Week ending Saturday 12th October

Sun shines for conclusion of Athletics Westmeath Cross Country

Early morning mist gave way to bright warm sunshine in Belvedere last Sunday for day two of the Athletics Westmeath Cross Country Championships. Weather and underfoot conditions were absolutely perfect for running, much to the delight of officials, spectators and the girls and boys under 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 years that competed, the older ones vying for places on Club and County teams in the upcoming Leinster Championships. As always, Belvedere proved itself as an excellent cross country venue, testing everyone that ran.

There were plenty of newcomers and the big number of girls and boys that ran in the non-Championship under 9 races really enjoyed themselves and were delighted with their medals. Moving to the Championships proper, the race distances were no problem for those that have been training regularly. The course in Belvedere is a great test of cross country endurance and those that train there regularly will have no problem with the courses chosen for the Leinsters. There were some very good individual performances but Championship cross country is also about team running, so everyone was being closely watched by Club coaches, particularly the newcomers.

Many of the juveniles who took part on day one the previous week were back in action again, either running in their own age or moving up an age group, to get in some race experience. As on day one, the competitors on day two came from all across the County and included a number of welcome newcomers, with everyone keen to perform well.

Thanks to all who helped with parking, recording the results, marshalling and stewarding on the course, to the many parents who came and supported the competitors, and to the management and staff of Belvedere for the use of the excellent grounds, and to the athletes who provided great competition.

The Leinster Championships take place over two days, with two weeks between each, so juvenile athletes can run in their own age group and can move up an age group to make up teams. The results of both days and application in training will be used to select teams to represent Mullingar and Westmeath in the Leinster Championships.

The results of day two are:

Under 9 girls 500m – 1. Mia Barry, 2. Cara Hickey, 3. Zoe O’Donoghue, 4. Sarah Cummins, 5. Meabh Doyle, 6. Tara Coyne, 7. Adele Bertolo, 8. Hannah Lennon (Athlone), 9. Ella McManus, 10. Grace Cummins, 11. Kate Clarke (Athlone), 12. Sophie Whitelaw, 13. Lila Morgan, 14. Cliodhna Fitzpatrick, 15. Ava Wright, 16. Eva Casey (Athlone), 17. Sarah Patrick, 18. Nancy Cuddy (Athlone), 19. Ali Hennessy, 20. Evie Hassett, 21. Marie Harte, 22. Eva Fitzpatrick, 23. Emily Lynch (Athlone). Under 9 boys 500m – 1. Shay Gavigan, 2. Donnacha Galvin (Athlone), 3. Rian Healy, 4. Senan Whelehan, 5. Benjamin Bagnell, 6. Tiernan O’Farrell, 7. Luke Cosgrove, 8. Austin Keaveney, 9. Robert Bohan, 10. Stan Lynch, 11. Kealan Morahan, 12. Jamie Fallon (Athlone), 13. Matteo Fitzpatrick, 14. Luke McDonnell, 15. Ryan Corroon, 16. Tiamore Cosack (Athlone), 17. Shay Smith, 18. Cian Clifford, 19. Darragh Byrne, 20. Tiernan Martyn, 21. Austin Hegarty, 22. Joe Hickey, 23. Aaron Morahan. Under 11 girls 1,500m – 1. Lauryn Smith (MHAC), 2. Helen McGrath (MHAC), 3. Lila Lennon Currill (MHAC), 4. Roisin Keane (MHAC), 5. Maisie Walsh (MHAC), 6. Ava Meehan (MAHC), 7. Aine O’Farrell (MHAC), 8. Ellen Cummins (MHAC), 9. Caitlin McCormack, 10. Rose Harte (MHAC), 11. Heather Kelly (MHAC), 12. Aoibheann Lynam, 13. Caoimhe Kearney (MHAC), 14. Tara McLoughlin (Athlone), 15. Kate Horohoe (MHAC), 16. Laura Buckley, 17. Cecilie Leonard, 18. Chloe Lohan (Athlone), 19. Eanin Staunton (MHAC), 20. Elsie Hegarty (MHAC), 21. Alva Barry. Under 11 boys 1,500m – 1. Mel Bohan (MHAC), 2. Donagh Bourke (MHAC), 3. Ollie Wright (MHAC), 4. Cillian Hardiman, 5. Noah Morgan (MHAC), 6. Ethan Byrne (MHAC), 7. Emmet Walsh (MHAC), 8. Huw Keaveney (MHAC), 9. Matthew Kellaghan (MHAC), 10. Rory McDonnell (MHAC), 11. Senan Clinton (MHAC), 12. Fionn O’Donoghue (MHAC), 13. Finn Barry, 14. Luke Wallace (MHAC), 15. Jamie Hoey (MHAC), 16. Conor Nolan (MHAC). Under 13 girls 2,500m – 1. Chloe Bell (MHAC), 2. Amelie Kelly (MHAC), 3. Siomha Leonard, 4. Caoimhe Lynam, 5. Clodagh Keane (MHAC), 6. Grace Farry (MHAC), 7. Alice Hyland (MHAC), 8. Aoife Dunne (MHAC), 9. Liadan Gavin (MHAC), 10. Mina Sheridan (MHAC). Under 13 boys 2,500m – 1. Daniel Cummins (MHAC), 2. Gareth Glennon (MHAC), 3. Harry Flanagan (MHAC), 4. Kacper Wzaitek. Under 15 girls 3,500m – 1. Lily Walsh (MHAC), 2. Isla Brennan (MHAC), 3. Chloe Duggan (MHAC), 4. Emily Tully (MHAC), 5. Alice Geelon (MHAC). Under 15 boys 3,500m – 1. Antonio Bertolo (MHAC), 2. Oisin Clarke (MHAC), 3. Daniel Horohoe (MHAC), 4. Cormac McGrath (MHAC), 5. Louis Kiernan (MHAC), 6. Aonghus O’Reilly (MHAC). Under 17 girls 4,000m – 1. Eleanor Kiernan (MHAC), 2. Tianna O’Leary (MHAC), 3. Isabel Tynan Daly (MHAC), 4. Blathnaid Peters (MHAC), 5. Emma Lagan (MHAC), 6. Yves McCague (MHAC). Under 17 boys 5,000m – 1. Matthew Molloy (MHAC), 2. Oisin Kehoe (MHAC), 3. Conor Walsh (MHAC), 4. Luke Greene (MHAC), 5. Cian Hyland (MHAC).

