Festive Cornucopia

L-R: Tim O'Donnell, Louise O'Riordan, Ciara Lynch

Many of the club’s members spent their Christmas break this week looking for ways to get out of the house with competitive runs, and found them. There seems to have been a significant increase in the number of parkruns now available on Christmas Day alongside those iconic races, such as the Fields of Athenry 10k on St. Stephen’s Day, the Rita and Robbie Xmas 5k and the Togher 5k a day or two later, that have traditionally graced the racing calendar across the island between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

We start with the Fields of Athenry 10k, in its 22nd year. It enjoyed a field this year of just over 1900 runners, among them at least 8 Crusaders making the trip to Galway. Our contingent was led home by Brian Regan in 21st place with a time of 34:57 and Brian was followed not too far behind by Joe McDermott (41st in 35:55). Doireann Hughes was our first female finisher (77th overall and 6th female athlete across the line in 38:06) and Doireann was followed home by Emma Rowe (158th and 16th in 40:35). Ronan Walsh was a little further back (211th in 42:07) and then came Áine Kenny who combined the race with a much longer training run (583rd and 97th in 47:54). Brendan Glynn was next (605th in 48:39) and he was followed by Mary Dolan who did not record a place, but ran around 57:20. Members may be interested to learn that Catherine Thornton, who trains with us, placed 44th and 3rd in 36:13, just behind Joe.

On the same day, in Co. Limerick, Michelle English took part in the Caherdavin 10k, where, in a field of 136, she completed the distance in 67:32 for 129th place. Further west, we had two runners and a returning exile in the Farranfore Maine Valley 5k in Co. Kerry. In a field of 435, Mags Foley was our first runner home in 65th and 7th spots in a time of 19:34, ahead of her brother Tom, who now lives in London, who placed 80th in 19:56. Tomás Bradley also ran, placing 84th in 20:03. Also, on St. Stephen’s Day, we had at least 4 runners in the Clonmel 4 miler, in which the winner of the women’s race, US Olympian and American marathon record holder (2:18:29) Emily Sisson, set an excellent course record of 20:29 for the distance (breaking Shona Heaslip’s record by 17 seconds). Alban Coghlan placed 24th in 22:18, followed by Eddie Nugent (76th in 25:30), Tony Hackett (196th in 29:03) and John Corish (401st in 35:29).

The following day, Saoirse McGrath won the women’s race in the Rita and Robbie 5k that took place in Co. Meath, finishing on the Claremont track outside Navan. Saoirse placed 25th overall in a field of 384. Congratulations to her. The Suttonians RFC-organised Fat Turkey 10k, up and down the hillside in Howth, also involved several Crusaders. In a field of 462 runners, Simon Kenny ran 40:08 but his place was not recorded. Olwyn Dunne ran 48:02 for 106th spot and she was followed by Emer Kenny (157th in 50:36) and by Darina Scully (223rd in 53:27).

On Sunday morning at least 3 of our clubmates took part in the Togher AC 5k down in Co. Cork. Running with 766 other runners, Tim O’Donnell placed 183rd in 20:54, followed closely by Ciara Lynch (186th and 26th in 21:01) and then by Louise O’Riordan (224th and 42nd in 21:42). On the same day, Ciara Regan ran in the Benbulben 5k, in Co. Sligo, where she placed 68th and 7th in a time of 20:15.

Further afield, one of our Spanish exiles, Esther Requena Ferri, ran in two more street races in southern Spain. In the Carrera de Navidad Las Gabias 4k Esther ran 15:44 for 2nd place in the women’s race, and, then, along with Cristian Vilchez Ceballos (who placed 2nd overall in 18:02), she ran an evening 5k in the Carrera de Navidad Gojar in 20:49, also placing 2nd in the women's event. Meanwhile, Gary Park ran in the VII San Silvestre Gaditana 5.2k around Cadiz which he completed in 19:29.

