Major Challenges This Weekend

21/9/2025

L-R: Derek Boland, Liam O'Brien, Aoife Quigley, Kieran Martin, Thomas Vogée

Conditions were noticeably warmer than normal in Berlin on Sunday for this year’s marathon and runners had to trim their expectations as a consequence. By contrast, it was crispy and cool under cloudless skies for the annual running of the last race in the Dublin Race Series before the Dublin marathon, the Half marathon.

We start with an event that took place on Tuesday evening. This was the latest edition of the ALG Corporate 5k, previously known as the Grant Thornton 5k and not to be confused with our own Docklands 5k. The course is quite similar to ours, except that it crosses the Sam Beckett Bridge twice and has a few more twists and turns. This year it enjoyed a field of 3078, among them at least 22 Crusaders. Brian O’Kelly placed 3rd in 15:54 and was followed by Conor Kilkenny (10th in 16:23 and a member of the winning male team). Conor, who, as with a few others in the race, would also go on to run in a parkrun on Saturday and then the Race Series half on Sunday, was followed by Rory O’Kennedy (18th in 16:55), Shane Egan (20th in 17:12), Michael O’Conor (23rd in 17:25), Tommy Allen (26th in 17:31) and Kenan Furlong (31st in 17:36). Next came Lorenzo Battistin (61st in 18:01 and a member of the third-placed mixed corporate team), followed by Mikel Crisostomo (101st in 18:34), Gerard Moore (124th in 18:47) and Emma Rowe (127th overall and 7th female finisher in 18:51). Ross Neill (155th in 19:12) was next across the line, followed by Ollie McGrath (188th in 19:27), James Sherry (215th in 19:38), Diarmuid Fahey (350th in 20:56), Aoibhinn Gilmartin (377th and 29th in 21:05), Tristan Freeman (439th in 21:26), Simon Kenny (524th in 21:53), Dee Ni Chearbhaill (600th and 72nd in 22:11), Ian Smith (764th in 23:00), Maria Kennedy (1016th and 147th in 24:04) and Amy Forde (1769th and 392nd in 27:46). Doireann Hughes also ran in the race, but her time and place were not recorded.

Sunday morning saw nearly 6800 runners in the Phoenix Park in ideal conditions to run the Dublin Race Series Half marathon. Yes, there was a bit of a NW breeze in runners’ faces heading up Chesterfield Avenue and likely on the Acres, but it was generally refreshing. More than 30 Crusaders joined the field, spread across the multiple waves, but most in the first and several recorded PBs on the day. A great boost of confidence for the Dublin marathon and other marathons, particularly given that the half marathon course is quite hilly.

The contingent was led home by Sebastian Hansen who is preparing for the upcoming Chicago marathon in early October. Sebastian finished 5 seconds ahead of a surging Conor Kilkenny in 15th place in a PB time of 75:10, with Conor placing 16th in 75:15. Next came Tommy Allen who likely placed around 40th in a PB time of 79:09, and he was followed by Paul McNamara (63rd in 81:18). Lorenzo Battistin likely placed around 84th in a PB time of 82:23 and he was followed by James Sherry (111th in a PB time of 83:25). Next came Donal O’Malley (253rd in a PB time of 87:07), and he was followed by Simon Kenny (277th in a PB time of 87:33) and by Adrian Groarke (402nd in 89:36), Ian Weldon (589th in 93:42), Isabelle Cairns (764th and 75th in 95:43), Louise Dobbyn (807th and 81st in 96:06), just ahead of Emily Quinlan (826th and 86th in 96:24) and Lisa Branigan (1093rd and 128th in 98:40).

