Week ending Saturday 14th January
Exciting weekend of competition ahead
We’re in that funny time of year when the indoor season is getting underway but there are still some cross country events taking place. Mullingar Harriers athletes will be competing both indoors and in cross country this coming week end and we wish them all the very best of luck.
The first indoor Championship event of the year, the AAI National Junior and u/23 Indoors takes place this Saturday at the National Indoor Arena in Dublin. Among the very big entry are a number from Mullingar Harriers and they’ll be competing in sprints, middle distance and race walks. Most of them are seasoned athletes at this level but a few are older juveniles stepping up to junior (u/20) for the first time looking to “blood” themselves at a higher level but also looking for some early-season top level competition in preparation for the season ahead.
That’s followed on Sunday when the first Leinster cross country fixture of the New Year takes place in Avondale Forest Park, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow. Competition is for Intermediate and Masters men and women and cross country relays for boys and girls. Mullingar has entered men and women master teams, an Intermediate men team, and a girls under 12 relay team.
Ace AC 5k
Making a very welcome return after cancellation last year due to Covid restrictions, the Ace AC 5k in Drogheda, Co. Louth attracted more than 200 runners on a cold but dry bright morning on the new year bank holiday Monday, all delighted to toe the line and use the race to ring in the New Year. Conor Sherwin showed real class from the gun, staying right up with the leaders most of the way, with gaps in the leading group only appearing in the final closing stages, but he finished very strong and was delighted to cross the line in third place in a swift 17 minutes 1 second to bring 2023 in with a bang.
Notice of Annual General Meeting
The Club’s Annual General Meeting takes place in the DeCourcy Suite, Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar on Friday week (20 January) at 8pm. We hope to see all our adult members attend and the parents of the many underage athletes who receive training, coaching and guidance throughout the year. The meeting will take about an hour and a half and we urge everyone to show your appreciation of the work done at the Club by attending the AGM. There will be light refreshments served after the meeting.
Fit 4 Life returns
Our Fit 4 Life session resumed after the Christmas break at the club on Monday evening this week. The fee is €40 for the 10-week programme.
Membership for 2023
All members aged 12 years or older are asked to please renew their membership for 2023 as soon as they can. If you’re not registered, you’re not insured and can’t train at the Club or take part in competition. Membership can be paid online though the Club’s website or any evening at training.
For the younger 8, 9, 10 and 11 year old boys and girls, we’ll be holding an open day at the Club this Saturday morning (14 Jan) when membership will be taken and they’ll return to training next Tuesday evening (17 Jan) at 6pm. Membership for these young boys and girls will be taken on a first come first served basis and when the groups are filled, we’ll take no more. Memberships for the youngest members will only be taken at the open day on Saturday and cannot be done online.
This year our underage members must compete for the Club in at least one event during the year, or they may be refused membership in 2024. There are several relatively low key events throughout the year to choose from, including the Westmeath Indoors in January (to be confirmed), the Midland Inter County T&F in May, the Westmeath T&F, the Westmeath Cross Country, as well as the various Leinster competitions.
Check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com or its Facebook page for all the latest news.
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