Racing in a Baltic state

L-R: Conor Kilkenny, Brian Regan, Thomas Vogée and Oisin Browne

It has been a busy start to the New Year, with the Dublin Intermediate and Masters XC Championships taking place even earlier than usual. That took place in chilly conditions (0 degrees Celsius but with a wind chill making it feel like -4) on the course in St. Anne’s Raheny that was used for the first time last year. Unlike the flat course used for many years at the top of the park, the one that has now been adopted is a good test of cross-country and enjoys a decent hill. At least the course was relatively dry this year.

As a club, we were involved in 5 of the races on offer, three of 6k in length for the men and two of 3k for the women. The master O/35 women’s race enjoyed a field of 90 runners, among them Darina Scully who placed 78th overall and 14th in her particular age category in 15:08 and Carina Davidson who placed 89th and 16th in the same category in 17:07. Meanwhile in the women’s O/50 race, Mairead Cashman placed 68th and 9th in her age category in 18:18 in a field of 72.

In the O/35 men’s race, we fielded a team of 7 athletes, thereby enabling us also to record a team score. In a field of 119, John Mulvihill led the contingent home in 12th and 6th in 19:52, followed by Michael O’Conor (31st and 10th in 21:34), Jan Manschot (42nd and 14th in 22:00), Ronan Moynihan (64th and 25th in 23:03), Peter Beddy (66th and 26th in 23:06), Michael O’Shea (76th and 30th in 23:35) and Karl Walsh (109th and 43rd in 26:07). The first 4 runners scored and placed 7th O/35 team. Then, in the O/50s masters race we also had enough for a team. In a race involving 79 runners, Gary Park placed 21st and 16th in 23:06, followed by Karl Fitzmaurice (25th and 19th in 23:20), David O’Donnell (52nd and 16th in 25:44), Chris Bannon (70th and 39th in 28:45) and Robbie Moore (71st and 12th in 28:50). The team of Gary, Karl, David and Chris placed 8th.

Finally, in the 6k Intermediates race we fielded a team of 4 and they managed to place 4th in the team competition. Conor Kilkenny was first across the line in 7th place in a field of 45 and in a time of 19:42. Conor was followed by Brian Regan (12th in 20:15), Thomas Vogée (17th in 20:59) and Oisin Browne (41st in 23:56).

There was quite a bit of road racing over the New Year too. Once again, Dee Lawlor ran in the Kilkee Sub Aqua 10k, winning again the race he won last year, in a time of 36:51, whilst new member Jens Seggewiss ran in his native Germany, the Silvesterlauf Stadtlohn 15k, on New Year’s Eve, completing it in a time of 59:04.

Meanwhile, we had at least 6 Crusaders take part in the cold New Year’s Day, Liffey Valley-organised, Tom Brennan Memorial 5k, conducted on two loops of the Furze, Chesterfield and Ordnance Survey roads at the northwestern end of the Phoenix Park. In a field of 581, slightly reduced on previous years perhaps, Doireann Hughes was our first athlete home. Doireann placed 104th overall and 9th female finisher in 18:20. Ladies club captain Sarah Lyons was next, recording a significant PB improvement and placing 140th and 13th in 19:03. Sarah was followed by Eoghan Kerins (190th in 20:11), Dee Ni Chearbhaill (229th, 35th and 1st F45 in 21:27), Rachael Yorke (271st and 44th in 22:29) and Gian Piero Allerta (283rd in 22:53).

Mags Foley continued to race over the New Year, running in the Beaufort 10k, organised by Star of the Laune AC down in Co. Kerry. Mags ran a PB of 40:28 to place 41st and 4th in a field of 181.

Finally, there was a Cru trip to Luz Estevan’s home city of Zaragoza in Spain, where all who went had to run the San Sylvestre 5k on New Year’s Eve in fancy dress alongside more than 5,000 other runners. The race had some difficulties with a tight course and overtaking was quite challenging but all who took part felt it was a great experience nonetheless. The weather was mild and good running conditions. The group was led across the finishing line by Kabir Sala (616th in 21:14), followed by Sean Brady (753rd in 22:23), Ellen Walsh (1190th in 25:10), Aaron Farrell (1776th in 28:11), Lisa Branigan (1780th in 28:12), Lorraine McMahon (1800th in 28:13), Michelle English (1991st in 28:50), Luz herself (2586th in 31:22), Marie-Claire Daly who tripped over dividers (blocks of concrete about 10 inches high) that separated a cycle lane from the road (2588th in 31:24), Laura O’Malley (2591st in 31:22), Andres Mino (3135th in 33:25), Anna Hernick (3309th in 34:06) and Paul E. Kelly (3316th in 34:05).

