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

Former club president Willie Smith described Ian Redican’s victory in the 118^th Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield race at the Phoenix Park on St. Stephen’s Day as being: “poignant and significant”. The words echoed the fact that 50 years to the day the prestigious race had been won by Tommy Redican, Ian’s father. And similar to the race of 1964 the winner only took over the lead in the last of 5 by 2 mile laps.

First run in 1986 the unique Donore Harriers club 10 mile race is recognised as being the longest running organised cross country race in Europe and this year’s event marked the 80^th consecutive time that the race was held in the Phoenix Park.

On a cold and overcast morning the ‘yacht’ or pursuit handicap race was started by Joseph Maguire and Tony Jenkins, who were both given a 30 minutes advantage on the scratch athlete John Dunne. Significantly 70 years-old Jenkins was also rolling back the years as he had briefly led the opening stages of the 1964 race having first competing in the event two years previous. However, it was Joseph Maguire – recently capped by Ireland in the British & Irish Masters cross country championship at Nottingham in the M75 category – who maintained the lead through the opening 3 laps.

On the fourth lap the evergreen Jim McNamara M75 swept past Maguire and made his bid for glory. Jim, who came 7^th in the 1964 race, has won countless races at Irish and European level. With one lap (2 miles) to go Jim held a 45 seconds lead over Ian Redican with the fastest man in the field John Dunne 4 minutes back – and gaining! The handicappers (Iain Morrison, Florence Curley & Fred Kiernan) had done a great job, because the enthusiastic spectators at the finish line were still speculating as to the outcome of the race.

As the athletes heading back into view with a half-mile to go it was Ian Redican at the front, who was cheered on by several of his family members – but sadly not his father who passed away a couple of years ago. Jim McNamara was next with John Dunne in hot pursuit. Redican ran to his full potential on the day in what was arguably his best race. After crossing the line victorious he went on his knees to savour the same turf where his late father had achieved success 50 years to the day. A remarkable outcome to what was a memorable race.

John Dunne got past Jim McNamara in the closing stages to claim the runner-up position, whilst Sian O’Connor had a very fine race to finish as the first woman in 8^th position.

Result in brief:

1^st Ian Redican M40 (1.25.14) h/cap 15 mins; 2^nd John Dunne M35 (1.26.09) scratch; 3^rd Jim McNamara M75 (1.26.24) h/cap 25 mins; 4^thHenry English M35 (1.26.44) h/cap 5 mins; 5^th Barry Potts M65 (1.26.59) h/cap 13m.30s; 6^th Joe Murphy (1.27.08) h/cap 15 mins; 7^th Garvan Smith M40 (1.27.10) h/cap 4 mins; 8^th Sian O’Connor (1.27.11) h/cap 25m.30s; 9^th Alan Farrell M35 (1.27.19) h/cap 10 mins; 10^th Niall Lynch M40 (1.27.37) h/cap 1 min; 11^th Kenneth Cronin M50 (1.27.39) h/cap 22 mins; 12^th Colin Morrissey M35 (1.27.57) h/cap 12 mins; 13^th Emmet O’Briain M35 (1.28.36) h/cap 8m.30s; 14^th Peter Nugent M50 (1.28.48) h/cap 15 mins; 15^th George Brady M35 (1.29.22) h/cap 5 mins; 16^th Joseph Maguire M75 (1.29.39) h/cap 30 mins; 17^th Graham Hopkins M40 (1.29.43) h/cap 2m.30s; 18^thSean Fox M35 (1.29.58) h/cap 5 mins; 19^th Arthur Connick M50 (1.30.06) h/cap 25 mins; 20^th Anne Curley F40 (1.30.14) h/cap 8m.30s; 21^st Noel Conway M50 (1.30.20) h/cap 9 mins; 22^nd Charlie O’Neill M60 (1.31.28) h/cap 22 mins; 23^rd Tony Jenkins M70 (1.38.32) h/cap 30 mins

First woman: Sian O’Connor

Fastest man: John Dunne (56.09)

Fastest woman: Anne Curley (1.08.44)

Other results:

Waterstown 5km Parkrun (25/12/14): 4^th Colin Morrissey M35 (21.34); 47^th Andrew Maguire M45 (28.36)

Farranfore Maine Valley 5km (26/12/14): 17^th Patrick Moriarty M35 (20.01); 22^nd Des Tremble M40 (20.14)

Streets of Wicklow 5km (26/12/14): 63^rd / 7^th woman Rhona Duane (20.16)

Kilbeggan 6km (26/12/14): 3^rd Chris Muldoon M35 (20.32)

Griffeen 5km Parkrun (27/12/14): 26^th / 4^th woman Nicola Dowdall F40 (24.33)

Tymon 5km Parkrun (27/12/14): 5^th / 1^st woman Samantha Conroy F35 (21.31)

Togher ‘Right Price Tiles’ 5km (28/12/14): 20^th / 1^st M45 Ian O’Leary (17.19)

Currohill 5km Co. Laois (28/12/14): 4^th woman Breda Mahony

 Suttonians Fat Turkey 10k (28 /12 / 14): 59th  Des Gill (45:12)