Week ending Saturday 24th September
Cross country season begins this week
We’re heading into a very busy time in the coming weeks for our underage cross country runners in particular.
This Sunday, we head to Co. Meath for the Star of the Sea AC cross country meeting. Before the Covid pandemic, this was the Club’s opening cross country fixture for many years, so it’s great to see it return this year. There is a big programme of races, including juvenile races for boys and girls from under 9 years up to under 17 years, plus junior, senior and master men and women. The race distances are shorter than in Leinster cross country, so it’s an ideal fixture for newcomers, especially all those who have been training at the Club recently. There are team medals in the juvenile races, and with just three to score, given the big number of juveniles at training lately we expect to be able to field a lot of teams. All entries this year are online at My Run Results, so don’t delay submitting your entry.
The first race is at 11am, so an early start is a must and aim to be at the course by 10am to collect your race number and have time for a proper warm up. It will be the first cross country race for several of our newcomers. All are reminded to bring a packed lunch and a change of clothing, depending on the weather conditions. Also parents are advised to bring appropriate clothing and footwear.
Help needed for Westmeath Schools Cross Country
Following quickly on the heels of the Star of the Sea cross country is the Westmeath Schools Cross Country in Belvedere next week. 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.
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. Now that the course has been laid out, schools and individuals are welcome to go to Belvedere this week and have a run over the course to get the feel of it before the day.
Athletics Westmeath Cross Country
Everyone who takes part in the Schools cross country is very welcome to compete in the Athletics Westmeath Cross Country Championships. The first round on Sunday 2nd October in Belvedere at 11am is for boys and girls under 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 years. The second round will be the following Sunday 9th October also at 11am and will be for boys and girls under 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 years, and for men and women junior, senior, novice and master. Boys and girls can run in their own age group on one day and move up an age on the other day to get in some race practice.
Juvenile Club and County teams for the Leinster Championships will be picked after both rounds. There are two weeks between the Leinster Championships, so juvenile athletes run in their own age-group and can also move up an age-group to make up teams. We expect all juveniles will compete in both rounds of the Westmeath Championships or they might not be selected for teams. Remember, the Athletics Westmeath Cross Country is an open competition and you don’t have to be a member of a Club to take part.
Club Vests
A reminder to all athletes representing the Club in competition, that they must wear the Club colours. Club vests can be purchased and evening at training.
Dublin Half Marathon
The Phoenix Park was the venue for the Dublin Half Marathon last Saturday morning, an ideal opportunity for many top gauge how their training for the Dublin City Marathon in October is progressing. Conditions were perfect for running but the course was quite challenging and included lots of hills and turns to negotiate, which provided a real test for the more than 5,500 competitors. Mary Stuart continues to improve with every outing, winning her master category with a personal best time of 1 hour 28 minutes 41 seconds, a great result as she continues her marathon preparations. Orla Ginnell was happy to complete the distance in 1:48:50. In the men’s race, Kieran Nolan was very happy to finish well up overall in 1:22:40 and Murty Hanly was also happy with his 1:33:00 finish time.
Fit4Life Group returns in October
A new Fit4Life programme begins on Monday 3rd October at 7pm at the Club grounds and runs for 10 weeks at a cost of €40 per person. Fit4Life is an Athletics Ireland programme for all runners, whether a complete beginner or a regular jogger or runner. The programme helps participants to achieve improved levels of fitness and wellness within the Club structure in a fun and sociable environment. Fit4Life is for all abilities and participants will be grouped by ability for training sessions, allowing runners and walkers to train at an appropriate level. There is progression from walking to jogging to running and no previous experience is needed. Registration will be taken on the first night and don’t worry if you can’t make the first night, you can join up any Monday after then too. Check the Club’s website www.mullingarharriers.com or e-mail info@mullingarharriers.com for further details.
Road Safety
With the evenings now starting to draw in, all Club members are reminded that they 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.
Check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com or its Facebook page for all the latest news.
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