Nothing by Halves

16/2/2025

L-R: Gill Earley, Miriam Logan, Rebecca Fleming, Olwyn Dunne

Another rather cold and wet weekend in Ireland was the backdrop to this week’s report. However, the sun shone in Spain.

We start with a result from the Track and Field Meet at the indoor national stadium in Abbotstown that took place on Wednesday evening. Enda Clarke ran in the 3rd heat of the 400m, his first competitive attempt at the distance, placing 3rd in a creditable 57:33.

Then on Thursday evening, we had one runner in the Armagh International men’s 5k road race. On a blustery evening (the wind blowing at 24 kph) and being felt on half of each of the 1k loops on what is otherwise a fast and flat course, Alex Ainsworth recorded a PB time of 15:32, after admitting that he started out a bit too fast. In a field of 219, where 155 runners finished under 15 minutes, Alex placed 198th.

On Saturday morning, Emma Rowe ran in the Two Mile House GAA 10k in Co Kildare. In a field of 144, Emma placed 14th overall and 2nd female finisher in 41:43. Further afield on the same day, one of our London exiles, Conor Parle, ran in the Victoria Park Harriers 10-mile race in London, where he ran a time of 76:07.

Then, on Sunday morning, we had at least 7 clubmates take part in the Barcelona Half marathon. The contingent was led home by Chris Russell who completed the distance in 79.06. Chris was followed on the fast and largely flat course (with only a minor drag in the first 5k) in calm conditions, starting at around 9 degrees Celsius, by Rory Goldsmith who ran 86.50. Next came Gill Earley who ran 93:07, followed by Nina Holmes (94:28) and Miriam Logan (94:45), Rebecca Fleming (97:51) and the redoubtable Olwyn Dunne (1:44:51) who still had the Donadea 50k from last weekend in her legs! Also, outside of Ireland on Sunday morning, Rob Glascott, another of our London exiles, ran in the Hampton Court Half marathon, which he completed in 89 minutes. In southern France, our Bordeaux-based exile, Valentin Akdim, joined another athlete to run as a relay team in the Barjot Marathon that took place in Pujols near Bergerac and Bordeaux. Valentin ran the first leg of 22.8k, finishing in 1:59.

Later in the morning, BHAA runners were delighted to get back to cross-country racing, the previous event scheduled for a week ago having had to be cancelled because of a waterlogged course. This time, the race was organised by the teachers and the 5k mixed race took place in Rathfarnham. On a slightly undulating 3-lap course in damp and cold conditions, 120 runners took part in the competition, with Clare Sullivan winning the women's race, placing 23rd overall in a time of 20:24. Clare ran with Conor Kilkenny (4th in 17:55), Joe Walsh (16th in 19:36), Felipe De Sousa (25th in 20:32), Karl Walsh (29th in 20:48), Sean Murphy (39th in 21:46), David O'Donnell (55th in 22:57), Patrick Needham (78th in 24:49), Kate Murray (79th overall, 13th female finisher and 3rd F50 in 24:56), Emer Kenny (87th, 18th and 2nd F40 in 25:39), Anna Brown (90th and 20th in 26:02), Robbie Moore (93rd in 26:08), Ailish Hassett (102nd and 28th in 26:54) and Lorraine McMahon (113th and 33rd in 30:17).

Also, on Sunday, we had 3 club-mates take part in the Milford Care Centre 10k down in Co. Limerick. The event was not chiptimed and full results are not available. However, it is likely that Kev Moore ran around 41 minutes for the distance, followed by Mary Donnelly (45:12) and Luke Haran (45:46). Edel Doherty ran in the Drumshanbo half marathon (the Tony McGowan Run) in Co. Leitrim on Sunday, which she completed in 1:56:23. Finally, much further afield, Thomas Vogée, warm weather and altitude training in Kenya, ran in the Kapsabet 15k road race, at altitude, completing the distance in 65:07. Temperature range was between 21-23 degrees Celsius with little wind.

There were two events organised by IMRA this weekend. On Saturday morning in Co. Laois, we had two runners in the Dysart Woods 6.5k, with its climb of 250m. Becky Quinn won the women’s race in the field of 54, in a time of 37:41, placing 8th overall. Ahead of her came Donatas Jocius who placed 4th and 1st M40 in 34:43. Then, on Sunday morning, 171 runners took part in the Sugarloaf Winter 8.6k race in Co. Wicklow, joined by Gavan Doherty who placed 62nd in 55:12 and by Will Holton who placed 91st in 61:02 for the distance.

On a weekend when it was announced by RTE that Ireland enjoyed the highest per capita participation in parkruns held around the world, we had excellent attendance from the club as usual around the country and abroad. Ironically, however, numbers were generally down in many parkruns this weekend, possibly because of the gloomy weather.

