All posts in Clonliffe 2 Mile Road Race

For the 127^th time athletes ran in the Clonliffe 2 Mile road race.  This historic race is Ireland’s oldest road race. Although the race began back in 1891 with the runners running from Ashtown back into Phisboro, the first recorded winner was P.J. Lonergan of the host club, in 1898.  Tonight was the 127^th running of the race which has been held at various venues in and around north Dublin including Millmount Avenue (where the family home of James Joyce was located) in Drumcondra, later in Finglas, around the back of Dublin Airport and then back famously over the traditional Finglas to Glasnevin route for a number of years at the turn of the 19th century and including the club centenary in 1986.  It was at that stage that the late Eugene Kavanagh, Proprietor of Kavanagh’s, properly known in Glasnevin as ‘the Gravediggers’ began sponsoring the race.  The Kavanagh family’s sponsorship of the race remains since 1986 to today.

The 2018 Clonliffe 2 attracted almost 200 runners to the Morton Stadium for the start on the track with the route then moving out of the stadium heading north, then swinging into Northwood and back into Santry Demesne Park before finishing back on the track.

After the 2 Mile tour the race winner was Peter Somba (Dunboyne AC) 9.22  in a sprint finished from Clonliffe`s Ian Guiden 9.23 followed closely by Conor Duffy in 3^rd place.  These three were followed in to the stadium by a throng of athletes including first woman Nadia Power (Templeogue AC) .

It was particularly pleasing to see such a good crop of young junior athletes taking part in the race with the first junior man being Efrem Gidey and the first junior woman  Aoife Hession, both Clonliffe Harriers.

It was in keeping with recent weather a blustery cold night, most unspring like, was the offering for the runners, however, thankfully the rain held off to make it a fairly good experience for all concerned.

(Pictured, Peter Somba with Niall & Anne Kavanagh)

Clonliffe Harriers would like to thank the Kavanagh family for their continued generous sponsorship of this event which is most sincerely appreciated by the club, the club would also like to thank An Garda Siochana, St. John’s Ambulance, the volunteers who turned out on the night and the athletes for making this event part of their spring racing plans.   We look forward to your participation in the 128^th version of the race, same place, same time next year.

Full results: RESULT CLONLIFFE 2 MILE 2018

To view photographs click: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmaKFSDY

Tonight Thursday April 26th @ 8.00pm sees the 127th running of the Clonliffe 2, Ireland`s Oldest Road race. The historic race will take place in Santry starting on the track in the Morton Stadium.

The Course

The 2 Mile starts and finishes in the famous Morton Stadium in Santry, Dublin 9. The race also incorporates a lap of the beautiful Santry Demesne. (See course map) click: Clonliffe 2 Map

Event history

The Clonliffe 2 Mile is the oldest continuous Road Race in Ireland and one of the oldest in the world.

The race commenced in 1891 as a club race, soon to become an Invitational 2 Mile and eventually an Open Road Race. This is the 127^th consecutive running. The event now caters for fun runners, club and elite athletes.

 Race sponsor

The race will be sponsored this year by the Kavanagh family in Glasnevin. The late Eugene Kavanagh commenced sponsoring this race back in the mid 1980s. Clonliffe Harriers are very grateful to the Kavanagh family for their continuing sponsorship of this event.

Prizes

Individual Prizes

Junior Men/Women    1st, 2nd, 3rd places

Senior Men/Women    1st, 2nd, 3rd, places

Masters Men/Women 1st in each category

1st Junior Team Men/Women

Prize giving and refreshments will be place in the Clonliffe Club House after the race. Full results will be on line asap that night.
Race check in and changing facilities

Race check in and changing facilities are located in the Clonliffe clubhouse, in Morton Stadium Santry Dublin 9.

Race entry

Registrations will be taken on the night of the race from 6.15 – 7.30.pm.   The entry fee of €15 (Juniors – €10).

Entrants will receive an iconic Clonliffe 2 Mile tee shirt.

Parking

Limited parking in the stadium. Do not park on the avenue in the stadium. Do not obstruct local neighbour’s access to their homes please.

Health & Safety

The race will be held on open roads. The gardai will be in attendance, however, please be careful and watch for traffic. Please obey the on course marshals. No head sets allowed.