Parkruns took place on two days last week. A few were held on New Year’s Day and then there was the usual set of events on Saturday morning, two days later.

On New Year’s Day we have results from 6 parkruns. Luke Haran ran once again in Mungret. In a field of 82, he placed 10th in 21:18. Then on a visit to Co. Cork, Darina Scully took on Glen River, where, in a field of 95, she placed 56th and 17th in 29:31. We had 4 runners in Cabinteely. In a 225-strong field there, Olwyn Dunne took 56th and 9th spots in 25:47, followed by Barry O’Neill (58th in 25:57) and then by Carina Davidson (127th and 39th in 30:29) and Georgina Loughrey (145th and 49th in 31:13). We had at least 13 runners in the 161-strong field in Poolbeg. Rob Cross podiumed in 3rd place with a time of 18:10 and he was followed by young Joe Murphy (7th in 18:37), John Lohan (27th in 22:46), Adrian Groarke (35th in 23:29), Fiona Bane (45th and 10th in 24:49), Franky Keane (52nd in 26:02), Bo Chicoine (56th in 26:16), Iseult Ni Chuinneagain (76th and 24th in 27:25), Tara Murphy (78th and 25th in 27:29), Kevin Kenny (115th in 29:42), Maureen McGinley (130th and 57th in 31:59) and Cynthia Perucca (132nd and 58th in 32:30). Garret Connolly ran alongside 132 other participants in Claremorris where he placed 29th in 25:07, whilst, finally, Mairead Cashman joined a field of 104 in Trim’s Porch Field, where she placed 70th and 20th in 30:57.

Saturday provided us with a lot of results and a few podiums. As to be expected, there was a good turnout in Poolbeg, where Sebastian Hansen led the field of 201 across the line. Sebastian ran 17:18 and he was followed by Jens Seggewiss (6th in 18:25), Stephen Hurley (14th in 19:45), Ronan Walsh (17th in 19:58), one of our US exiles, David Willis (19th in 20:11), Adrian Groarke (20th in 20:35), Emily Glen (49th and 8th in 23:48), just ahead of Franky Keane (50th in 23:52), Josie Ward (57th and 10th in 24:16), Louise O’Riordan (58th and 11th in 24:20), Ger Buckley (62nd in 24:36), Saketh Ravuluri (64th in 24;43), Russell Murphy (75th in 25:05), Fiona Bane (89th and 24th in 25:56), Alan Martin (94th in 26:13), Tara Murphy (108th and 34th in 27:13), Juliane Frydenlund (109th and 35th in 27:16), Imogen Guinness (155th and 63rd in 29:39), Una McCullagh (158th and 65th in 30:24), Maureen McGinley (161st and 68th in 30:56), Cynthia Perucca (171st and 74th in 32:40) and Lorraine Fitzsimons (192nd and 86th in 40:44).

Áine Kenny placed 2nd overall and first female finisher in the 48-strong field in Mountbellew Forest in a time of 21:44, whilst Sarah Lyons and Phelim Murray ran in Uckfield in the UK, with its field of 124. Sarah placed 16th and 3rd in 24:52, whilst men’s club captain, Phelim, placed 24th in 25:48. Dee Lawlor placed 3rd in a field of 82 in Vandeleur in a time of 18:59, whilst Sharon Woods joined 121 other runners in Tymon, placing 48th and 12th in 27:59.

In Marlay Park with its field of 527, Killian Barry placed 12th in 19:23, followed by Kathryn Tomkins (née Sweeney) (90th and 11th in 24:20), Kate Murray (147th and 31st in 25:49) and Conor Kilkenny (469th in 36:57). We had 3 runners in the 120-strong field on Wexford Racecourse. Fiona Shine placed 37th and 9th in 27:31, followed by sister Lisa (77th and 27th in 34:22) and mother Máirín (78th and 28th in the same time). Meanwhile, in Shanganagh, Alby Allan placed 17th in 20:32 followed by Orlaith de Burca (165th and 35th in 29:00) in a field of 285, whilst, in Cabinteely with its field of 207, Barry O’Neill placed 49th in 25:43, this time followed by Olwyn Dunne (50th and 8th in 25:45) and then by Tanja Narancic (51st and 9th in 25:49) and Carina Davidson (138th and 55th in 34:10).

