The Cooper/Lawler 5000m Plate took place in Morton Stadium on Thursday evening 20th August 2026. The weather conditions were ideal; it was dry and cool. The race itself attracted a large entry of 53 runners, necessitating the holding of two races. Mauricer Ahern was on hands to start both races.
Race 1 – 5000m
In the first race 25 runners took to the starting line at 7.50pm. This proved to be a very exciting race. From the start, a group broke away from the pack and included Jack Doyle, Malcom Kiplagat, Matt Glitz, Said Muhudin and Mohamoud Hashi. The chasing pack included Ray Dunne, Andrew Gaffney, Mick McMahon, Mike Quigley, and Mark O’Sullivan. As the race entered the final laps, Jack Doyle, Malcom Kiplagat and Matt Glitz set the pace. In the final lap Jack Doyle found an extra gear and came home first in a time of 0:15:59 followed by Malcom Kiplagat (0:16:08) and with a strong finish for third Matt Glitz (0:16:10). Yuliya Tarasova had the fastest women’s time of 0:18:42.
Race 2 – 5000m
In the second race of the night 28 runners got underway at 8.15pm. In the initial stages of this race, Peggi Allen took a commanding lead. Those following included Joyce O’Hare, Alex Eustace, Fran McEntee and Richie Barr and Emma Prxymusinska. Dara Peyton missed the earlier race and joined this race one minute after the start and posted a finishing time of 0:18:48. Peggi Allen crossed the line in 0:20:45 followed closely by the strongly finishing Emma Prxymusiska in 0:20:47. Joyce O Hare was third in 0:20:51.
Results:
Grand Prix result – Declan Grant wins the Cooper/Lawler Plate
The competition for the Cooper/Lawler plate was an exciting one.
On this occasion the Grand Prix was won by the ever-popular Declan Grant
In second place was Caroline Daly and in third place was Mick McMahon.
At the post-race reception, a delighted Declan Grant was presented with the Cooper/Lawler. Caroline Daly was also presented with her prize.
- Declan Grant – 66 points
- Caroline Daly – 65 points
- Mick McMahon – 64 points
Next Race
The next event is the Joe Cooper Night of Miles which takes place on Thursday evening 3rd September 2026.
Further details will be posted on the Conliffe Harriers web site shortly.