There was even a race in the mountains this week. In Co. Wicklow IMRA organised the Pier Gates Remembrance Run over Djouce on Friday morning. Joining the field of 186 were Paul Flynn, Ollie McGrath and Clare Sullivan. In an event 7.5k long on easy terrain and with a climb of 120m, Paul placed 21st in 41:31, whilst Ollie ran 43:43 for 32nd spot and Clare finished in 67th and 11th places in 49:00. Clare was likely also given 1st place as an F40, since the runner in the same age ahead of her finished on the podium.

As mentioned above, we had a lot of interest on Christmas Day in the parkruns on offer, and not just in Ireland. One of our Australian exiles, Maurice Kelter, placed first finisher in the Windsor Precinct parkrun in Launceston, Tasmania, where, in a field of 224, he crossed the line in 16:50 (finishing first for the second time in consecutive and different parkruns). Meanwhile Michael Wycherley ran in Queenstown in New Zealand again, where, in a field of 305, he placed 16th in 19:34. Then, Kabir Sala ran in Milan’s Parco Nord parkrun ,where, in a field of 113, he ran 21:13 for 26th spot.

Back home, Tim O’Donnell ran in the 34-strong field in Clonakilty which he completed in 21:21 for 3rd place, whilst Donatas Jocius joined 370 other runners in Dodder Valley, where he placed 9th in 18:07. Kev Moore took 5th spot in the 306th-strong field in Limerick, which he ran in 19:19, whilst Will Holton ran along with 276 other participants in the Kilcock parkrun where he placed 26th in 21:43. Louise O’Riordan and Mairead Cashman ran down in Cork, with Louise joining 472 other runners in Ballincollig where she placed 162nd and 26th in 25:52 and Mairead ran with 113 other participants in Glen River where she placed 77th and 26th in 32:05.

We had 4 runners in Waterstown where the Shine family joined 244 other runners. Fiona placed 150th and 44th in 29:37, followed by Máirín who placed 178th and 63rd in 31:48. One second back came Lisa who placed 179th and 64th in 31:49. Finally, Anna ran 31:51 for 180th and 65th places.

Ross Neill joined 789 runners in Stormont where he placed 11th in 17:58, whilst Shane Egan ran in Sligo where, although not recording a place he ran 19:35. Finally, we had 3 runners in Porterstown. Along with Paul Moloney, Paul and Aoife Kelly, joined a field of 240. Paul Kelly placed 43rd in 22:43, followed by Paul Moloney (85th in 25:48) and by Aoife (110th and 23rd in 27:30).

On Saturday morning we had a pretty decent turnout in parkruns and a good return of first finishers and podium results.

Kevin Fitzgibbon ran 17:44 in the 200-strong field in Griffeen Park to lead everyone home. Meanwhile, in Marlay Park, we had at least 10 members join the field of 518 there. Two of our clubmates recorded first finishes. Kevin Kavanagh led everyone across the line in first place overall (16:59), whilst Aoife Quigley, whilst pacing the 20 minutes finishers and placing 30th overall, actually placed first female in 20:09.  Clare Sullivan followed Aoife home (39th and 2nd in 20:49), followed by Joanne Carey (67th and 6th in 22:20), Emily Glen (78th and 9th in 22:35), Tanja Narancic (101st and 14th in 23:11), Carmel Higgins (144th and 28th in 24:25), David Pepper (161st in 24:57), Franky Keane (167th in 25:16) and Paula Bradshaw (168th and 33rd in 25:16). Aoife's father, John, also ran, placing 316th in 28:52.

