Experience Dublin’s Docklands in the City’s Popular 5K Race on July 10th
By Brian Bowe
Getting tired of park runs? Ready to take your running to the next level? Then it might be time for a real challenge. Register now for the Docklands 5k, happening Thursday, July 10th, and experience a race along Dublin’s stunning waterfront.
The Docklands 5k, organised by the runners from Irishtown’s Crusaders Athletic Club, is a 5k run over a flat, fast loop in Dublin’s Docklands area.
The race, which the Crusaders relaunched in 2015, is celebrated for its warm and welcoming atmosphere, making it an ideal event for runners of all ages and fitness levels. Its family-friendly environment encourages participation from everyone, from seasoned athletes to beginners. It’s a non-profit event, meaning all proceeds from the race are invested back into the community, going into providing much needed sporting facilities to serve the Docklands Community in Crusaders HQ at Irishtown Stadium.
The run will be kicking off at 8pm, Thursday evening, starting on the South Docks near Lime Street, which is very close to the Samuel Beckett Bridge. From there you will head towards the City Centre all the way to the Matt Talbot Bridge which you will cross over to the North Quay. From there you will run all the way down to the 3 Arena where you will loop back down the North Quay again towards the Matt Talbot Bridge. Then you will cross the Bridge again and back to the South Quay. You will then head back past the start line. The finish line is approx. 750 metres beyond the start line and you will finish at Capital Dock on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay.
It’s very important to note that you will be provided with a bag tag at drop-off. Please make sure to write on the tag your race number that you will be given at registration and attach it to your bag. Give the bag to the steward and it will be placed in a number sequence so that it can be easily recovered after the race. Please do not leave valuables in your bag – the event organisers accept no responsibility for loss of personal effects.
Now for the fun part: the prizes! While all runners receive a technical running T-shirt for signing up, cash prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in the race, with the first through sixth male and female runners across the line receiving €300, €200, €100, €75, €50, and €25, respectively. Additionally, a €100 cash prize will be available if either or both course records are broken; the current records are 14:30 for men and 16:12 for women.
Participants in certain age categories will also have the chance to win RunZone vouchers. The first male and female finishers in the O/40, O/45, and O/50 age groups will each receive vouchers, as will the first finishers in the O/55, O/60, and O/65 categories—excluding those who finish in the top three overall or who are part of the winning corporate team. RunZone vouchers will also be awarded to the top three teams in the race, including all-male, all-female, and mixed teams (comprising two males and one female or two females and one male).
The race entry fee is €25 per individual athlete. Teams of 3 are priced at €75. The minimum age requirement for entry into the race is 16. Online entries close on 7th July. After that time (up to race day at 17:00) they accept walk-ins for €30 per entry (€32 if you are not a member of Athletics Ireland).
To register online, or for further information, please visit the official event website: www.docklands5k.com/
