Jul 8, 2007 [Noel Guiden] It`s been a long time coming but finally after a gap of maybe 7 or 8 years it`s great to report that THE MORTON MILE WAS WON IN 3.58.45. Aussie visitor Mitch Kealy was the victor by a tight margin of less than half a second from fellow countryman Brad Woods (3.58.89) with James Nolan( UCD) 3rd in 4.01.80. Our own Colm Rooney while dissappointed not to break the magically 4 did make an excellent attempt and ran a new PB of 4.02.18 for 4th.
The Morton Mile was the feature of the Spar Mile Challenge and was supported by an excellent sub 5 minute race incorporating the Junior Mile Challenge, sponsored by Clonliffe Harriers. This junior race was open to all, however with the National Junior C`ship the following day was left to Clonliffe`s crack senior Juvenile squad to battle it out. Eoin Pearce(above) is on fire at the moment and ran a race of great bravery breaking from the pack with 600 to go and running away from the field to take a wonderful win with a PB of 4.24.4. 2nd, also with a PB was Dave Flynn (4.28.07) with Dave Fitzmaurice 3rd (4.29.73) also a PB to make it a Clonliffe 1-2-3 and all with sub 4.30`s. Excellent.
Result of sub 5/ Junior Mile Challenge:
1. E. Pearce (Clonliffe) Jr. 4.24.4(PB)
2. D. Flynn (Clonliffe) Jr. 4.28.07(PB)
3. D. Fitzmaurice (clonliffe) Jr. 4.29.73(PB)
4. R. Savage (Rathfarnham) Sr. 4.31.24 (PB)
5. A.N. OTHER 4.34.61
6. C. Murray (Clonliffe) Jr. 4.35.82
7. A.N. Other 4.41.86
8. Colin Murphy (Clonliffe) Sr. 4.50.24
9. Niall McDonnell Sr. 4.14.02
At 2.00pm the field lined up for the Morton Mile. The skies darkened, the wind picked up and the rain came down. Timing! The chances of a sub 4 looked remote. The pace makers however quickly dispelled our scepticism as Aidan Baily and Gary O`Hanlon led the field through the 1st 400 in 59, 800 in 2.00 as the wind picked up and the athletes gathered themselves for the final assault the pace slipped slightly taking the bell in 3.01. Brad Woods had the advantage however was caught by Mitch Kealy as both break 4. James Nolan catches a tiring Colm Rooney, who had given it his all, for 3rd.Behind Colm in 5th another Aussie Jermony Roff 4.03.22 with Martin Fagan(Mullingar AC) making the top 6.
The presentation party was lead by Billy Morton`s daughters Yvonne and Billie with race sponsor Noel Daly of Commercial Hygiene Services as the sun shone again and the wind ceased.
Morton Mile 2007:
1. M. Kealy (Aus) 3.58.45
2. B. Woods (Aus) 3.58.89
3. J. Nolan (UCD) 4.01.8
4. C. Ronney (Clonliffe) 4.02.18
5. J. Roff (Aus) 4.03.22
6. M. Fagan ( Mullingar) 4.04.45
7. L. Chislon (Aus) 4.09.43
8. B. Maher (KCH) 4.12.49
9. W. Alkin (Clonliffe) 4.16.07
10. E. Flynn (Rathfarnham) 4.17.61
11. P. McCarton 4.17.83
12. R. Connolly (DSD) 4.18.33
13. R. Chix (Aus) 4.21.2
14. Gearoid O`Connor (Rathfarnham) 4.28.5
DNF Joe Sweeney (DSD)
Clonliffe thank our sponsor Commercial Hygiene Service, the Morton Family for being with us once again on this great day and all the officials, from Clonliffe and our friends from othside the club.