Week ending Saturday 18th August

National half marathon medals for Mullingar masters

Held in conjunction with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dublin Half Marathon last Sunday, the AAI Half Marathon Championships attracted an entry of nearly eight hundred among the huge entry for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dublin Half, which is an impressive entry for a National Championships by any measure. Starting and finishing near the historic Royal Hospital Kilmainham, the course was relatively flat throughout but two difficult climbs, the long brutal Knockmaroon Hill at 8k and the shorter but just as sharp hill near the Angler’s Rest at 16k really tested the mettle of the runners but the group from Mullingar acquitted themselves very well.

Enjoying the excellent conditions for running, if not the tough hills, first to finish for Mullingar was Eddie Newman in an impressive 1:18:03 to place third in his master category and earn an individual bronze medal. With terrific team support from David Fagan (1:32:18) and Stephen Naughton (1:37:17), the Mullingar master men placed second Club to win the silver medals. In among them was Kieran Nolan, very pleased with his fine 1:22:46 performance. There were National medals too for Geraldine Walsh (gold for first in her master category) and Des Walsh (bronze for third in his master category), so it was certainly an excellent day for Mullingar’s master athletes.

On the road

A fine clear dry evening made for perfect conditions last Friday for the Fr. Murphy AC “Streets of Athboy 5k”, an ever-growing popular event that attracted 343 finishers. Running strongly to finish sixth overall and fourth senior man, was Ian McCormack in 16:46, followed by Kieran Nolan in 17:21 to place third in his master category, with Stephen Naughton in 19:31 making up the Mullingar trio.

Billed as the jewel in the crown of road races in the West, expertly organised by Galway City Harriers AC, the “Streets of Galway 8k” in a mild but wet Galway last Saturday morning attracted over 2,500 entrants. The race started in Galway city and the route took in many of the sights of Galway, including the Spanish Arch, Eyre Square, Galway Cathedral and NUI Galway, before heading out towards Salthill and then back in the promenade along the famous Galway Bay for a fast section into the finish at Claddagh. Finishing as well up as they did, which shows that they raced it hard all the way, we doubt the Mullingar duo that ran took much notice of the scenery, but we do know that Patrick Muldoon was delighted to finish strongly in 29:33, followed by Hans de Raeymaeker in 30:17 to finish an excellent fourth place in his master category.

All roads lead to Castlepollard for Mullingar runners

This Wednesday evening all roads lead to Castlepollard for the Castlepollard 5k Road Race organized by North Westmeath AC, which starts at 8pm. Being so close to home we expect a large number of Club members will head to Castlepollard to support this very popular local fixture. Please wear your Club colours too, so we know that you are there. There will be a commemorative medal for all finishers, as always the prizes on offer are very attractive, and Mullingar athletes should feature strongly in the individual and team prizes.

Also this year there will be a 2k race for boys and girls under 16 years on part of the 5k route starting at 7.30 sharp, with cash prizes for the winners. In a change to previous years, the children’s races this year will be for boys and girls under 6, 8, 10 and 12 years and will take place on the grass on the square in the village, beginning at 7pm.

Track & field action this weekend

This coming weekend the Community Games National T&F Finals takes place at the University of Limerick. A number of the Club’s young athletes have been training all summer and will be competing for Westmeath and we wish them the very best of luck.

Also on Saturday a number of the Club’s master athletes will be competing in Tullamore at the AAI Masters T&F Championships and we wish them the very best of luck too.

For the latest results, news and details of all upcoming fixtures check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com.

PRO