Medical

St. Johns Ambulance will be in attendance to deal with any medical issues.

Stewarts

Report to the club house for safety briefing and allocation of positions at 7.15pm

Thank you for participating in Ireland`s oldest road race. Please enjoy the race.

MSB`s John Coghlan took the win in tonight`s Clonliffe 2, the 126th annual running of this historic race, holding off the home challenge of Ian Guiden.  It turned out to be a fine night for a race, the rain held off and the wind wasn`t a major factor.

A pretty good turn out of 150 starters on the track in the Morton Stadium left heading into Northwood and then into Santry Park. It was here that Ian Guiden tested Coghlan opening a slight advantage of maybe 5 meters. The MSB man, however, is a seasoned campaigner and settled in behind the Clonliffe Harrier, at the turn back into the stadium Coghlan held a lead of maybe 20 meters and prevailed to take the win in 9.15 with Guiden recording 9.23. £rd place went to Lee Van Heaflen (Donore) 9.41.

1st woman was Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill (Donore) in 10.58 from another Clonliffe runner up Eleanor Alexander (11.04), and the ever green Annette Kealy (Raheny), 11.23.

The Clonliffe juniors were well to the fore with a great turn out in both junior men and women with both sets dominating. The junior men were lead home by Sean O`Leary and women by Alannah Cooley, showing no ill effects from her 2nd place senior girls 1500 in yesterday`s North Leinsters.

The prize giving, with the race for the 31st time sponsored by Kavanaghs “The Grave Diggers”, was handled by Niall Kavanagh and Clonliffe President Paddy Marley, with a welcomed turn out of athletes. Ading an international feel to the event was our Spanish visitor Toni Santisteban (Esportiv Pendes), who is on a tour of historic road races.

Clonliffe would like to Kavanaghs, Race Director Mick Kearney and his team, the Gardaí and the athletes for their support of this historic race.

Results:

(Pictured: 3rd L. Van Haeflen, 1st J. Coghlan, 3rd I. Guiden)

Senior men:

1. John Coghlan (MSB) 9.15
2. Ian Guiden (Clonliffe) 9.23
3. Lee Van Haeflen (Donore)

Team: Clonliffe (Guiden, Taggart, Doran)

Senior women:

1.Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill (Donore) 10.58

2. Elenor Alexander (Clonliffe) 11.04

3. Annette Kealy (Raheny) 11.23

Team: Clonliffe (Alexander, Cooper, Brady)

Junior men: 1. Sean O`Leary, 2. Craig Giles, 3. Daniel Lacey (all Clonliffe). Team Clonliffe

Junior women: 1. Alannah Cooley, 2. Ella Brown, 3. Abby Sheehy (all Clonliffe). Team Clonliffe

Master men: O/35 Ger Copeland (Dublin Bay), O/40 Shane Larkin (Drogheda & District), O/45 Eamon Traynor (Raheny), O/50 Fergal O`Shea (Clonliffe), O/55 Gary Keeling (Balbriggan), O/60 Dessie Shorten (Parnell), O/65 Matt Slattery (Clonliffe), O/70 Terry Mee (Donore)

Master Women: O/35 Aideen Brady (Clonliffe), O/40 Zoe Quinn (Dublin Bay), O/45 Amiee Ahern (Clonliffe), O/50 Geraldine Keogh (Clonliffe), O/65 Josie Power (Drogheda & District)

Full results click: Clonliffe 2miles results 2017

To see photos click: https://flic.kr/s/aHskYJrSn2

On behalf of the Race Director(Michael Kearney)  and the Event Controller /Safety Officer (Alan Worrall)for the night.   The club wishes to acknowledge and thank  all those who assisted with the last nights staging of the 126^th running of  the Clonliffe 2 Mile proudly supported by the Kavanagh Family/ Grave Diggers establishment. . We were up on numbers from last year and this is a trend  that we can work on for future holding of this historic race.  Special thanks to the large number of new faces who assisted on the  night and blended in well with the seasoned hands.  This is most encouraging as  good planning and promotion and participation by all levels in the club  of this or any event results in a most enjoyable experience for all.

