Week ending Saturday 12th June
Senior debut for Cormac Dalton
Cormac Dalton made his Senior International debut at the European 10,000m Cup in Birmingham, England last Saturday evening. In a very competitive race, Cormac featured in the lead group for the first five kilometres. Unfortunately, he suffered from a severe blister, which forced him to stop shortly after 7km. Cormac can take consolation however from the fact that he was on pace to finish well inside his personal best for the distance at that point. It’s been a real breakthrough season on the track for Cormac, the blister will heal, and he can look forward to more strong performances in the next few weeks.
Construction of new track well underway
Construction of our new all-weather track got underway last Monday and thanks to the fine weather all week, Midland Sport Surfaces, the Main Contractor engaged on the works, has made great progress and the outline of the track is beginning to take shape. The weather forecast is for more good weather this week, which will greatly help in making even more progress.
This is the most expensive development ever undertaken by the Club and it is critical that every member gets behind our fundraising efforts. The new track will benefit all members and will do so for many years to come. We’re appealing to all members to buy a raffle ticket and be in with a chance to win the fantastic first prize of €20,000. The cost is €50 per ticket and the draw is limited to 2,000 tickets. Tickets can be purchased at training or online at mullingarharriers.com/raffle. Please purchase a ticket and play your part in helping to deliver the new track.
Turgesius Island 10 Mile
The Turgesius Island 10 mile race was originally scheduled for February but postponed due to the extended lockdown. Adhering to Covid-19 regulations, the event was held last Sunday morning with an altered format consisting of wave starts with 15 athletes per group and the starting order was based on estimated finish times submitted before the event.
On a hot, sunny morning four waves of participants lined up in Collinstown with a number of Mullingar Harriers among the socially distanced crowd. At 9am the first wave, consisting of the quicker male runners set off, followed shortly after by an “elite” women wave, and eventually the remaining entrants. Mullingar men were straight to the front of the race with James Keegan and Andrew Nevin setting the early pace with long-time friend of the Club, Peter Mooney, completing the lead trio.
James took the lead in to the second half of the race but following a good battle between the race leaders, it was Peter Mooney who took the spoils, crossing the finish line beside Lough Lene just seconds ahead of James in second place who set a 10 mile personal best of 56 minutes 30 seconds. Andrew was a comfortable third and was followed by Eoin Clarke in fourth running a big personal best of 60 minutes 50 seconds and Alan Crowley in fifth place, fighting through a tough day to still pick up a 10 mile best time of 62 minutes 36 seconds. Evan McCormack was on pacing duties and used the event as a good workout, Michael Clinton knocked a large chunk off his previous best and Paul Ginnell took advantage of the day to help with his comeback from injury.
In the women’s race, Michelle Bohan and Amy Mahony were in contention for a place on the podium all the way to the end but were unlucky to finish just outside the prizes in fourth and sixth place respectively in a closely fought contest. Colm Walsh, Nollaig McEntegart and Jason McCabe also took advantage of the day to test the legs after a long lockdown away from organized events.
Although the event did not consist of the full race format it was a welcome return to competitive running and race day atmosphere, and a good chance for all to re-familiarise themselves with the race day routine, something that’s been missing for many months now. Well done to the organizers from North Westmeath AC and hopefully the positive experience will ensure the race returns on an annual basis.
Check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com or its Facebook page for all the latest news.
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