Dates for the diary

The dates and venues for the Leinster cross country have been finalised, so take note of them now. The Leinster Novice and Juvenile Even Ages will take place on Sunday 20th October in Dunboyne, Co. Meath (note the change of day from Saturday to Sunday); the Leinster Senior, u/23 and Juvenile Uneven Ages will take place on Saturday 2nd November in Tinahely, Co. Wicklow; and the Leinster Juvenile “B” and mixed cross country relays will take place between the National finals, on Saturday 23rd November in Stradbally, Co. Laois.

Claire and Ciara excel in Galway

On a windy morning in Galway last Saturday, the annual Run Galway Bay took place in Salthill. Mullingar Harriers had a small but very strong representation in both the 10km and half marathon. Claire Fagan ran a superb race in challenging conditions to finish fourth overall of over 1,500 finishers in the 10k in a time of 35:17 to place first woman, comfortably clear of the second place woman by over a minute to win the women 10k. Just over 1,400 toed the line for the half marathon race where Ciara Foy, a new member of the club by barely a month hit the ground running in the Mullingar colours, recording a new personal best of 1:25:05 to finish an excellent fifteenth overall, the first woman and nearly two minutes clear of the second place woman, to easily win the woman half marathon.

Fastlane Three Quarter Marathon

The Fastlane Three Quarter Marathon along the scenic settings of the Grand Canal and around the newly surfaced perimeter of Grange Castle Business Park in Dublin, took place in overcast but dry conditions last Saturday morning. The course had that country feel on the edge of the city. A flat course with long straights, the route had an elevation gain of 27m over its 10km loops, so flat and fast was the order of the day. Two Mullingar Harriers preparing for the Dublin City Marathon at the end of the month took part. Griffin Kearney ran an excellent time of 2:14:42 and was very happy with his training and progress towards the big day in Dublin. Paul Byrne was also very pleased with his efforts and came home in 2:53:43 in a field of over 506 runners.

There was also a half marathon organised and run in conjunction with the three quarter race where Murty Hanly was very happy with his performance, coming home in 1:34:56 in a big field of 620 runners.

Fit 4 Life group closed to new members

The current Fit 4 Life programme that started three weeks ago has proved so popular that it has reached capacity and unfortunately we cannot accept any new members.

Check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com or its Facebook page for all the latest news.

PRO