HIGHLIGHTS: Hiko Tonosa (DSD AC) and Cliona Murphy (DSD AC) were winners of the 29^th Jingle Bells. Daragh Fitzgibbon and Maura Kearns first home for Donore Harriers. 15 years-old James Bolton ran 16.10. Barbara Murray won W45 category. Eric Keogh 3^rd in the Waterford Half-Marathon with Lee Van Haeften 9^th. John Travers helped Irish team to 7^th in Mixed Relay at the European XC championships. Grace Kennedy-Clarke 3^rd in Lanzarote Marathon, with Luke Boland 2^nd in the Half-Marathon at same venue.

 

Hiko Tonosa (14.16) and Emmet Jennings (14.18) were left to challenge for victory in the closing kilometre of the popular JINGLE BELLS 5KM ROAD RACE hosted by Donore Harriers in the Phoenix Park on Saturday morning (07.12.2019). The DSD AC duo were part of a breakaway group of 12 athletes after the opening kilometre, with Daragh Fitzgibbon from the host club giving chase. As splits began to form, Tonosa and Jennings maintained a high tempo at the front of the field – and going through the Furry Glen and onto the Glen Road it was Jennings in the lead with Tonosa on his shoulder. With 400 metres remaining it was Tonosa who used his superior speed to kick-on and reach the finish line with just 2 seconds to spare over his teammate. Andrew Coscoran (14.24) of Star of the Sea AC broke clear of the chasing group to claim 3^rd spot. Daragh Fitzgibbon (15.07) finished the race strongly to place 13^th.

The best ‘home’ performance of the day came from 15 years old James Bolton (16.10). Bolton had set himself a difficult enough target of 17 minutes, but he started strongly and maintained his form to reach the line in 41^st place, leaving several ‘big fish’ in his wake. He came 3^rd in the Junior Men category.

Donore Harriers’ newly crowned Dublin Intermediate cross-country champion Matthieu Proffit came 50^th in a time of 16.25. Gavin Curtin (16.47) set a new personal best time to place 65^th overall and 5^th in the Junior Men’s category. Club newcomer Rory Burke (16.52) came 72^nd. The next 3 athletes from the host club were all juvenile, with Oliver Hopkins U15 (17.47) in 121^st, Sean Kinsella U16 (18.26) in 147^th and Barney Kelly U18 (18.33) in 158^th. Maura Kearns W35 (18.39) was first Donore Harriers woman home in 160^th. Aidan Kelly came next in 178^th position setting a new PB time of 18.47 and Barbara Murray (19.15) came 195^th and took the W45 age-group prize.

The other competing club members were: – Aisling Kirby (21.45) in 352^nd, Colm Dunne M45 (22.15) in 364^th, Helaine Kelly W45 (24.35) in 482^nd, Niamh Gaudin W40 (28.00) in 621^st, Daniel Nemeth M35 (28.59) in 671^st, Ray Holmes M60 (28.59) in 672^nd, John Grenne M40 (30.22) in 721^st, Patrick Farrell M35 (30.44) in 741^st, Anthony Ferns M55 (31.54) in 771^st, Amandine Devine W40 (34.43) in 897^th, Gerry Murphy M65 (37.03) in 926^th and Dathi Cooney MJ (41.21) in 990^th.

Other juvenile members who competed included: – Jamie Kavanagh U12 (21.25) in 356th place,James Dunne U14 (22.15) in 364^th, Phillipe Gaudin U10 (23.23) no place given, Hugh David Kelly U11 (23.51) NPG, Joe Kinsella U14 (24.20) NPG, Roisin Kirby U13 (24.10) NPG, Eleanor Hopkins U13 (24.15) NPG, Conor Garvey U10 (24.20) NPG and Katie Delaney U14 (24.26) NPG. Rory Gaudin no time available.

Special mention to Kilcoole Athletics Club, who had 40 adult competitors – and to local club Watertown Warriors, who had 34 finishers.

