Raheny 5 Mile 2020 – Sunday 26th January

Reports By Karl Shevlin & Deirdre O’Connell, photos by Peter Knaggs.

Karl:

As the last Sunday of January arrives, so too does the ever popular Raheny 5 Mile Road Race. Many a runner is likely to see this as good opportunity to put down a marker at the onset of the road racing season. This race offers a single loop taking runners around the environs of At Anne’s Park with a switchback section inside the park.

Knowing that the start area fills up very quickly, I was keen to get there in good time to get togged out and land somewhere close to the start line for the off. Being so minded, I rocked up probably way too early Sunday morning, so given the opportunity to amble about at my leisure, I took the time for a stroll around the starting area, soaking up the atmosphere of the junior races which were about to get underway.

As the Sportsworld contingent gathered in the assembly hall for number collection, talk turned to starting line tactics, i.e. how to get within sight of the start line to make a blazing start, as well as a debate on baggage security. The consensus arrived at was to get out and do a decent warm up and abandon our bags in the hall rather than go to Baggage Drop. Given all the goodies on display up on the stage for the raffle, it was reasoned there were richer pickings other than pre-worn sports apparel and half eaten protein bars.

A pack of us headed out around the first mile section of the course for a warm-up jog, and the area was by now busy with lots of runners doing the same thing. It didn’t feel very cold, and there was certainly no breeze, so perfect race conditions really.

Having managed to get up to the start line at the front of the pen, I mingled with the contenders as we awaited the starting gun. And then off we went. ‘What was I doing?’ I asked myself at mile 1, when I realised I’d gotten carried away and went off way too fast. I spotted Padraig Looby and Lisa Madden race on after first mile marker, and soon after other Sportsworld contenders raced on ahead too. I did a little recalibration and then tried to settle into a more manageable pace, rather than crashing out.

After allowing myself to get swept along in the crowd along the road section from the start along to Mount Prospect Avenue, but by the time I’d entered the park the field was well and truly strung out. Having taken the turn at the switchback it was all about holding out until the end. A dash of sorts over the line and it was job done.

Once back amongst the pack, it soon became clear that there had been some stellar performances, with some confessing to PBs upon investigation. A dip into the goody bag yielded a nice cooling sip, as the early Spring sun warmed the moment. And then it was off for tea and biscuits.

by Deirdre O’ Connell (sister of Paul):

My second time doing the Raheny 5 Mile, and another wonderful running outing!  This one feels like the beginning of the year’s road racing and with a field of 4,700+ it’s definitely a “New Year New Us” endeavour for many.

With nearly 40 Sportsworlders lining out, there are always gangs of clubmates for chit-chat. My brother The Paul O’Connell let me represent the family this year, given his feed of pints at Packie’s 40th the previous night. No such excuse for Martin Doyle, who looked fresh and ready even after his 7 pints at the party. What an athlete!

On advice from Spike-Punctured-Toe-Victim Michael Cunningham, I got up towards the front, lining up with Paul Hamilton, discussing the world’s great marathons. So engrossed we were, we didn’t notice another near 500 runners land in on top of us, so our front line trick was spoiled!

Off went the gun, and out we went. Unlike last year, there was no moving cars to challenge us in Mile 1, so we cracked on out to the main Howth Road, under the stewardship of my old friend Raheny Club Man Jodie Kilhooly. Given it took over an hour to drive to this race, it’s nice to then to be part of major traffic disruption, before we turned in onto roads with many incredible North Side gaffs.

I tried and succeeded to maintain a decent steady enough pace. I really enjoyed the road running but how annoying are full width speed ramps. The lengths in the park are pretty, but the U-Turn into the final mile is a shock to the body. The final leg is long enough, but the supporters are a plenty. It really feels like the big and great event it is.

At the line end I caught my breath, and once regained strength, I took possession of my monster 5Kg goodie bag, and got stuck into the haul. I then joined the queue of ladies for a hug from Padraig Looby. He had himself ran exceptionally, so his embrace was even better than normal, said an anonymous girl.

Everyone at the end line, myself included, were in varying degrees of happy as we all headed away. Paparazzi Peter Knaggs group shoots captured the fun.

It turns out it was most competitive race in its history, according to race organisers; the fastest road race in Ireland saw 15 athletes break 24 minutes! There were super times from many Sportsworlders with a good few PBs. Congratulations to our leading male Sadanand and lady Lisa Madden, the latter leading our females to a team 4th out of 71 teams.

I was so glad to hear Ray Carpenter got 3rd in his category, and received an incredible new Toaster. Straight to the Black Door to celebrate!