Clonliffe Harriers invites all Club and Fun runners to participate in tonight`s Clonliffe 2 Mile taking place in Santry at 8pm. Enter tonight in the Clonliffe clubhouse.

Entries being taken on race night

Entries are being taken on the night in the Clonliffe Harriers Club House between 6.30 and 7.30pm.

Entry fee is €15 for Seniors/Masters and €10 for Juniors.

All entrants will receive the iconic Clonliffe 2 Mile tee-shirt.

Prize giving and refreshments will be place in the Clonliffe Club House after the race.

Car Parking

Parking spaces are limited in Morton Stadium and will be on a first come first served basis.

Please note that Fingal County Council have advised that parking will not be available in Santry Demesne for this race as the Main Park Gate closes automatically at 8pm.

Course Map: Clonliffe 2 Map

Stewards: Please report to the Club Bar for safety briefing and allocation of posts at 7.00pm.

Mick Kearney, Race Director.

Tomorrow night (April 27th) the proud tradition of the historic Clonliffe 2 continues with the 126th running of the race. The Race Director Mick Kearney appeals to all members to play their part: please run the race or assist with stewarding duties. Without your help the race cannot happen!

All available stewards please meet in the Club bar at 7.00pm for a safety briefing and allocation of posts. The race will start at 8.00pm, final runners will be well home by 8.30pm, so it`s not the most onerous of nights officiating wise.

The importance of YOUR presence on the night cannot be over emphasized. This is the most historic race in our calendar and is the Oldest Road Race in Ireland, and the 3rd oldest, continuous, road race in the World. Please play your part. Clonliffe Harriers AC is  YOUR CLUB.

On Thursday night at 8.00pm Ireland’s oldest road race, the Clonliffe 2 takes place. Thursday April 27th in Santry.  The 2 Mile race has its own unique history dating back to the 1890s with this year marking the 126th running.  The race commences on the track in Morton Stadium. Runners will complete a full lap of the track. The runners will also complete a circuit of the park at Santry Demesne. They will then enter Morton Stadium from the park and finish on the track.

Race Date

Thursday 27 April 2017 at 8.00pm

Race start/finish

Morton Stadium, Santry.

Race sponsor

The race will be sponsored this year by the Kavanagh family in Glasnevin who are continuing their long association with this historic race. The late Eugene Kavanagh commenced sponsoring this race back in the mid 1980s. Clonliffe Harriers are very grateful to the Kavanagh family for their sponsorship of this year’s race.

Race check in and changing facilities

Race check in and changing facilities are located in the Clonliffe clubhouse, in Morton Stadium Santry Dublin 9. Registrations will be taken on the night of the race from 6.15 – 7.30.pm.   The entry fee of €15 (Juniors – €10).

Individual Prizes

Junior Men/Women    1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd places

Senior Men/Women    1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, places

Masters Men/Women 1st in each category

Team prizes

1^st Junior Men/Women

1^st Senior Women /Men

Prize giving/Results

There will be a presentation of prizes in Clonliffe Harriers Club House following the race. For further information contact Mick Kearney at 087-6243843.

Course Map

Click: Clonliffe 2 Map

The 125th annual Clonliffe 2, generously sponsored by Kavanaghs “The Grave Diggers”,  took place in possibly the worst conditions in many a year as the earlier promise of a sunny early summer`s evening gave way to a return of the “soft day” with non stop cold rain for the night giving all concerned an absolute drenching.

There was still a reasonable turn out of in excess of 120 athletes for this most historic of races the first running of which took place some quarter of a century before the 1916 Rising.

As has been the norm since the return to Santry the race started on the Morton Stadium track and after a lap headed out the stadium with a long string of runners lead out by Peter Brandon Somba (Dunboyne AC) and Emmett Dunleavy (Sligo AC). After a short trip through Northwood the lead motorcycle brought the field into Santry Demsene at the Crowne Plaza Bridge lead by the Sligo man, however before the turn back into the stadium Somba struck leading the way to record a win in 9.35 with Dunleavy 2nd (9.40) and Conor Healy 3rd, World Paralympic Middle Distance athlete Michael McKillop (St. Malachys) was 4th.

First woman was Mary Leach (Drogheda & District) 11.35 followed by Clonliffe pairing of Louise Bailey (11.54) and Laura Tuite (12.21).

