Running Column May 11

Runners of all standards are expected to assemble for Sunday’s Dublin 5-Mile Classic – a race that manages to appeal to both fun runners and elite.
In its 27-year history, the race around the leafy avenues of Terenure and Walkinstown has attracted the worlds best, with a world leading time of 22.07 for 5 miles being run on the course by the Kenyan athlete Ishmael Kirui who went on to take Olympic gold for 10,000m.
Every top level Irish athlete has run the race, including John Treacy who won the race towards the end of his career, and three times winner Catherina McKiernan. Eamonn Coghlan and his family have had a long link with the race through the involvement of the Crumlin Children’s Hospital, which receives a portion of he day’s take every year.
Behind it all is Mick and Emily Dowling, founders of the Sportworld Running club, which grew out of a Meet and Train group set up for the very first women’s mini marathon in 1983. Since then, the club has moved into mainstream athletics, winning national, Leinster and Dublin cross-country titles and acquiring its own clubhouse in Bushy Park.
While Emily remains club coach, Mick has opted to take a back seat, resigning as club chairman this year. His replacement is Paddy Lynch, one of the many tireless workers who help keep this great club so active.
On Sunday, most of the club’s 200 members will be hard at work from early in the morning ensuring the high standard of their flagship race is maintained. After the race, drinks, fruit and bars are on offer, as well as a cup of tea and a sandwich back at race HQ in St Paul’s School.
Prizes are on offer in a long list of categories, including men and women’s teams.
The two-lap course is not only fast but spectator friendly, which means fast times are guaranteed. Last year’s winners were Joe Sweeney and Linda Byrne, both DSD.
Online entry is €15, with all race numbers to be picked up on the morning. Late entries at €20 will be taken on the day. Details www.sportsworld-terenure.ie.

Closing date for Sunday’s Woodie’s DIY AAI Open Games at Santry is Thursday May 11.  Included on the programme is a men’s 3000m for those seeking qualification standards for the European Youth Olympics and World Youth Championships. For their €10 entry fee, athletes can enter as many events as they like. AAI is using a new online entry system for the Games; see the AAI website where the full programme of events is also available.

Raheny’s Richard Corcoran won the Dublin 10,000m championships in Irishtown last week – his first race at this distance. Corcoran led from the start, and on the last lap just held off Eddie McGinley of Annadale, with Brian Maher of Kilkenny third. The winning time was 29:29.18.
Winning the women’s graded 1500m in 4:33.36 was DSD’s Aoife Byrne. A close second was her clubmate Siofra Cleirigh Buttner whose time of 4:33.74 qualifies her for the European Youth Olympics.
Mark Kavanagh, also DSD, clocking 21.58 for the 200m, less than half a second off the European Juniors qualifying mark. Brian Kelly of St Abban’s was the fastest winner of the eight 1500m races outleaning Sligo’s Tommy Casey in 3:53.49.

Wicklow town is the venue for tonight’s (Wed) fifth round of the Wicklow Fit for Life league (7.30). Distance is 5km, with registration at Murrough free carpark at 7pm; entry €5.

Prizes are on offer in senior, masters and walkers categories at Friday’s Simon Cumbers and Paddy Hyland Memorial 6km road races in Navan (8.0). Registration is at Claremont Stadium from 6pm; entry is €10.