Isabelle Cairns was also a first finisher, down in New Ross. Isabelle placed 6th overall in a field of 81 and in a time of 21:30, whilst Ross Neill went back to Ormeau Park in Belfast where he placed 2nd in a field of 431 and in a time of 17:10. Eoghan Corrigan took 2nd spot in Brickfields, running 20:20 in a field of 47, whilst Stephen Hurley also placed 2nd in Poolbeg. 125 runners took part in the parkrun, with Stephen finishing in 17:33, followed by young Joe Murphy (4th in 19:06), Eddie Nugent (6th in 19:41) and another youngster, Daniel Sheridan, 7th in 20:31. Luke Clarke was next (19th in 22:25), followed by Neil Brown (23rd in 22:54), Lisa Branigan (35th and 5th in 24:11), Russell Murphy (41st in 24:58), Maureen McGinley (87th and 27th in 29:34) and Una McCullagh (88th in 29:48).

Another 2nd place finish was registered by Paul Flynn in Shanganagh where he ran 18:03. In a field 237-strong, Paul was followed by Dee Lawlor (42nd in 22:44), Orlaith de Burca (141st and 41st in 29:21), Lisa Shine (163rd and 56th in 30:25) and Máirín Shine (164th and 57th in 30:28) just behind.  Meanwhile, down in Tramore Valley in Cork, Mags Foley placed 23rd and 4th in a field of 192 and in a time of 21:30, followed by Mairead Cashman (130th and 40th in 29:22). Then, in Claremorris, with a field 88-strong, Garret Connolly placed 5th in 20:30, followed by John O’Donnell (8th in 21:05).

Lorraine Healy celebrated the festive season with a run in Corkagh Park. In a field of 210, Lorraine placed 64th and 9th in 26:01, whilst Sharon Woods was our sole runner in the 92-strong field in Tymon Park, where she placed 31st and 7th in 24:58. Ryan Preston ran in Victoria Park in Belfast where he joined a field of 295, placing 72nd in 20:21, whilst Maria Kennedy ran once again in Kilkenny where, in a field of 188, she placed 86th and 20th in 27:37.

Ellen Walsh ran a time of 26:36 to place 27th and 8th in Sligo with its field of 90, whilst Aoife and Paul Kelly moved on to St. Anne’s this weekend where, in a field of 391, Aoife placed 169th and 38th in 26:50 and Paul took 173rd spot in 26:55. Darina Scully ran in Father Collins Park, where, alongside 105 other participants, she placed 50th and 14th in 27:49, whilst Darran Lovely also placed 50th in Mullingar in a field measuring 134 and a time of 27:00.

Lorraine McMahon joined 67 other runners in Youghal (Pobalscoil na Tríonóide) where she placed 48th and 19th in 28:20, whilst Carina Davidson ran alongside 163 other runners in Cabinteely where she placed 86th and 21st in 29:52. Down in Ballincollig, Barry O’Neill ran 32:09 for 225th spot in a field of 304, whilst further afield Kabir Sala joined 148 other runners in Milan’s Parco Nord again, where he placed 23rd in 20:55.