Martina White ran alongside 164 other runners in Porterstown, where she placed 76th and 24th in 28:57, whilst Helena O’Keeffe joined a field of 361 in Ballincollig where she took 136th and 26th spots in 26:20. Darina Scully paced the 31 minutes finishers in River Valley. In a field of 114, Darina placed 63rd and 15th in 30:58, whilst, in Templemore, Ailish Hassett ran 37:40 for 90th and 33rd places in a field of 109.

Michael O’Shea ran in the 156-strong field in Fairview, where he placed 19th in 23:44, whilst Gavan Doherty ran alongside 145 other participants in Avondale Forest, where he placed 29th in 24:40. Áine Crotty and Cian Coughlan ran on Midleton Greenway on Saturday morning. In a field of 159, Áine placed 140th and 59th in 38:09, alongside Cian who placed 141st in 38:10. Enda Currid and Mairead Cashman ran in Brickfields where, in a field of 139, Enda placed 23rd in 23:02, with Mairead following him in 79th and 21st places in 30:48. Aidan Hudner, one of our UK exiles, ran in Victoria, Glasgow, where, in a field of 521, he placed 85th in 22:53, whilst, in Tolka Valley Park, Diarmuid Byrne and Maria Pertl joined a field of 64. Diarmuid placed 14th in 24:45, followed by Maria who placed 42nd and 12th in 31:43.
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Tom Brennan 5k (581)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Chiptime
1 Hugh Armstrong 1 00:14:44
29 Faye Dervan 1 00:16:26
Crusaders AC runners
104 Doireann Hughes 00:18:20 (9)
140 Sarah Lyons 00:19:03 (PB) (13)
190 Eoghan Kerins 00:20:11
229 Deirdre Ni Chearbhaill 00:21:27 (35)
271 Rachael Yorke 00:22:29 (44)
283 Gian Piero Allerta 00:22:53
Full results here: https://myrunresults.com/events/tom_brennan_memorial_5k_2026/5935/results
Beaufort 10k (181)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Conor Kissane 1 00:31:19
7 Sinead O’Connor 1 00:34:26
Crusaders AC runner
41 Margaret Foley 00:40:28 (PB) (4)
Full results here: https://myrunresults.com/events/beaufort_10k_5k_road_race_2025/5564/results
Dublin Intermediates Men’s XC 6k (45)
Overall place Name Guntime
1 Adam Nason 00:18:22
Crusaders AC runners
7 Conor Kilkenny 00:19:42
12 Brian Regan 00:20:15
17 Thomas Vogée 00:20:59
41 Oisin Browne 00:23:56
Full results here: https://www.myrunresults.com/events/dublin_inter__masters_xc_champs_2026/6053/results
Dublin Masters Championships Men’s O/35 XC 6k (119)
Overall place Name Guntime
1 Colm Rooney 00:17:37
Crusaders AC runners
12 John Mulvihill 00:19:52 (6)
31 Michael O’Conor 00:21:34 (10)
42 Jan Manschot 00:22:00 (14)
64 Ronan Moynihan 00:23:03 (25)
66 Peter Beddy 00:23:06 (26)
76 Michael O’Shea 00:23:35 (30)
109 Karl Walsh 00:26:07 (43)
Full results here: https://www.myrunresults.com/events/dublin_inter__masters_xc_champs_2026/6053/results
Dublin Masters Championships Women’s O/35 XC 3k (90)
Overall place Name Guntime
1 Lisa Madden 00:11:02
Crusaders AC runners
78 Darina Scully 00:15:08 (14)
89 Carina Davidson 00:17:07 (16)
Full results here: https://www.myrunresults.com/events/dublin_inter__masters_xc_champs_2026/6053/results
Dublin Masters Championships Men’s O/50 XC 6k (79)
Overall place Name Guntime
1 Paul Fleming 00:19:51
Crusaders AC runners
21 Gary Park 00:23:06 (16)
25 Karl Fitzmaurice 00:23:20 (19)
52 David O’Donnell 00:25:44 (16)
70 Chris Bannon 00:28:45 (39)
71 Robbie Moore 00:28:50 (12)
