Castlepollard 5k 2026 (12th Aug)

Hosted by North Westmeath AC, the annual Castlepollard 5k attracted a field of 339 runners on Wednesday evening 12th August. Conditions were warm and humid, but a slight breeze was helpful to the runners. The course, which is relatively flat, brought the athletes on a looped course from the town through the grounds of Tullynally Castle and returning on the same route to finish in the Market Square.

Like the sun going behind the moon for the eclipse that took place during the race, from the start, Cormac Dalton began to disappear into the distance but reappeared again less than 15 minutes later, nearly a minute ahead of the pack, to win comfortably in 14:09. It has been a difficult few months for Cormac, but he has come through impressively from injury and was very happy to record a comfortable win. Next home for Mullingar Harriers was Mark Darby with his time of 16:09 taking 4th place ahead of Shane McLoughlin in 5th on a time of 16:58. James Keegan was 6th in 17:09, with Kedagh Geoghegan following him over the line in 17:24. Andy Boyhan finished strongly in 17:36, Timmy Mescall completed the distance in 19:11, and there was a great battle just behind him between Kieran Nolan and Tommy Byrne, both credited with the same time of 19:37, giving Kieran 2nd place in his master category and Tommy on his first outing in his new master category was delighted to make a podium finish in 3rd place.

Jacintha Reilly was our first lady home, finishing 3rd in the senior women race in a time of 19:44. Joe Doherty completed the event in 21:18, while Laura Fitzpatrick came home in 22:49. Following them in was Leon Murray (22:50), Paul Plunkett (22:55), Michael Purdue (23:27), Ciara Dillon (23:42), Kevin O’Brien (24:30), while Jennifer Bourke completed her run in 26 minutes even. Aidan O’Donoghue ran 26:50, Louise Gordon completed the course in 27:23, with Breda McDonnell delighted to race walk the distance and win her master category with a time of 58:43 [MO’S].