One of our London exiles, Thom Martini ran in Wycombe Wye, where, in a field of 440, he placed 82nd in 23:36, whilst Cian Coughlan and Áine Crotty headed to Folkestone on the Kent coast, where Áine placed 211th and 54th in 39:03, with Cian being given the same time for 212th place. The field there measured 385.
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Fields of Athenry 10k (1908)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Jamie Fallon 1 00:30:34
39 Sharon Rynne 1 00:35:53
Crusaders AC runners
21 Brian Regan 00:34:57
41 Joe McDermott 00:35:55
77 Doireann Hughes 00:38:06 (6)
158 Emma Rowe 00:40:35
211 Ronan Walsh 00:42:07
583 Áine Kenny 00:47:54 (97)
605 Brendan Glynn 00:48:39
XXX Mary Dolan 00:57:20 (XX)
Full results here: https://redtagtiming.com/results/FoA2024.pdf
Farranfore Mainevalley 5k (435)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Oisin Murray 1 00:15:01
7 Shona Heaslip 1 00:16:04
Crusaders AC runners
65 Margaret Foley 00:19:34 (7)
80 Tom Foley 00:19:56
84 Tomás Bradley 00:20:03
Full results here: https://www.sportsplits.com/races/farronfore-maine-valley-ac-5km-2024/events/1?page=1
Clonmel MSD 4-miler (581)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Kane Collins 1 00:19:56
3 Emily Sisson 1 00:20:29 (CR)
Crusaders AC runners
24 Alban Coghlan 00:22:18
76 Eddie Nugent 00:25:30
196 Tony Hackett 00:29:03
401 John Corish 00:35:29
Full results here: https://www.premiertimingsystems.ie/2024-results/MSD-4-Mile-Results
Caherdavin 10k (136)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Niall Shanahan 1 00:31:53
12 Shona Keane 1 00:38:36
Crusaders AC runner
129 Michelle English 01:07:32
Full results here: https://myrunresults.com/events/caherdavin_10k/5609/results
Rita and Robbie Xmas 5k (384)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Tomás Fitzpatrick 1 00:15:20
25 Saoirse McGrath 1 00:18:27
Crusaders AC runner
25 Saoirse McGrath 00:18:27 (1)
Full results here: https://myrunresults.com/events/rita__robbie_christmas_5k_2024/5100/results
IMRA Djouce Remembrance Race 7.5k (186)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Eoin Flynn 1 00:36:56
25 Niamh Murphy 1 00:42:31
Crusaders AC runners
21 Paul Flynn 00:41:31
32 Ollie McGrath 00:43:43
67 Clare Sullivan 00:49:00 (11)
Full results here: https://www.imra.ie/events/results/id/2555/category/O/
Togher AC Ryan’s 5k (769)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 John Durcan 1 00:15:13
40 Carol Finn 1 00:17:41
Crusaders AC runners
183 Tim O’Donnell 00:20:04
186 Ciara Lynch 00:21:01 (26)
224 Louise O’Riordan 00:21:42 (42)
Full results here: https://www.premiertimingsystems.ie/2024-results/Togher-AC-5K-Results
Benbulben 5k (183)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Tadgh Donnelly 1 00:14:23
36 Victoria Atkinson 1 00:18:24
Crusaders AC runner
68 Ciara Regan 00:20:15 (7)
Full results here: https://coretiming.ie/events/benbulben-5km-24/
Fat Turkey 10k (462)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Rob Kelly 1 00:34:42
19 Caitriona Joyce Saunders 1 00:40:11
Crusaders AC runners
XX Simon Kenny 00:40:08
106 Olwyn Dunne 00:48:02
157 Emer Kenny 00:50:36
223 Darina Scully 00:53:27
Full results here: https://fatturkeyrun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-fat-turkey-provisional-results-1.0.pdf
Christmas Day Parkruns:
Waterstown Parkrun (248)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Chris Loudon 1 00:16:24
8 Niamh Murphy 1 00:19:58
Crusaders AC runners
150 Fiona Shine 00:29:37 (44)
178 Máirín Shine 00:31:48 (63)
179 Lisa Shine 00:31:49 (64)
180 Anna Shine 00:31:51 (65)
