A number of Clonliffe`s top athletes have put the festivities to one side to put in some sharp races in advance of Saturday`s Antrim International. There was a top class run by Stephen Scullion back home in Belfast for Christmas in the Greenmount 5 Mile Road Race yesterday (Dec 26th) where he successful retained his 2012 title. Stephen lead from gun to tape, hitting 3 miles in 14.41 and romping home over a minute clear in 25.09.
Also in action on the 26th in the Clonmel 4 Mile Road race was Sergiu Ciobanu who placed 3rd in 19.04 some 13 seconds faster than his 2012 winning time and Brian MacMahon 5th (19.40). At the Fields of Athenry 10k Race in Galway Declan Fahy was 3rd and 1st O/40 in 32.48.
At December 29th`s Virginia Forest 10k Trail Race in County Cavan over a tough muddy off road circuit Clive Ahern was 2nd in38.28.
New Year`s Day saw the annual Tom Brennan Memorial 5k held in seriously bad conditions in the Phoenix Park, cold, lashing rain and strong winds, with a number of club members taking part. Greg McLoughlin ran 19.44, Emma Cooper 20.25, Declan Murray 21.24 and Jean Carr 21.41.