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]

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.

BHAA BCMGlobal 5km Trail Race Report

By Sinead Lyons • July 7, 2025
On a warm Summer’s evening….

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.
Show More