NATIONAL 5K TITLES UP FOR GRABS IN THE PHOENIX PARK
An exciting morning in the Phoenix Park awaits this Saturday (May 18th) as the National 5k Championships take place in conjunction with the Biofreeze Irish Runner 5k.
The action gets underway at 9:30am as some of Ireland’s top road runners go in search of coveted domestic honours.
Two new champions will return to their home clubs with national gold this year in the absence of last year’s winners Pierre Murchan (Dublin City Harriers) and Lizzie Lee (Leevale AC).
Both men’s and women’s races are wide-open, and it is anticipated that they will go down to the wire.
Ciara Wilson (DMP AC) looks to be one of the favourites to win the women’s title. The former national senior indoor 3000m champion has moved up to the marathon in recent times posting a lifetime best of 2:51 in Manchester last month, indicating good form. The Wexford athlete was fifth in last year’s race.
Lauren Dermody (Castlecomer AC), Robyn McKee (Annadale Striders) and Maebhdh Richardson (Kilkenny City Harriers) also all hold entries and can’t be discounted in the shake-up for podium positions.
Masters athlete Annette Kealy (Raheny Shamrock AC) has been in good form in 2024 and will be looking for another strong performance on Saturday.
Dublin City Harriers will bid to retain the team title they won last year, while Raheny will look to mount a strong challenge.
The men’s race is equally hard to predict. Kieran Kelly (Raheny Shamrock AC) is one of the lead entries. Over the years Kelly has shown his abilities with two national senior indoor middle distance titles to his name. His track 5000m PB of 14:32 puts him into contention.
Stephen Cashin (Clonliffe Harriers) finished fourth last year, narrowly missing out on a podium place. He will look to go one step further this year.
Clubmate Mahad Mohamed Egaal Jadda was the top U20 finisher last year and will be aiming for another big performance.
Gerry Forde (Kilkenny City Harriers) ran 2:23 for the marathon in Seville and will be confident that he can contend over a much shorter distance.
Last year the three senior team medals went to Dublin clubs with Clonliffe, Raheny and Rathfarnham W.S.A.F. taking gold, silver, and bronze respectively. They will be aiming to make the podium once again in 2024.