KELLY AND WILSON CLAIM NATIONAL 5 MILE TITLES

Kieran Kelly (Raheny Shamrock AC) and Ciara Wilson (DMP AC) thrived in the swelteringly hot sunshine of the Phoenix Park this morning, with the duo collecting the gold medals in their respective National 5 Mile Championship races which took place in conjunction with the Briofreeze Irish Runner 5 Mile (June 23rd).

Kelly (Dundrum South Dublin A.C.) went toe-to-toe with Moy Valley’s Luke Johnston and Clonliffe’s Ian Guiden from the gun, with the trio stretching clear of the field as they hit the three-mile mark.

Kelly controlled the pace heading into the final mile before unleashing a race-winning-kick in the last 300 meters to cross in a winning time of 24:11 which also led Raheny to the team title in the process.

Speaking after the race Kelly said: “The first two miles was quick but we settled down taking on the hill at 3 and 4 mile. The plan was to control the pace and I kicked for a strong finish, so I’m delighted to come away with the win and a PB”.

Johnston and Guiden were left battling it out for silver with Johnston taking the second place on the podium in 24.29, followed by Guiden in third in 24.34.

The women’s race was somewhat easier to predict at the halfway point with Wilson looking particularly strong as she went in pursuit of a national gold medal on the road to go with her national 3,000m indoor title from 2020.

Wilson has plenty of experience around the roads of the Phoenix Park and put it to good use to pull away from her rivals on the hillier section of the course, ultimately crossing the finish in a winning time of 27.25.

Heather Murphy of St. Michael’s AC ran a superb race to claim silver in 28:25, while a familiar face from schools athletics in recent years, Niamh O’Mahony, took bronze for An Riocht in 28:37.

Speaking after the race Wilson said: “I won silver here on the road in 2022 in the 5k and the 10k, so to get the gold here today is a great feeling. I live close to the park, so I know the course well and I was prepared for the hill at St Mary’s and what was to come”.

Wilson continued: “I’ll probably stick to the roads over the next couple of months and do a few more races before targeting Dublin (marathon) in October”.

The Sli Cualann AC team of Sheila O'Byrne , Catherine O'Connor , and Lucy Malley produced a huge display to take the team gold with a combined time of 01:32:11 which was over a minute clear of second placed Raheny Shamrock AC. Moyne AC picked up a superb silver.

Select Results

Men Result:

1. Kieran Kelly Raheny Shamrock A.C. 24:11
2. Luke Johnston Moy Valley A.C. 24:29
3. Ian Guiden Clonliffe Harriers A.C. 24:34

Women Results:

1. Ciara Wilson D.M.P. A.C. 27:25
2. Heather Murphy St. Michael’s A.C. 28:25
3. Niamh O’Mahony An Riocht 28:37

Men Senior Team:

1. Raheny Shmrock A.C. 01:44:21
2. Celbridge A.C. 01:44:24
3. Clonliffe Harriers A.C. 01:45:43

Women Senior Team:

1. Sli Cualann A.C. 01:32:10
2. Raheny Shamrock A.C. 01:33:45
3. Moyne A.C. 01:36:27

Provisional Team Results: HERE

Notes:

The next National Road Race is the 10 Mile which takes place in the Phoenix Park on July 21st. Entry available HERE.