Week ending Saturday 16th December 2017
All-Ireland race walk medals for Rachel Glennon & Sean McMullin
Competitors and officials had to brave the chilling cold weather in St. Anne’s Park in Raheny last Saturday morning for the AAI National 20km Race Walk Championships. Well done to Raheny Shamrock and all the officials who laid out an excellent course on the picturesque tree-lined main avenue, which really made for an enjoyable event for all. No strangers to All-Ireland success, both Rachel Glennon and Sean McMullin took bronze in the senior races, so congratulations to them.
In addition to the AAI Championships, there were some support races for juveniles over non-standard distances where Oisin Lane (1st in 7k), Matthew Glennon (2nd in 3k), and Sarah Glennon (1st in 4k) delivered some very encouraging performances.
Ballyroan 10 Mile Road Race
Nollaig McEntegart ran his last race of 2017 when he competed in the Ballyroan 10 mile road race last Saturday. Joining over two hundred others on a tough enough course in very cold but dry and calm conditions, he was very happy with his nineteenth overall placing in 64:08, to easily win his master category.
Mullingar looking to build on All-Ireland Cross Country success
Two team gold and a team silver in Abbotstown a few weeks ago places Mullingar in pole position in the overall Club standings and Mullingar will be looking to reinforce its well-earned reputation in cross country this Sunday at the AAI Novice and Juvenile Uneven Ages Cross Country Finals in Waterford IT. The Club will have over seventy athletes competing on underage teams, and will have a Novice men team too. In addition to representing Mullingar and Westmeath, a big number of our underage athletes will also be on Leinster teams. The teams for Waterford are on the notice board in the Clubhouse and on our Facebook page but if for any reason you can’t compete, please let Club officials know as soon as possible. Everyone has been training very hard in recent weeks and expectations are high of more excellent medal winning performance by our athletes in Waterford.
The first race is at 11.30am and the crowds at an All-Ireland are much larger than at Leinster, so leave in plenty of time, allow extra time for traffic and parking delays entering the venue and head straight for the Club banners between the start and finish areas to collect your race number. It will take longer to collect and sort race numbers, so we need to be at the course by 10.30am at the latest. Many competing in Waterford have decided to stay over in or near Waterford the night before. Some plan to travel on the Sunday and if they need a lift, please let Club officials know this week.
You must wear your Club vest in a Championship. Please bring water or sports drink and a light snack, wet gear and a change of clothes, suitably long spikes, and of course four safety pins for your race number (some forgot their pins at both Leinsters and in Abbotstown, despite reminders). Spectators are strongly advised to dress appropriately for the weather.
Dressing for the cold
We’re really getting a sharp reminder lately of how cold it can get at training, so it’s a good time to remind all athletes that they should wear appropriate running gear for the cold weather. Warm clothing is essential and that includes going to and from training and competition. A pair of lightweight gloves, a woolen hat and a few layers of warm clothing is all it takes. Having a warm sweat shirt, fleece or jacket for after training is especially important. Parents of younger juveniles should insist that they wear the proper clothing. Also, lightweight running tights or leggings are recommended and will give much needed protection against the cold. Athletes not properly dressed for the cold weather will not perform to their best.
Training continues each Tuesday and Thursday from the Clubhouse in Grange at 7pm and at Belvedere on Saturday or Sunday mornings at 11am if not at competition. For the latest results, news and details of all upcoming fixtures check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com.
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