Week ending Saturday 20th September

Oisin sweats it out in Tokyo steam

Due to the extreme heat and humidity being experienced in Tokyo during the World T&F Championships, World Athletics was forced to change the timetable and start the 35km racewalk half an hour earlier to try and protect the athletes from possible heat exhaustion and collapse. Such was the dangerous environment that Oisin Lane faced along with the top distance racewalkers in the World at 7.30am Tokyo time last Saturday morning.

Survival was the key word, so normal race tactics had to be abandoned by Oisin as the crowded field lined up in the Tokyo Olympic Stadium. Amazingly, from the gun the pace was very fast as the local Japanese walkers pushed hard at the front and led the field around the opening laps of the stadium and out onto the nearby road course where most of the race was held, lined by thousands upon thousands of loudly cheering Japanese fans. The tactic proved successful for one Japanese athlete but destroyed the race for his teammates and many others too. However, Oisin showed maturity beyond his years in letting them go and sticking to his planned adjusted pace and kept towards the back of the big field around the stadium and up the steep incline out of the stadium and reached 3km exactly on schedule, walking about 4:30 per km.

Oisin kept this pace all the way through the key markers at 5km, 10km, 15km, 20km and up to 25km, edging his way up the field into the top forty places, and then into the top thirty places, even placing as high as 24th for a short while. He achieved this by focusing on a precise hydration plan and constantly changing special caps containing crushed ice, as well as using frozen sponges and ice neck bands every 2km supplied from the Irish “refreshments table”.  He also maximised the general support table for athletes at every other kilometre mark.

As the second hour of the race approached, the clouds parted and everyone felt the burn of the blazing sun and humidity remained up to 90%. Unfortunately at this same time the athletes support table ran out of sponges (as well as ice for a while) and like everyone else, Oisin began to suffer and so from 25km onwards his pace dropped lap by lap as he struggled on. While his pace wilted over that last gruelling 10km, his focus and determination never waned. Lap by lap he pushed on until he got the bell and left the road to head for the Olympic Stadium and the ecstasy and relief of the finish line, which could not come soon enough for everyone. Despite the sheer exhaustion and stressful circumstances he enjoyed the unique experience and exhilaration of the final lap of the stadium in front of a fanatical crowd. To finish 28th in a torrid environment where one third of the World class field failed to finish and at the same time not receiving a single red card for any fault in technique is a magnificent tribute to Oisin’s focus, skill and personal determination. Well done Oisin [ML].

Michael O’Leary to launch 50th Anniversary Book

The club is pleased to announce that Michael O’Leary, Ryanair CEO, will officially launch our 50th Anniversary Book at the Bloomfield House on Wednesday 24 September at 7.30pm. There will be a panel discussion at the launch, and the display of a large number of photos and memorabilia capturing some of the events, activities and characters that it was just not possible to include in the book. They will be displayed on boards throughout the function room, giving attendees an opportunity to discuss characters and events over the years.

The book itself which runs to almost 500 pages captures the key achievements of the club over the period 1975 to 2025, with photo collages interspersed throughout. A historical overview of the Knockdrin Athletic Club, as well as a brief history of local athletics including of the old Mullingar Athletic Club are set out in the opening chapters. The book covers all National successes both at individual and club level through the years, with interviews and articles from athletes and members who have contributed to the club’s success. A record of all 132 International athletes, as well as the club records across the recognised T&F events are set out in the book. The book can be pre-ordered from our website and will also be available on launch night. An evening full of history awaits at Bloomfield House Hotel on Wednesday 24 September.

Help needed for Westmeath Schools Cross Country

The Westmeath Schools Cross Country takes place in Belvedere next Wednesday (24 Sept). The programme commences at 11am for the secondary schools, followed at 12 noon for the primary schools. This is an excellent introduction to running and as in previous years we expect very large numbers, especially in the primary schools races, so we’re appealing to Club members and friends that can spare a few hours from 10am to please help out. We ask that all who can volunteer to inform any member of the club executive this week. It will get very busy near start time, so we’re advising everyone attending to come early. Once it starts, things move along very quickly and we’ll be finished by 2pm.