Jill O’Flynn, with a PB of 1:41:32 for 1150th and 141st spots was next, followed by Gavan Doherty (1328th in 1:40:08), Aoife McCarthy (1811th and 308th in 1:46:37), Greg Marnotte (1855th in 1:44:26), Tanja Narancic (1979th and 357th in 1:47:59), Kenan Furlong (2044th in 1:48:33), Olwyn Dunne pacing the 1:50 runners (2214th and 429th in 1:49:51), Orla O’Neill (2294th and 464th in a PB time of 1:49:40), Franky Keane (2711th in 1:55:25) who, along with others was incorporating the race, into a long run, Emily Glen, likewise (2737th and 617th in 1:55:39), Donna Barry (3356th and 854th in 1:59:05), Cliodhna O’Reilly (3680th and 993rd in 2:03:22), Laura O’Malley (3910th and 1112th in 1:57:20), Kevin Kenny (4052nd in 1:59:28), David Pepper (4407th in 2:01:40), Joe Dunne pacing the 2:10 runners (5057th in 2:10:02) and Michael Tung Le (6628th in 2:49:30). Sean Murphy and Caroline Crowley were also spotted in the race but places and times are not available.

There was another half marathon on Sunday morning. This was in Belfast hosting Northern Ireland’s largest half marathon race. In the field of 6204 finishers we had at least 5 Crusaders. The contingent was led home by Yvonne Macauley who placed 241st and 15th in 84:54. Yvonne was followed across the line by Ed Forester (331st in 87:12), Gerry Cooper (509th in 90:40), Cría Dowling (642nd and 72nd in 93:51) and Juliane Frydenlund (3072nd and 897th in 1:58:30).

Cork was the venue for a 6k women’s mini-marathon on Sunday morning. It was won by ex-Crusader Niamh Allen in a super 19:08 and not too far behind came Orla Drumm (8th in 21:31) placing 1st F40.

Another race that took place on Sunday was the running of the Griffith Avenue Mile. With 265 quality runners involved, it is some event. Lucas Ryan distinguished himself placing 8th overall in 4:32, followed by Gary Park (45th in 4:57), just ahead of Annie Hughes (46th and 6th in a likely PB of 4:48) and Karl Fitzsimons (47th in the same time), then followed by Shane Carroll (80th in 5:19) and a super run from Sarah Lyons (85th and 18th in 5:26).

Further afield, we had 12 Crusaders take on the Berlin marathon, one of the (now) seven marathon majors, as well as two other runners who guided another athlete, each running half the distance. Everyone had been forewarned about the likely heat and they were not surprised on the day. Each runner suffered, some more than most. It was far from being a day for PBs even on the flat course.

Our first runner home was Ger Forde who recorded a time of 2:54:09. Ger was followed by Eugene McDonough (3:00:35) and by Derek Boland (3:00:56) who ran surprisingly even splits given the rising heat. Kieran Martin was next (3:01:23), followed by Thomas Vogée (3:04:16) and our exile in Switzerland, Lukasz Batruch (3:16:12). Guilherme (Gerry) Buhler was next (3:41:00), followed by Triona Quill (3:42:54), Aoife Quigley (3:44:08) and Liz Nixon (4:07:55). Having experience little training recently for the event, Kate Murray pulled out at the half way stage. Finally, Michael Kiely and Michael O’Conor supported visually-impaired runner Declan Ryan from Thurles Crokes to a 2:49:30. All the results were amazing given the conditions faced.

Also, on the continent over the weekend, our Bordeaux-based exile Valentin Akdim ran in two events in Pons in France. The first was on Saturday night, the Trail Nocturne run over 18k. Valentin placed 2nd in 1:27, just before the heavens opened. Then, on Sunday morning, he ran in another 19k trail race in Pons, where he placed 6th in 1:43. Meanwhile, one of our Spanish exiles, Esther Requena Ferri, ran in a 7.9k race along the coast in Torrox where she placed 2nd female finisher in 32:00.

In the mountains over the weekend, we are aware that Áine Kenny took part in the 22.5k race in the Glen of Aherlow in Co. Tipperary with a climb of 300m, finishing in a time of 2:04:35, preparing herself for the Snowdonia marathon. There were 141 runners in the race and Áine placed 42nd overall (just behind ex-Crusader Kevin Lambe) and 5th female finisher, 1st F40.

