BHAA BCMGlobal 5km Trail Race Report

Sinead Lyons • July 7, 2025

On a warm Summer’s evening…. 

That was always going to be the title of this report. Happy to say the sun obliged and I didn’t have to change the reference. 

On a surprisingly warm sunny evening following a week of rain, we gathered in the Phoenix Park for the annual BHAA 5km Trail Race. The race had a new Promoter this year; BCMGlobal and it was also my first experience as Race Director. 


BCMGlobal are a leading European independent mortgage, real estate, and commercial loan servicer. With over 25 years’ experience providing outsourced solutions to Europe’s leading banking and financial service institutions. We are global experts in providing innovative financial services. We service over 100,000 loans in Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, and Italy with over €50bn of assets under management. Our 800+ people support our clients throughout the loan lifecycle, from origination to redemption, including loan workout services. 


BCMGlobal has chosen Cancer Fund for Children as its charity partner this year. Hollie from the charity attended the race and spoke about the charity, their services and their plans for the future. She also assisted with the prize giving. 


188 runners crossed the finish line. Most of them smiled… maybe not immediately, but perhaps later, basking in the glow of their achievements. When the race was over, it was back to the Civil Service Harriers’ clubhouse for coffee tea goodies chat and prize-giving. Details of the prize winners are in the results tab. Thank you to our hosts Civil Service Harriers for the use of your premises and to Gemma and Nick especially for all of your help. 


As Race Director I must pay tribute to those who helped keep this race on the BHAA calendar for another year. 


BHAA Committee 

The folk of BHAA are dedicated and passionate on their mission to keep corporate teams racing against each other. Every one of my fellow BHAA committee members had to endure questions from me on all aspects of planning a race; permissions, catering, registrations, insurance, promotion, safety statements… to name but a few. Information, templates, multi-tabbed spreadsheets, words of advice and experience were kindly and generously shared. My favourite was the instruction on a work sheet “dig out the box of race stuff” – invaluable advice from veteran race organisers. 


Friends Family Colleagues Clubmates – 

I took mean advantage of the good nature of friends and family and clubmates to boost participant numbers and to volunteer and help plan the race. A family gathering was followed by bringing my sister to the park to measure the course; she’s a dab hand with a trundle wheel! Another sister was enlisted to steward and my nephew and brother-in-law ran. Special mention to my husband Des Lyons who introduced me to running and to BHAA races 20 years ago. – look what he started! 


Within BCMGlobal I had great support from Office Manager Dawn Clarke and Marketing Manager Aine Casey. Not these ladies’ first time to organise an event. They thought of everything from branding & promotion to hand sanitiser and floor mops! 


Andrew Davies of OPW, former Race Director was very generous with his knowledge, advice, guidance, contact numbers and emails. 

Because I had never marked a race course before, I enlisted the help of experienced Race Director, Central Bank’s Robbie Beggs. Brendan Fox from BCMGlobal was also on hand to ensure the course made sense to the runners. 


A special thank you to the Volunteers on the night and those who helped in any way. 

Frank Wade and Kathleen Horgan BHAA Registrars. Signage. Timing, Race Start/Finish and “VAR” as ever were in the safe hands of Charlie Cronin, Hugh Reddy and Hugh McCann.  Stephen Naughton, Des Lyons, Mary Purdue-Smyth, Kevin McDaid, Aoife Caomhánach, Robbie Beggs, Brian Sheridan, Magda Zajac, Michelle Ward, Dominka Pustelnik, Orla Gormley, Ed Dayman, Chloe Dayman, Jessica Dayman, Sam Claas, Mick Goodman, Valerie Clinton, Patricia Rafter, Robert Murphy, Ciara Byrne, Aoife Cadden, Aine Casey, Mary Rigney, Patricia Canniffe, Sebastian Bogacz, Emilia Bogacz. 



To all participants - If you enjoyed this race, tell all your colleagues and friends. If you did not – tell us. 


First time as Race Director, what did I learn? 

  • Surround yourself with experience and expertise 
  • Call in favours 
  • Make plans well in advance 
  • Write a timetable for race day 
  • … and stick to it 
  • When you have a microphone/megaphone in your hand, Read the notes you wrote - Don’t wing it, you will forget something vital. 
  • Don’t panic! 
  • Smile 
  • Accentuate the positive 
  • Stay friends with everyone in case you need them again next year 
  • Go with the first draft of the race report, no need to re-write it 3 times… 


Sinéad Lyons 

AIB/NUI & 2 Mile & 4 Mile Cross Country Race

By Jim Kelly • October 30, 2025
Nice setting and weather for Maynooth cross country race

DCC BHAA Race Report 2025 Irishtown 5K

By Jim Kelly • July 23, 2025
Leafy balmy Dublin 4’s Sean Moore Park was the venue for a BHAA race that started in its original form in 2005 at Irishtown Stadium and Ringsend Park. So for twenty years except for the Covid hiatus, Dublin City Council runners continue to deliver two BHAA races annually. The 2025 version had a race course in Sean Moore Park and the Poolbeg peninsula with beautiful views of Dublin bay. Before the race, dark clouds threatened rain. However it t was pleasing to see 167 entrants line up and finish without a drop of rain.

