5 Mile Classic

Mick and Tony's arms have been twisted and the 26th Sportsworld Classic 5 mile is going ahead again in 2010. There is more and more competition between clubs to hold race events so this year we are getting a race committee together to work with Mick and Tony to increase the numbers doing the race and ensure The Classic is as popular as ever with clubs and fun runners. We are looking for around 5 individuals to step forward to be on the race committee and take some of the responsbility of getting parts of the race organisation done (Unpaid and unthanked job). Secondly we are looking for all club members to put forward their suggestions on any improvements that can be made to the race or if there was something in a Meet & Train race they did, IMRA race, BHAA race that made the race special or bearable we need to know. Also we have 200 club members in the club including sales people, solicitors, engineers, accountants who we need to take advantage of. So if you have contacts in companies who might be able to give free stuff or sponsorship, if your used to cold calling companies or selling the idea of sponsoring the race, if you work in a large company where one or two race posters could attract a large number of runners, or maybe you know a friend of a friends hair dresser who knows someone famous who could run the race to raise the race profile, Brian Cowen or Pat(Enda?) Kenny might not be welcome. There is a comment section below or just talk to Michael Cunningham or Paul O'Connell at the club if volunteering or giving ideas and suggestions.

Being modest as ever, the club committee has asked Michael Cunningham to be the Race Director for the 2010 Classic. The club christmas party will be held on saturday 12th of December, so keep the date free, details will follow soon. P O'C.

The Olympian

It’s that “I’ll get you going” spirit that only an ex Olympic Boxer can own so uniquely.
You know? Incites you but disguises it so beautifully.
Even the walk has a certain “I just knocked him out” lethargic relaxed look.
Yes, he is The General but never more so than on Race Day in May.

Us veteran Club Members understand Race Day.
Years of practice allow us all to slip seamlessly into our role.
Myles on the finish, Tony on chaos, Trevor at Terenure and so on.
But it’s the Cock O’ Hoop walk that gets me every time.

You see, I’m the driver of the Clock Car Jeep and it’s surprisingly stressful.
The Olympic European Multi record holder fuels it beautifully.

An hour before the start the clock gets fitted. The techno guys give clear instructions;
“Don’t touch this, hit that, wait, go, pause, prepare”.
Atmosphere rising.

10 minutes to go and I line the Clock car up 30 meters from the start. No sign of Mick.
5 minutes to go “Where is Mick?”.
2 minutes to go, Mick appears, the strut is on.

Like Napoleon, he walks head high, to inspect the start line. Anxious athletes are fuelled to go.
The General utters his few words, the tension builds.
The Techno get strung out and I pray that the Jeep won’t stall.

10 seconds to the start shouts one to the other.
Garda bikes circle and growl.

The walk begins, the tension rises.
The Olympian begins his walk. It’s not a hurried walk, it’s an Olympians walk.
It is his moment to return to ‘his corner’.
The tape is dropped, athletes are marshaled forward, the Olympian continues.

Now he is dueling, fighting, challenging.
The Olympian is an Athlete.

With his back to the Runners he dares them to race.
The Jeep groans, the Gardai growl impatiently.

The gun goes, The Olympian still walks.
“For &*^%s sake Mick, come on”.
It makes no difference.

The athletes are unleashed in a ferocious wave.
The Olympian responds and, with seconds to spare, leaps like a salmon into his seat.

His grin says it all.
Another KO, another victory.
Perfect timing.

When 5 miles of meandering are done we finish for another year.
The Chairman looks calm, his victory sure.

“That’s that, no more, too much, I’m done” he protests.
I pause and say “Until next year”.

The Olympian smiles.
He knows I’m right and he’ll be back!

Conor Kenny

5 Mile Classic 2009 Race Results

A word of thanks

On behalf of Sportsworld Running Club, I would like thank all the participants who took part in the Dublin 5 Mile Classic; it was another fantastic success, with huge numbers, like previous years.

Very sincere thanks to all Sportsworld members who arrived bright and early full of enthusiasm to help make this a special day. 25 years on and another great success so thanks again to one and all.

Tony Mc Gann
Course Director.

The 5 Mile Classic 2009 Race Results are now available.

The photo album can be found here.

2009 5 Mile Classic

And youtube video of the start is now available.



We must have broken some records for the number of photo and video uploads we've done today!!

5 Mile Classic : T-24 Hours

The race headquarters for tomorrows race is St Pauls Schoool, off St Peters Road (the big i icon on the map below). Entries are available on the morning, but please aim to be there an hour before hand. The race will start at 10am.


View Sportsworld Terenure in a larger map

The route for tomorrows race is

5 Mile Classic : Final Online Entries

Just a note to inform runners that the Online Entry for this years race will close this Friday 15th May at 23.45 (this is to allow us time to download the entry details). Race entries will be taken on the morning of the race, but we advise all runners to turn up an hour before the race start (10am) to avoid queues and allow for a sufficient warm-up time.

For club members who are stewarding the race, the meeting time is 8am at the race HQ, and please remember to wear your club jacket. See you all sunday and best of luck to all runners and walkers.

5 Mile Classic Online Entry

Online entry for the Sportsworld 5 mile Classic 2009 are now available. The race is on Sunday May 17th at 10am.

Classic 2004

Classic 2005

Classic 2006

Classic 2003

Classic 2001

Classic 2000

Classic 2002

Classic 1999

Classic 1998

Classic 1997

Classic 1996

Classic 1995

Classic 1992

Classic 1994