Murchan and Lee storm to national 5k titles

Pierre Murchan (Dublin City Harriers A.C.) and Lizzie Lee (Leevale A.C.) showed their class as they won the men’s and women’s national 5k titles respectively in the Phoenix Park today (May 20th).

Over one thousand participants took part in the Irish Runner 5k, marking the first race in the Athletics Ireland Race Series.

Murchan, who was racing for the first time since the European Cross Country Championships in Turin last year, made his move less than a mile from home to win gold by ten seconds from Jake O’Regan (St. John’s A.C.).

Murchan crossed the line in an impressive time of 14:26.

David Scanlon (Rathfarnham W.S.A.F A.C.) was the only other man in the field to break fifteen minutes as he took bronze.

“I was really happy with it. I wasn’t too sure what to expect going into it,” a delighted Murchan said after the race.

“I’m happy to get this one out of the way without any hiccups. It lays down the groundwork for the summer ahead.”

A strong Clonliffe Harriers team retained their senior men’s team title with four athletes placing in the top ten. Raheny Shamrocks won silver, while Rathfarnham W.S.A.F took bronze.

Lee, who represented Ireland in the marathon at the Rio 2016 Olympics, made her experience count as she won the women’s title.

With a kilometre to go Lee dug deep to see off the challenge of Ellen Moran (Galway City Harriers A.C.) and Clíona Murphy (Dublin City Harriers A.C.) who battled hard for their silver and bronze medals.

Lee’s winning time was 16:47, while Moran and Murphy also broke seventeen minutes.

“It was really, really hard,” Lee admitted afterwards.

“We had a brilliant race. You play to your strengths when you are racing. I just took it on with a kilometre to go and I just went as hard as I could.

“I’m enjoying my running, there’s no pressure. I’m thrilled with that.”

Dublin City Harriers took senior women’s team victory with Raheny Shamrocks and Dunboyne completing the podium.

NOTE: Full National Championship results will be published on the Athletics Ireland website in the coming days.

• Provisional results HERE