All posts in 5K Road Race

There were lightening fast times recorded at the Bob Heffernan 5k in County Meath tonight. Efrem Gidey after his outstanding run in the Leinster schools on Saturday was 4th in 14.47 in a race won, not by Peter Somba (Dunboyne) but by DSD’s Hiko Tonsa in 14.18 with Somba 2nd 14.22. 7th was Sean Doran 15.39 other Clonliffe: David Brady 17.28, Matt McGuinness 17.52, Philip O’Doherty 18.57, Fergie Keenan 19.09, Maurice McCrohan 19.20, Ciara Peelo 19.45  Michael Devine 20.06, Emer Brennan 22.10.

A surprise starter this morning in the Tallaght AC 5K road race (including Dublin novice Road Championships) was was Clonliffe 2012 Olympian Mark Kenneally. Running his first race in a number of years Mark looks to be getting back into good shape and was pleased with his 14.55 showing for 2nd place behind Mr. Roadracer Peter Samba (Dunboyne) who ran 14.50. Another Clonliffe athlete leaving Tallaght pleased was Laura Tuite who took Dublin Womens Novice Road bronze. Laura continues to run faster with each outing running 19.39 today. Fergie Keenan was also in action 19.07.

At tonight’s Leixlip 5 K Rd race hosted by Le Cheile AC on a cold ,windy and dark night Clonliffe athletes made it a successful trip to County Kildare. Ian Guiden enjoyed a good battle with Peter Somba  (Dunboyne AC). After a ‘slow bike race’ over the first 1K the pace picked up with Ian and Somba pulling away from the rest of the field. It was only on the final up hill section with 1K to go that Somba made the telling move sprinting to open a gap and led by a couple of seconds as they came back into the track, Somba winning in 15.01 (some 25 seconds faster than his winning time last year) with Ian second in 15.03.

Kerry page was the second woman in a new PB of 19.45, third woman was Emma Cooper 20.08. Stephen Bateson had a good outing finishing in 19.47.

(Raiders of the Lost Arc: Emma, Kerri, Stephen, Ian)

Fogo reports: The Clonliffe/St.Aidens Leinster intermediate school champions squad took part in their local Poppintree Park Run this morning in great  weather conditions. Fantastic running by this up and coming squad and a clean sweep as the lads filled the top 7 positions. In two weeks time this squad will compete in the school All Ireland cross country championships in Clongowes Wood College.

Shane Rooney reports: Saturday 16^th Feb saw the return of the Golden Runner 5k Championship, this year the venue was Tolka Valley Park in Fingals.  Similar to the Grand Prix, the winner of the Golden Runner is the athlete with the best improved time over the distance.  With such an amazing title to be won, the competition between the 30 members of Pam & Ben’s group was ferocious, all of whom were ready to put their winter training to the test.

Prior to the race Mick Bermingham, a pro on the course, advised everyone to save something for the hills, give it welly for the sprint at the end and pointed out the man to beat!!

As 9.30 approached the tension was fierce, with the Clonliffe athletes jostling for position, each having a glint of gold in their eyes. To add to the excitement, word was getting around that there would be a new champion as the previous title holder, Katie Hennigan, had gotten lost while making her way to Finglas!!!

With a loud Ready Steady Go, the runners charged around Tolka Valley, taking the hills like mountain goats and sprinting to the finish line like people possessed.  The first Clonliffe man home was Paul “Eddie the Eagle” Keenan and the first lady was Eimear “Galloper” Griffin, however it took a couple of hours before the official race times were be posted and Pam could announce the new champion.  The group nervously got together in the Gourmet Food Parlor and anxiously waited for Pam to calculate who had the most improved time. Excitement was at an all-time high as the 3^rd and 2^nd placed athletes were announced and with a loud cheer Siobhan “Newbie” McCarthy was announced the 2019 Golden Runner Champion.

To make the event even more special, Evelyn “YoYo” Brennan, organized a collection for Hugh’s House and thanks to the generosity of all those who donated, over €500 was raised for this excellent charity.

Cheers to everyone who made this another great social event and congratulations to Ollie Power who posted his time from Berlin and a BIG THANK YOU to the fantastic vocal supporters and our team photographers.

FYI, I’m sure you’ll be glad to know that Katie managed to find her way to Santry, just in time for the new champion to be announced.

Keep digging in and until next time.

Shane

The Clonliffe senior men put in magnificent performances in the Brooks Armagh international 5k road race tonight. The race drew one of the deepest 5K fields assembled with an unbelievable 113 athlete running sub 15 minutes.

The men’s team were in PB form with three of the four recording new pb’s. The team was let home in 30th place by Colm Rooney who recorded a time of 14.23, only one second off his 12-year-old PB. Next in was Ian Guiden in a new PB of 14.29 in 44th position, Cathal Doyle also a PB in 48th place of 14.30 and in 60th place Sean O’Leary in a PB of 14.37. With a combined time of 57.44 the Clonliffe  team placed second behind Leeds City AC 56.35 and ahead of Liverpool Harriers 58.03. David Flynn, in heavy marathon training, racing on the Irish international team tied with Colm in 30th place with the same time of 14.23!

The race is a spectacular event drawing a top international field, the criteria for qualification for the men’s race is that all athletes must have run 16 minutes. The course itself is a 1k loop around the mall in the centre of Armagh. The sheer speed of the race must be seen to be believed. Tonight’s race was won in a new course record of 13.43 by Finland’s Topi Raitanen and featured many international athletes including athletes who have competed in the 5000 at last year’s  Morton Games Jonny Mellor and Philip Sessman. A really great event. Highly recommended!

Efrem Gidey got 2019 off to a flying start hitting the new year as he finished the old: top of the heap. Some two days after winning the ERP Xmas Cracker 5k in Santry he win this morning’s Tom Brennan 5k in the Phoenix Park in 14.58. Sean Doran was 8th in 15.39 with Declan Murray running 21.08.