Some 40 years after his last run in the cake race Pat O’Grady, who rejoined Clonliffe this year, was the winner of the 2024 cake race. There was a brilliant turnout of 84 starters for yesterday’s race (December 21) in Santry Park for the race distance of roughly 3.3 K. In accordance with the long established tradition the race was run on a handicap basis with the 1st runners sent on their way for the 3 laps at 3:45 PM precisely with the rest of the field following at intervals until the scratch man Stephen Cashin was released 5 and 1/2 minutes later.
It was a tremendous sight, particularly on the final lap as the entire field start to close up with the faster athletes now cutting rapidly through the field as some of the earlier starters possibly went out a little too quick in that desperate bid to make the advantage pay and take home the coveted cake. Pat O’Grady however hit the front on lap 2 and although he was being hunted down he held his lead to take the spoils.
In the women’s race Aoife O’Reilly put her recent injury woes behind her to run an excellent race finishing 4th overall and 1st woman.
Fastest man was Stephen Cashin who completed the race distance in 9.22. There was a tie for fastest woman as both Emily Bolton and Lorraine O’Connor, who started together finished together in 10.42.
As is the tradition with this particular race it was fantastic to welcome back our overseas Harriers back home for the holidays, in particular Laura Tuite and Ben Coughlan. Sincere thanks to all who took part, not just the athletes but the officials who braved the cutting wind, and the many spectators who gathered for the event.
The presentation took place in the clubhouse later that night, another fantastic tradition and a brilliant social occasion.
The Cake Race winners:
1st man – Pat O’Grady
1st woman – Aoife O’Reilly
1st master man – Brian Martin
1st master woman – Siobhan McCarthy
1st junior man – Joshua Chalmers
1st junior woman – Isla Duncan.
Race result:
Actual times: