On New Years Day 2000 the first Wellie race outside these shores occurred in Sydney Australia. A group of exiles from 'comer and surrounds decided that they could not bear to face a New Year without dressing up and having an auld run.

This seemingly harmless decision almost sparked off an international incident as the organiser of the first Wellington race in the U.S.A. held on November 12th 2000 is now seeking confirmation that the Sydney runners abided by the rules as laid down by the International Wellie Race Headquarters recently established in the Powley Vale to deal with global queries. There is some suspicion that the aussie runners were more interested in the Fosters connection than the true Wellie aspect of the race.

As we speak there is a delegation from the Powley Vale considering flying to Sydney to make a full investigation, questions will have to be answered and a tribunal may have to be set up. Liam Lawlor is being sought to give his expert opinion.

The first N.Y. Wellie race, the first in the U.S.A. occurred as mentioned on the 12th November 2000 and Rosaleen Crotty originally hailing from Kilkenny was the driving force in getting it off the ground. 24 runners started and indeed finished under the watchful eye of the N.Y.P.D.

The event was in aid of Concern and rose in excess of $1000, from the Powley Vale committee we want to congratulate Rosaleen and wish her all the best in 2001. She did us the honour of being chairperson of our float judging panel in Castlecomer on New Years Day so had the pleasure of two Wellie races in less than two months.

For the record the results of the N.Y. Wellie race were: 1st Liz McVeigh 2nd Bernie Cronan 3rd Rebecca Carver Men's Race 1st Pete Buentello 2nd Patrick O Reilly 3rd Daniel Delaney. Well done to all Concerned