BHAA RTE 5 Mile Report

Web Master • May 10, 2015

[av_one_full first]

[av_video src=’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6vBgrK2djg’ format=’16-9′ width=’16’ height=’9′ custom_class=”]

[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” custom_class=”]
The rain and cold didn’t deter us. This was after all one of the top races of the BHAA road-racing season. Everyone looks forward to the iconic 5-miler, set on the roads surrounding, and grounds of, the RTE in Donnybrook.  It starts on Aylesbury Road, turns in after about 100m into the RTE lot through which it traverses onto Nutley Lane, down Nutley Road connecting Nutley Lane to Aylesbury and back again, four times. It sounds as though it has a few tight turns, but in reality there aren’t many and it is generally regarded as a PB course. It has the additional attraction of finishing next to the Fair City set.

So, on Saturday morning we all turned up at the RTE in the pouring rain, more than 200 of us. Registration went smoothly and after a warm-up, which some conducted in the covered car park near to the RTE social club where registration took place, we all waited patiently for the race to start. It was held up for a brief moment as race starter, Terry Clarke, informed us that the Gards were not quite in place for the road closures, but then we were all  on our way, dodging the enormous puddles and the odd bollard (thankfully manned in order to give us advance warning).

The race was graced by the presence of Sean Hehir, just 13 days after his ultimately fruitless efforts in the Rotterdam marathon to qualify for next year’s Olympics, but he felt he was ready for a good 5 miler. Sean led the field at a cracking pace and soon put significant daylight between himself and the following pack, a lead which was not to be threatened. For a couple of miles Stephen Moore managed also to separate himself from the pursuers, but he was ultimately reined in by eventual 2nd place finisher Paul Fleming, who had started out carefully because of the cold conditions, having been unable to warm himself up adequately before the race.  It was the second year in a row for Stephen to finish in third place.

On the women’s side, Iast year’s winner Ilona McElroy set the pace together with club-mate Marie Hyland, running the 5 mile distance for the first time. Unfortunately, both were slightly under the weather and the cold and wet did nothing to improve their condition. So perhaps it was no surprise when National 50K champion Orna Dilworth came storming through the field, first passing Marie who by this time had begun to experience cramp in her calves and then Ilona, Orla coming home to take first place with a cushion of some 20 seconds. Masters runner Florence Curley, just returning from a frustrating injury and really only running because she was to make a speech after the race on behalf of BHAA athlete of the year Ann Woodlock, also had a super race, coming through to take 3rd spot.

Dee Ni Chearbhaill, who is having some success this year, won her age category, as did Mary Watters and Sheelagh Jones win theirs. Suzanne Martin was a surprising 2nd in the same category as Dee, but otherwise there were some familiar faces walking off with the prizes, perhaps with the exception of Fergal Roche, a colleague of Paul Fleming, who took the honours in his age category, so that together with another age category winner John Todd, they walked off with 3rd team prize in the A division, behind Bank of Ireland (led by Thomas Sherlock who came home 4th overall in the individual category) and ESB (with a team which included Ger Forde with a PB time). As usual there were the races within races, small victories without material recognition, all of which adds to the challenge and fun of BHAA racing.

No BHAA event is complete without a fine spread at the end, and so it proved to be. The prize-giving was enhanced by the presence of RTE Sport’s Joanne Cantwell to award the prizes and a lovely speech from Florence Curley on behalf of Ann Woodlock. Another great day in BHAA racing!
[/av_textblock]

[/av_one_full]

Collins and Dignam Shine at the BHAA Dublin City Council 5km race

By Gerry Flaherty • July 17, 2026
The Poolbeg Nature Reserve and Sean Moore Park provided a spectacular setting for the BHAA Dublin City Council 5km on a glorious summer's evening. The race followed the popular Poolbeg parkrun course, with the route slightly modified to remove the hill, creating a fast and flat course along the shores of Dublin Bay. Despite a clash with the England v Argentina match, the event attracted a good turnout, with over 110 runners crossing the finish line, including many familiar faces from the BHAA racing community and also new ones.  Jim Kelly welcomed everyone, including for their first BHAA race the Sanctuary Runners, at the start before sending the field on its way shortly after 7.30 pm. From the opening kilometre, overall winner Jacob Collins established a commanding lead and was never challenged, crossing the finish line in an impressive 16:47. In the women's race, Orna Dignam also produced a dominant performance, taking victory comfortably in a superb time of 18:47. A sincere thank you to everyone who supported the event and congratulations to all the volunteers from Dublin City Council and BHAA whose hard work ensured another successful BHAA race. Your efforts, both before and during the event, are greatly appreciated.