In the Juniors Sean O`Leary was 1st (5th overall) 10.18 and Alannah Cooley (Clonliffe) 1st junior woman.

The Prizes were given by Niall Kavanagh of Kavanagh`s “The Grave Diggers” to the winning athletes. There then followed two special presentations, the first made by the President of the Irish Masters Athletics Association Mick Fennell to Clonliffe`s Pat Bonass of the Tagh Lynch Memorial Trophy for service to Master`s Athletics and the second of Honorary Life Membership of Clonliffe Harriers by Clonliffe to Alan O`Neill in recognition of his great services to Clonliffe.

Finally Clonliffe would like to thank Mick Kearney the Race Director and his team, all who officiated, the Gardaí, the Kavanagh family and the athletes who took part in the 125th Clonliffe 2.

Results: Results of the Clonliffe 2mile 2016

Race photos click: https://picasaweb.google.com/101280007722910682928/6283333603336913377

Tuesday night May 10th at 8.00pm  Clonliffe Harriers invites fun runners and club runners, to participate in Ireland’s oldest road race, the Clonliffe 2.  The 2 Mile race has its own unique history dating back to the 1890s with this year marking the 125th running. Sadly this year our long time race sponsor, Eugene Kavanagh, is no longer with us. Eugene passed away last August following a short illness. His presence will be sadly missed at this year’s race. In Eugene’s memory the Kavanagh family is kindly sponsoring this year’s race.

The race commences on the track in Morton Stadium. Runners will complete a full lap of the track. The runners will also complete a circuit of the park at Santry Demesne. They will then enter Morton Stadium from the park and finish on the track.

Race check in and changing facilities

Race check in and changing facilities are located in the Clonliffe clubhouse, in Morton Stadium Santry Dublin 9. Registrations will be taken on the night of the race from 6.15 – 7.30.pm.   The entry fee of €15 (Juniors – €10).

Individual Prizes

Junior Men/Women    1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd places

Senior Men/Women    1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, places

Masters Men/Women 1st in each category

Team prizes

1^st Junior Men/Women

1^st Senior Women /Men

Date: Tuesday 10^th May 2016 at 8.00pm

Race start: Morton Stadium, Santry.

Race finish: Morton Stadium, Santry.

Prize giving/Results:There will be a presentation of prizes in Clonliffe Harriers Club House following the race.

For further information contact Mick Kearney at 087-6243843

Tallaght AC`s Tom Fitzpatrick continued his excellent form with a course record win in tonight`s Clonliffe 2 in Santry. The 124th edition of the race drew a good field of 135 starters with considerable quality on show.

In excellent conditions the race got underway at 8.00pm sharp on the mondo track in the Morton Stadium with Tom Fitzpatrick taking up the running after 100m and then leading the field out the stadium gates heading Northwards. The big Tallaght man was followed by a trio of Kenyan athletes lead by Raheny Shamrock`s Freddy Sittuk, also well up was young Aaron Hanlon just home for the Summer from Providence College, Rhode Island.

At the Crowne Plaza turn into Santry Demesne Fitzpatrick had a good advantage of several dozen meters which he extended over the Park Loop leading back into the stadium with Sittuk nearly 10 seconds in arrears. At the finish last year`s course record was consigned to history as a new record of 9.05 was recorded. 1st Tom Fitzpatrick (Tallaght AC),  2nd Freddy Sittuck 9.11 (Raheny) , 3rd Peter Somba (Project Kenya), 4th Aaron Hanlon.

1st woman was Clonliffe`s Louise Reilly in 11.16. 1st Junior Josh Stubbs (Clonliffe) 10.29, 1st Junior woman Laura Tuite (Clonliffe) 11.52.

The prizes, including the magnificent Tommy Burton Cup, were presented by race sponsor Eugene Kavanagh of the “Grave Diggers” in Glasnevin. Eugene has been a most generous sponsor of this race now for 29 years, assisted by Clonliffe President Paddy Marley and Race Director Mick Kearney.

(Pictured race winner, Tom Fitzpatrick and sponsor, Eugene Kavanagh)

Clonliffe would like to thank Eugene, An Gardaí, St. John`s Ambulance, all who officiated and stewarded and the athletes for their support of Ireland`s oldest race.