Stormont Parkrun (790)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Adam Spratt 1 00:16:55
10 Emily Morris 1 00:17:52
Crusaders AC runner
11 Ross Neill 00:17:58
Limerick Parkrun (306)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Aidan O’Donnell 1 00:18:31
9 Susan Murnane 1 00:19:31
Crusaders AC runner
5 Kev Moore 00:19:19
Sligo Parkrun (182)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Peter Gallagher 1 00:17:29
7 Claire Oxlade 1 00:20:12
Crusaders AC runner
XX Shane Egan 00:19:35
Clonakilty Parkrun (34)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Diarmuid Ó Súilleabháin 1 00:20:16
16 Grainne Mulcahy 1 00:25:11
Crusaders AC runner
3 Tim O’Donnell 00:21:21
Glen River Parkrun (114)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Stephen O’Brien 1 00:19:28
14 Irene Eighan 1 00:21:55
Crusaders AC runner
77 Mairead Cashman 00:32:05 (26)
Royal Canal, Kilcock Parkrun (277)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Jack Gilmartin 1 00:17:59
16 Maebh Caffrey 1 00:21:12
Crusaders AC runner
26 Will Holton 00:21:43
Dodder Valley Parkrun (370)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Gareth Murran 1 00:17:01
16 Aleksandra Rogalska 1 00:19:18
Crusaders AC runner
9 Donatas Jocius 00:18:07
Porterstown Parkrun (240)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Thomas Sherlock 1 00:16:44
13 Monica Holmes 1 00:19:52
Crusaders AC runners
43 Paul F. Kelly 00:22:43
85 Paul Moloney 00:25:48
110 Aoife Kelly 00:27:30 (23)
Ballincollig Parkrun (473)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Anthony Mannix 1 00:16:33
20 Teresa Murphy 1 00:19:43
Crusaders AC runner
162 Louise O’Riordan 00:25:52 (26)
28/12/24 Parkruns
Shanganagh Parkrun (237)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 James Foot 1 00:17:49
31 Suzanne Foot 1 00:21:54
Crusaders AC runners
2 Paul Flynn 00:18:03
42 Derek Lawlor 00:22:44
141 Orlaith de Burca 00:29:21 (41)
163 Lisa Shine 00:30:25 (56)
164 Máirín Shine 00:30:28 (57)
Ormeau Parkrun (431)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Chris Anderson 1 00:15:50
11 Harriet Buswell 1 00:19:22
Crusaders AC runner
2 Ross Neill 00:17:10
Limerick Parkrun (156)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Ciaran Purcell 1 00:18:27
12 Susan Murnane 1 00:21:23
Crusaders AC runner
2 Eugene McDonough 00:18:40
Ballincollig Parkrun (304)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Brian Hawkins 1 00:17:20
25 Mari Burke 1 00:21:30
Crusaders AC runner
225 Barry O’Neill 00:32:09
Mullingar Parkrun (134)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Stephen Bracken 1 00:18:06
12 Linda Cunningham 1 00:22:07
Crusaders AC runner
50 Darran Lovely 00:27:00
Tramore Valley, Cork Parkrun (192)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
2 Paddy Finn 1 00:18:42
3 Ailbhe McDaid 1 00:18:54
Crusaders AC runners
23 Margaret Foley 00:21:30 (4)
130 Mairead Cashman 00:29:22 (40)
Corkagh Parkrun (210)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Ryan Dylan 1 00:17:52
13 Maura Ginty 1 00:21:40
Crusaders AC runner
64 Lorraine Healy 00:26:01 (9)
New Ross Parkrun (81)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Stephen McLeod 1 00:18:16
6 Isabelle Cairns 1 00:21:30
Crusaders AC runner
6 Isabelle Cairns 00:21:30 (1)
Cabinteely Parkrun (164)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Eamonn Flannery 1 00:18:26
2 Megan Brunt 1 00:18:49
Crusaders AC runner
86 Carina Davidson 00:29:52 (21)
Pobalscoil na Tríonóide Parkrun (68)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Fionn Neville 1 00:17:37
10 Éadaoin Coleman 1 00:22:20
Crusaders AC runner
48 Lorraine McMahon 00:28:20 (19)