British Masters T&F

Twenty six Irish athletes competed in the British Masters T&F at Moorways Stadium, in Derby, England, using the event as a final warm-up for the European Masters T&F in Madeira, Portugal, in October. Among the Irish group, Mullingar Harriers was represented by Aidan O’Donoghue, who competed in the discus, 200m and javelin. All three events were on the final day of three, which was last Sunday, so Aidan had a demanding schedule of three events packed into a few hours. Aidan threw a season’s best in the discus to finish in eighth place. He was competitive in the 200m, finishing outside the medals, but still happy with his performance. He finished with the javelin where he was also very happy, throwing 34.98m to finish just out of the medals in fourth place [AO’D].

Ratoath Half Marathon

The Ratoath Half Marathon last Saturday morning attracted 1,639 athletes. The race started and finished at Fairyhouse Racecourse and took a loped route through relatively flat country roads around the town. Conditions were mixed with several heavy showers during the race and a stiff breeze which was especially challenging in the unsheltered areas of the course. Seven athletes from Mullingar Harriers took part, all using the event as part of their preparation for the Dublin City Marathon. First home was James Keegan finishing well up in 1:16:02, with Andy Nevin closely behind in 1:16:23. Kedagh Geoghegan had a very steady run finishing in 1:20:11. Barry White training for his first marathon was very happy with a sub 1:40, finishing in 1:39:05, with Mark Dunne just behind in 1:39:33. Brendan Rice completed the course in 1:49:14, with Kelly Dunne finishing in 1:57:03 [MO’S].

Lahinch Half Marathon

The inaugural Lahinch Half Marathon took place in very windy and wet conditions last Sunday morning. Among the participants was Claire Lennon Gavin, who is from the area. Claire described her run as “feeling like I was going to be blown off the course while getting drowned with constant heavy showers” but considered it a great endurance test as she prepares for the Dublin City Marathon. The course followed much of the Wild Atlantic Way in the area, looping along country roads through Liscannor and the surrounding countryside, with rolling hills adding to the challenge. 300 runners completed the distance, and Claire was satisfied with her time of 1:58:00 [MO’S].

Rhode Marathon – with an add on

The Rhode Marathon, an inaugural event organised by Rhode AC, was held last Saturday morning. A request from eight Mullingar athletes preparing for the Dublin City Marathon, that a three quarter marathon be added, was enthusiastically facilitated. While over 50 completed the marathon, the organisers made the 8 from Mullingar most welcome, organising chip timing and full results, along with access to water stations along the way and a host of refreshments at the finish. Our participants and their times were Mary Stuart (2:37:12), Dara O’Shea (2:37:58), Criona Reid (2:38:00), Orla Gillespie (2:41:38), John Long (2:41:38), Joan Hickson (2:48:06), Jane Creevy (2:48:28) and Marie Louise Johnston (2:51:32). Sincere thanks to Rhode AC for generously accommodating the Mullingar athletes [MO’S].

Fit 4 Life

Fit 4 Life returns to the club next Monday evening, a 10 week programme running from Monday 29 September to Monday 8 December. The programme is for beginners and joggers adults over 18 years wishing to improve on their fitness levels. With the assistance of trained coaches, participants will build up their endurance on the all-weather track with structured training each night. Registration is from 6:45pm on 29 September and in each subsequent week the sessions begin at 7pm. An added extra this year is the involvement of McCabe’s Pharmacy who are sponsoring Fit 4 Life Nationally through Athletics Ireland clubs. They will be present at one of our sessions to provide participants with an opportunity to avail of a free health check on blood pressure, BMI and other related health matters of benefit to all involved [MO’S].

Check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com or its Facebook page for all the latest news.

PRO