Clara 5k 2026 (5th July)

The Healthy Offaly 5k series continued with the Clara 5k on Sunday morning 5th July. Cloudy and overcast, it was a pleasant morning for the circular 5k route through the town and looping around its outskirts on what was described as a stiff but fair challenge for the 300 runners taking part. Mullingar Harriers had 8 athletes participating.

There was a notable 1 and 2 in the women’s race where Sharon O’Dowd pulled away from Club colleague Orlaith Flanagan to take the win in 18:56, with Orlaith coming in just 15 seconds back in 2nd place with a time of 18:56. Meanwhile in the men’s race, Mullingar Harriers had 3 athletes in contention for the senior race podium places until the final kilometre, with Mark Darby hanging on bravely but just missing out on first place, though still happy with a 2nd place finish in 16:10. James Keegan placed 4th with a time of 17:04, followed shortly after by Alan Crowley whose time of 17:12 earned him 2nd place in his master category. Enda Seery was next in 17:51, earning 4th place in his master category.

The team of Mark, James, Alan and Enda just missed out on first team by an agonising 3 places, but 2nd Club was a notable performance in a strong competition. Eddie Lynch again dominated his master category, winning in a time of 18:34, and Claire Lennon Gavin finished 6th in her master category in a time of 23:58 [MO’S].