The CAKE RACE events held every year are a great tradition which allows every member of the club (plus a few guests) to have a go at a handicapped staggered start fun event. There is no bribing the captain (!) and each person just takes their allotted start time and 'goes for it'. There are some great prizes (including the cake) and generally a lot of 'craic'.

  The Juvenile races were held at the stadium with distances up to 3 laps. These were exciting to say the least and each of the races was keenly contested. It was a dark and cold night but that didn't put anyone off. Everyone who took part gave it their best and Gladys and Sandra were there, offering support and supervising the races. Some of the 'wild' crowd atmosphere was provided by those who turned up for training and stayed to cheer on the competitors.
(Some photos below, results to follow).

  In the Senior races, the Ladies 2-mile Race was from the Garda Station on Griffith Avenue, up Swords Road, Collins Avenue and around to Our Lady of Victories Church in Ballymun. It was won by Christine Kennelly with Christine Woods coming second and in third place, Kathryn Wally.

  The Mens 3-mile Race was a circuit from Our Lady of Victories church in Ballymun, through Griffith Avenue, Swords Road, Collins Avenue and back. It was a beautiful night and perfect for the race (unlike 2001 with a temperature of -5 C and an icy wind!). First place went to Killian Lonergan (out for a stroll?), with Seán McDonnell second and Stephen Harkness in third.   After officiating in the Ladies Race, Mags Grennan ran the mens race, coming in sixth.

  Following the race, everyone returned to the clubhouse for showers and refreshments (water of course!). There followed a feed of sandwiches and (energy?) drinks. The end of year speeches were short and sweet (Captain Joe Cooper & President Maurice Ahern) with the prize-giving directly afterwards. The raffle tickets were also collected (as the Lord said: '...meet me half-way, buy a ticket!'). The rest of the night was spent having a relaxing drink before the well-earned rest over Christmas.

   On Friday 20th, the prize-giving for the Juvenile race was held, following a great quiz. The teams in the quiz were spread across all the age-groups that were there so every level was tested. There were prizes galore with spot-prizes etc. and everyone went home happy.