What a difference a year makes.  Last year we were fighting the elements delivered by Storm Desmond but yesterday saw ideal racing conditions for the 26th Jingle Bells 5k.  It proved to be a great success all round with just under 800 chipped competitors and over 200 kids taking part.  At 11am, on the Acres road, official race starter Cyril Symthe set them on their way over the fast course which provided many with new PBs.  First to reach the finish line on St. Mary’s road, for the third year in a row, was our own John Travers in a quick time of 14.08 (14.07 chip) which needs to be confirmed as a possible course record.  He was followed in by Conor Dooney (Raheny Shamrock) in 14:30 (14:29 chip) and Thomas Moran (Dunshaughlin AC) third in 14:37 (14:36 chip).  Winning the Women’s title in a very competitive field was Rio Olympian, Ciara Mageean (UCDAC) in 15:58 (15:57 chip) taking the title for the second consecutive year.  In second place was Sinead O’Connor (Leevale AC) in 16:25 (16:23 chip) followed by Sarah MacMahon (DSDAC) in third place in 16:45 (16:43 chip).

The Women’s team competition was a tight affair with Leevale AC prevailing as narrow winners over UCDAC with Carol Finn their third place athlete splitting the difference. First; Leevale (23); Sinead O’Connor (2), Lizzie Lee (10) and Carol Finn (11).  Second; UCDAC (23); Ciara Mageean (1), Ellie Hartnett (4) and Ciara Rooney (18).  In the Men’s team placings Raheny Shamrock AC came out on top from St. Abban’s second.  Scores were as follows; Raheny with (23); Conor Dooney (2), Eoin Strutt (9), Brian Fay (12) and St. Abban’s (39); Stephen Lawlor (7), John Fenlon (13), Stephen Hunter (19).

Thank you to our main sponsor; Bill Griffin Motors and our sponsors; The Runhub and Dunnes Stores.  A big thank you to the OPW and the park rangers from the Phoenix Park; the Civil Defence; An Garda Siochana; Blanchardstown Brass Band; BHAA, Championchip Ireland and Timing Ireland; Last lap cafe and official starter Cyril Smythe.

A special big thank you to all who took part; Olympic athletes; future Olympic athletes; fellow clubs and club athletes; runners; joggers; walkers, festive fancy dressers and spectators.  Also a massive thank you to all Donore helpers and friends of Donore who made the Jingle Bells 2016 a great success.