The ever popular Grand Prix Series resumed in Morton Stadium last night with one of the Clubs most prestigious races, the Walker Cup. This was the 52nd running of the Walker Cup, donated by the Walker Family back in 1966. Although the Walker’s association with the club has sadly come to an end, it is fitting that the Walker Cup and the Walker Family and their contribution to Clonliffe are remembered with this prestigious race. The Walker’s association with the Club goes right back to 1893.
Last night’s race drew the usual big entry from the Grand Prix Series and obviously for the 4 mile track event the field was soon spread out with the officials doing a fine job with the lap counting for the 16 tours of Morton Stadium. The fastest man of the night was Steven Butler who completed the 4 mile race in 21.59.
The Walker Cub however is a handicap race and winning his first race in a fair few years, it is safe to say, was Colm Doran who took the honours from 2nd place Fergie Keenan with Declan Grant taking 3rd place.
The Grand Prix races are now coming thick and fast with the next round taking place next Thursday the 13th. This is the 10,000 metre race which incorporates the Club Championship for the Bonass trophies, Pat Bonass having donated a trophy for the Women’s Club Champion to go with the men’s trophy he donated a long number of years ago.
The leader board will be updated after the 10,000, before the series heads out to Malahide for the Club 10 mile for the Ahern Cup on October 13th and then the final two rounds on the Country in November back in Santry Demesne.