This Sunday’s Great Ireland Run is set to be biggest yet, with thousand taking part in the mass participation 5k and 10k races in Phoenix Park, Dublin.
In addition to the mass participation races, the series includes elite men’s and women’s individual races, with the Irish national men’s and women’s 10k titles up for grabs, and an Ireland versus England competition.
Ireland’s star Fionnuala McCormack will attempt to retain her national 10k title, and elite women’s crown. In the latter, McCormack will face a tough competitor in rival Gemma Steel of England.
GB athlete Steel, has won the Great Ireland Run women’s race twice, most recently in 2015.
We also have the eagerly anticipated Ireland versus England competition. Regardless of the sport it is a match up that always attracts the attention of the public.
Lining out for the Irish men’s team in the Ireland versus England competition are Mark Christie, Liam Brady, and Raheny Shamrock’s pair Kevin Dooney and Mick Clohisey.
Graham Rush, Danny Cliffe, John Beattie and Portsmouth AC’s Alex Teuten will represent Team England.
Leading the Irish women’s team are 2016 Olympian’s Fionnuala McCormack and Kerry O’Flaherty.
After a recent win in the Northern Ireland & Ulster 5k Championships, Irish Olympian O’Flaherty will aim to continue her excellent start to 2017 with a good performance on Sunday.
Laura O’Shaughnessy, and City of Derry’s Catherine Whoriskey complete the Irish women’s team.
In the English women’s team, Jenny Spink, Rebecca Hilland, Lauren Deadman, and Lauren Hall join two time winner Gemma Steel. Hall who is making her England debut, will be full of confidence after recently winning the Army cross country championships.
It is difficult to call who will be victorious in the Ireland Vs England competition, but one thing is for sure, both nations will want to win, so we are in for an exciting battle.
Full schedule
09:30 – Great Ireland Run 5k Start
11:00 – Great Ireland Run 10k Elite Women & AAI Women’s National 10k Championships Start
11:20 – Great Ireland Run 10k Elite Men & AAI Men’s National 10k Championships and ORANGE wave Start
11:25 – Great Ireland Run 10k WHITE, GREEN & PINK waves Start
13:50 – Junior Great Ireland Run Start
14:45 – Mini Great Ireland Run Start