Bumper entry for National Road Relays

All roads lead to Raheny

A bumper entry promises a host of exciting races for the Irish Life Health National Road Relays in Raheny this Sunday (April 28).

The road relays have been settled in Raheny for some time now around the one mile loop with the masters’ women getting action underway at 2.00pm followed by the master men at 2.30pm, senior women at 3.00pm and finishing off with the senior men at 3.30pm.

All the races follow in a 1 mile, 2 mile, 1 mile format except for the senior men who race over 8 miles in 2 mile, 1 mile, 3 mile, 2 mile format. As a one lap circuit the exact distances can vary with the changeovers but it won’t distract from the main goal – racing.

Defending women's champions DSD don’t appear on the entry list so this paves the way for a new winner in 2019 with UCD looking among the strong candidates with Alanna Lally, Ellie Hartnett and Rose Finnegan listed.

Other women’s teams who should be in the mix include DCH, who have Jodie McCann in their ranks, along with Donore Harriers and North Down.

Finn Valley won the F35 last year and are down to defend their crown but with Teresa Doherty currently not listed, it will be a more open encounter.

It’s difficult to see beyond defending F50 champions Raheny Shamrock with linchpin Annette Kealy on the team.

Raheny Shamrock have been successful on home concrete down through the years in the men’s race and they have another strong outfit with Kieran Kelly, Cillian Kirwan, Kevin Dooney and Brian Fay.

However, Clonliffe Harriers have a crack squad listed with Efrem Gidey, Cathal Doyle, Stephen Scullion and Colm Rooney. The 3 mile leg is critical to winning the relays and it will be interesting to see if Scullion runs.

 Donore Harriers and DSD also have two top 3 mile leg runners in John Travers and Hiko Tonosa respectively but might be lacking in depth over all the legs to come out on top of the pile.

Defending M35 and M50 champions Donore Harriers and St Finbarr’s return with the winning members from last year all listed.

The road relays have proven to be very popular in their competitive but all welcoming nature which sees many teams entered for a dash around North Dublin with host club Raheny Shamrock.

Full event details are HERE