Week ending Saturday 14th September
Success on the roads of the Kingdom for Mullingar Harriers Athletes
Covering 103k, the Kerry Way Ultra Nite is one of the most difficult and yet spectacular ultra athletic events not only in Ireland, but Internationally. Starting in the village of Dromid, the 103k event follows the Kerry Way into the National Park on the outskirts of Killarney, with the final few kilometres along the picturesque River Flesk before entering the finish area at Killarney Racecourse. At 9pm on Friday night, Mairtin Savage lined up with over 100 others to follow a route through Waterville, Caherdaniel, Sneem, Templenoe, Kenmare and into Killarney. With great support from his family at the various feeding stations along the way, Mairtin emerged under the tunnel into Killarney Racecourse and over the finish line in a hugely impressive 17 hours and 58 minutes, an average of just over 10 minutes per kilometre for 103k is exceptional running [MO’S].
The Dingle Half Marathon last Saturday traversed the spectacular Dingle Peninsula. Run in conjunction with a full marathon in one of Ireland’s most beautiful locations on Slea Head, the course is designed for runners and walkers to enjoy its breathtaking scenery and beautiful rugged coastline. This is the only day in the year when vehicular traffic is removed from Slea Head immersing runners in the natural beauty of the Dingle Peninsula on the Wild Atlantic Way. 2,480 athletes finished the half marathon and Mullingar’s Susan Glennon (1:29:55), was third woman. An excellent performance in a high-quality field on a beautiful September day [MO’S].
LARCC 5k – Multyfarnham
On Sunday morning, 3 Mullingar Harriers athletes supported the great work of LARCC in their 5k run at Multyfarnham. Jason McKevitt, Orlaith Flanagan and Kieran Nolan all ran comfortably and were pleased with the race, which was a fund raiser for the cancer support service based in the village [MO’S].
Youghal Half Marathon
The Youghal Bay Half Marathon took place on 11 August with a large field of 670 athletes. Held as part of the “Youghal Festival of Sport”, this is a flat and fast multi-lap course through the Medieval streets of Youghal and the beautiful scenic Front Strand area of the town. David Riggs was on holiday in the area and decided to give the event a go. Coming home in 1:43:37 he was delighted with his efforts and now back to work in the midlands, he is looking forward to more road races in the coming months [MO’S].
Star of the Sea Cross Country
Star of the Sea A.C., based in East Meath Ireland, and now settled in the Julianstown area host their Annual Cross Country on the fourth Sunday of September each year in Greenanstown, Stamullen. Mullingar Harriers has participated over the years at all grades from juvenile to senior as a season opener for competitive cross country running. 2024 will be no different and all athletes in the club from under ten upward who have commenced cross country training at Belvedere in the past few weeks are now preparing for the Annual Cross Country Meeting in Stamullen on Sunday week, 22 September. It will provide a helpful guide to athletes and their coaches with day one of the Westmeath Cross Country Championships taking place the following Sunday, 29 September in Belvedere.
Westmeath School Cross Country Championships
The annual Westmeath Schools Cross Country Championships takes place in Belvedere on Wednesday 25 September. This is always a major event in the club calendar, and we ask that all who can volunteer that morning to inform any member of the club executive this week. Top-class cross-country races will take place that morning across all age groups covering primary and secondary schools in the county.
Book 50
Mullingar Harriers AC will celebrate 50 years in 2025. The club has established a sub-committee who are currently busily working on preparation of material. Any member of the club and our supporters should check if they have any old photos or other memorabilia over the years. It would be appreciated by the sub-committee if any such materials were made available to them in the coming weeks as they work towards finalising their document. All items made available will be returned to their owner after taking the relevant information provided. The subcommittee members are Bobbie Begley, John Mulvihill, Ciara Dillon, Patrick Muldoon, Rodney Farry, Declan Costello, and Michael O’Sullivan.
Check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com or its Facebook page for all the latest news.
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