News

The National 5K Road Championships were set to be a gripping dash around the Phoenix Park and they most certainly were; as athletes made their way to a sunny Phoenix Park on Sunday morning, all eyes were on the start line. The Championships which coincided with the Irish Runner 5K, sponsored by Sports Travel International, kick-started the 2022 edition of the Athletics Ireland Race Series.

The Men’s Senior Individual title race would see a thrilling performance from young Efrem Gidey of Clonliffe Harriers. The 2019 U20 Bronze cross country medallist led the group from the off, keeping each stride calm and composed. Coming into the home stretch, with Peter Somba (Dunboyne AC) and Rory O’Connor (North Cork AC) on his heels, Gidey pushed ahead to cross the line in an incredible 13:51,  to claim the National Senior Men’s 5K Championship title. Only last month the Clonliffe Harrier played a leading role in bringing his Club the Road Relay Championship title.

Coming off the podium Gidey said he has his eyes firmly on a busy summer of championships.

The strong contest promised for the women’s race delivered more incredible performances as athletes battled for positions throughout this tough course. Brother Pearse AC’s Ciara Hickey took on the current National 10K Champion Ciara Wilson (D.M.P.A.C) in the final stages of the race to claim the Championship 5K National title with an impressive 16:24 on the clock. Wilson was hot on her heels crossing the line at 16:41.

Post-race Hickey said it was a “a tough course, having to push hard from the start but thankfully it went well.”

The Irish Runner 5K sponsored by Sports Travel International saw a strong turnout of new and established runners, such as the Operation Transformation Leaders and Irish Runner Race Series Ambassadors Kathleen Mullins, John Ryan and Katie Jones taking to the start line.

The next instalment of the Athletics Ireland Race Series is the 5 Mile, set for June 12^th in the Phoenix Park. Registration is open and more details can be found HERE

Full results of the 5K can be found HERE