Full results here: https://www.myrunresults.com/events/dublin_inter__masters_xc_champs_2026/6053/results
Dublin Masters Championships Women’s O/50 XC 3k (72)
Overall place Name Guntime
1 Maria McCambridge 00:11:21
Crusaders AC runner
68 Mairead Cashman 00:18:18 (9)
Full results here: https://www.myrunresults.com/events/dublin_inter__masters_xc_champs_2026/6053/results
Zaragoza San Sylvestre 5k (5000+)
Overall Place Name Chiptime
Crusaders AC runners
616 Kabir Sala 00:21:14
755 Sean Brady 00:22:23
1190 Ellen Walsh 00:25:10
1776 Aaron Farrell 00:28:11
1780 Lisa Branigan 00:28:12
1800 Lorraine McMahon 00:28:13
1991 Michelle English 00:28:50
2586 Luz Estevan 00:31:22
2588 Marie-Claire Daly 00:31:24
2591 Laura O’Malley 00:31:22
3135 Andres Mino 00:33:25
3309 Anna Hernick 00:34:06
3316 Paul E. Kelly 00:34:05
Full results here: https://sportmaniacs.com/en/races/xx-san-silvestre-zaragoza-2025/6955644c-11a0-4217-a492-4e4cac1f2a69/results#rankings
New Year’s Day Parkruns:
Mungret Parkrun (82) 
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Evan Fitzgerald 1 00:14:53
18 Niamh Sheehan 1 00:23:48
Crusaders AC runner
10 Luke Haran 00:21:18
Poolbeg Parkrun (161) 
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Rob Scott 1 00:16:39
13 Kerry Ardley 1 00:21:10
Crusaders AC runners
3 Rob Cross 00:18:10
7 Joe Murphy 00:18:37
27 John Lohan 00:22:46
35 Adrian Groarke 00:23:29
45 Fiona Bane 00:24:49 (10)
52 Franky Keane 00:26:02
53 Albert Allan 00:26:02
56 Bo Chicoine 00:26;16
76 Iseult Ni Chuinneagain 00:27:25 (24)
78 Tara Murphy 00:27:29 (25)
115 Kevin Kenny 00:29:42
130 Maureen McGinley 00:31:59 (57)
132 Cynthia Perucca 00:32:30 (58)
Cabinteely Parkrun (225) 
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Rahul Roy 1 00:19:54
2 Robyn Kennedy 1 00:20:00
Crusaders AC runners
56 Olwyn Dunne 00:25:47 (9)
58 Barry O’Neill 00:25:57
127 Carina Davidson 00:30:29 (39)
145 Georgina Loughrey 00:31:13 (49)
Glen River Parkrun (95) 
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 James Grufferty 1 00:19:30
6 Michelle Kenny 1 00:21:41
Crusaders AC runner
56 Darina Scully 00:29:31 (17)
Claremorris Parkrun (133) 
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Cian O’Mahony 1 00:18:24
6 Karen Walsh 1 00:20:31
Crusaders AC runner
29 Garret Connolly 00:25:07
Porch Field Parkrun (104) 
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Paul Caldwell 1 00:18:35
28 Sinead Broderick 1 00:24:08
Crusaders AC runner
70 Mairead Cashman 00:30:57 (20)
Parkruns on 03/01/26
Vandeleur Parkrun (82) 
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Thomas Garrahy 1 00:18:01
5 Delia O’Connell 1 00:22:47
Crusaders AC runner
3 Derek Lawlor 00:18:59
Mountbellew Forest Parkrun (48) 
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Alan Conway 1 00:20:43
2 Áine Kenny 1 00:21:44
Crusaders AC runner
20 Áine Kenny 00:21:44 (1)
Poolbeg Parkrun (201) 
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Sebastian Hansen 1 00:17:18
9 Cate Beddy 1 00:18:59
Crusaders AC runners
1 Sebastian Hansen 00:17:18
6 Jens Seggewiss 00:18:25
14 Stephen Hurley 00:19:45
17 Ronan Walsh 00:19:58
19 David Willis 00:20:11
20 Adrian Groarke 00:20:35
49 Emily Glen 00:23:48 (8)
50 Franky Keane 00:23:52
57 Josie Ward 00:24:16 (10)
58 Louise O’Riordan 00:24:20 (11)
62 Ger Buckley 00:24:36
64 Saketh Ravuluri 00:24:43
75 Russell Murphy 00:25:05
89 Fiona Bane 00:25:56 (24)
94 Alan Martin 00:26:13
108 Tara Murphy 00:27:13 (34)
