There is no better way to ring in the new year than to put it all out there running a 5K in the beautiful Phoenix Park. It was a very cold day for the annual Tom Brennan 5K. However, despite the cold weather over 700 runners signed up for the New Year’s day event. So cold in fact that you look closely at the race photographs you will see an icicle coming out of my mouth. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
The race route is a two loop course which starts and finishes on the Furze Road in the middle of the Phoenix Park. Participants follow a clockwise, right-handed, route around Furze Road, Ordnance Survey and Chesterfield Avenue. It being the depths of winter there was a very strong wind into your face along ordnance Survey Road, making conditions tough for everyone on that part of the course.
The race today was also part of the very popular Lord Mayor’s 5 Alive Challenge, which promotes a healthy lifestyle and encouraging people to take part in series of events in the Dublin region. All types of runner, jogger and walkers came to the park to ring in the new year, by taking a healthy step forward.
The race start is down near the corner of ordnance Survey Road. This was one of the toughest parts of the chorus as there is a sharp right turn which slows you write down. How much is the first lap I was running with a group of eight but by the time we came around to the halfway point two of the guys had moved out ahead? The pace was fast but I was now committed and was holding on to the chasing group ready to make a move at
The pace was faster than I had run in 2 years but I was now committed and was holding on to the chasing group ready to make a move at 4k, if I last that long. I have run enough of these types of races to know that the pain is temporary but the disappointment of not having given it you’re all lasts a lot longer.
We hit the 4K mark so I decided to make a move. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much there in reserve. I struggled down chesterfield Avenue with the finish line getting ever closer. When we turned the corner third place was gone. I fell over the line, happy knowing that if I can stay injury free there is a great year ahead. But still a little disappointed to not run under 16 minutes.
Unknown to me there was quite a battle with only 19 seconds separating Sandra, Eileen and Conor. Well done to everyone running for the club, even if most of you had forgotten you singlets. Full results below. Apologies if I missed anyone.
Host club Liffey Valley AC along with my run results.com put on a great race. All the supporters out on the course made it all the more enjoyable. Thanks to Dennis, Johnny, Madeleine and Emma for their post long run support and photos. More photo credits go to Peter Mooney and Thomas Grealy.
Gareth MURRAN00:16:0200
Sandra GOWRAN 00:23:1200
Eileen ROWLAND 00:23:2100
Conor KENNY 00:23:3100
Grainne LYNCH 00:23:4800
AudraÍ O’DRISCOLL 00:24:4800
Valerie POWER 00:25:2500
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