That Was The League That Was

By Sinead Lyons • April 26, 2025
From Terra “Feirme” to Terra Firma and everything in between. The Winter League prize presentation will be held at the Irish Life race on 27th May in Dunboyne. It is fitting that the prize-giving for the Winter League 2024-25 takes place in Meath, because that’s where the league began in November on Ledwith Farm in Batterstown. The townies were delighted with their day out down on the farm, complete with a real live bull and all the sights and sounds and smells of agriculture to accompany the race. Revenue pulled a race out of the bag in record time and presented us with a new race in a new venue on 1st December. Santa arrived a little early with plenty spot prizes and treats. BHAA Stalwarts Bank of Ireland were back in Tymon Park for the annual race that wakes us all up after Christmas. A little earlier than usual, the Garda Cross country race took place in Phoenix Park. As ever, a popular race on a tough cross country course. We were disappointed when the Eir race had to be cancelled. Teachers and Central Bank of Ireland hosted their races in two new locations. The Teachers, (back on the BHAA Calendar after a sabbatical) in St. Columba’s College and CBI in Jobstown Park. The Central Bank race has been nomadic for the last few years, but hopefully it has found a new home and will continue to host this very popular race for years to come. In a new venture, BHAA and AIB teamed up with the Women’s Meet & Train League to host the 2 and 4 mile races in Abbottstown in March. An unprecedented statistic from this race, there were more running the 2 mile women’s race than the men’s. Normally a no-no in BHAA races, Athletic club singlets abounded for the 2 mile race! We ended the league with another constant on the BHAA calendar. ALSAA hosted the 2 and 5 mile races on an unseasonably warm day. We thought warm weather training had started early! Kudos to all of the Race Promoters and to the BHAA volunteers who turn up week after week (and in February there were 4 races in as many weeks!); and Kudos to all of the athletes, without whom Business Houses Athletics would not happen. The BHAA committee continues to work away behind the scenes planning and arranging races. If your company would like to participate in our races, or would like to host a race, please email us at info@bhaa.ie. We have the knowledge and will help you, all you need is the enthusiasm.

Race Report, St Anne’s Park, 2025

By Jim Kelly • April 8, 2025
It was like the first day of summer with a lovely bright and dry morning for running. St Anne’s Park was the beautiful setting for the annual DCC BHAA 4 mile race on Saturday 5 th April. Over 220 participants got around the scenic course, which included the Rose Garden and the tree lined Central Avenue. The race featured the Lord Mayor’s 5 Alive participants in their distinctive green tops. Lord Mayor Cllr Emma Blain started the race and she stayed until the end, when she presented the 5 Alivers with their medals. The men’s race was won by Sean Doran in 20.54, followed by Christopher O’Reilly and Paul Fleming. Master athlete Paul was also third behind the winner Sean, at the BHAA ALSAA cross country race in early March. Laura McDonnell was also a double winner at ALSAA and again at St Anne’s, where she finished in 8 th place overall. Laura was closely followed by Sarah Mulligan in 10 th overall and Máire Nic Amhlaoibh, 2 places back. Hats off to the remarkable June Cumiskey, who won the over 75 section and BHAA is proud to acknowledge her membership of the Irish women’s W75 team, which set a new World indoor record 4x400m at Abbotstown in February 2025. Another impressive master’s winner at men’s over 65 was Tom Cuddy, who was second in the M65 category at the World Masters Athletics Marathon Championship in Bucharest, in a time of 3:01:14. The Team prizes were won by the Revenue Men’s Team and ESB Women’s Team. A novel feature of the race was the Irish and International Peace Runners. The world's largest peace torch relay was in Ireland for five days and visited schools, community groups and local Councils to inspire people of all ages to foster unity and goodwill. There was good grub afterwards and a feel good buzz of post –race satisfaction in the warm Northside. Race Director Enda Currid paid tribute to BHAA stalwarts Charlie Cronin and Hugh Reddy for setting up the start/finish and once again they were among the first to arrive and last to leave. He also noted that race results were promptly produced by Kathleen Horgan and Frank Wade, even before the quiz started. Next race is the ESB beach race at Sandymount on 14 th May.

