Week ending Saturday 11th February
Mullingar Masters Magnificent Medal Haul
We only had four master men compete at the National Masters Indoors in Athlone last Sunday, but while the number was small, the quality was huge and all of them won medals, four gold and one silver. Aidan O’Donoghue started the day with the high jump, taking the silver medal in his category with a fine jump of 1.40m. Aidan returned later in the day for the 60m hurdles and was delighted to win gold in a new personal best time of 12.40 seconds. After that it was gold all the way for Mullingar Harriers. Sean McMullin was simply in a class of his own in the 3,000m race walk, winning his category with ease, and in his 3,000m race walk, though Colm Walsh had to work hard all the way, finishing third overall in a close race, he easily won his category. The day ended with gold again courtesy of Tom Walsh in the 28 pounds weight for distance, his best effort coming in the last of four rounds and in fact such is his strength in the event, he would have taken silver against men 5 years his junior. Congratulations to our master men on their great achievements.
Trim 10 Mile
An early morning sharp frost gave way to a lovely bright sunny morning last Sunday, and even though still cool, conditions were perfect for an annual favourite, the Trim 10 mile road race. The large contingent of twenty two Mullingar Harriers battled it out against over 1,700 others, recording some outstanding results including personal best times for most of them.
Leading the Mullingar athletes home was Eoin Clarke, finishing well up in 58 minutes 53 seconds, and with support from Kris Foster (59:08), Alan Crowley (59:33) and Andy Boyhan (60:21), the men finished a very creditable sixth Club. The Mullingar women were led home by Susan Glennon (66:20) and with great team support from Mary Stuart (68:31), easily winning her master category, Emer O’Hanlon (72:54) and Aeilish McGovern (73:53), the women were very unlucky to finish just out of the team prizes in fourth place, on the same points as third but losing out on countback, in fact just 13 seconds made the difference, so it was very close.
Also competing in the maroon and white was James Cribbin (61:35), Enda Seery (65:44), Tommy Byrne (66:21), Murty Hanly (68:43), Dara O’Shea (69:24), Pablo Byrne (73:18), John McNamara (75:53), Darren Carroll (77:12), Shaun Mills (77:55), Gemma Kelly (77:58), Linda Cunningham (78:16), Terri Greene (80:11), John Bannon (80:20) and Tommy Archbold (1:47:12) delighted to win third prize in his master category.
Kinnitty Knight Run
A race with a difference, the Kinnitty Castle 10k Knight Run Challenge took place last Friday evening. The 10k trail run started at Kinnitty Castle Hotel from where the runners ascended the first 5k up to the top valley of the Slieve Bloom Mountains before running back downhill again, picking up great speed, and returning to Kinnitty Castle. Needless to say, it was night time, so it was very dark and while there were some mobile floodlights on the mountains, the competitors had to wear head torches, so it was very different from a normal road race indeed! While it was intended as a fun run, there was still a prize for the first man and woman to complete the course. Finishing well up in ninth place overall of over 200 that took part, Michelle Bohan (42 minutes 55 seconds) finished first woman to take the prize, closely followed by Jenny Algar (43:35), twelfth overall and the second woman home.
Rathcoffey 10k
Enda O’Carolan competed in the Rathcoffey 10k near Clane, Co. Kildare last Saturday morning, finishing well up in twenty fourth place of the 340 finishers in 36 minutes 55 seconds, placing a very creditable sixth in his master category.
National Cross Country this Sunday
The National Intermediate, Masters and Juvenile “B” Cross Country takes place in Gowran this coming Sunday. The top billing for Mullingar has to be our Intermediate men team. Having tasted success at Leinster Novice and Intermediate and at National Senior and Novice, the Mullingar men are serious contenders for team gold but this will require a full team and everyone giving one hundred percent. The Intermediate men aside, Mullingar also has high hopes for our juvenile “B” teams and our masters. Best of luck to all competing in Gowran.
Sympathy
Finally, the Executive and members of Mullingar Harriers wish to express sympathy to the family of Paddy Hughes from Gaybrook, Mullingar (but formerly of Ballymanus) who died recently. A great clubman in his day, Paddy always answered the call to assist with any jobs that needed doing such as building a cross country course, among others. May he rest in peace.
Check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com or its Facebook page for all the latest news.
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