We had several first finishers in Saturday morning’s parkruns. Rob Cross, who has just rejoined the club, and his fiancée Fiona Bane were both first finishers in Tolka Valley Park with its field of 37. Rob ran 18:21 and Fiona ran 24:47, placing 8th overall. Tim Francony led the field of 295 home in Tralee, with a time of 18:19 and he was followed by Aisling O’Riordan (131st and 41st in 30:26). Meanwhile, Dee Lawlor honed his racing skills for the following day's half by running 17:58 to lead the field of 238 home in Shanganagh. Our final first finisher was Stephen Hurley in Poolbeg with its field of 213. Stephen ran 17:48 and he was followed by Piarais Neary (11th in 20:31), Saketh Ravuluri (12th in 20:50), Ryan Preston (18th in 21:20), Miriam Logan (20th and 2nd in 21:41), Conor Kilkenny (29th in 22:25), John Lohan, running his 250th parkrun (30th in 22;28), Dale Whelehan (53rd in 23;49), Emily Glen (82nd and 16th in 26:07), Franky Keane (83rd in 26;13) alongside Sophia Morgan (85th and 18th in 26:15), ahead of Tanja Narancic (94th and 22nd in 26:50) alongside Olwyn Dunne (95th and 23rd in the same time), Lieze Verberght (123rd and 36th in 28:37), Fanny Trébouet (129th and 41st 29:07), Cynthia Perucca (158th and 61st in 31:09), Mari Hansen (164th and 65th in 31:29) and Kevin Kenny (171st in 32:00).

Like Miriam in Poolbeg, Irene Gorman took 2nd place (26th overall) in 20:51 in the 375-strong field in St. Anne’s. Irene was followed by Michael Maughan (89th in 24:21). Then, in Bushy Park, Daniel Lowe placed 5th in 19:49, followed by Kev Moore in the 191-strong field, in 22:01 for 20th spot, whilst Mairead Cashman placed 47th and 19th in 31:41 alongside 75 other runners in Mallow Castle. Helena O’Keeffe placed 123rd and 24th in the field of 289 in Ballincollig, whilst also in Co. Cork, Lorraine McMahon ran in Youghal in Pobalscoil Na Tríonóide where alongside 47 others she ran 28:01 for 36th and 14th places. In Marlay Park Barry O’Neill placed 177th in 26;55 in a field of 428, whilst Colm Foley placed 40th in 23:49 in the 178-strong field in Griffeen Park. Carina Davidson was our lone runner in Cabinteely with its field of 152, where she placed 95th and 30th in 31;53, whilst, we had 2 runners in the field of 157 in Poppintree. Anna Shine took 111th and 45th spots in 34:24, followed by Máirín Shine (114th and 47th in 34:40).

On a trip to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Orla McTernan joined the field of 52 in Momoi harappa koen where she placed 43rd and 6th in a PB time of 28:07. Then, on a visit to London, we had 4 athletes take part in the parkrun on Clapham Common with its field 931. Emer Kenny placed 369th and 88th alongside Fiona Shine (370th and 89th) in a time of 26:49, followed by Lisa Shine (521st and 169th in 29:12) and Orlaith de Burca (561st and 192nd in 29:51). Finally, one of our London exiles, Thom Martini, ran in the field of 198 in the Itchen Valley Country parkrun, where he placed 6th in 23:02.