BHAA AGM 2024

By Stephen Naughton • March 10, 2025
The BHAA held its 2024 AGM in Sportsco on Monday 16 December. Charlie Cronin has stepped down as BHAA Chairman and was thanked for his many years of dedication and service. Charlie has now taken up the role of PRO (Public Relations Officer) and was wished every success in his new position. Stephen Naughton was elected BHAA Chairman for 2025. The Race of the Year 2025 was awarded to DCC for their 4 mile race in St Annes Park. The trophy was presented to Enda Currid (DCC) by Charlie Cronin, BHAA Chairman The BHAA financial accounts for 2024 were presented at the meeting. The accounts were audited by the BHAA auditors and were deemed to be a fair and reasonable representation. The BHAA and Irish Life Dublin City Marathon team continue to work closely on common matters and Eugene Coppinger from DCM gave a very interesting review of the Dublin City Marathon and the Summer Race Series in 2024. A new committee was elected for 2025, see below; - President; Jim Kelly - Chairperson; Stephen Naughton - Vice-Chairperson; Mary Rigney - Treasurer; Enda Currid - Registrar; Kathleen Horgan - Secretary; Sinead Lyons - Webmaster; Colm Murray - PRO; Charlie Cronin Committee Members; Hugh Reddy, Hugh McCann, Mary Purdue-Smyth, Diarmauid Doyle, FrankWade. Auditors; Michael Walsh, Graham Mantle.

Meet Bertie Messett, the bus conductor behind the Dublin marathon

By Charlie Cronin • October 25, 2024
For the week that's in it, here is nice article on Bertie Messitt, one of the founding members of the BHAA. The BHAA launched the Dublin City Marathon in 1980 and Bertie was on the Organising Committee. https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2024/1022/1476583-bertie-messett-dublin-city-marathon-1980-rome-olympics/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGI9flleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHRbr5iSnxwV1pwy5_uz6ecHbKhyWuWZ4lAitRMACKe26DBOjsCPHX0czPg_aem_hhzbtSNBhF-FDmzOih7fWA

Cross Country Race Calendar 2024/25

By Charlie Cronin • October 22, 2024

New Race: Jerry Kiernan Foundation/ Snap 6k Cross Country

By Charlie Cronin • August 31, 2024
Dublin BHAA is very pleased to cooperate with the Jerry Kiernan Foundation/ Snap race to deliver the inaugural and special Snap/JKF 6K on Sunday 10 00 am in Abbotstown, Blanchardstown. It is special as it commemorates Jerry Kiernan, a Kerry athlete who ran for Dublin’s Clonliffe Harriers AC with distinction. A 1984 Olympian, Jerry won the Dublin marathon, and many track and road races including BHAA races. He was a BHAA member and supporter. After his racing career, he coached and encouraged many young and prominent Irish athletes to success. The Jerry Kiernan Foundation as a tribute to him raises funds to sponsor emerging talented athletes. This race can help boost its financial support to young athletes. Moreover it would be a positive for Irish athletics to develop this new race into an annual one. So the continuation of this race would honour to the great Jerry Kiernan help of the JKF, BHAA and Snap. Runners of all standards are encouraged to support this race scheduled with Sport Ireland Campus at Abbotstown on Sunday 8 th September 10 a.m. start. Registration is on the BHAA website. Some more details and information will follow.

BHAA AGM 2023

By Charlie Cronin • January 28, 2024
The BHAA held its 2023 AGM in ESB Sportsco on Monday 4 December. Tea and coffee were available before the meeting start at 7pm. Frank Wade stepped down this year as BHAA registrar and he was thanked for his dedication and service. The new registrar Kathleen Horgan was welcomed and wished every success in her new role. The BHAA financial accounts for 2023 were presented at the meeting. The accounts were audited by the BHAA auditors and were deemed to be a fair and reasonable representation. The drop in race numbers at BHAA races in recent times is of concern and the new 2024 BHAA committee will try to address this issue in the coming months. The BHAA and the Dublin City Marathon team continue to work closely on common matters and Eugene Coppinger from DCM gave a very interesting review of the Dublin City Marathon and the Summer Race Series in 2023. A new committee was elected for 2024, see below: President; Jim Kelly Chairperson; Charlie Cronin Vice-Chairperson; Mary Rigney Treasurer; Enda Currid Registrar; Kathleen Horgan Secretary; Sinead Lyons Webmaster; Colm Murray PRO; vacant, to be addressed by 2024 committee Committee Members Hugh Reddy, John Fitzgerald, Stephen Naughton, Jim Dwyer, Marius McNicholas, Daithi O’Murchu, Hugh McCann, Mary Purdue Smyth. Auditors Michael Walsh, Graham Mantle.

Hats off to Paul Richardson for BHAA Dunboyne 5 mile race

By Charlie Cronin • May 31, 2023
 Dublin BHAA is extremely grateful to Paul Richardson who, at very short notice, took on the race director’s role for the 2023 Dunboyne 5-mile road race. This race has been ever-present on the BHAA calendar for over two decades with considerable participation and enjoyment. When he learnt that Paul Gorey, the former race director, would not be available, he came forward to rescue and manage the very effective delivery of this year’s race with style and panache. Many thanks. Needless to say a big thank you also to the many BHAA volunteers who came along on that night to help – a demonstration of sport’s community and volunteer spirit.
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