Also, a special mention to the winner of the fancy-dress competition Sarah Nagle, who completed the race in memory of her late husband Joseph Nagle. Joe died in 2012, aged 43, from cancer. He was a huge fan of the Jingle Bells race and regularly took part, usually in fancy dress attire. A former member of Leevale AC Joe had a more serious involvement in athletics. In 2007 he competed in the Special Olympics in Shanghai and picked up a silver medal in the Shot Putt. He also competed in the Long Jump, Weight-for-Distance and Discus. He recorded a personal best of 11.45m for the Shot Putt in 2009. Joseph Nagle was described as a ‘gentle giant’ who loved his sport and his early sporting endeavours had been as a keen boxer.

Finally race director Colin Moore has posted a special thank you to all those volunteers, supporters and sponsors who helped make the 29^th edition of the Jingle Bells race a huge success. These including the OPW, the Park Rangers, Pop-Up Races, An Garda Siochana, Civil Defence, Blanchardstown Brass Band, Last Lap Café, Bill Griffin Motors, 123.ie, Dunnes Stores and all the club members who helped with marshalling, catering, course set-up, etc.

Eric Keogh (1.07.48) put in another high-class performance to place 3^rd amid a strong field in the WATERFORD HALF-MARATHON on Saturday (07.12.2019). His club colleague and training partner Lee Van Haeften (1.11.21) came 9^th. The race was won by Ethiopian born Yared Derese of Carrick Aces AC in a course record 1.04.12, with former national cross-country champion and Olympic marathon runner Mick Clohissey (1.05.23) in 2^nd place. There were 2,234 finishers.

 

In the FONT VELLA LANZEROTE MARATHON on Saturday (07.12.2019) a fine effort by Grace Kennedy-Clarke brought her home in 25^th place overall and 3^rd woman finisher from a field of 600 starters. Her time of 3.11.08 was impressive considering the hilly terrain and hot, humid conditions.

At the same venue Luke Boland (1.15.34) came 2^nd in the (LANZEROTE) HALF-MARATHON behind winner Juan Miguel Moreno Rivert of Spain. Tracey Clarke (2.50.59) placed 1,043^rd of 1,106 finishers.

 

At the SPAR EUROPEAN CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at Lisbon (08.12.2019) John Travers competed in the Mixed Relay 4 x 1,500m event. Nadia Power (5.07) of Dublin City Harriers opened for Ireland (1625m) and passed the baton to the Donore Harriers man in 5^th place. Travers (4.07) put in a good effort over a tough, hilly circuit (1500m), but was passed by top-class athletes from France and Belgium – and disappointingly handed on to Amy O’Donoghue (Emerald AC) in 7^th place. O’Donoghue (1500m) gained to 6^th with a 4.46 lap, with Eoin Pierce (Clonliffe Harriers) running a 4.40 lap (1500m) to bring the team home in 7^th place (of 12) with an overall time of 18.40. Team GB (17.55) were 1^st and Belarus (18.01) 2^nd.

 

In the first NIA LIVE MEETING at the National Indoor Arena on Tuesday evening (03.12.2019) there was a large contingent of young Donore Harriers juvenile athletes. Best performances came from Luuk Jacson, who won the Under 12 Boys 200m (30.21) and 600m (1.48.8); Dylan O’Connor 2^nd in both the Under 10 Boys 60m (9.47) and 200m (33.72); and Paddy Nolan who was 1^st in the U14 Boys 200m (28.93) and 3^rd in the 60m (8.91). Other notable performances came from Honor Lynch (1.47.8) 4^th in a competitive U14 Girls race over 600m; Jack Reilly 2^nd in the U12 Boys 200m (31.10) and 4^th in the Mixed Relay (2.27.9); Alex Leonard 3^rd in both the U14 Boys 60m (8.61) and 200m (29.41); and Tara Hoare 2^nd in the U12 Girls 200m (33.83) and 3^rd in the Mixed Relay (2.19.6). More results below.

