.

Thanks also to Emer Costello MEP who was our official race starter.  It’s great to see a public representative giving her continued support.

Susan our race commentator did an amazing job as usual, keeping us well entertained and informed for the entire duration of the race.

Thanks to Mark Rooney, who risked his camera in the showers to provide a photographic record of the event, capturing all the elements which made it such a success: https://picasaweb.google.com/markgrooney/DFRPrideRun2013?authkey=Gv1sRgCKiXofy3zr-y2AE&feat=email

So again, thanks to all members, the Run committee, sponsors, volunteers and entrants who made it a success.  We’ve lots to be proud of, and plenty to build on for next year.

Northern FrontRunners Fun Run

Events

This year Northern Frontrunners will host their second LGBT 5K Fun Run in Newcastle. Following the success of last years event race organisers are confident of an even bigger and better event. The run is being held to mark the beginning of Northern Pride festival which follows the day after where in 2012 over 23,000 LGBT descended on site to celebrate LGBT life, promote diversity within Newcastle.

http://northernfrontrunners.co.uk/?page_id=138

Northern Front Runners A5 Flyer

Gay Theatre Festival

Events

Theatre Festival night outDublinGayTheatre

Just a reminder our Theatre night out is tonight, I’ll be in Grogan’s across from Powerscourt Centre from about 8:30 for a few drinks before Strip Tease, if you’re meeting up before Brown and Out let me know and I’ll put the details up.

The Front Lounge is the destination afterwords for a few drinks and a critique of the shows, I’ll be focusing mainly on the plot 🙂

Quiz, Wednesday Run and Theatre

Events, News, Pride Run, Wednesday Run, , , , ,

Quiz night

We had a very successful quiz night, raising in excess of €2,500, with 31 tables, the most in recent years, a fantastic performance  Well done to Adrian F and team as winners, and to all who participated on tables or in the raffle on the night. There was some great positive feedback from members and non-members.

Thanks are due to Andy for setting the questions, which were kept a closely guarded secret until the night, which was probably just as well….

Thanks also to Kieran who helped out with logistics; to Martha, Bairbre, Erich, Dave S and Claire for marking/scoring; and to the rest of the committee for helping out.

Our quiz wouldn’t be possible without our sponsors and donors of prizes, so thanks to the club members and their businesses who helped out with prizes.

Wednesday run

Don’t forget our Wednesday evening run is back to its summer location: from this Wednesday 1 May at 19.30 from the cricket club car park in the Phoenix Park.  Entering the Park through the main Parkgate St entrance, continue on Chesterfield Ave straight through the first (Wellington) roundabout, then take the second small left turn.

DFR 5k Pride Run

Registration is now open  – see our website http://dublinfrontrunners.ie/wp/index.php/pride-run/

Promotional flyers are available (thanks to John O’S), so please take some if you can put them  up in your workplace, gym, or other locations.

The Couch to 5k programme is continuing in the Park at 10.00 on Saturdays, it’s not too late to join.

Theatre Festival night out

It’s that time of year when the luvvies get even luvvier, and the drama queens get even more dramatic – the Gay Theatre Festival!  Andy has intensively researched all the critical reviews, production credits, festival prizes won, actors’ and directors’ histories, and has come up with some artistic suggestions based on the amount of naked flesh involved:

It’s the annual Gay Theatre festival starting 6th of May, so we’ll have a night out Saturday May 11th. We’ll pick 1 or 2 plays (One for the girlies, one for the boys). You book and buy your own ticket, and we’ll meet afterwards for drinks in the Front Lounge.Suggested plays:

Brown and Out – 6 Plays Strip Search
Brown and Out - 6 Plays Strip Search

DFR Running News

Events, News

Lots of running happening over the last few days and forthcoming this week, so please bear with me!

Rotterdam

Well done to all DFRs running the Rotterdam marathon:

Darek Kuc David Lee David Prendergast Dominick Branigan
Donal Cronin Eddie Fox Joe Keena (first DFR home) John Barry
John Cotterell Kieran Cooney Kieran Tierney Martin Smyth
Nelson Moody Pat Lonergan Patrick Bamming Seamus McLoughlin
Seamus Moore Seamus Sreenan Tom Crowley

And congrats also to an old friend of DFR (now running with the opposition!) Marius McNichols.

