“Battle of Clontarf” 10 Mile 2022 – incorp. Leinster 10 Mile (18th Apr)

Gerard Gavin, Stephen Naughton, Pauric Brady, Alan Crowley, Enda Seery, Patrick Muldoon, Siobhan Farry, Gemma Kelly, Liam McGlynn, Eddie Newman

Mullingar team and individual success at Leinster 10 Mile

Always a firm favourite on the road race calendar, last held in 2019 and cancelled since then due to Covid, the Raheny Shamrock AC “Battle of Clontarf” 10 Mile returned on Easter Monday 18th April to St. Anne’s Park in Raheny where more than 300 runners toed the line under clear blue skies, ideal conditions for running. The race incorporated the Leinster 10 Mile Championship, adding to the interest and competitive edge of the race. The course was two laps of the park, which remained open to other users, but Raheny Shamrock AC made sure there were plenty of stewards around the course to keep the course clear for the runners and in fact many runners remarked after that the casual users of the park made excellent spectators as they cheered the runners along, adding to the atmosphere.

While the course in the park was flat, there were lots of corners and tight bends to negotiate, making it tougher than expected, or “very technical”, as described by Pauric Brady, to borrow a favourite description from the World of cycling. That said, all the Mullingar athletes turned in solid performances, the men finishing 3rd Senior Club and four of them also winning individual medals in their master categories.

Eddie Newman and Gerard Gavin raced each other all the way and it was only in the final stages that Eddie managed to pull clear and finish in 58:48, sixteenth overall and first in his master category, just ahead of Gerard one place behind in 59:04, taking the bronze for third in his master category. Next home was Alan Crowley in 60:49, and while initially disappointed not to break the sixty minute mark, was delighted to learn that he had finished third in his master category and with Eddie and Gerard, the Mullingar men finished 3rd Senior Club. Finishing strong and fast and leaving nothing behind was Pauric Brady (62:17), Patrick Muldoon (64:30), Stephen Naughton (65:11) delighted to place third in his master category, Enda Seery with a personal best of 66:29, Liam McGlynn (70:18) also making a careful return to racing after an absence due to injury, Siobhan Farry (76:40) and Gemma Kelly (80:03). The master team of Pauric, Patrick and Enda finished a very creditable fifth Club.

Congratulations to all the Mullingar athletes on their efforts in what was an excellent Leinster Championship race.