Dublin Race Series Half Marathon (6756)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Jake O’Regan 1 01:07:18
33 Caitlyn Harvey 1 01:18:42
Crusaders AC runners
15 Sebastian Hansen 01:15:10 (PB)
16 Conor Kilkenny 01:15:15
XX Thomas Allen 01:19:09 (PB)
63 Paul McNamara 01:21:18
XX Lorenzo Battistin 01:22:23 (PB)
111 James Sherry 01:23:25 (PB)
253 Donal O’Malley 01:27:07 (PB)
277 Simon Kenny 01:27:33 (PB)
402 Adrian Groarke 01:29:36
589 Ian Weldon 01:33:42
764 Isabelle Cairns 01:35:43 (75)
807 Louise Dobbyn 01:36:06 (81)
826 Emily Quinlan 01:36:24 (86)
1093 Lisa Branigan 01:38:40 (128)
1150 Jill O’Flynn 01:41:32 (PB) (141)
1328 Gavan Doherty 01:40:08
1811 Aoife McCarthy 01:46:37 (308)
1855 Gregoire Marnotte 01:44:26
1979 Tanja Narancic 01:47:59 (357)
2044 Kenan Furlong 01:48:33
2214 Olwyn Dunne 01:49:51 (429)
2294 Orla O’Neill 01:49:40 (PB) (464)
2711 Franky Keane 01:55:25
2737 Emily Glen 01:55:39 (617)
2916 Mark Browne 01:56:46
3356 Donna Barry 01:59:05 (854)
3680 Cliodhna O’Reilly 02:03:22 (993)
3910 Laura O’Malley 01:57:50 (1112)
4052 Kevin Kenny 01:59:28
4407 David Pepper 02:01:40
5057 Joe Dunne 02:10:02 (PACER)
6628 Michael Tung Le 02:49:30
Full results here: https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/en/results-embed.php?event=4167#0_68258A
Belfast City Half marathon (6204)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Stephen McAuley 1 01:06:05
57 Dearbhla Cox 1 01:18:18
Crusaders AC runners
241 Yvonne Macauley 01:24:54 (15)
331 Ed Forester 01:27:12
509 Gerry Cooper 01:30:40
642 Cría Dowling 01:33:51 (72)
3072 Juliane Frydenlund 01:58:30 (897)
Full results here: https://www.popupraces.ie/race/moy-park-belfast-city-half-marathon-2025/
Cork Echo Mini-marathon 6k (3972)
Overall place Name Chiptime
1 Niamh Allen 00:19:08
Crusaders AC runner
8 Orla Drumm 00:21:31
Full results here: https://www.popupraces.ie/race/cork-echo-womens-mini-marathon-2025/
Griffith Avenue Mile (265)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Cormac Dalton 1 00:03:59
18 Cheryl Nolan 1 00:04:32
Crusaders AC runners
8 Lucas Ryan 00:04:17
45 Gary Park 00:04:57
46 Annie Hughes 00:4:58 (PB) (6)
47 Karl Fitzmaurice 00:04:58
80 Shane Carroll 00:05:19
85 Sarah Lyons 00:05:26 (18)
Full results here: https://myrunresults.com/events/griffith_avenue_mile__family_fun_mile_2025/5736/results
ALG 5k (3077)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Eoghan McElhinney 1 00:15:27
48 Aedin Corr 1 00:17:48
Crusaders AC runners
3 Brian O’Kelly 00:15:54
10 Conor Kilkenny 00:16:23
18 Rory O’Kennedy 00:16;55
20 Shane Egan 00:17:12
23 Michael O’Conor 00:17:25
26 Thomas Allen 00:17:31
31 Kenan Furlong 00:17:36
61 Lorenzo Battistin 00:18:01
101 Mikel Crisostomo 00:18:34
124 Gerard Moore 00:18:47
127 Emma Rowe 00:18:51 (7)
155 Ross Neill 00:19:12
188 Ollie McGrath 00:19:27
215 James Sherry 00:19:38
350 Diarmuid Fahey 00:20:56
377 Aoibhinn Gilmartin 00:21:05 (29)
439 Tristan Freeman 00:21:26
524 Simon Kenny 00:21:53
600 Deirdre Ni Chearbhaill 00:22:11 (72)
764 Ian Smith 00:23:00
1016 Maria Kennedy 00:24:04 (147)
1769 Amy Forde 00:27:46 (392)
Full results here: https://www.myrunresults.com/events/alg5k_corporate_team_challenge_2025/5751/results