In the first of two Senior One-Mile races Emmet O’Briain M35 (4.48.5) came 1^st with Aidan O’Rourke (5.12.4) in 6^th place.

 

In the PARKRUN SERIES (07.12.2019) Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (18.27 was first home at Waterstown with Dylan McKenna U14 (21.23) in 3^rd. Matei Ursachi U13 was first home at Fr. Collins Park in 18.45 with his younger brother Sebastian (U11) in 11^th place. Sinead Lambe (17.49) impressed at Malahide being 4^th overall and first woman finisher. Other results below.

 

RESULTS IN BRIEF:

NIA LIVE INDOOR MEETING at NATIONAL INDOOR ARENA, ABBOTSTOWN (03.12.2019)

SENIOR RESULTS

One Mile: 1^st Emmet O’Briain (4.48.5), 6^th Aidan O’Rourke (5.12.4)

JUVENILE RESULTS

U10 Boys 60m Heat 1: 2^nd Dylan O’Connor (9.47), 3^rd Conor Garvey (9.81), 7^th Bobby Colgan (10.59) – Heat 2: 5^th Kareem Dempsey (10.73) – Heat 3: 3^rd Tom Nolan (10.25)

U12 Boys 60m Heat 1: 4^th Liam Blair (9.61)

U14 Boys 60m Heat 1: 3^rd Alex Leonard (8.61) – Heat 2: 3^rd Paddy Nolan (8.91), 4^th James Dunne (9.08)

U10 Boys 200m Heat 1: no results available – Heat 2: 2^nd Dylan O’Connor (33.72), 5^th Mark Nunan (36.04)

U12 Boys 200m Heat 1: 1^st Luuk Jackson (30.21), 2^nd Jack Reilly (31.10), 3^rd Cillian McCooey (31.48), 5^th Danny Colgan (32.59) – Heat 2: 2^nd Liam Blair (31.84), 3^rd Jamie Kavanagh (33.17) – Heat 3: Liam O’Donoghue (33.91)

U14 Boys 200m Heat 1: 3^rd Alex Leonard (29.41) – Heat 2: 1^st Paddy Nolan (28.93), 3^rd James Dunne (30.71)

U10 Boys 400m: 3^rd Olyver Whelan (1.13.3), 5^th Conor Garvey (1.25.8)

U12 Boys 600m: 1^st Luuk Jackson (1.48.8), 4^th Jamie Kavanagh (1.58.9), 6^th Liam Blair (1.59.8), 7^th Eoin Mooney (2.01.8), 8^th Danny Colgan (2.06.2), 10^th Liam O’Donoghue (2.21.3)

Mixed Relay 1: 1^st Conor Garvey (2.32.9), 3^rd Olyvey Whelan (2.48.1)

Mixed Relay 2: 1^st Cillian McCooey (2.12.0), 3^rd Tara Hoare (2.19.6), 4^th Jack Reilly (2.27.9), 5^th Liam Blair (2.28.8)

U10 Girls 60m Heat 1: no results available – Heat 2: 5^th Thea O’Donoghue (10.96)

U12 Girls 60m Heat 1: 3^rd Ava Hoare (9.53), Juliana Broderick (10.12) – Heat 3: 3^rd Leah Nunan (9.58), 4^th Rachel Barnes (9.93), 5^th Zoey Conroy (11.05), 6^th Salma Dempsey (11.10)

U14 Girls 60m Heat 2: 6^th Isabella Jackson (9.53)

U10 Girls 200m Heat 1: 6^th Thea O’Donoghue (39.8)

U12 Girls 200m Heat 2: 3^rd Leah Nunan (33.73), 4^th Juliana Broderick (35.62) – Heat 3: 2^nd Tara Hoare (33.83), 3^rd Rachel Barnes (34.99), 4^th Salma Dempsey (39.86), 5^th Zoey Conroy (40.01)

U14 Girls 200m Heat 2: 5^th Isabella Jackson (31.99)

U12 Girls 600m: 7^th Amber Lynch (2.02.5)

U14 Girls 600m: 4^th Honor Lynch (1.47.8)

JINGLE BELLS 5KM ROAD RACE at PHOENIX PARK (07.12.2019)

MEN: 1^st Hiko Tonoso (DSD AC) 14.16; 2^nd Emmet Jennings (DSD AC) 14.18; 3^rd Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea AC) 14.24.

