An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 32 | BY SGT WAYNE FITZGERALD - PHOTOS: CPL PAT O'MEARA, ARMN SEAN CASSIN AND ARMN SAM GIBNEY T he largest sporting event in the Defence Forces com- petitive sporting calendar took place on Wednesday 9th October 2019, as participants took to the roads in the Phoenix Park for the 40th anniversary An Cosantóir 10K Road Race and 5K Walk. With over 838 competitors from all over the DF along with veterans and invited guests not including those working and hosting the event in McKee Bks for the displays and soaking up the atmosphere. To get us started for this special year we invited partici- pants of the RTÉ's Special Forces Ultimate Hellweek show, which was based on an ARW Selection Course to fire the starter pistol and to take part as guests. We are very grate- ful to them for taking the time out to help support the Defence Forces. There were no surprises in the Senior Male category as Pte Kenneth Rodgers, 12 Inf Bn won for a coveted 9th time with a time of 31:27, which was 1 minute faster than his time last year. This record equals the one previously held by CQMS Pat Byrne, DFTC Tpt Gp – who himself won this years Male O/45 category. Lt Elizabeth Carr, 1 MIC DFTC won the Senior Female again for the third time in a row with a time of 39:21. She is now a legend in the making. The Naval Service took the first podium position again this year for the Team event and were followed by 1 MIC DFTC and 2 Cav Sqn respectively. The Naval Service team consisted of P/O Christopher Murphy (34:17), AB Michael Coakley (36:58), Darren McCann (38:18), Patrick Reidy (38:48), Colin Archer (39:21) and Connor McCory (40:46) with a combined time of 3:48:46. Our #Hellweek guests came in an unplaced but respectable 4th place. The block run event as ever preceded the main race, with only 10 units/formations entering as a block of 25 runners and needing a minimum of 20 finishers to qualify. This event creates a great 'esprit de corps' and team building with all runners working together to stay in formation to win. Out of the 10 blocks the winning bragging rights went to the Cadet School 'A' (39:10) they were followed by classmates in Cadet School 'B' (43:03) and taking the 3rd place were the 7 Inf Bn (45.36). In an open air awards ceremony Defence Forces Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM got the prize giving underway. The COS thanked everyone for taking part stating "it is always a great sporting event, where we can meet new and old friends." The COS also acknowledged that it was great to get out in the park with special emphasis on mental health, "its great to see women and men supporting fitness and wellbeing in the Defence Forces." Both the COS and the OiC Public Relations Lt Col Johnny Whittaker thanked our sponsors ANASC Credit Union, Aviva and Druid Craft for their continued support of this event. Lt Col Johnny Whittaker thanked J7, OC DFPES, DFCAT, OC McKee Bks, Catering Staff, MPs, CMU, CIS staff, 7 Inf Bn work party, An Garda Síochána, the Office of Public Works (OPW) for their continued support to make this annual event a success year-on-year. So for the 40th time to some, thank you to those who took part in the race and we offer a big 'thank you' to participants for making the event what it is. The An Cosantóir/Information Office would also like to thank the organising committee, and all those who gave a hand on the day and getting stuck in. The captain of the winning Block from Cadet School 'A' collects the trophy from our sponsors from Aviva. COS Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM presents Lt Elizabeth Carr, 1 MIC DFTC with her trophy for Senior Female.

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