The switch in timing for the 135th Clonliffe 2 from autumn to spring paid off handsomely this evening with almost double the number of starters in this year’s event in comparison with October 2025. It was a perfect evening for a race.
The Clonliffe 2 is a truly historic event. Today was the 135th continuous running, truly remarkable. It is a race that has been won by 5 Clonliffe Olympians, going right back to Clonliffe’s first ever Olympian Joe Deakin, the winner in 1901 and in turn by Frank Murphy, Jerry Kiernan, Niall Bruton and most recently by Cathal Doyle in 2023.
It is also remarkable, and something for which Clonliffe Harriers is extremely grateful, to have had the sponsorship and support of this iconic event of the Kavanagh family for now 40 years. The association of Clonliffe and Kavanagh’s ‘the Gravediggers’ stretches right back to the turn of the 19th century when the club’s HQ was based above this iconic Dublin institution beside the Old Gate of Glasnevin Cemetery.
Tonight’s race saw over 200 line up close to the Met office on Glasnevin Hill for the uphill start at 7:45 PM, this Hill had the effect of stringing out a lot of the field before the sharp left-hand turn and the long run in to the finish – the stretch along the cemetery lasts almost a mile. At the final turn back into Prospect Square the field was led out by Ben Guiden who a big lead hitting the finish line in a time of 9.05.
The top 3 men were:
- Ben Guiden (Clonliffe) 9.05
2. Malcom Kiplagat (Clonliffe) 9.44
3. Sean Doran (Clonliffe) 10.12
The women’s race saw a fine win by Olympian Michelle Finn (Leevale) in a fast 10.14 with Clonliffe duo Helena Butterly and Sofia Chelelat chasing her all the way. The top 3:
- Michelle Finn (Leevale) 10.14
2. Helena Butterly (Clonliffe) 10.32
3. Sofia Chetelat (Clonliffe) 10.41
The race was very well supported by junior and juvenile athletes and in recognition of this presentations were made to the top 3 junior men:
- Senan Kelly (MSB) 11.15.
- Darragh Kidd (Clonliffe) 11.23
- Sam Steenson (Clonliffe) 11.23.
Junior women:
1. Kate Gill (Clonliffe) 11.52.
2. Ava Fagan (Clonliffe) 11.59
3. Nessa Byrne (Clonliffe) 12.07.
The presentation of prizes to these athletes was made outside of Kavanaghs by Kathleen Kavanagh to the top 3 men and women and also to the top 3 junior men and women. Clonliffe club historian Dominic Brannigan made a presentation to mark the 40th anniversary of Kavanagh’s sponsorship of this event by making a special presentation to both Kathleen and Clonliffe president Mick Kearney of a fantastic photograph taken by Ken Harris at the Old Gate on the club’s 100th anniversary in 1986.
Full results can be found here: https://www.myrunresults.com/events/clonliffe_2_mile_2026/6179/results
In the Masters categories the race director will be in contact with the winning athletes direct, the 1st athlete in each category was:
Men: M35 Mark McDonald (Clonliffe), M40 Anto Doran (Clonliffe), M45 Anthony O’Rourke (Bros Pearse), M50 Lee Fulcher (Plant Based AC), M55 Tom Griffin (Clonliffe), M60 Kieran Sherrin (Dunboyne), M65 Declan Murray (Clonliffe), M70 Brian McGrath (Le Cheile).
Women: W35 Peigi Allen (Clonliffe), W40 Rachel Murphy (Plant Based AC), W45 Ruth O’Sullivan, W50 Maura Matthews (Clonliffe), W55 Mary Leech (Drogheda and District), W60 Mary Purdue – Smith (Raheny).
Photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/146364500@N04/albums/72177720333517202/
Clonliffe Harriers would like to sincerely thank our sponsors the Kavanagh family, the Gardai for their assistance in the safe running of this event, St John’s ambulance, the officials and volunteers from Clonliffe Harriers and the athletes have made this 135th Clonliffe 2 another very successful promotion.