Week ending Saturday 23rd December

World and European Racewalk Standards for Oisin Lane

The World Athletics Tour arrived in Dublin last Sunday with racewalkers from 3 continents representing 18 different countries all aiming for World Ranking points. Prior to the race Oisin Lane ranked about twentieth on the Senior Men 20k entry list but he did not let this distract him as he stuck to his planned strategy of graduated progression over the duration of the event. A steady breeze with strong gusts prevailed in the scenic St. Anne’s Park in Raheny, so this proved a wise strategy, especially as it was his first race since winning a medal in the National Senior Championships five months ago. With an opening 5k of 21:13, followed by 21:10 to reach 10k in 42:23, Oisin then gradually increased the tempo over the next 5k, covering it in 21:03. He then drove hard for home covering the last 5k in 20:43 and a second 10k of 41:50, which was technically a personal best for 10k. His finishing time of 1 hour 24 minutes 13 seconds gave him a magnificent sixth place and comfortably qualified Oisin for the World Team Racewalking Championships to be held in Turkey at the end of April 2024. This result also earned him valuable Ranking Points for the T&F Majors next summer and also got him inside the AAI Qualifying Standard for the European Senior T&F Championships in Rome next June. Oisin can now work on continuing to build his winter base in anticipation of the taking on the World’s best in 2024.

Also, in the Senior Men 20k, Clubmate Matthew Glennon was delighted to get back racing having had some training setbacks in recent months and put in a solid effort to finish in 1 hour 32 minutes 27 seconds, and more importantly finish healthy and now ready to progress with some much-needed warm weather training in early January. Racewalking can sometimes be classed as a “family affair” and this was very evident in Raheny because while the Club’s senior walkers were facing the challenges of a 20k, their younger underage siblings were making it known that they are waiting to take them and the World on as Oisin’s sister Aisling and Matthew’s younger brother Andrew each comfortably won their respective under 20 races held over 10k. As the competitions incorporated the under 20 National 10k Road Racewalking Championship, then Aisling (with a new personal best of 52 minutes 52 seconds) and Andrew can be happy to finish the year with each being crowned National Under 20 Road Racewalk Champions.

Mullingar Harriers was also well represented in the 10k Masters Championships by both Colm Walsh and Sean McMullin. Club coach Colm clearly demonstrated that his coaching strategies are a winner by taking first place in his age category. Not to be out-done, the greatly experienced Sean showed his experience by also finishing a comfortable first in his age category. The club was also ably represented in the Open Juvenile events held in conjunction with the big International by first young Daniel Glennon who had an emphatic win in the under 16 boys 3k in a really fast time of 14 minutes 40 seconds. Well done Daniel, this is a really excellent result. Then finally young Maisie Walsh made her debut in open racewalking competition in the under 10 girls 500m where she was a most impressive second. The family traditions definitely look set to keep continuing!

Fit 4 Life

Our autumn Fit 4 Life programme came to an end last Monday night. Torrential rain and a strong head wind on the back straight greeted the participants on the final night of the 10-week programme when everyone took to the track to complete what for many was their first ever 5k.

Despite the conditions there was great resilience shown by everyone. Running at their respective paces, and encouraged all the way by our coaches, all 27 who ventured out were pleased to get through the 5k. Indeed, we had an exceptional front runner in Roisin Fay who became our fastest ever debutant from the Fit 4 life programme to run the distance in under 24 minutes. In fact, Roisin came home in a very fine time of 21 minutes 30 seconds. Fit 4 Life is for people of all ages and to encourage participants to get back to or start physical activity. Everyone who completed the 10-week course achieved their individual targets.

A new Fit4Life programme will commence in January. Some of those who participated during the past 10 weeks will return, while others have expressed an interest in moving on to join the adult group in the Club. Full details of the next programme, which will commence on Monday 8th January 2024 at the Club, will be announced early in January.

Membership for 2024

Thanks to those that have paid their membership for 2024 already. The online membership system is open for everyone (except those aged 8, 9, 10 and 11 years of age) to pay their membership for 2024. It’s important to pay 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. Membership for the youngest members will be taken at the open day on 20th January and cannot be done online.

Christmas greetings to all members and friends of Mullingar Harriers

Finally, the officers of the Club extend Christmas greetings to all members and former members of the Club, particularly those returning home to Mullingar for Christmas. Also to the very many people who helped in any way during the year, especially our sponsors, the local press, all our volunteers, our groundsman for all his work maintaining the Clubhouse and grounds and to the Principal and Board of Management of Mullingar Educate Together National School for the use of their car park on training nights.

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

PRO