Week ending Saturday 21st October
Good showing by Mullingar at Autumn Open
Early morning frost and fog gave way to a beautiful day last Sunday for the first big cross country fixture of the season, the Autumn Open International Cross Country Festival, which was held at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown, Co. Dublin. The races incorporated the trials for the Irish Masters team to compete at the British and Irish Masters International Cross Country in Glasgow in November, and Mullingar had a number of its master athletes in action vying for selection on the Irish teams. Even though the Dublin Cross Country Championships and the National Inter-Club Juvenile Relays were held over the same course in the morning, they had little impact on the ground and underfoot conditions were perfect for the afternoon Autumn Open races.
The programme consisted of three races. The first race was the 6,000m for senior and master women, and for master men over 65 years of age. Maura Dervin put in a great effort over the three laps and finished sixth in her master category, possibly good enough to secure a place on the Irish team, but she’ll have to await the decision of the selectors this week. No stranger to International competition, Sean McMullin was very satisfied with his performance and finished second in his master category to secure automatic selection on the Irish masters team.
The second race was the 8,000m for senior men and master men up to 64 years of age. Among the huge entry was one senior man and three master men from Mullingar. Four laps of the tough Abbottstown course was a real test of strength but the Mullingar men proved up to the task and all performed really well. First home from Mullingar was Alan Crowley, finishing strongly but unfortunately not high enough in his master category to earn selection. Following just seconds behind was Gerard Gavin placing seventh in master category, which might not be enough for selection but must await the decision of the selectors. Next to finish was Kris Foster, happy with his performance in the senior race. Following him in was Eddie Newman. Eddie’s birthday at the end of the month will see him move up an age category, in time for the International in November, so while technically finishing eighth in his current master category he would have been joint first in his new category, which should secure his selection for the Irish team. Liam McGlynn completed the Mullingar quartet and was very satisfied with his race.
The final race of the afternoon was the Autumn Open Experience, a 4,000m race to give a taste of cross country running for newcomers, or for others who have raced cross country before, a chance to compete over the course that was used for the European Cross Country in 2022. One of these latter athletes was Linda Cunningham who finished well up and was delighted with her performance.
Excellent 10k by Elizabeth Carr
The An Cosantóir 10k was held in the Phoenix Park last Wednesday afternoon. An Cosantóir is the official magazine of the Defence Forces. Open to all ranks of the Permanent and Reserve Defence Forces, staff from the Department of Defence, and retired and invited personnel, the race attracted a big entry of nearly 350. Finishing strongly and well up in twelfth place overall, and first woman by over 5 minutes, was our own Elizabeth Carr with an excellent time of 36 minutes 14 seconds, a noteworthy time given the tough course in the Park. Elizabeth led her team of four, the other three were men, to second team. Well done to Elizabeth on an excellent performance and also for showing that it’s possible to mix a busy military career with competitive racing.
Help needed for Westmeath Schools Cross Country
The re-scheduled Westmeath Schools Cross Country will take this Wednesday in Belvedere. The programme commences at 11am for the secondary schools, followed at 12 noon for the primary schools. This is an eagerly awaited event for many school children in Westmeath and as in previous years we expect very large numbers, especially in the primary schools races.
It will get very busy near start time, so we’re advising everyone attending to come early. A big turnout is expected, so if any Club members or friends can spare a few hours from 10am to help out, it would be greatly appreciated. Everything will done and dusted and the last race will be well over by 2pm.
On the Road
Settled well in Toronto, Canada for over a year now, Amy Mahony has continued to keep up her training and was delighted to finish the Toronto Half Marathon last Sunday morning in 1 hour 30 minutes 49 seconds, which is a new personal best for the distance. Amy is proud of her home Club and flew the flag for Mullingar Harriers by wearing her Club vest in the race. Congratulations to Amy from everyone at Mullingar Harriers.
A bit nearer to home, Brendan Rice ran in the Amsterdam Marathon last Sunday morning alongside 20, 000 other runners. He ran a little too fast in the first 10k and had to ease back, especially for his last 10k, but as a first marathon having just joined the Club earlier this year Brendan was happy overall with his race and his finish time of 4 hours 24 minutes 27 seconds. There was also a Half Marathon where Ray Smith finished in a good 2 hours 4 minutes 26 seconds.
Attention turns to Leinster Cross Country
This coming Saturday, the Leinster Novice, under 20 and Juvenile Even Ages Cross Country Championships take place in Mountain View Golf Club, Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny. Mullingar will have teams in every age group and has entered a huge squad of nearly 100 Club members ranging from eleven years of age up to novice, with a few athletes from Athlone AC helping to make up Westmeath teams.
Juveniles can only move one age group in cross country, so under 11 can run under 12, but under 10 cannot run under12. The under 10 athletes will get their first taste of Leinster Championship racing in the under 11 race in Dunboyne, Co. Meath three weeks from now. If for any reason you cannot compete in Kilkenny, please let Club officials know as soon as possible. This is the first major fixture of the season and a big crowd is expected. Newcomers in particular are reminded that as this is a Championship they must wear a Club vest (buy one at training this week or borrow one). Please bring a change of clothes, a packed lunch, water or sports drink, four safety pins for your race number and check that you have at least 9mm spikes in your running shoes. St. Senan’s AC is the host for the Championships and before the main events, there will be 1,000m races for girls and boys under 10 for any younger siblings attending; there is no need to pre-register for the races, just turn up on the line ready to run. The girls race will be at 11am, followed by the boys race at 11.10am. The first Championship race proper, the girls under 12, will start promptly at 11.30am, followed by the rest of the underage races in quick succession and the programme will conclude with the novice races.
There will be a very large attendance from all across Leinster and you are advised to allow extra time for traffic delays entering the venue in order to arrive early and get to know the course. We’d advise aiming to get to Mountain View by 10.30am at the latest.
Club Vests
A reminder to all athletes representing the Club in competition, that they must wear the Club colours. Club vests can be purchased any evening at training.
Road Safety
A reminder, that with the evenings now drawing in very quickly, all Club members must wear reflective clothing when running on the road. That includes all who use our Club grounds and who run from the Clubhouse on training nights. Safety is a must at all times.
Sympathy
The Executive and members of Mullingar Harriers wish to express sincere sympathy to Kevin O’Brien and the O’Brien family on the recent death of his father, Larry, grandfather to Lisa. 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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