Mark Christie wins ERP Cracker in record time

Today`s ERP Christmas Cracker 5k was won by Mark Christie (Mullingar) in a new course record of 14.22 knocking a massive 20 seconds off last year`s record, from Michael Mulhare (North Laois) 14.39 and John Coghlan (MSB) 14.46, Mulhare and Coghlan also bettering last year`s record time.

A field of some 200 gathered for the start on the track at Morton Stadium in nice bright sunshine and after a lap of the stadium headed out into Santry for a tour around Northwood and Santry Avenue. Some half way into the race the weather turned suddenly nasty as rain and then sleet was driven into the faces of the athletes. Christie made light of the condition, however,  breaking away at the top of Santry Avenue and then hitting the gas to turn into the stadium some 25m clear of European Cross Country 15th place finisher Mulhare to take a classy win in a new course record.

Defending champion Tom Fitzpatrick (Tallaght) was next into the stadium in 4th place in 14.49 with 2011 champion Joe Warne (Donehy) 5th in 15.37 with Clonliffe`s Edgars Sumskis in 15.54 completing the top 6.

First women was MSB`s Kate O`Neill 18.04 and 26th overall, 2nd woman was Eleanor Alexander (Clonliffe) who was celebrating her engagement last night and Niamh Devlin (DSD) 3rd.

In the junior men there was a Clonliffe 1,2,3 of Cathal Doyle (16.31), Josh Stubbs and Brian Flanagan. Hope Saunders, also of Clonliffe was first junior woman (20.11).

Clonliffe would like to thank ERP our partners in this race and our other sponsors Amphibian King, Last Lap Café, Commercial Hygiene Service and Pasta Castello, the officials who came out in such big numbers, Morton Stadium, the Gardai and you the athletes for taking part. We look forward to seeing you again at next year`s race.

To view 2013 results click: Clonliffe 5km Results

Gallery:

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