All roads lead to Raheny for prestigious

THE 30th annual AXA Raheny 5 road race, promoted by Raheny Shamrock Athletic Club, takes place this Sunday, January 26, at 3pm.

Now rated as one of the country’s leading road races, the event was founded by Olympian Pat Hooper in 1985.

Three decades later Pat continues to be the driving force behind the event in his capacity as race director.

The course remains the same: beginning near Raheny Garda Station on All Saints’ Park road and roughly incorporating an outside lap of St Anne’s Park via a series of left hand turns.

It is regarded as a fast course with Gerry Curtis from Donore Harriers Athletic Club setting the course record of 22.39 in 1987 which was subsequently equalled by Mullingar Harriers’ Cormac Finnerty.

Sligo Athletic Club’s Mary Cullen set a new women’s course record of 25.55 last year. It was the first time that an Irish female athlete broke 26 minutes for a five-mile race on Irish soil.

However, it’s important to point out that the race caters for runners of all abilities and every finisher receives a commemorative race plaque and a goodie bag.

There is a special category for walkers with this event beginning at 2.40pm while the wheelchair race begins at 2.58pm.

Participants can enter the race online on the Raheny Shamrock website www.rahenyshamrock.ie. or at www.runireland.com

Entries cost e20 plus processing fee. Entries will also be accepted in the AXA Office, 4 Main Street, Raheny between 10am and 4pm on the day before the race, Saturday, January 25. However, NO entries will be accepted on race day.

Race numbers can be collected at Scoil Aine National School (opposite Raheny Garda Station) from noon on race day, January 26 or at the AXA Office, 4 Main Street, Raheny between 10am and 4pm on Saturday, January 25.

Prize giving takes place at 4.30pm on race day in Scoil Aine. There will be prizes for the first 10 finishers in both senior men’s and women’s category, as well as the first three vets in all categories.

There will also be prizes for the first three juniors as well as the usual team prizes.

The nominated charity for the event is St Francis Hospice in Raheny and over the years race participants have raised thousands of euro for this worthy charity.

There are three kids’ races before the main event -a 400m event for 5-7 year-olds, an 800m event for 8-12 year-olds and a mile race for 13-16 year-olds.

The first three boys and girls past the post in each race will receive prizes while all finishers will be presented with a medal. Entry is just e5 and entries will be accepted on race day at Cara Hall (near Raheny Garda Station) or in the AXA Office on Saturday, January 25 between 10am and 4pm. These races begin at 2pm, 2.15pm and 2.25pm respectively.

For further information contact Sean McGoldrick on 087-2248274 or email smcgold@eircom.net.