AAI Half Marathon 2018 (12th August)

Eddie Newman, David Fagan, Stephen Naughton, Kieran Nolan

National half marathon medals for Mullingar masters

Held in conjunction with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dublin Half Marathon on Sunday 12th August, the AAI Half Marathon Championships attracted an entry of nearly 800 among the huge entry for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dublin Half, which is an impressive entry for a National Championships by any measure. Starting and finishing near the historic Royal Hospital Kilmainham, the course was relatively flat throughout but two difficult climbs, the long brutal Knockmaroon Hill at 8k and the shorter but just as sharp hill near the Angler’s Rest at 16k really tested the mettle of the runners but the group from Mullingar acquitted themselves very well.

Enjoying the excellent conditions for running, if not the tough hills, first to finish for Mullingar was Eddie Newman in an impressive 1:18:03 to place 3rd in his master category and earn an individual bronze medal. With terrific team support from David Fagan (1:32:18) and Stephen Naughton (1:37:17), the Mullingar master men placed 2nd Club to win the silver medals. In among them was Kieran Nolan, very pleased with his fine 1:22:46 performance. There were National medals too for Geraldine Walsh (gold for 1st in her master category) and Des Walsh (bronze for 3rd in his master category), so it was certainly an excellent day for Mullingar’s master athletes.