RACE REPORT

The Dublin Masters XC got 2024 truly up and running. This XC event is now a tick box and must do event for Dublin Masters Club runners. It's amazing the amount of athletes that turn up to this event on the first Sunday in January. Unlike traditional XC where the competitive nature can turn away the slower athletes, this does not arise for Dublin Masters. It's just a great day out where the top end battle it out and the athletes further down enjoy taking part along with the experience and atmosphere. It really is a great day out.

This atmosphere and ethos was helped created by the late Pat Hooper from the host club Raheny Shamrock A.C. Pat who was a former Olympian loved to see all runners, joggers and abilities don the green and white Singlet. It was always about the community, the club and the people for Pat. He opened up XC for everyone and this fed its way throughout Dublin. This one of the main reasons why Dublin Masters is so unique and special. We now have the Pat Hooper cup that encourages athletes to turn up in large numbers and competed across all team age categories 35+, 50+ and 65+
The races were as we would expect, fiercely competitive with local rivalries still burning strong between Rahney Shamrock and Clonliffe Harriers. Other clubs were also very much in the mix across age categories.

The host club had a great start with Club legend Annette Kealy taking top spot for the first race including women from age 50 +. Annette had this race all to herself proving her class. The home crowd played a big part for Raheny athletes. Raheny were also the 1st women's 50+ team.

Michael Walsh of Brothers Pearse A.C. won the men's 65+ race. This has become a very competitive age cat race with an ever increasing number of 65+ teams fighting for glory. Rathfarnham WSAF A.C. were top M65+ team and were also very competitive in the other races later in the day.

Next up was the Men's 50+. Ciaran McCarthy of Raheny Shamrock A.C ran the perfect race to win his new age cat. What a great baptism for Ciaran. The home crowd roared him home. The 40m gap or more certainly was aided by the home support. The support in general around the course was incredible. This was at truly great event supported by clubs and runners where they live, breathe and sleep running. Well done to all the supporters. Rahney Shamrock A.C. were the men's 50+ team winners.

Then next was the Women's 35 to 49 race. We had a real treat for this one. Last years winner Kate Purcell of Raheny Shamrock A.C. and former National Senior XC and National Marathon champion Maria McCambridge of DSD A.C. ran side by for most of the race. The last lap Maria managed push ahead and take this years Dublin Masters crown. The team winners were again Rahney shamrock A.C. with 4 very strong athletes. Their long standing rivals Sportsworld RC were 2nd. This was a revese of last years team results.

The last race was the Men's 35+ to 49 age cat. This was like every year, a fiercely competitive and fast race. Pre race favourite Paul Stephenson of Rathfarnham WSAF A.C. took this years title with Pierce Geoghegan of Liffey Valley in 2nd and in 3rd was Eddie O'Connor of Brothers Pearse.
The mens team winners were Rathfarnham WSAF A.C. with Raheny in 2nd.

For the 3rd year in a row Raheny Shamrock A.C. won the Pat Hooper Cup. Raheny have never lost the cup and it will take a lot to try and take it outside of Ranheny next year.