Countdown is on for Raheny 5

FITNESS centres and gyms all over the country are buzzing, parks and roads are full of runners and walkers, and programmes like ‘Operation Transformation’ have us glued to our TV screens. 

For those who started out with a new year’s resolution to get fit, now you have the perfect opportunity to measure your progress thus far.

The 2017 AXA Raheny 5 will take place on Sunday, January 29 at 3pm. The event, promoted by Raheny Shamrock Athletic Club, is now established as the leading road race in Ireland since being founded in 1985.

Rio 2016 Olympian Mick Clohisey, a member of the host club, launched the race last week.   

Clohisey, favourite to retain his title, is aiming to lead the Shamrocks to victory in their final outing before competing at the European Club Cross Country Championships in Albefuria, Portugal on February 5.

“Winning the race again is my aim for January, the course and the fabulous large crowd make it the most attractive race in Ireland to compete in.

“This year is a special one as we have the European Club championships to focus on and the AXA Raheny 5 is our last race before heading to Portugal,” explained Clohisey, with the full All-Ireland cross-country winning team expected to compete on January 29.

Defending women’s champion, Sligo’s Mary Cullen, is expected to battle another former winner, double European cross-country winner Fionnuala McCormack for the women’s title. Cullen set a World Lead time, which was ratified by the IAAF in winning the 2015 race.

The first 10 men and women runners receive prizes along with the top three masters in all age categories including juniors. There are also a host of team prizes.

While the race features Irish top distance athletes, the AXA Raheny 5 caters for runners, joggers and walkers of all abilities who won’t go home empty handed. Every finisher is guaranteed the famous Raheny 5 plaque plus a goody bag.

There are special prize categories for walkers, who begin at 2.40pm while the wheelchair race begins at 2.58pm.

Participants can enter the race online at www.rahenyshamrock.ie or drop your entry into the AXA Insurance Office, 4 Main Street, Raheny. 

The AXA office in Raheny will open between 10am and 4pm on Saturday, January 28 for number collection and late entries. No entries will be taken on the day.

Meanwhile, there will be four kids’ races before the main event: a separate 400-metre race for boys and girls between five and seven-years-of-age; a mixed 800-metre race for those between eight and 12-years-old; and a mile race for 13 to 16-year-olds.

There will be prizes for the first three boys and girls past the post in each race plus a medal and a goody bag for each finisher.

Entries for these races will be taken on the day or at the AXA office. These events begin at 2pm.

The nominated charity is St Francis Hospice in Raheny. Over the years thousands of euro have been raised for this very worthy charity.

For further information contact Pat Hooper at 086-8158052 or Christy Reilly at 086-8543344 or email [email protected]