The Loftus Report: Juvenile Cake Races

Kevin Loftus reports:The joyful, festive cheer during this year’s Juvenile Christmas Cake Races was clearly audible from outside Santry’s Morton Stadium, as our young athletes celebrated yet another terrific year in the club’s history.  Thankfully it was a dry, mild evening with little moisture gathered on the surface of the track, making for great racing.  There were marvellous performances from all of the younger athletes, all of them joining together in what was a throughly enjoyable night for both runners and their coaches and parents.  Every harrier embraced the spirit behind these races; to run one’s best and to have fun.  After the business end of the proceedings drew to a close, athletes and their supporters flocked eagerly to the club house bar where they found a wonderfully prepared collection of treats,by the extremely kind courtesy of Colm Doran.

We had eight surprised and delighted winners of the highly sought after cakes in their respective handicapped races, listed below. The incredibly tireless Juvenile Club Captain Gladys Cooper presented these proud winners with their sweet desserts as just reward for their valiant efforts.   A huge congratulations to these deserving harriers.

After this Club coaches Gerry Carr and Noel Guiden gave short introductions to their presentations of awards for the Hardest Working Harrier and the Athlete of the Year respectively.  Both spoke eloquently of the immense rewards reaped as a result of coming to training on a regular basis.  These two harriers are set apart from the rest in their fields, demonstrating in outstanding style what exactly it is to be a true Clonliffe Harrier.  They give so willingly of all their time to their sport; achieving the highest heights possible as a result of their unbinding commitment to their training.  Gerry thus made a presentation to brilliant Amy Hodson, awarded the prize of being the most committed harrier of 2015.  This was followed promptly by Noel, presenting the Athlete of the Year to the equally deserving Craig Giles.

So yet another year has passed in the eyes of Clonliffe Harriers.  It is at this point that we express our profound gratitude for the incredulous on going effort made by both coaches and parents to provide our young athletes with the skills and expertise necessary to compete at such a high level in this sport.  We will be forever in debt to you.  Finally, one must say from all in the Juvenile Section of the club, we wish all the friends of Clonliffe a very merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.  Nil Desperandum.

Cake Race Winners 2015:

U/10 Girls: Megan Lawler, Boys: Jack McDonnell

U/12 Girls: Isabel Browne, Boys: Cian O`Hare

U/14 Girls: Zoe McKenna, Boys: Dermot Buckley

U/16 Girls: Rafa Diamond-Ebbs, Boys: Daniel Lacey

Report by Kevin Loftus
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