As the dust settles on the 30th running of the Jingle Bells 5k, we reflect on a great day for our participants, volunteers and everyone that made our race happen this year. After a postponement in late 2020 when virtually all sporting competition ground to a halt, Donore Harriers was delighted to welcome runners of all ages and abilities from far and wide back to Phoenix Park on the first Saturday in December – the traditional Jingle Bells 5k day.

Although blustery, the very strong winds of the day before had died down but it remained very cold and bright. Starting 1.5 hours earlier than usual at 930am, 1400 runners were entered for the 5k which was back to its PB friendly course starting on the Acres Road, onto Chesterfield Avenue, then onto Upper Glen road and the fast finish all the way down the Glen road to finish close to St Mary’s Hospital.
The race up front was a close run affair with the home club’s own John Travers (reserve for the European cross country relay event in Abbotstown next Sunday and former JB winner) back in action and very much in the thick of it, he had to unleash his trademark kick to be sure of the win here today in 14.22. 4 seconds later was Monaghan Phoenix’s Conor Maguire in 14.26 in a superb run. In sparkling form all year on road and country and in 3rd place 2 seconds later was Rathfarnham WSAF’s Mitchel Byrne in a dead heat with UCD AC’S Mark Milner also impressing all of this year. Raheny’s Kieran Kelly was 4th in 2 seconds later. Racing in thick and fast with minimal seconds between were David Scanlon (Rathfarnham) Jamie Battle (Mullingar) and Colin Maher (Ballyfin) Darragh Fitzgibbon (Donore) and Kevin Moore (Dundrum). In all , 11 men broke the 15 minute barrier and a few just skirting it.
First junior man was Donore’s 18 year old Gavin Curtin in 15.01 improving all year with silver in the Dublin Junior cross country and achieving a PB here.
First Master man was coach of many of Athletics current young talent and noted runner – Sligo’s Emmet Dunleavy in 15.03.
Many top master runners male and female who we saw in the Open cross country and Belfast NI/ROI cross country match some weeks ago were back here on the road – Jamie Gahan, Robert Murphy, Garry Mulligan and Declan Toal
The race among the top women was no less intriguing. Leaving Cork early this morning to travel to Dublin (and many Leevale clubmates did the same) was former JB winner and 2016 Olympian Lizzie Lee; it was well worth the visit as she won the women’s title 11 years after her first victory in a time of 16.14. She was pushed hard by Donore’s Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill, in flying form this year and 2nd in 16.17. In third place in 16.29 was local club MSB’s Catherina Mullen originally from Cavan. The 2019 women’s winner Cliona Murphy (DCH) was 4th in 16.36. Maisy O’Sullivan (16.46), Grace Lynch (16.49) and Ellie Hartnett (16.59) were next with Raheny’s Kate Purcell in 17.02. Another Rio Olympian Breege Connolly made the trip from Belfast to finish 1st F40 in 17.06. Crusaders AC’s Niamh Allen finished in 17.06.
It was great to see other internationals past and present such as Ciara Durkan, Maria McCambridge , Annette Kealy and Louise McGrillen competing here today. An interesting name in 12th was international pentathlete Sive Brassill in 17.09 who nearly got to this year’s Tokyo Olympics.
In the team competition, Donore Harriers took the men’s honours (Travers, Fitzgibbon, Curtin) with Rathfarnham (Byrne, Scanlon, Brian Furey) 2nd. In the women’s competition winners were DCH (Murphy, Edel Monaghan – winner of the Dublin Intermediate last week, Aoife Ni Bhroin) fast becoming one of the formidable women’s team the past 2 years and Raheny (Purcell, Zoe Quinn, Jenny Mulry) 2nd.
As the runners poured in , it was great to see AAI clubs from North, South, East and West represented – some had travelled long distances, and many other running, triathlon and fitness collectives – representatives too from runners in Direct Provision and their supporters – Sanctuary Runners and a huge contingent from St Anne’s Primary School in Fettercairn Tallaght who ran with families and school staff.
The Jingle Bells 5k has also prided itself on its encouragement of fancy dress and there were plenty of festive outfits on display from young and old(er). Canicross Ireland also had runners with their dogs in tow. Most importantly Santa himself rang the Christmas bell to beckon in the finishers. The Blanchardstown Brass Band kept the festive atmosphere going at the start and finish with festive tunes
An army of volunteers from Donore Harriers worked hard from early morning around the course in various roles (and behind the scenes over many weeks) to make the race happen. We are very grateful to the OPW/Phoenix Park authorities for their permission and cooperation, members of An Garda Siochana, Dublin Civil Defence for medical assistance , Last Lap Café and Dublin Athletics Board . Our timing partner Pop Up Races as usual were crucial to the success and efficiency of the event
A big thanks to MSL Park Motors Navan road /MSL Group for sponsorship – many of you saw their electric vehicles at the finish areas. Thanks again to Dunnes Stores for foodstuffs.
And of course, thanks to all our participants once again who created such a great atmosphere as always, we hope that no matter what your goal was today you had a positive race experience and we will see you again in 2022.

A short video of the finish line is available here

Full results available here

Below are our category winners – if you won a prize and were not there to collect it in person, it will be sent to you, any corrections or queries on results please contact us
F40
Breege Connolly (North Belfast) 17.07
Maria McCambridge (DSD) 17.36
F50
Annette Kealy (Raheny) 18.28
Emilia Dan (Dunboyne) 19.12
F60
Mary Browne (Lucan) 24.13
Nuala reilly (Drogheda & District) 24.29
FJ
Christelle Vall (DCH) 18.38
M40
Emmet Dunleavy (Sligo ) 15.03
Jamie Gahan (Portmarnock) 15.15
M50
Declan Toal 16.38l (North East Runners)
Michael Collins 16.44
M60
Patrick O’Grady (Drogheda & District) 17.22
Peter Donohoe (Celbridge)18.25
MJ
Gavin Curtin (Donore Harriers) 15.01
Joe Dowd (Sli Cualann 15.43)