Dublin Marathon 2022 (30th Oct)
Lots to celebrate for Mullingar Harriers at Dublin Marathon
The Dublin Marathon made a very welcome return to the streets of Dublin on Sunday morning 30th October after a two year absence due to the Covid pandemic. With 25,000 entrants, it was always going to be a massive event in the city and it certainly lived up to everyone’s expectations with large crowds lining all sections of the 26.2 mile route. Despite the wind and rain on the days leading up to the event, the weather conditions on the day were perfect for marathon running, with mild temperatures, light breezes and only the occasional light shower. As the massive throng of athletes waited patiently in the various starting waves, temperature were rising and extra warming layers were being discarded early. By the time runners reached the Phoenix Park in the early miles of the race, it was starting to get quite warm and plenty of fluids were being taken on board. The wind was beginning to pick up in the latter stages but luckily just stayed as a stiff breeze and didn’t gust too much. Overall, the consensus was that this was one of the warmest Dublin marathons in quite some time.
Mullingar Harriers was very well represented, both on the course and all along the route. The marathon also incorporated the National Marathon Championship and the Athletics Leinster Marathon Championship, so as well as targeting times, there were National and Leinster medals to be won, adding an extra bit of spice to the race.
James Keegan led the team home with a very impressive 2 hours 49 minutes 22 seconds, a well-deserved PB time for him. Eddie Newman finished strongly in 2:52:00 and this performance secured him third place in his master category. Kedagh Geoghegan finished very strong over the last 10km to finish in 2:54:14, a well-deserved PB. Evan McCormack was next home for Mullingar with 2:56:20, another super performance after having a tough few miles towards the end of his race. Eoin Clarke also broke his PB to finish well up the field in 2:56:59, his first time to run sub-3 hours, which is the benchmark pursued by every man completing a marathon. Sinéad Whitelaw was the first Mullingar lady home with a new PB of 2:57:16, placing her third in her master category. Alan Crowley was next over the line in 2.57.51, another big new PB by 13 minutes and another Mullingar man delighted to run sub-3 hours for the first time. Kieran Nolan (3:02:19) and Andy Boyhan (3:03:50) both finished well, just outside the magic 3 hour mark. Also having a fine race was Kris Foster, very happy to finish in 3:16:46.
Mary Stuart was the second Mullingar lady home in a very impressive 3:18:20, deservedly winning her master category. Other Mullingar finishers who all put in fine performances were Murty Hanly (3:21:55), Tommy Byrne (3:24:26), Tony Doran (3:24:48), Dara O’Shea (3:35:01), James Tierney (3:35:55), Joan Hickson (3:48:41), Criona Reid (3:50:50), Stephen Naughton (3:54:25), Richie Kelly (4:13:21), Stephen Olwell (4:17:02), Gemma Kelly (4:22:56), Declan Costello (4:48:41) and Garrett O’Brien (4:49:51).
A special word of thanks needs to go to Evan McCormack who has dedicated a lot of time to coaching many of the Mullingar athletes who completed the marathon this year.
