Week ending Saturday 15th April
Busy Easter on the road for Mullingar Harriers
The prospect of a fast 5k on a two lap course starting and finishing in Kilkenny city centre attracted nearly 900 to the Streets of Kilkenny 5k last Thursday evening. Being part of the Peugeot Road Race Series, a group from Mullingar eagerly toed the line looking to earn valuable points in the Series. The race was packed with some serious talent, including Olympian Andrew Coscoran from Star of the Sea AC who won in 14 minutes 14 seconds, so it was definitely a fast course. Best of the Mullingar group was Vinny Connolly in 14 minutes 59 seconds, which was a super run. Vinny was backed up by Ian McCormack (15:57), Kris Foster (16:29) and James Cribbin (18:29) in the men’s race, and in the women’s race Mullingar’s best was Sinead Whitelaw (17:49), followed in by Aine O’Reilly (18:49), Susan Glennon (19:09) and Emer O’Hanlon (22:07). Aine was second in her master category but more importantly for Mullingar, the best 3 women and best 3 men team of Sinead, Aine, Susan, Vinny, Ian and Kris was fourth team in the Peugeot Series and the team of Sinead, Aine, Susan and Emer was third woman team, making it a very productive trip to Kilkenny.
The Annual Noel McManus Run returned to the beautiful surroundings of Lough Rynn Castle in Mohill, Co. Leitrim on a lovely mild and sunny morning last Friday. Race entrants had a choice of 5k, 10k and half marathon, and Mullingar had someone in each race, having some big performances and podium places for most. A fine field of 256 runners started the 5k and after a good run, Enda O’Carolan finished second, winning his master category, in a time of 18 minutes 3 seconds. The 10k race was a smaller affair where 118 finished, and coming in third overall and delighted to be the first woman to finish was Jenny Algar in 40 minutes 34 seconds, followed in by Michelle Bohan (41:27) sixth overall and second woman to finish, and John Meehan (43:39) tenth overall. Just 61 took on the half marathon, but that didn’t take from the competitiveness of the race and Kedagh Geoghegan was very happy to win in an excellent 1 hour 18 minutes 11 seconds. Mary Stuart (1:34:00) had to work but pulled clear in the closing stages to win her master category and Joan Hickson (1:50:10) completed the Mullingar group. Kedagh and Mary’s times were almost exactly the same time they ran the Mullingar Half only three weeks before, so they are clearly in terrific shape.
Half Marathon PB for Andrew Nevin in Berlin
We missed it in last week’s notes, but we’re glad to record a fine performance by Andrew Nevin at the Berlin Half Marathon last Sunday week. It was very cold and quite windy but despite the less than ideal conditions, Andrew wasn’t distracted from his task and carefully following his pre-race plan, was delighted to finish well up in 121st place of over 26,000 finishers in 1 hour 10 minutes 51 seconds, a new personal best by over 30 seconds. Well done Andy.
Sympathy
Finally, the Executive and members of Mullingar Harriers wish to express sincere sympathy to David Fagan and the Fagan family on the recent death of his mother, Margaret. May she rest in peace.
Check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com or its Facebook page for all the latest news.
PRO
