On Thursday evening 26 September 2025 the annual 10000m Club Championship and Grand Prix was held in Morton Stadium. For many years, this Championship race has been sponsored by the late Pat Bonass. This September marks the first anniversary of Pat’s passing. This race provided a timely opportunity to honour Pat’s memory. Typical of the man and prior to his passing Pat made provision for the continued sponsorship of the 10000m championship. It was great to see members of Pat’s family in attendance on the night, his daughter Margaret, husband Declan and family, Finn and Mia. It was also great to see Declan and Finn competing in this year’s race.
10000m Club Championship – Race Result
A total of 31 runners competed in this year’s event. Maurice Ahern got the runners underway at 7.55pm to complete the mandatory 25 laps. From the outset Sean Doran, the current national 10000m champion, set off at rapid pace. Sean maintained that pace throughout the race finishing in a time of 0:31:43. Niall Sherlock ran a solid race maintaining second position and posting a time of 0:34:00. Philip O’Doherty and Racel McFadden held third and fourth positions throughout the race until the final lap. As both runners completed the final lap Rachel pulled away and become the first woman home in the championship in a time 0:39:32. Philip O’Doherty was fourth in the race and third man in the championship in a time of 0:39:40. This latter time for the 10000m would give Philip a national record for the Master category M65. Pam Kavanagh ran a solid race coming second in the championship. Orla Deighan also achieved a podium place coming third.
Full results:
Men’s 10000m Championship
- Sean Doran
- Niall Sherlock
- Philip O’Doherty
Women’s 10000m Championship
- Rachel McFadden
- Pam Kavanagh
- Orla Deighan
10000m Grand Prix Result
The 10000m is the 12th race in the current Grand Prix Series with five races now remaining. The winner on this occasion was Kevin Dowling who made a welcome return to competition. In second place having another fine run was Declan Murray while in third place and also having a fine race was Fergal O’Shea.
- Kevin Dowling. – 66 points
- Declan Murray – 65 points
- Fergal O’Shea – 64 Points
Top 5 athletes in Grand Prix after 11 races
- Fionnuala Smith – 424
- Mick Gleeson – 395.
- Francis McEntee 392
- Mary Purdue Smith – 390
- Paula Prunty – 384
Points total after 11 races for the top 20 athletes:
Post race prizegiving
Conliffe Harriers were delighted that Pat Bonass’s daughter Margaret was on hand to present the Pat Bonass Memorial Trophies to both Sean Doran and Rachel McFadden, the 2025 10000m club champions. Johnny O’Leary and Ciara O’Regan presented individual championship prizes. The Grand Prix prizes were presented by Mick Kearney. Congratulations to all podium winners. During the prize giving, tributes were paid to Pat Bonass’s athletic career. Pat served Clonliffe Harriers with distinction and passion for over 50 years. His international Master successes were recalled including his bronze team medal won in Oregan USA in 1989 which was one of his proudest moments.
Next Grand Prix race – 134th Clonliffe 2 Mile – Sunday 5th October – 10:30am
The next Grand Prix race is the Clonliffe 2 Mile which takes place on Sunday 5th October 2025 at 10:30am in Glasnevin. The race starts at the Met Office on Glasnevin Hill and finishes at the Gravediggers in Prospect Square, Glasnevin. Full details are on the Clonliffe web site. As this race takes place on public roads entry is online via the eventmaster web site.Online entry: https://eventmaster.ie/event/8RzJH7qTV1