RESULTS

109          Sadanand MAGEE   00:27:44  00:27:46  3826        M (102)   MS (86)   Sportsworld RC

125          Conor MCCARTHY   00:28:06  00:28:09  5865        M (118)   MS (96)   Sportsworld RC

184          Martin DOYLE         00:28:58  00:29:00  5850        M (172)   M40 (21) Sportsworld RC

222          Lisa MADDEN          00:29:21  00:29:30  5864        F (17)       FS (15)     Sportsworld RC

229          Padraig LOOBY        00:29:22  00:29:33  5862        M (212)   M40 (36) Sportsworld RC

260          Timothy MORAHAN               00:30:00  00:30:04  5869        M (240)   MS (159) Sportsworld RC

273          Diarmuid O’SULLEABHAIN     00:30:13  00:30:17  5875        M (252)   MS (169) Sportsworld RC

312          Paul HAMILTON      00:30:43  00:30:55  5852        M (291)   M45 (22) Sportsworld RC

353          Justin MCKEEVER    00:31:19  00:31:23  5866        M (326)   M40 (71) Sportsworld RC

399          Peter KNAGGS        00:31:55  00:31:58  5857        M (366)   M50 (19) Sportsworld RC

421          Nicola LENEHAN     00:32:06  00:32:19  5859        F (36)       FS (26)     Sportsworld RC

430          Karl SHEVLIN          00:32:20  00:32:23  5879        M (391)   M45 (35) Sportsworld RC

439          Cian BUCKLEY         00:31:50  00:32:31  5846        M (399)   MS (230) Sportsworld RC

454          James DAWSON     00:32:17  00:32:40  5848        M (412)   MS (238) Sportsworld RC

457          Tomas KINSELLA     00:32:20  00:32:43  5856        M (415)   MS (240) Sportsworld RC

490          David KENNEDY      00:32:46  00:32:58  1716        M (445)   MS (253) Sportsworld RC

507          Sean DONEGAN      00:33:05  00:33:11  5849        M (459)   MS (262) Sportsworld RC

508          Noel TOBIN             00:33:00  00:33:11  5881        M (462)   M55 (12) Sportsworld RC

515          Will MURRAY          00:32:59  00:33:15  5132        M (466)   M40 (102)               Sportsworld RC

524          Gerard NEENAN     00:33:13  00:33:18  5872        M (474)   M40 (106)               Sportsworld RC

572          Deirdre O’CONNELL                00:33:39  00:33:52  5873        F (57)       FS (36)     Sportsworld RC

575          David SAUNDERS    00:33:24  00:33:54  5878        M (516)   MS (283) Sportsworld RC

581          Louise JACKMAN     00:33:42  00:33:58  5853        F (58)       FS (37)     Sportsworld RC

793          Caoimhe COSTIGAN               00:34:05  00:35:52  2475        F (97)       FS (53)     Sportsworld RC

796          Tim MURPHY          00:35:32  00:35:53  5871        M (697)   M50 (65) Sportsworld RC

834          Bartek SOKOLOWSKI              00:35:56  00:36:15  3374        M (726)   M40 (160)               Sportsworld RC

842          Padraic MORAN      00:35:46  00:36:20  3119        M (732)   M50 (68) Sportsworld RC

848          Maria FINNEGAN    00:36:02  00:36:23  5851        F (110)     F40 (32)   Sportsworld RC

945          Ray CARPENTER      00:36:54  00:37:17  3726        M (810)   M65 (3)  

904          Aoife O’LEARY         00:35:58  00:36:55  2511        F (122)     FS (67)     Sportsworld RC

916          Grainne LYNCH       00:36:39  00:37:00  5863        F (128)     F40 (33)   Sportsworld RC

1002        Jessica KENNEDY    00:36:23  00:37:42  1717        F (151)     FS (77)     Sportsworld RC

1019        Sandra ARMSTRONG             00:37:35  00:37:54  5843        F (157)     F45 (16)   Sportsworld RC

1106        Bronwyn WHITE MURPHY     00:38:12  00:38:32  5882        F (186)     FS (93)     Sportsworld RC

1310        Crona CLOHISEY     00:38:53  00:39:51  1337        F (254)     FS (123)   Sportsworld RC

1336        Anne BELTON         00:38:42  00:40:00  5844        F (262)     FS (127)   Sportsworld RC

1341        Mary MCNAMARA  00:39:39  00:40:03  5867        F (264)     FS (128)   Sportsworld RC

1352        Elaine MCKENNA    00:38:40  00:40:07  1521        F (267)     FS (129)   Lambay Sports & Athletics

1394        Marie BRADLEY      00:40:01  00:40:20  5845        F (282)     F45 (33)   Sportsworld RC

1412        Audrai O’DRISCALL 00:40:03  00:40:28  5874        F (289)     F55 (8)     Sportsworld RC

1419        Deirdre MCGING    00:39:14  00:40:32  864          F (292)     FS (137)   Sportsworld RC

1501        Troy POWER           00:40:02  00:41:09  5876        M (1173) M45 (160) Sportsworld RC

1519        Valerie POWER       00:40:54  00:41:14  5877        F (328)     F45 (38)   Sportsworld RC

1602        Adrian LANIGAN     00:41:21  00:41:50  5858        M (1237) M40 (271) Sportsworld RC

1755        Catherine GILMORE                00:41:39  00:42:55  294          F (426)     F50 (31)   Sportsworld RC

1760        Trevor LLYOD          00:42:01  00:42:56  5861        M (1328) M75 (3)   Sportsworld RC

1791        Carmel BREEN        00:42:45  00:43:06  5880        F (437)     FS (201)   Sportsworld RC

1825        Gaby KELLY             00:41:30  00:43:17  5131        F (454)     F40 (125) Sportsworld RC

1843        Rachel MCGUIRK    00:42:03  00:43:22  1690        F (460)     FS (209)   Sportsworld RC

2062        Laura KENNY           00:43:36  00:44:36  5855        F (569)     F40 (160) Sportsworld RC

2089        Judith LLYOD           00:43:49  00:44:46  5860        F (584)     F70 (2)     Sportsworld RC

2230        Miriam NAGLE        00:44:00  00:45:46  3341        F (661)     FS (280)   Sportsworld RC

2301        Hannah CARABINE 00:44:27  00:46:12  5847        F (708)     FS (298)   Sportsworld RC

2676        Ann-Marie CLYNE   00:48:07  00:48:53  5718        F (925)     F55 (43)   Sportsworld RC

3223        Dave CLARKE           00:37:19  00:53:06  2135        M (1923) M40 (412) Sportsworld RC