BHAA Cross Country January 2020

By ORLA COX

BHAA Bank of Ireland 6k XC Tymon Park

The first BHAA XC race of the year took place in Tymon Park on January 11th. It was a combined 6k race over 4 laps. It wasn’t a day for the faint hearted with gale-force winds presenting challenges for runners. The weather obviously didn’t deter our club members. We had a great turnout, particularly among the men.

There were two CSHers in the top 10. Eoin Devlin had a great run finishing in 5th place overall. Great running also from Jason Reilly who was only a few seconds behind Eoin in 6th place. Well done lads. There were also a couple of age category prizes. Vincent O’Neill was first O65, Gemma Treacy picked up first O40. Well done guys.

Full results were as follows:

  • P5 – Eoin DEVLIN
  • P6 – Jason REILLY
  • P35 – Gareth HORGAN
  • P46 – David HIPWELL
  • P57 – Paul FORAN
  • P60 – Brendan HEALY
  • P73 – Nick DEVERY
  • P75 – Tony GARVIN
  • P79 – Ronan WARD
  • P86 – Noel RYAN
  • P87 – Vincent O’NEILL (1st O65)
  • P105 – Brid RYAN
  • P108 – Gemma TREACY (1st 040)
  • P112 – Paul CULLEN
  • P159 – Tom O’FLAHERTY
  • P181 – Joe DELANEY
  • P198 – Margaret MOLONEY
  • P205 – Mairead CULLEN
  • P209 – Tom TURNER

BHAA Eir 2/5 mile XC Cherryfield Park

It was short hop from Tymon Park to Cherryfield Park for the next BHAA race, but conditions couldn’t be more different. It was a bright, crisp morning with not much of a thaw in evidence by the time the women’s 2 mile race got underway. The course was one and a bit laps for the women, a couple of sharp hills but nothing too challenging. Grainne Butler gave us a masterclass in racing. She took an early lead but quickly realised she didn’t need to all of the work and sat in second place until the last 100m when she unleashed a devastating kick to finish in first place. Gemma Treacy also had another strong race, finishing 4th and very close to third place, She still managed to bag first O40 for her troubles. I was a few places behind in 7th and 2nd O40. Next was Margaret Moloney in 36th, followed by Mairead Cullen in 38th. Well done ladies.

Conditions were much softer underfoot when the men, and Brid, lined up for the 5 mile race which was made up of three grueling laps. Eoin Devlin found it hard going but still ran a great race to finish 7th overall. More consistent running from Gareth Horgan who finished 36th. Dave Hipwell made up a few places from Tymon to finish 40th. Ronan Ward was 60th and 2nd O60. Nick Devery was 67th and 3rd O55. Vincent O’Neill was 69th and once again won his age category. Next was Noel Ryan in 75 and Donal Lyons in P60. Brid Ryan braved the 5 mile race and finished in 93rd, and 3rd lady. Nest was Paul Cullen in 94th, Paul McEvoy in 139th and Tom Turner in 147th. Well done to everyone racing.

Full results:

2 mile

  • P1 – Grainne BUTLER – Winner
  • P4 – Gemma TREACY – (1st O40)
  • P7 – Orla COX – (2nd O40)
  • P36 – Margaret MOLONEY
  • P38 – Mairead CULLEN

5 mile

  • P7 – Eoin DEVLIN
  • P36 – Gareth HORGAN
  • P40 – David HIPWELL
  • P60 – Ronan WARD. 2nd O60
  • P67 – Nick DEVERY – 3rd O55
  • P69 – Vincent O’NEILL – 1st O65
  • P75 – Noel RYAN
  • P90 – Donal LYONS
  • P93 – Brid RYAN
  • P94 – Paul CULLEN
  • P139 – Paul MCEVOY
  • P147 – Tom TURNER

Thanks to Joe Delaney for the great photos from the race. His full album is here.

Next race on the BHAA calendar is the Garda 2 mile and 4 mile XC races on our regular training route in the Phoenix Park. We could run it blindfolded. We hope to see a big turnout from the club. Full details here