As usual, we were able to record at least one first finisher and several podium places. In Shanganagh, Dee Lawlor came home ahead of the field of 211 in a time of 17:57. Dee was followed by David Carter (14th in 20:08), Lisa Shine (104th overall and 16th female finisher in 26:54, a post-partum PB!), Orlaith de Burca (130th and 26th in 28:26) and Máirín Shine (153rd and 38th in 29:55). At the Univ. of Galway with its field of 131 runners, Mary Donnelly placed a close 2nd (13th overall) in 21:27, preceded by her partner Kev Moore (7th in 20:08). Then, in River Valley Park, Darina Scully placed 20th and 3rd in 24:56 in a field of 107, whilst, Laura O’Malley joined 75 other runners in Tolka Valley Park, where she placed 13th and 3rd in 24:29. Sarah Lyons tailwalked in the same event. On a trip to South Africa, Henry Griffin took in the Greenpoint parkrun in Cape Town where he placed 3rd in a field of 599 and in a time of 19:30.

As usual, our largest contingent ran in Poolbeg. In a slightly reduced field than normal, Luke Clarke placed 2nd in 17:25, followed by Stephen Hurley (4th in 18:21) and Kenan Furlong (5th in 18:46). Then came Gerard Moore (8th in 19:35), James Sherry (14th in 20:21) and Zlatko Kulic (16th in 20:54). Another podium place was recorded by Ciara Regan, who placed 23rd and 2nd in 21:55, and Ciara was followed by Mikel Crisostomo (24th in 21:56), Kabir Sala (33rd in 22:57), Maeve Lochrie (37th and 4th in 23:11), John Corish (45th in 23:32) and Ambrose Carr (51st in 23:46). Next across the line came Fiona Bane (58th and 7th in 23:59), followed by Josie Ward (62nd and 9th in 24:06) just ahead of Sharon Woods (63rd and 10th in 24:07). Conor Kilkenny finished in 67th spot in 24:18, followed by Kevin Kenny (68th in 24:23), just ahead of Bo Chicoine (69th in 24:24), Russell Murphy (73rd in 24:36), Louise O’Riordan (78th and 13th in 24:44), Alan Martin (89th in 25:33), Ellen Walsh (99th and 21st in 26:47), Iseult Ni Chuinneagain (100th and 22nd in 26:48), John Lohan (103rd in 27:03), Tara Murphy (117th and 29th in 27:38), Tanja Narancic (118th and 30th in 27:41), just ahead of Franky Keane and Joe Dunne (119th in 27:44 and 120th in 27:45). Cliodhna O’Reilly (124th and 34th in 28:32), Cynthia Perucca (162nd and 53rd in 31:49) and Michelle English (170th and 58th in 32:36).

Peter O’Toole ran in St. Anne’s alongside 430 other participants, placing 6th in 18:28, whilst, Ross Neill joined a field of 513, finishing in 8th spot in 18:30. Eoghan Corrigan was our singleton runner in Brickfields with its field of 101, placing 31st in 25:02, whilst, Mairead Cashman joined 230 other runners in Donabate where she placed 157th and 57th in 31:26. We had two runners in the 149-strong field in Cabinteely, with GianPiero Allerta placed in 30th in 24:25 and Jill Nason (108th and 34th in 32:20), whilst Barry O’Neill ran in Marlay with its field of 451 where he finished in 181st in 27:35. Finally, Paul F. Kelly ran in Poppintree where, in a field of 153, he placed 31st in 23:21, whilst our exile in Scotland, Aidan Hudner, ran in Pollok where, in a field of 541, he placed 117th in 23:33.

