The 100th consecutive running of this historic open handicap race (the race was started in 1896 but not held in 1916) had a field of over 35 pre-entered and saw 30 competitors on the day slog it out over the 5 x 2 mile lap cross-country course in the Phoenix Park.
Early starter Dana Mackay off her handicap of 35 mins led the field into the penultimate lap only to be passed by Tony Griffin and Cliodhna McCarthy just before the bell. Ian Redican, a winner from 2 years ago, was confounding the handicappers with an impressive performance and was chasing hard. With 5 mins gap to the fastest man on the course Niall Lynch, Tony had to work really hard to maintain his lead. Cliodhna just faded and Ian and Niall closed to within 45 seconds but couldn’t overhaul Tony, whose marathon work this year clearly stood him in good stead.
Alan Farrell defended his ownership of the shield well with a fourth place. Florrie Curley, Ladies Captain, showed her return to form with the fastest lady’s time on the day and Niall Lynch won the inaugural Tommy Hayward Trophy for the fastest 10 mile time in the Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield presented by Tommy’s son Eric Hayward.
~Iain Morrison
photo credit: Frank McNally
| POSITION | NAME | FINISH TIME | RACE TIME | HANDICAP | START TIME |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tony Griffin | 12:26:53 | 1:14:23 | 22’30” | 11:12:30 |
| 2 | Ian Redican | 12:27:15 | 1:12:15 | 20’ | 11:15:00 |
| 3 | Niall Lynch | 12:27:34 | 59:34 | 7’ | 11:28:00 |
| 4 | Alan Farrell | 12:28:18 | 1:05:18 | 12’ | 11:23:00 |
| 5 | Declan Lynch | 12:28:30 | 1:07:30 | 14’ | 11:21:00 |
| 6 | Fergal Whitty | 12:28:30 | 1:02:00 | 8’30” | 11:26:30 |
| 7 | Cliodhna Carthy | 12:28:58 | 1:18:58 | 25’ | 11:10:00 |
| 8 | Tom Fagan | 12:29:35 | 1:11:35 | 17’ | 11:18:00 |
| 9 | Karen Behan | 12:29:41 | 1:16:41 | 22’ | 11:13:00 |
| 10 | Florrie Curley | 12:29:46 | 1:12:16 | 17’30” | 11:17:30 |
| 11 | Neil Hand | 12:29:56 | 1:07:56 | 13’ | 11:22:00 |
| 12 | Noel Conway | 12:30:12 | 1:11:12 | 16’ | 11:19:00 |
| 13 | Donal Iremonger | 12:30:42 | 1:10:42 | 15’ | 11:20:00 |
| 14 | Barbara Murray | 12:31:13 | 1:16:13 | 20’ | 11:15:00 |
| 15 | Philip Hennessy | 12:31:18 | 1:06:18 | 10’ | 11:25:00 |
| 16 | Elaine Verdon | 12:31:29 | 1:24:29 | 28’ | 11:07:00 |
| 17 | Angela Eustace | 12:31:45 | 1:20:45 | 24’ | 11:11:00 |
| 18 | Peter Bonnar | 12:31:58 | 1:25:58 | 29’ | 11:06:00 |
| 19 | Dana Mackay | 12:32:40 | 1:32:40 | 35’ | 11:00:00 |
| 20 | Colin Moore | 12:34:31 | 1:22:31 | 23’ | 11:12:00 |
| 21 | Neil McGettigan | 12:36:56 | 1:13:56 | 12’ | 11:23:00 |
| FASTEST 10 MILE | TIME | ||||
| Niall Lynch | 59’34” | ||||
| FASTEST WOMAN | TIME | ||||
| Florrie Curley | 72’16” | ||||
| DNFs | LAPS | ||||
| Barry Potts | 4/5 - 8 miles | ||||
| Charlie O’Neill | 3/5 - 6 miles | ||||
| Stephen Dawson | 3/5 - 6 miles | ||||
| Eilish Funston | 3/5 - 6 miles | ||||
| Anne Curley | 2/5 - 4 miles | ||||
| Patrick Byrne | 2/5 - 4 miles |