Valdas Dopolskas (Balbriggan & District AC) was the winner of this morning`s ERP Xmas Cracker 5k in Santry. Although it was bright and sunny a very strong cold breeze conspired against fast times. There was a very positive turn out of runners for the race, with some 250 entered for this the 7th Xmas Cracker 5k.
With the runners taking in a full lap of the Morton Stadium the field was well spread out before hitting the Santry roads. A pack that included all the favourites at the head: Dopolskas, and a Clonliffe gang of Sean O`Leary, defending champion Adam O`Brien, Cathal Doyle, Aaron Hanlon and Ian Guiden.
(Pictured, Hanlon, 165, Dopolskas, 604, O`Leary, 162)
Hanlon took the lead and drove on the pack right through the up hill in Northwood, but Dopolskas was strong and bided his time, at the turn back into Santry he had a lead of several seconds and entered the Stadium alone, a clear winner in 15.17.9, Adam O`Brien had worked his way into 2nd after an excellent run with Hanlon 3rd, Cathal Doyle 4th and Ian Guiden 5th.
(Pictured, men`s winner Valdas Dopolskas of Balbriggan & District AC)
(Pictured, Women`s winner, Eleanor Alexander, Clonliffe Harriers)
Winning the women`s race was Clonliffe`s Eleanor Alexander, 18.25.6. In the junior men`s there was a home clean sweep for Clonliffe of Sean O`Leary, Efron Gidey and Craig Giles and likewise in the junior women`s: Alannah Cooley, Aoife Hession and Sarah Bateson.
Clonliffe would like to than our sponsor ERP, Alone our charity partner, Last Lap Café for providing most welcome delicious hot chocolate to all finishers, An Garda Siochana, St. John`s Ambulance, all our volunteers and you the runners for making the race a great success. Happy New Year.
Full results click: ERP Xmas Cracker 5k 2017
To see photos click here