BHAA Teachers’ 5k XC (120)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Sean Doran 1 00:17:31
23 Clare Sullivan 1 00:20:24
Crusaders AC runners
4 Conor Kilkenny 00:17:55
16 Joe Walsh 00:19:36
23 Clare Sullivan 00:20:24 (1)
25 Felipe De Sousa 00:20:32
29 Karl Walsh 00:20:48
39 Sean Murphy 00:21:46
55 David O'Donnell 00:22:57
78 Patrick Needham 00:24:49
79 Kate Murray 00:24:56 (13)
87 Emer Kenny 00:25:39 (18)
90 Anna Brown 00:26:02 (20)
93 Robbie Moore 00:26:08
102 Ailish Hassett 00:26:54 (28)
113 Lorraine McMahon 00:30:17 (33)
Full results here: https://irp.cdn-website.com/15e8030f/files/uploaded/Race_Master_2025_Teachers_5k_CC.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawIfAQpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHabPRWGy2dLFH_T2UTDbLL9gPm0V3yrS6b8jyLU4ThyTYWIfDoqvx-pq9w_aem_GHWn383NSEtIz_11kP1E_g
Two Mile House 10k (144)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Andrew O’Brien 1 00:34:28
7 Laura McDonnell 1 00:37:54
Crusaders AC runner
14 Emma Rowe 00:41:43 (2)
Full results here: https://www.popupraces.ie/race/two-mile-house-gaa-5k-10k-2025/#2_9D70EA
Armagh International Men’s 5k (219)
Overall place Name Chiptime
1 Andrew Colley 00:13:33
Crusaders AC runner
198 Alex Ainsworth 00:15:32 (PB)
Full results here: https://myrunresults.com/events/armagh_international_road_race_5k_2025/5617/results
IMRA Dysart Woods 6.5k (54)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Riley Connolly 1 00:30:14
8 Becky Quinn 1 00:37:41
Crusaders AC runners
4 Donatas Jocius 00:34:43
8 Becky Quinn 00:37:41 (1)
Full results here: https://www.imra.ie/events/results/id/2647/category/O/
IMRA Sugarloaf Winter 8.6k (171)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Garreth Davis 1 00:40:18
10 Nicola Soraghan 1 00:45:14
Crusaders AC runners
62 Gavan Doherty 00:55:12
91 Will Holton 01:01:02
Full results here: https://www.imra.ie/events/results/id/2713/category/O/
University of Galway Parkrun (131)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Sean Mulryan 1 00:17:03
12 Gemma Creaton 1 00:21:23
Crusaders AC runners
7 Kev Moore 00:20:08
13 Mary Donnelly 00:21:27 (2)
Tolka Valley Parkrun (76)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Chun Man Tam 1 00:18:46
6 Aoife Donaghy 1 00:22:28
Crusaders AC runners
13 Laura O’Malley 00:24:29 (3)
76 Sarah Lyons 00:54:42
Ormeau Parkrun (513)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
2 Jon McCullough 1 00:17:13
25 Caroline Norton 1 00:20:33
Crusaders AC runner
8 Ross Neill 00:18:30
Donabate Parkrun (231)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Koffi Kpoglo 1 00:18:40
12 Niamh Coughlan 1 00:20:36
Crusaders AC runner
157 Mairead Cashman 00:31:26 (57)
Poolbeg Parkrun (208)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Rob Cross 1 00:17:21
15 Niamh Cotter 1 00:20:31
Crusaders AC runners
2 Luke Clarke 00:17:25
4 Stephen Hurley 00:18:21
5 Kenan Furlong 00:18:46
8 Gerard Moore 00:19:35
14 James Sherry 00:20:21
16 Zlatko Kulic 00:20:54
23 Ciara Regan 00:21:55 (2)
24 Mikel Crisostomo 00:21:56
33 Kabir Sala 00:22:57
37 Maeve Lochrie 00:23:11 (4)
45 John Corish 00:23:32
51 Ambrose Carr 00:23;46
58 Fiona Bane 00:23:59 (7)
62 Josie Ward 00:24:06 (9)
63 Sharon Woods 00:24:07 (10)
67 Conor Kilkenny 00:24:18
68 Kevin Kenny 00:24:23
69 Bo Chicoine 00:24:24
73 Russell Murphy 00:24:36
78 Louise O’Riordan 00:24:44 (13)
89 Alan Martin 00:25:33
99 Ellen Walsh 00:26:47 (21)
100 Iseult Ni Chuinneagain 00:26:48 (22)
103 John Lohan 00:27:03
117 Tara Murphy 00:27:38 (29)
118 Tanja Narancic 00:27:41 (30)
119 Franky Keane 00:27:44
120 Joe Dunne 00:27:45
124 Cliodhna O’Reilly 00:28:32 (34)
162 Cynthia Perucca 00:31:49 (53)
170 Michelle English 00:32:36 (58)
Brickfields Parkrun (101)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Cormac Long 1 00:18:41
4 Mollie O’Donnell 1 00:18:57
Crusaders AC runner
31 Eoghan Corrigan 00:25:02
Marlay Parkrun (451)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Shane O’Neill 1 00:16:52
12 Doireann Mullany 1 00:19:26
Crusaders AC runner
181 Barry O’Neill 00:27:35
St. Anne’s Parkrun (430)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
2 Graham O’Dwyer 1 00:18:03
15 Kerry Eagar 1 00:19:29
Crusaders AC runner
6 Peter O’Toole 00:18:28
Shanganagh Parkrun (211)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Derek Lawlor 1 00:17:57
23 Karla Murray 1 00:21:07
Crusaders AC runners
1 Derek Lawlor 00:17:57
14 David Carter 00:20:08
104 Lisa Shine 00:26:54 (16)
130 Orlaith de Burca 00:28:26 (26)
153 Máirín Shine 00:29:55 (38)
River Valley Parkrun (107)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Ronan Hartnett 1 00:20:34
7 Cecile Ollagnier 1 00:22:51
Crusaders AC runner
20 Darina Scully 00:24:56 (3)
Cabinteely (149)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Barbara Cleary 1 00:19:19
2 Sean Terek 1 00:19:57
Crusaders AC runners
30 GianPiero Allerta 00:24:25
108 Jill Nason 00:32:20 (34)
Poppintree Parkrun (153)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Séamus Phelan 1 00:18:23
5 Julie Cleary 1 00:19:35
Crusaders AC runner
31 Paul F. Kelly 00:23:21