IMRA Glen of Aherlow Trail Half Marathon (141)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Seán Quirke 1 01:33:31
16 Angela Tobin 1 01:54:18
Crusaders AC runner
42 Áine Kenny 02:04:35 (5)
Full results here: https://www.imra.ie/events/results/id/2632/category/O/
Marlay Parkrun (428)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Barry McCartin 1 00:17:26
6 Louise Gaffney 1 00:19:01
Crusaders AC runner
177 Barry O’Neill 00:26:55
Tralee Parkrun (295)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Tim Francony 1 00:18:19
28 Rachel Hanafin 1 00:23:13
Crusaders AC runners
1 Tim Francony 00:18:19
131 Aisling O’Riordan 00:30:26 (41)
Shanganagh Parkrun (238)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Derek Lawlor 1 00:17:58
13 Karla Murray 1 00:20:06
Crusaders AC runner
1 Derek Lawlor 00:17:58
Poolbeg Parkrun (213)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Stephen Hurley 1 00:17:48
19 Ava Rose Clarke 1 00:21:20
Crusaders AC runners
1 Stephen Hurley 00:17:48
11 Piarais Neary 00:20:31
12 Saketh Ravuluri 00:20:50
18 Ryan Preston 00:21:20
29 Conor Kilkenny 00:22;25
30 John Lohan 00:22:28
53 Dale Whelehan 00:23:49
82 Emily Glen 00:26:07 (16)
83 Franky Keane 00:26:13
85 Sophia Morgan 00:26:15 (18)
94 Tanja Narancic 00:26:50 (22)
95 Olwyn Dunne 00:26:52 (23)
123 Lieze Verberght 00:28:37 (36)
129 Fanny Trébouet 00:29:07 (41)
158 Cynthia Perucca 00:31:09 (61)
164 Mari Hansen 00:31:29 (65)
171 Kevin Kenny 00:32:00
Poppintree Parkrun (157)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Colm Delaney 1 00:19:16
13 Shauna Lawless 1 00:22:26
Crusaders AC runners
111 Anna Shine 00:34:24 (45)
114 Máirín Shine 00:34:40 (47)
Mallow Castle Parkrun (76)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Vinny Grimes 1 00:20:18
5 Orla Nolan 1 00:22:39
Crusaders AC runner
47 Mairead Cashman 00:31:41 (19)
Pobalscoil Na Tríonóide Parkrun (48)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 James Maher 1 00:18:55
5 Shannon Sotok 1 00:21:10
Crusaders AC runner
36 Lorraine McMahon 00:28:01 (14)
Tolka Valley Parkrun (37)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Rob Cross 1 00:18:21
8 Fiona Bane 1 00:24:47
Crusaders AC runners
1 Rob Cross 00:18:21
8 Fiona Bane 00:24:47 (1)
St. Anne’s Parkrun (375)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Kenneth Nolan 1 00:17:11
16 Ailish Malone 1 00:20:03
Crusaders AC runners
26 Irene Gorman 00:20:51 (2)
89 Michael Maughan 00:24:21
Griffeen Parkrun (178)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Plunkett Clarke 1 00:19:19
24 Sarah Kelly 1 00:22:44
Crusaders AC runner
40 Colm Foley 00:23:49
Ballincollig Parkrun (289)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Aoibhín O’Connor 1 00:19:10
2 Dan Ruddy 1 00:19:27
Crusaders AC runner
123 Helen O’Keeffe 00:27:38 (24)
Cabinteely Parkrun (152)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Lawrence Fanous 1 00:19:51
20 Annabelle Garvey 1 00:24:43
Crusaders AC runner
95 Carina Davidson 00:31:53 (30)
Bushy Parkrun (191)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Cian Buckley 1 00:18:37
6 Aisling Kelly 1 00:19:50
Crusaders AC runners
5 Daniel Lowe 00:19:49
20 Kev Moore 00:22:01