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)
Full results can be found here: https://www.myrunresults.com/events/clonliffe_2_mile_2026/6179/results
List of prizewinners and photographs will be posted here tomorrow.
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.