Week ending Saturday 16th September
Official Opening of the new all-weather track
This week marks a big milestone in the development of the Club when we hold the official opening of the new track on Thursday evening at 6.30pm. Since the Clubhouse was built on a greenfield site back in 1985, the Club has continued to invest and steadily improve the grounds and facilities over the years, but the construction of the all-weather six lane artificial track was by far the biggest, most ambitious and most expensive development undertaken to date. We’re honoured that John Cronin, the President of Athletics Ireland, has agreed to perform the opening ceremony and everyone associated with the Club, current and past members and generous sponsors, is invited to attend and witness this memorable occasion and to stay on for some light refreshments after in the Clubhouse.
Westmeath Schools cross country in Belvedere
The Westmeath Schools Cross Country is only two weeks away, which means we have only two weeks to get everything ready, and top of the list of jobs to do is to lay out the course. This weekend we’re looking for a bit of muscle to help put together the course in Belvedere, particularly the start and finish areas. The more help we have, the quicker we’ll get the job done. If you can spare a couple of hours, please let Margaret, Greg, Vera or Declan know at training this week.
Important cross country dates
Just before the Westmeath Schools Cross Country in Belvedere in two weeks, we’ll open the cross country season in Co. Meath on Sunday 24th September at the Star of the Sea AC open cross country, which has been our traditional season-opener for many years. It’s a lovely low-key event but perfect practice for newcomers in particular ahead of the Westmeath and Leinster cross country.
After that, we’re into Championships proper with the Athletics Westmeath cross country over two days in Belvedere on Sunday 1st October (juvenile even ages and adults) and Sunday 8th October (juvenile uneven ages), which will be used as trials for team selections for the Leinsters. They’re followed by the Autumn Open in Abbottstown, Dublin on Sunday 15th where a number of the Club’s u/20 and senior athletes will be looking to put down an early marker as they track towards the European cross country in December. The Autumn open also includes the trials for the British and Irish Masters International in Scotland in November. The Open will be preceded by the AAI National Juvenile Cross Country Relays and we hope to enter strong teams in each age group.
The Leinster novice, u/20 and juvenile even ages will take place on Saturday 21st October in Mountain View Golf Club in Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny, followed by the Leinster senior and juvenile uneven ages two weeks after on Saturday 4th November at a venue to be confirmed.
Further ahead, the All-Ireland senior, u/20 and juvenile even ages will be held in Gowran, Co; Kilkenny on Sunday 19th November and the All-Ireland novice & juvenile uneven ages will take place on Sunday 3rd December at a venue to be confirmed.
We’re heading into a very busy time in the coming weeks for our underage cross country runners in particular, so it’s particularly important to put the work in now training on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Club and in Belvedere on Sunday mornings.
Club Vests
A reminder to all athletes representing the Club in competition, that they must wear the Club colours. Club vests can be purchased and evening at training.
Fit 4 Life to return in October
Finally, a heads up that a new 10 week Fit 4 Life training block will commence on Monday 2nd October at the Club grounds. We’ll have more details next week.
Check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com or its Facebook page for all the latest news.
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