109 Juliane Frydenlund 00:27:16 (35)
155 Imogen Guinness 00:29:39 (63)
158 Una McCullagh 00:30:24 (65)
161 Maureen McGinley 00:30:56 (68)
171 Cynthia Perucca 00:32:40 (74)
192 Lorraine Fitzsimons 00:40:44 (86)
Tymon Parkrun (122)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 John Leahy 1 00:18:05
16 Mella Garvey 1 00:23:28
Crusaders AC runner
48 Sharon Woods 00:27:59 (12)
Brickfields Parkrun (139)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Bradley Scholtz 1 00:18:05
11 Eimear Nic An Bhaird 1 00:21:08
Crusaders AC runners
23 Enda Currid 00:23:02
79 Mairead Cashman 00:30:48 (21)
Avondale Forest Parkrun (146)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Mick Byrne 1 00:19:03
26 Hannah Grene 1 00:24:24
Crusaders AC runner
29 Gavan Doherty 00:24:40
Porterstown Parkrun (165)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Peter Haines 1 00:19:13
10 Rachel Murray 1 00:23:06
Crusaders AC runner
76 Martina White 00:28:57 (24)
River Valley Parkrun (114)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Viktoras Kuzminas 1 00:18:18
6 Kat Owens 1 00:21:56
Crusaders AC runner
63 Darina Scully 00:30:58 (15)
Shanganagh Parkrun (285)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 John Duffin 1 00:18:19
19 Eva Kelly 1 00:20:40
Crusaders AC runners
17 Albert Allan 00:20:32
165 Orlaith de Burca 00:29:00 (35)
Midleton Greenway Parkrun (159)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Anthony Grady 1 00:18:05
10 Jude Buckley 1 00:20:50
Crusaders AC runners
140 Áine Crotty 00:38:09 (59)
141 Cian Coughlan 00:38:10
Marlay Parkrun (527)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Andrew Mullen 1 00:17:42
16 Hannah Brooks 1 00:19:59
Crusaders AC runners
12 Killian Barry 00:19:23
90 Kathryn Sweeney 00:24:20 (11)
147 Kate Murray 00:25:49 (31)
469 Conor Kilkenny 00:36:57
Templemore Parkrun (109)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Alex Crowley 1 00:18:29
4 Sharon Cantwell 1 00:20:06
Crusaders AC runner
90 Ailish Hassett 00:37:40 (33)
Cabinteely Parkrun (207)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Daniil Miasoedov 1 00:19:03
19 Jennelyn Villocino 1 00:23:45
Crusaders AC runners
49 Barry O’Neill 00:25:43
50 Olwyn Dunne 00:25:45 (8)
51 Tanja Narancic 00:25:49 (9)
138 Carina Davidson 00:34:10 (55)
Tolka Valley Parkrun (64)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Oleksandr Kyriushyn 1 00:19:00
13 Aleksandra Sobota 1 00:24:41
Crusaders AC runners
14 Diarmuid Byrne 00:24:45
42 Maria Pertl 00:31:43 (12)
Fairview Parkrun (156)
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Anthony Sharkey 1 00:18:07
17 Yvonne Sweeney 1 00:23:10
Crusaders AC runner
19 Michael O’Shea 00:23:44
Wexford Racecourse Parkrun (120) 
Overall place Name Cat. Place Guntime
1 Anthony Dowd 1 00:18:10
3 Sinead Cormack 1 00:19:19
Crusaders AC runners
37 Fiona Shine 00:27:31 (9)
77 Lisa Shine 00:34:22 (27)
78 Máirín Shine 00:34:22 (28)

L-R: Robbie Moore, Chris Bannon and David O'Donnell

Carina Davidson

Darina Scully

Jan Manschot

John Mulvihill

Karl Walsh

Michael O'Shea

Michael O'Conor

Peter Beddy

Ronan Moynihan

Dee Lawlor

Doireann Hughes

L-R: Andres Mino, Maria Cristin Fernandez Aspiazu, Sean Brady, Lorraine McMahon, Anna Hernick, Anthony Clinton, Paul E. Kelly, Michelle English, Ellen Walsh, Marie-Claire Daly, Luz Estevan, Aaron Farrell, Laura O'Malley, Kabir Sala, Lisa Branigan

Jens Seggewiss