Race Report
2022 kicked off with a huge ray of light and excitement in the Phoenix Park for the Tom Brennan New Years Day 5k hosted by Liffey Valley AC. Everything about the day was perfect from start to finish. The weather was summer like with temperatures hitting 14 degrees for the 12 noon start. Over 640 registered with 488 finishers on the day. For most there was an air of joy and happiness of being able to come to the park for a great day out and fill the lungs with fresh air. What a way to start off the new year
For the more serious and very talented athletes there was an air of excitement mixed with a big race feel of tension. This was the first big race of the year. A good start to the year can give athletes the confidence needed to propel themselves for the year ahead. As anticipated the race was highly competitive among individuals and clubs.
Raheny's big guns turned up with in from Daniel Stone (also of Dublin Track club) who has had some great success over the last few months going out hard with club team mate Kieran Kelly. Clonliffe Harriers also packed well and gave Rahney a run for their money. Both Kelly and Stone battled it out to the finish. Daniel hit the front on the 2nd lap and never looked back to win the race in a time of 14:48. The breezy conditions did affect times but all in all there were some great performances. The 3rd placed mens athlete was Martin Hoare of Celbridge AC. Stpehen Fay made up the 3rd scorer for Raheny Shamrock AC (Dublin Track Club) to take top team. Clonliffe was 2nd and Donore Harriers were 3rd. Feidlim Kelly's Dublin Track Club had an influence with some of his athletes running for their clubs. His influence on athletes has been remarkable over the last few years.
It has also helped these athletes perform at a higher level adding to their clubs success. The women's race was won by Laura Mooney of Tullamore Harriers with an incredible race time of 16:45. Hot on her heels providing some real drama in the women's race was Celine Gavin of Dublin City Harriers running a time of 16:51. The pre race club team favorites Dublin City Harriers took top team with Sportsworld and Clonliffe Harriers having a real tussle for 2nd and 3rd. Only 1 point separated the 2 clubs. This was all out action and excitement. All over the age categories some real competition was battled out as seen from results. See below for results button.
This was also part of the Lord Mayors 5 Alive challenge. Next up for the 5 alive participants and for all athletes will be the much eagerly awaited Axa Raheny 5 on Jan 30th hosted by Raheny Shamrock AC.
Pre Race Report
2022 is about to exploide into life tomorrow at the Tom Brennan New Years Day 5k. We are looking forward to a mouth watering race with the prospect of so many talented athletes taking to the start line. The challenge of even getting to the start line is causing much talk, aniticipation and excitement of who will turn up due to the amount of current covid cases.
Who ever turns up we will have a cracker on our hands. This race always brings out the top guns in all age categories. From looking at the pre entries it looks like we will have some great club battles with Raheny Shamrock AC coming up against freindly but fierce rivals Clonliffe Harries for the mens and womens team events. Dublin City Harriers bring in some great form with their womens team on the back a very sucessful XC season. Host club Liffey Valley AC also look strong along with Rathfarham, Donore Harriers and a large contingent from Sportsworld, Dublin Front Runners and Lucan Harriers.
Many new clubs have popped up over the last few years in Dublin who have entered in big numbers. Cherry Orchard RC, Watterstown Warriors have contribued to the road race scene adding to the atmosphere and helping greatly within their communities. They have never been as important as over the last 2 years bringing people together over Covid times. Well done to these clubs.
The Lord Mayors 5 Alive is also another group who bring colour and excitement to this race. Every year the Lord Mayor of Dublin encourages many people to take on the challenge to get fit and active within the community. Many of those who start out in the Lord Mayors challenge continue and join athletics clubs within Dublin. There are many other counties and clubs strongly represented such as Drogheda & District AC, Dunleer AC from Louth, Celbridge AC, St.Coca's and Le Cehile from Kildare, Sli Cualann of Wicklow, Sligo AC, Mullingar Harriers. From Meath we have Dunboyne AC, Fr. Murphy, Na Fianna and Trim AC.
It's difficult to name drop individuals as we just don't know who will show. One thing is for sure we will have a great race ahead. One question is will the current champion Hiko Tonosa of DSD AC and coached by Feidhlim Kelly look to retain his title. Our Participant list will show the possible big guns plus we wait in anticipation of who will arrive on the day.
RESULTS
START LINE VIDEO
LAP 1 VIDEO
DANIEL STONE WINNER
38TH AXA RAHENY 5
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