2015 Grand Prix Series: Frank White 5 Mile on Thursday

The first race of the 2015 Grand Prix Series, weather and track conditions permitting, will take place Thursday night, 2nd April at 8 p.m with the Frank White Cup up for grabs, a five mile track race. The race is generously sponsored by Colm Doran.

Frank White was a long serving member of Clonliffe Harriers as both an athlete and administrator. He competed in the summer of records at Santry Stadium in August 1958, although representing Annadale rather than Clonliffe at that stage, he ran in the two mile on the 8th of August 1958 where Albie Thomas (AUS) set a world record.  After Frank’s distinguished athletics career was over he continued to serve Clonliffe Harriers and was the club’s Honorary Secretary for a long number of years and indeed died in office.

The Frank White Cup was originally presented to the club by his family to commemorate his memory and was presented to the winner of the short lived Clonliffe 5 mile road race which ran in the late 1980s. In 2012 the race was revived, although for traffic reasons, became a track race as part of the Grand Prix Series. As Maurice is oft to say “the only accurate 5 mile race in Ireland”.

There is a huge entry in this years Grand Prix Series and it is expected that there will be a big field in the race. It is going to be difficult for officials on the night with such a big field competing over 20 laps and the sub committee have, therefore, appealed to any people who are not running to come up Thursday night to officiate. It is the responsibility of all athletes to count their own laps, so please don’t rely on the officials. The presentation of prizes (Frank White Cup) will take place in the club bar post race.

Eoin Murray  Grand Prix Sub Committee