WOMEN: 1^st Cliona Murphy (Dublin City Harriers) 16.29; 2^nd Kate O’Neill (MSB AC) 17.10; 3^rd Maisy O’Sullivan (St. Abbans AC) 17.23.

13^th Daragh Fitzgibbon (15.07)

41^st & 3^rd MJ James Bolton U16 (16.10 PB)

50^th Matthieu Proffit (16.25)

65^th & 5^th MJ Gavin Curtin U18 (16.47 PB)

72^nd Rory Burke (16.52)

121^st Oliver Hopkins U15 (17.47 PB)

147^th Sean Kinsella U16 (18.26 PB)

158^th Barney Kelly U18 (18.33)

160^th Maura Kearns W35 (18.39)

178^th Aidan Kelly U19 (18.47 PB)

195^th & 1^st W45 Barbara Murray (19.15)

352^nd Aisling Kirby (21.45)

356^th Jamie Kavanagh U12 (21.25)

364^th James Dunne U14 (22.15)

389^th Colm Dunne M45 (22.23)

NPA Phillipe Gaudin U (23.23)

NPA Hugh David Kelly U11 (23.51)

482^nd Helaine Kelly W45 (24.35)

NPA Joe Kinsella U14 (24.20)

NPA Roisin Kirby U13 (24.10)

NPA Eleanor Hopkins U13 (24.15)

NPA Conor Garvey U10 (24.20)

NPA Katie Delaney U14 (24.26)

621^st Niamh Gaudin W40 (28.00)

671^st Daniel Nemeth M35 (28.59)

672^nd Ray Holmes M60 (28.59)

721^st John Grenne M45 (30.22)

741^st Patrick Farrell M35 (30.44)

771^st Anthony Ferns M55 (31.54)

897^th Amandine Devine W40 (34.43)

926^th Gerry Murphy M65 (37.03)

990^th Dathi Cooney MJ (41.21)

Time not available for Rory Gaudin. Times for NPA athletes based on the net times of runners who crossed the finish line nearest to them. Some results may be missing.

1,083 adult finishers. 300 approx finishers aged Under 16.

MEN’S TEAM: 1^st Dundrum South Dublin AC (14), 4^th Donore Harriers <Fitzgibbon, Bolton, Proffit> (104)

WOMEN’S TEAM: 1^st Crusaders AC (42), 4^th Donore Harriers <Kearns, Murray, Kirby> (96)

WATERFORD HALF-MARATHON (07.12.2019)

3^rd Eric Keogh (1.07.48),

9^th Lee Van Haeften (1.11.21)

2,234 finishers

FONT VELLA LANZEROTE MARATHON (07.12.2019)

25^th overall & 3^rd woman: Grace Kennedy-Clarke (3.11.08)

587 finishers

FONT VELLA LANZEROTE HALF-MARATHON (07.12.2019)

2^nd Luke Boland (1.15.34)

1,043^rd Tracey Clarke (2.50.59)

1,106 finishers

PARKRUNS (07.12.2019)

Fr. Collins: 1^st Matei Ursachi U13 (18.45), 11^th Sebastian Ursachi U11 (21.34), 34^th Natalia Lungu W35 (25.44)

Griffeen: 94^th Terry Mee M75 (29.14)

Malahide: 4^th & 1^st woman Sinead Lambe (17.49)

Poppintree: 12^th & 1^st woman Kate Cleary W45 (22.03), 65^th Eilish Joyce W35 (29.39)

Tolka Valley: 5^th Owen Robinson M35 (21.26)