Claremorris Parkrun (88)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Cian Charlton 1 00:16:17
4 Orla Tuohy 1 00:19:09
Crusaders AC runners
5 Garret Connolly 00:20:30
8 John O’Donnell 00:21:05
Brickfields Parkrun (47)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Maxim Bondarenko 1 00:19:05
7 Elaine Kennedy 1 00:21:40
Crusaders AC runner
2 Eoghan Corrigan 00:20:20
Mungret Parkrun (90)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Paul Murphy 1 00:18:12
9 Kairit Fitzgerald 1 00:21:00
Crusaders AC runner
2 Kev Moore 00:19:17
Vandeleur Parkrun (52)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Thomas Garrahy 1 00:21:22
3 Mary Donnelly 1 00:22:31
Crusaders AC runner
3 Mary Donnelly 00:22:31 (1)
Listowel Parkrun (49)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 James Dillon 1 00:18:37
9 Noelle Dillon 1 00:23:11
Crusaders AC runner
16 Alan Martin 00:24:43
Tymon Parkrun (92)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Robert O’Brien 1 00:18:28
7 Michelle Burke 1 00:20:38
Crusaders AC runner
31 Sharon Woods 00:24:58 (7)
Kilkenny Parkrun (188)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Mark Kirwan 1 00:17:50
13 Louise Fogarty 1 00:21:57
Crusaders AC runner
86 Maria Kennedy 00:27:37 (20)
Sligo Parkrun (90)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Tom McEnery 1 00:17:43
12 Alwyn Thornton 1 00:23:14
Crusaders AC runner
27 Ellen Walsh 00:26:36 (8)
St. Anne’s Parkrun (391)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Daniel Connolly 1 00:17:30
3 Beth Reamsbottom 1 00:18:02
Crusaders AC runners
169 Aoife Kelly 00:26:50 (38)
173 Paul F. Kelly 00:26:55
Marlay Parkrun (518)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Kevin Kavanagh 1 00:16:59
30 Aoife Quigley 1 00:20:09
Crusaders AC runners
1 Kevin Kavanagh 00:16:59
30 Aoife Quigley 00:20:09 (1)
39 Clare Sullivan 00:20:49 (2)
67 Joanne Carey 00:22:20 (6)
78 Emily Glen 00:22:35 (9)
101 Tanja Narancic 00:23:11 (14)
144 Carmel Higgins 00:24:25 (28)
161 David Pepper 00:24:57
167 Franky Keane 00:25:16
168 Paula Bradshaw 00:25:16 (33)
Griffeen Parkrun (200)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Kevin Fitzgibbon 1 00:17:44
15 Breda Smyth 1 00:21:30
Crusaders AC runner
1 Kevin Fitzgibbon 00:17:44
Belfast Victoria Parkrun (295)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Andrew Milligan 1 00:14:31
41 Emily Legg 1 00:18:36
Crusaders AC runner
72 Ryan Preston 00:20:21
Poolbeg Parkrun (125)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Christopher O’Reilly 1 00:17:29
11 Ava Rose Clarke 1 00:20:52
Crusaders AC runners
2 Stephen Hurley 00:17:33
4 Joe Murphy 00:19:06
6 Eddie Nugent 00:19:41
7 Daniel Sheridan 00:20:31
19 Luke Clarke 00:22:15
23 Neil Brown 00:22:54
35 Lisa Branigan 00:24:11 (5)
41 Russell Murphy 00:24:58
87 Maureen McGinley 00:29:34 (27)
88 Una McCullagh 00:29:48 (28)
Father Collins Parkrun (106)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Pawel Kaim 1 00:18:37
5 Natalia Lungu 1 00:20:08
Crusaders AC runner
50 Darina Scully 00:27:49 (14)

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Doireann Hughes

Brian Regan

Joe McDermott

Ronan Walsh

Doireann Hughes

John Corish (olive green shirt)

Tony Hackett (blue shirt)

Tom and Mags Foley

Saoirse McGrath

Saoirse McGrath

Clare Sullivan

Ollie McGrath (774)

L-R: Carmel Higgins, Tanja Narancic, Kevin Kavanagh, Emily Glen, David Pepper, Joanne Carey, Franky Keane, Clare Sullivan, Kieran Martin, Aoife Quigley, John Quigley, Paula Bradshaw

Esther Requena Ferri (on left on podium)

Esther Requena Ferri (on left)

Esther Requena Ferri and Cristian Vilchez Ceballos