Lots of marathon first-timers, and plenty of PBs, so well done all around.

Fair play to Dominick who hobbled over the finish line, determined to finish despite picking up an injury at km 35.

Hard luck to David McKenna who had to withdraw late on from the trip after injuring his arm so close to the event.

Particular mention must go to David Lee and John Barry who managed to cross the finish line twice. It’s a long story – literally, as they ran 46km rather than the marathon distance of 42km – which I’m sure David or John will be glad to retell if you have enough time….

And well done also to those who ran the Rotterdam 10k:

Deirdre Ryan Dermot McCarthy Gregory Curran Michael Curtin Ronan MacMuiris

Commiserations to Mick Smyth who was carted off to a Dutch hospital after a fall due to an injury. I’m glad to say he’s OK now.

And thanks to our non-running supporters on the day: John K, Declan K, Gearoid K, Aidan R, Brian C, Johnny M

Great Ireland run

Congrats also due to those who completed the Great Ireland 10k in the Park last Sunday:

Anne Marie Lillis Claire Goss Martha Cahill Steven Duffy Susan Reilly

(Apologies if I missed anyone, the above were registered with DFR as their club.)

DFR Quiz

Table Quiz 2013

If you or your company can provide small raffle prizes, please let me know.

We’re also looking for volunteers to help out on the night as well.

Wednesday runs

There will be no DFR run on Wednesday 24 April due to the quiz.

From Wednesday 1 May, we will return to our summer meeting point, the car park of the cricket club off Chesterfield Avenue, with a usual start time of 19.30.

Achill

If you’re planning on running Achill this year, and haven’t registered, please let me know ASAP as they’re now offering discounted entry to a group of 10 for a limited time. You’ll also need to book accommodation soon as it fills up quickly.

Boston

Our sympathies are with the Boston marathon community and victims of the terrible atrocity there last Monday.

See you at the quiz!

Ronan

DFR News April – Rotterdam Marathon, Quiz, Couch to 5K Update

Events, News

Rotterdam trip

 
The long months of training on cold, dark winter nights will finally pay off this Sunday 15 April as approx. 20 DFRs will take on the Rotterdam marathon.  We’ll also have eight running the 10k (myself included).  We’ll all celebrate afterwards in Restaurant Citroen as per Kieran’s earlier email.
 
Good luck to all!
 

Couch to 5k

 
After a fantastic start last week, the second week of the programme for beginners will take place in the Park this Saturday 14th at 10.00.  Given that there’ll be a large number of people in Rotterdam, Aidan and Val would appreciate volunteers to help run the sessions.  Please let them know if you can help out.
 
The normal run will take place this Saturday at 10.00 from the Papal Cross (with much reduced numbers!).
 

Quiz

 
Our annual quiz is on Wednesday 24th in Pantibar at 19.30.  It’s E50 for a table of five, with first prize E200 cash.  If you can help out with prizes, please let me know – all support gratefully received.
 
 
Wednesday evening runs
 
Now that the bright evenings are here, and summer is on its way (allegedly), we’ll return to the cricket club car park for our Wednesday evening runs beginning Wednesday 1 May.  It’s the second small left turn off Chesterfield Avenue (heading out of town towards Castleknock) after the Wellington roundabout.  We meet at 19.30 as usual.
 
There’ll be no run on Wednesday 24 April due to the quiz
 
As with all our Park locations, please be careful with valuables when parking.
 

DFRs competing

 
Well done to Tim, Hugh and Thomas who ran the Paris marathon last weekend.  Alan H completed the Gaelforce Bray to Greystones 10k (and considerably beat his brother, who finished in 1h 30m, having gallantly stopped to rescue a damsel in distress!).
 
We have a number of people doing the Great Ireland 10k this Sunday 15th in the Park, good luck as well.