After the Summer break the 2015 Grand Prix Series will roar back into action in the Morton Stadium on Thursday night, September 3rd for round 12 of 16 The Walker Cup.
The Walker Cup is one of the top Clonliffe club races, a 4 mile track race. The cup was presented to the club by the Walker family back in 1966. The walkers have a long tradition with Clonliffe Harriers going right back to the near foundings of the club when George Frazer Walker in 1893 joined the then 7 year old club, two years later he was on the Clonliffe National Junior Cross Country team that won the first National title for the young club. Some seven years later he was club President.
George`s four sons were also Clonliffe Harriers, the Clonliffe National Senior Cross Country winning team featured three of the four: George, Charles and Albert. George Junior followed in his father`s foot steps and was Clonliffe President in 1936.
In turn George junior`s sons also became members of Clonliffe, these third generation Clonliffe Walkers included Frazer, who`d be well know to most of the current members. In 1953 Frazer became the third generation Walker to win the National Cross Country team title.
The Walkers were famed for winning the Irish 4 mile track title hence the Walker Cup being a 4 mile track race. Next year will be the 50th anniversary of the Walker Cup.
Thursday`s race will be as usual run as a sealed handicap with an 8.00pm start. As this race is a Clonliffe club race any member of the club is welcome to run. Grand Prix members running are requested to attend the post race social/presentation, and anyone not competing is request to come along to help officiate.
The remaining Grand Prix Races are:
Round 12: Thursday 3rd of September – The Walker Cup (4 Mile) Morton Stadium 8 p.m.
Round 13: Thursday 24th of September – Bonass Trophy/Club 10,000m – Morton stadium 8pm.
Round 14: Saturday 3rd of October – Ahern Cup/Club 10 Mile – Maladide Castle 12 noon.
Round 15: Saturday 9th of November – Horan Cup 6mile XC – Santry Demesne 12 noon.
Round 16: Saturday 28th of November – Irwin Cup 6k XC – Santry Demesne 12 noon.