Tullamore Half Marathon 2019 (31st August)
Mullingar out in force at Tullamore Half Marathon
Tullamore Harriers AC hosted what must be one of the very the best organised events on the domestic road race calendar, the Tullamore Half Marathon on Saturday morning 31st August, which took place in very windy and showery conditions. To really test the more than 800 runners, the heavens opened about an hour into the race and a huge shower that lasted over five minutes absolutely soaked everyone to the skin. When the shower passed though, conditions were actually good for running and the wind was on the backs of the runners for the last six miles. The date of the race was ideal for those training for the Dublin City Marathon in October and as the race incorporated the Leinster Half Marathon and with Leinster honours up for grabs, it was no surprise that Mullingar was out in force and was very well represented by 23 adult members taking part.
The large Mullingar group was led home by the ever improving Evan McCormack in 1:18:21, a fine 22nd place overall, one place ahead of James Keegan (1:18:31), followed by Gerard Gavin (1:21:07), Alan Crowley improving his best for the distance by a minute (1:23:16), Eddie Newman (1:25:14), Gerard Brady (1:27:46), Michelle Bohan (1:32:35) seventh senior woman, followed by Sean Liston (1:33:04), Paul Ginnell (1:33:14), Stephen Naughton (1:33:47), Robin Jackson (1:34:12), Jennifer Algar (1:36:43), Michelle O’Halloran (1:38:56), Criona Reid (1:42:30) running her quickest for the distance (and if not mistaken has run all her best times from 5k to half marathon this year, so improving all the time), Ann Hall (1:43:13), Declan Costello (1:43:46), Aisling Corcoran (1:44:37), Joan Hickson (1:48:11), Siobhan Farry (1:48:01), Joanna Tyrrell (1:48:04), Linda O’Driscoll (1:52:59), Michael O’Sullivan (1:55:16) and Geraldine Langtry (1:55:24), all finishing strongly and delighted to be able to head to the hall in the Tullamore Harriers stadium to dry off and tuck in to the fine spread of food and refreshments to help them recover.
When the results of the Leinster Championship were separated, it was gold for Eddie Newman and Gerard Gavin in their master categories, bronze for Michelle Bohan in hers, and Jennifer Algar took bronze for third senior woman. Michelle O’Halloran and Michael O’Sullivan came close with fourth in their master categories and just missed medals. The master men team of Evan McCormack, Gerard Gavin and Alan Crowley finished 2nd Club in their master category to win team silver medals. We had four other teams that came close but just missed medals; Eddie Newman, Sean Liston and Paul Ginnell (4th Club in master category), Michelle Bohan, Jennifer Algar and Michelle O’Halloran (4th senior women Club), Michelle Bohan, Michelle O’Halloran and Criona Reid (4th Club in master category) and Even McCormack, James Keegan and Gerard Gavin (4th senior men Club).
Overall these were great individual and team performances and everyone is to be congratulated.