Results click: 124th Clonliffe 2 results

Photos click: https://plus.google.com/photos/101280007722910682928/albums/6148841480701937521

Tonight, Thursday, May 14^th the Clonliffe 2 Mile takes place in Santry. The race will start on the track at the Morton Stadium before leaving heading North up the Swords Road, left into Northwood and then left again into Santry Demesne Park completing a loop of the best part of a mile in the Park before coming back onto the track where some 300m will be completed.

The race which is being sponsored for the 29^th successive year by Kavanaghs “The Gravediggers” in Glasnevin has an 8.00 p.m. start with an entry fee of €15.00 (Juniors €10.00).

The Clonliffe 2 is the oldest Club roadrace in the world. Over the years the race has been held at several North Dublin venues, the initial route was at the Halfway House, Ashtown near the Phoenix Park with the runners heading back into the city to the finish at the corner of Charleville Road in Phibsborough which was a distance of 2 miles 297 yards. In 1899 the race went to a course which brought the race distance down to 1.5 miles running from Santry to Millmount Avenue in Drumcondra. In 1901 the 2 mile distance was established with the race being running along what is now termed the “traditional 2 mile route” which ran from Flood’s Public House in Finglas Village finishing at the 4 o’clock gate at Glasnevin Cemetery, beside “The Gravediggers” licensed premises where the race remained for a long number of years.

Those early pre first war years were dominated by Frank Ryder who had an unbroken 12 year winning streak from 1908 to 1919 which included the then course record of 8 minutes 34 seconds, that course record remained for 36 years until it was bettered by J. McGuigan who lowered the course record to 8 minutes 24 seconds in 1948, a course record which remains unbroken. The race was then held in Santry, at a course at the back of the Airport in the 1970’s right up to the mid 1980’s when in the Club’s Centenary Year of 1986 the race reverted back, on a one off basis, to the traditional course finishing at “The Gravediggers”. That one off on the traditional route remained for another 25 or so before the race came back to Santry to it’s current course starting and finishing on the track.

Famed winners over the years have included, in 1901 Joe Deakin, Clonliffe’s only Olympic Gold Medalist, he was a member of the Great Britain Team that won the 3 Mile Team Race at the London 1908 Olympics; Frank White, a member of Avondale when he won on two occasions, in 1955 and 1957, in 1958 Frank ran in the Albie Thomas 2 Mile World Record Race on the track in Santry (Frank of course subsequently joined Clonliffe Harriers serving the Club with distinction as an athlete and administrator). In the 1960’s the race was dominated by athletes from Donore Harriers, Mick Connolly, Tom O’Riordan, Jim McNamara and Eddie Spillane, who between them won every Clonliffe 2 that particular decade. In 1970 the Donore grip on the 2 was broken by the 18 year old Tom Cregan winning in the Clonliffe vest in a superb 9:09,  from then on the race has continued to be dominated by Clonliffe Harriers, winners include Des McCormack in 1972, European silver medalist Frank Murphy in 1973, 1974 and 1975, sub 4 minute miler Eugene Curran in 1984, Clonliffe Olympians Jerry Kiernan in 1976, Niall Bruton in 1990, National Cross Country Champions Noel Cullen and Sergiu Ciobanu. The most recent winner of the Clonliffe 2 was Ian Guiden in 2014.

Race check in and changing facilities

Race check in and changing facilities are located in the Clonliffe clubhouse, in Morton Stadium Santry Dublin 9.   The race entry fee is €15 (Juniors – €10). Entry on the day from 6.30pm.

Individual Prizes

Junior Men/Women      1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd places

Senior Men/Women     1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, places

Masters Men/Women 1st in each category

Note: The first placed male and female will each receive a prize of €300.

Race date: Thursday 14 May 2015 at 8.00pm

Race start: Morton Stadium, Santry, Dublin 9.

Race finish: Morton Stadium, Santry, Dublin 9

Prize giving/Results: There will be a presentation of prizes in Clonliffe Harriers Club House following the race.

For further information contact Mick Kearney at 087-6243843

Course Map: Clonliffe 2 Mile 2013 course map