BCMGlobal Trail Race, 2026

By Sinead Lyons • June 24, 2026
The Dubliners famously sang that Thunder and Lightning is no lark… They were right! Especially when you are up in The Park, not viewing the zoological gardens but marking the course with ominous clouds overhead and thunder rumbling. The thunder rolled, the rain fell but the show went on. 106 athletes completed the annual BHAA 5km Trail Race in Phoenix Park on Tuesday June 9th. For the second year, the Race Promoter was BCMGlobal. The rain just about held off for the duration of the race around the familiar 2-lap trail. So popular is this race, that the resident herd of deer attempted to join in at one stage. In normal circumstances, nothing will stop a runner in a race but on this occasion, the leaders were forced to slow and let the deer carry on their way. What a pity we have no photographs of the encounter, just the word of the lead pack for this. We did not get a chance to interview the deer for their side of the story. With racing done we returned to Race HQ (Civil Service Harriers) for refreshments and prizes. The list of prize winners is available under the Results tab https://members.bhaa.ie/results A sincere thank you to everyone who made this race possible. To OPW for allowing us to use the Phoenix Park. To Civil Service Harriers for the use of their clubhouse and for providing volunteers. To BHAA for making it look easy! Registration, number collection, race set-up, timing, results and clear up, BHAA volunteers produced yet another successful race. Special mention to the volunteers who made it all possible. BHAA members, friends, family colleagues and clubmates stepped up and helped out. I am grateful to you all. Des, Michelle, Majella, Amanda, Ciara B., Ed, Maria, Carolina, Marie-Claire, Ciara Ní B., Valerie, Mick, Deirdre, Frank, Kathleen, Eamonn, Maurice, Colm, Hugh, Mary K., Mary R., Mary P-S, Patricia, Enda, Charlie. Below is a selection of photos from the course. With thanks to Colm Gormley.

DCC 6k Road Race, St. Anne's Park, Raheny

By Gerry Flaherty • April 15, 2026
St. Anne’s Park provided the perfect setting for the BHAA Dublin City Council 6km on a cool, bright, and breezy morning. The race followed a meandering route around the lower end of the park, offering a mostly flat course with a few gentle hills to test participants’ fitness. Over 130 runners took part, with many participating as part of the Lord Mayor’s 5 Alive Challenge. The race was officially started by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Ray McAdam. A big thank you to everyone who supported the event, and well done to all the Dublin City Council volunteers who turned out to help on the day.  The men’s race came down to a thrilling sprint finish, with Patrick Joseph MacGabhann narrowly edging out Sean Doran by just one second, finishing in 19:32. Edel McCreery was the first female home, crossing the line in an impressive 22:42. Gerry Flaherty

Third time lucky for Central Bank Cross-Country Race

By Sinead Lyons • March 15, 2026
At the third attempt, Robbie Beggs and his tenacious crew from Central Bank of Ireland staged their Cross-Country race in Jobstown Park, Tallaght on Saturday 14 th March. A cool breeze from the mountains kept temperatures down, but aside from that, running conditions were almost perfect. The course route was as interesting as the park could be made, with a nice incline included for good measure. The winner was Paul Fleming who lead the race from very early on. The first lady home, in 4 th position overall was Laura McDonnell. There were great performances throughout the field, with all runners across the line within 40 minutes. Well done to everyone. When all participants had crossed the line, it was back to the Tallaght Leisure Centre for refreshments and prizes. The male and female winners were presented with commemorative coins as an extra memento of the race. Well done to all of the stewards and volunteers from BHAA and from Central Bank and fair play to Robbie and the team for not giving up and for keeping this race on the BHAA calendar for another year. Photos and footage from the race and the prize-giving can be found on facebook and on Instagram. 

Teacher’s Cross-Country Race at Clonkeen College

By Diarmuid Doyle • February 23, 2026
The Spring is sprung,  The grass is riz I wonder where the BHAA is... After the disappointment of recent race cancellations, it was great to be back! We were warmly welcomed at Clonkeen College, Deangrange by an enthusiastic and efficient crew of volunteer muinteoiri and School staff. The mild, sunny weather on race-day was a welcome change after the wet conditions of recent weeks. Surprisingly, the underfoot conditions were fairly dry and the flat, zig-zag course, skirting the playing fields was well grassed with little or no mud and just a few thistles here and there. 81 runners toed the line for the 6k combined race. KPMG’s Conor Burke was an impressive winner in the men’s division, while Niall Sherlock in 2 nd place had the honour of being the 1 st teacher. Sheila Nolan was the 1 st woman home with Vanessa Sallier 2 nd . The facilities were excellent - It was great to get a hot shower after racing, and the sun shone throughout the presentation of prizes. Those of us who missed out on glory were consoled with tea coffee biscuits and copious slices of cake and brack. With luck, we’ll have this super venue for “Teacher’s race “ for many future years. Thanks to Darren Egan, Jim Lynch and all who organised, volunteered and supported. Thank you to Harry Teehan for the photos capturing a great race.

BHAA Race of the Year 2025

By Stephen Naughton • January 27, 2026
The Race of the Year 2025 was awarded to BCM Global for their 5k trail race in the Phoenix Park. As a first time race organiser, Sinead Lyons (race director) and her team from BCM Global put in a lot of work into the race and it has been duly rewarded. The trophy was presented to Sinead Lyons (BCM Global) by Stephen Naughton, BHAA Chairman.

2025 Summer League Presentation of Team Prizes

By Stephen Naughton • January 27, 2026
The prizes and trophies for the BHAA Summer League 2026 were presented at the AGM. There were 30 cash prizes totalling over €1600 for the individual winners of the various categories. The team winners in the leagues were presented with their much sought after trophies by BHAA President Jim Kelly - Men’s team winners were ESB (Mick Quirke accepting) and Women’s team winners were Bank of Ireland (Eamon O’Neill on behalf of Women’s team). 

BHAA AGM 2025

By Stephen Naughton • January 27, 2026
The BHAA held its 2025 AGM in Sportsco on Monday 26 January 2026. The date of the AGM was changed from December to January to facilitate easier meeting preparations and allow more time for the annual accounts to be completed. This was agreed through a motion at the 2024 AGM. The BHAA financial accounts for 2025 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 Jim Aughney from DCM gave a very interesting review of the Dublin City Marathon & Half Marathon as well as the Summer Race Series in 2025 A new committee was elected for 2026, 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

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.
Show More