Clonliffe Harriers held the club cross country championships as a season’s opener this year. In order to ensure that the ground in Santry Park wouldn’t suffer any damage the 2024 championships were held very early, September 21 on a bone dry surface. The going therefore was fast, in addition the very mild conditions of late coupled with a nice still morning made for a very pleasant environment all round. The crew had been out early marking out the course, a 1000 and a 1500 loop.
The day’s action kicked off bright and early at 10 AM with the club juvenile Championships (see earlier report).
With the juvenile programme concluded everyone gathered at 10:40 PM to pay tribute and mark the passing of our esteemed clubmate Pat Bonass who unfortunately passed away at 80 years of age on Tuesday night. A minute’s silence was observed followed by a round of applause for Pat who over the past 50 years put in thousands of miles on the country in Santry.
The senior race incorporated not only the men and women’s senior championship, 4 x 1500 laps for a total of 6000m) but also the U/20 Championships, running a lap less and the Masters championships, running the full 4 laps. Also included in this particular race was the boys U/16 championship over 1500 – running 1 lap.
The race starter Peter McDermott sent the entire 50 plus field on their way at 10.45 sharp. Quickly established themselves at the business end were Colm Rooney, Stephen Cashin and U/20 athlete Sean Cronin. Further back U/20 women, both newcomers to the club and having their first runs in the famous Clonliffe colours, Emily Bolton and Lorraine O’Connor were running shoulder to shoulder and were quickly establishing a big lead. Niamh Kelly was the lead senior woman and was looking very comfortable after a lap.
As expected Sean Cronin took the U/20 title, he was well clear of Matei Ursachi and Lorcan Benjacar in 2nd and 3rd. Emily Bolton was a clear winner of the women’s U/20 with Lorraine O’Connor 2nd, guest Holly O’Brien 3rd and 4th place but 3rd in the club championship another newcomer Goda Buivydiene.
In the men’s race Colm Rooney and Stephen Cashin, who are largely running at tempo pace it must be said, came down the home straight together with Colm matching the performance of his son Charlie to take a family double, a Rooneys Bookends!. Stephen came in 2nd and in 3rd place Mahed. There was a fine comeback race by Ben Guiden, after a long period of injury this was Ben’s first race in some 2 ½ years, he came through the field nicely to take 4th position.
Niamh Kelly was a convincing winner of the senior women’s race, Sarah Bateson made sure of 2nd place running strongly down the home straight holding off the ever improving Alana Burke in 3rd with Katie Halpin taking 4th.
Of the Masters Laura Kernan was 1st master woman, again it was a family double as daughter Sophie had won the U/16s a short time earlier, and Garrett Loy 1st master man.
Results:
It really was an excellent club morning, the club paying tribute to our fallen comrade Pat Bonass and then a fine turnout of club members all racing in the club colours. It was also going to see such a turnout of young Clonliffe Harriers, who are the future of this club, both U/20 women and men. In addition, of course, the 5 race juvenile programme would warm a heart of stone. An emotional day all round.
Sincere thanks to all of our athletes for supporting the event, thanks to the club captains, the coaches, officials and all who volunteered to make the morning such a success. Thanks also to Fingal permitting use of Santry Park.
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/146364500@N04/albums/72177720320487661