RAHENY REVS UP FOR ROAD RELAYS
Raheny Shamrock Athletic Club will play host to this weekend’s 123.ie National Road Relay Championships which take place on Wade's Avenue in Raheny from 1.30pm on Sunday (April 23rd).
The road specialists will be joined on the start-line by Olympians and track stars as they battle it out for team honours around the now familiar lapped route.
A UCD team led by Olympian Sarah Healy dominated the senior women’s race last year, and they look to have another strong line-up in Ellie Hartnett, Fiona McKenna, and Susie Nestor as they look to retain the title.
Rathfarnham W.S.A.F.AC are also back for another tilt at relay glory as they bid to better last year’s silver medal. They look set to call on Carla Sweeney, Louise Gaffney, and Zoie Richie come Sunday afternoon, while Leevale are not to be discounted as their entered team boasts the quality of Lizzie Lee and Michelle Finn.
Hosts Raheny look to have another bumper entry and the team of Iseult O’Donnell, Niamh Kearney, and Lucy Barrett looks particularly strong as they look to go in pursuit of what could potentially be a multi-medal day for the Dublin club.
The senior men’s race was enthralling right from the gun last year, and in the absence of UCD (2022 silver) and Ennis Track (2022 bronze), Conliffe look to be the favourites on paper with endurance star Efrem Gidey listed alongside the consistent trio of Stephen Cashin, Eoin Pierce, and Jayme Rossiter.
Last year marked Clonliffe’s first senior men’s relay title in 14 years, while local rivals Raheny have a remarkable recent winning history in the race which should add plenty of spice to proceedings. Two strong looking teams from the Shamrocks will see Clonliffe pushed all the way to the line as the lapped route comes to a conclusion.
The day’s action will get underway at the slightly earlier time of 1.30pm on Sunday, with the women’s (masters) race getting the action up and running. Sportsworld Running Club are back to defend their crown in the O35 race, while Raheny once again look to have a strong hand in the O50 race.
The men’s masters O35 title went back to East Cork AC 12 months ago, and expect James McCarty, Kevin O’Brien, and Donal Giltinan to put on another brave show. Brothers Pearse and Clonliffe Harriers look set to run them close.
The men’s O50 race is a tough one to call, but it does look as though the title will remain in Dublin for 2023.
Raheny Shamrock will host the 123.ie National Road Relay Championships on Sunday April 23rd.
The start area is on Wades Avenue in Raheny.
There are four races;
- 1:30pm – Masters Women (All)
- 2.00pm - Masters Men (35 – 49)
- 2:30pm – Masters Men 50+
- 3:00pm – Senior Women
- 3:30pm – Senior Men
The Course Map is included below with the start located on Wade’s Avenue, the runners head toward the corner of Rectory Park and turn left moving up the road before turning left at the junction of All Saints Road the Howth Road.
The runners turn down All Saints Road with St Annes Park on their right hand side.
They finally turn left back onto Wades Avenue where the hand over point and Start/Finish are located.
The Masters Women, Men and Senior Women run a format of;
- Leg 1 – 1 Lap
- Leg 2 – 2 Laps
- Leg 3 – 1 Lap
The Senior Men’s race format is;
- Leg 1 – 2 Laps
- Leg 2 – 1 Lap
- Leg 3 – 3 Laps
- Leg 4 – 2 Laps
Entries
Entries are available via Athletics Ireland only. Click HERE for list of entries.
Number Collection
Numbers are available for collection in the Raheny Shamrock clubhouse, Old Church, Raheny Village, Dublin 5. The Clubhouse will be open from 1pm.
Presentations
The Presentations will be made on Wade’s Avenue close to the Start/Finish Area.
As there shall be a period when no athletic activity is present on Wades Ave we aim to use this period for the medal presentation.
The Presentation schedule is as follows;
Masters W35 – During Lap 1 of Masters Men’s Race
Masters W50 – During Lap 2 of Masters Men’s Race
Masters M35 – During Lap 1 of Senior Women’s Race
Masters M50 – During Lap 2 of Senior Women’s Race
Senior Women – During Lap 1 of Senior Men’s Race
Senior Men – After Completion of Senior Men’s Race
The Senior Men and Senior Women Teams will each be presented with the national road relay trophies.
The most successful club from the championship will receive the Paddy Boland trophy who was the founder member of Raheny Shamrock Athletic Club in 1958.
We would ask all team captains and members to assist in making as smooth a medal presentation as possible.
Getting to Raheny
Raheny is served by;
Dublin Bus routes H1, H2, H3.
Via the Dart, Raheny is located Northbound on the Howth/Malahide line from Dublin City Centre.
The station is located 400 meters from the race area.
There is limited parking available in Raheny Church with limited public parking also available in Raheny Village.
Athletics Ireland would like to thank Raheny Shamrock AC for hosting these championships.