Week ending Saturday 17th December
Mullingar athletes play a part in record medal haul at European Cross Country
Ireland won a record 5 medals at the European Cross Country Championships at La Mandria Park in Turin, Italy last Sunday morning to place Ireland joint second with Spain and France on the overall medal table, bettering the 3 medals won at last year’s European Cross Country in Dublin. Taking place on a very challenging tough and undulating course, Mullingar Harriers was well represented on a memorable day with Jamie Battle on the men’s u/23 team and Cormac Dalton on the senior team.
On a very successful day for the Irish teams, the u/23 team went in with high expectations as reigning European Champions. Once again, the team performed superbly and secured the bronze team medals. Jamie was fifth Irish finisher in 55th position in what was his fourth consecutive appearance at the European Cross Country. Such a level of consistency from Jamie is most deserving of another European team medal.
Cormac Dalton ran a brave race in the Senior Men’s race and was also fifth Irish finisher, in 36th place. Cormac was in his third consecutive appearance at the European Cross Country and was in his final race of the season following an excellent NCAA campaign in the US with the University of Tulsa. He was a key member of the Irish team that finished in eighth place.
It is a great honour for Cormac and Jamie to represent Ireland with such regularity at International Championships and both are great role models to the younger athletes in the Club who aspire to the same level.
Christmas holiday arrangements
This week the boys and girls that train in the 6pm groups will finish up on Thursday for a well-earned Christmas break. We’ll be holding an open day at the Club on Saturday 14 January when membership for 8, 9, 10 and 11 year old boys and girls for 2023 will be taken and they’ll return to training on Tuesday 17 January. 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.
Many of our older juvenile members are already enjoying a short break after a long cross country season and will return after Christmas to prepare for the indoor season in the New Year. Of course, many of our adult members won’t get much break at all and will continue to train through Christmas to prepare for competitions early in the New Year.
Membership for 2023
The Club’s online membership system will re-open very soon to let everyone except those aged 8, 9, 10 and 11 years of age renew their membership online for 2023. It’s important to renew as soon as possible so you are insured to train at the Club and of course to enter events like the Athletics Leinster Intermediate and Masters cross country and Juvenile cross country relays in January and the many road races that will take place over the new year period. Memberships for the youngest members will only be taken at the open day on 14 January and cannot be done online.
Sympathy
Finally, the Executive and members of Mullingar Harriers wish to express sympathy to the family of Michael (Mixie) Molloy from Keenogue, Ballymore (but formerly of Newtown, Rosemount) who died recently. Mixie was an accomplished athlete in his day and competed with Mullingar Harriers some years ago. May he rest in peace.
Check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com or its Facebook page for all the latest news.
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