Mile 6: Run with Ray 5km

Run With Ray 5km
Good Friday 2013 – Phoenix Park Dublin


The Easter weekend is all about food and plenty of opportunities to eat. To keep it in perspective and earn my choccy treats, I caught the last of the Run with Ray 5km on Good Friday in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. The radio to running DJ hosted over 1,600 golden daffodils who meandered their way like a giant day-glo worm along one of the park’s many well worn routes.

An energetic pre race warm up and a tight pack at the start line kept away any last minute chills and I was immediately glad of sunglasses to protect against the glare of the mass of yellow jerseys, intensified by some very welcome sunshine.

Divine inspiration came through the air waves for first time 5km runners the Phillips-Quinn family from Celbridge. “We heard Ray talking about the run and he seemed so genuine about getting people to sign up, especially newcomers,” said Audrey Phillips (40) who then signed up her sister Patricia (44), nephew Adam (12) and brother in law Tom Quinn (43). “We downloaded the couch to 5km app and just stuck to that,” explained Tom.

The tight packing and narrow roads at times slowed the pace down for many of the mid pack runners but as the event had no chip timing there was no hurry to complete the course. Most savouring the family friendly atmosphere. Wicklow man and marathon runner Martin Breen (41) rounded up a whole possee of first timers to take part including his mother in law Mary Kennedy (73). “We tricked her by telling her she was coming to mind the kids but once she got here we made her take part,” they joked after the race.
A bargain price of €5 included the dazzling yellow t-shirt which everyone wore proudly for the run, a basic goody bag and a priceless opportunity to meet the man himself and pose for a photo.
I was really impressed that Ray was there to the very end in his running gear despite the cold, chatting and laughing with anyone and everyone. Having run every race himself during the week and from the feedback I got from participants on the day, it is clear that Ray Darcy still has real pulling power with all ages across an Irish Audience.