Week ending Saturday 27th April
Team and individual prizes at Clara 5k
The third event in the Offaly 5k series took place in Clara last Sunday morning. With sun drenched conditions, the well organised race saw all access roads to the town closed off for the duration. Well, marshalled and with a few rolling hills to keep all 340 runners on their toes, it was an enjoyable run around the town and its surroundings. Mullingar Harriers had 12 runners who completed the race.
For our women it was a rewarding outing. Finishing second team with Ann Hall (third woman overall in an excellent 18:55), Aisling Corcoran (19:57), Mary Stuart (20:22), winning her category, as she had done only 24 hours earlier in Longford over 10k, and Orlaith Flanagan (21:47) made up the scoring four.
Eddie Newman had led the Mullingar group home in 17:41, winning his master category, and Declan Claffey (19:49), Gemma Kelly (22:32), Caroline Mullen (22:38), Brigid McCabe (23:17), Martin Mullen (24:09), Nuala Moran (24:31) and Kelly Dunne (24:51) also competed, and all were delighted with the fine spread of refreshments at the end of the race, well needed after competing in the heat of the day [MO’S].
Royal Canal Run Longford
Last Saturday saw a series of races along the greenway at Longford. An ultra marathon, marathon, half marathon and a 10k were hosted over varying loops near the town of Longford. A light breeze had a welcome cooling effect for the runners in the different events.
Three Mullingar Harriers made the short trip. Dara O’Shea was delighted to record a personal best in the half marathon and also broke the 1:30 mark, coming home in 1:29:42, an excellent fourteenth overall of more than 200 finishers. In the 10k event, which was very well supported with over 350 finishers, training partners Mary Stuart and Joan Hickson competed, Mary winning her category with a very fine 42:10, and Joan finishing fourth in her master category with 46:23, just missing a prize by only three seconds [MO’S].
Pat Finnerty 5k League
The Pat Finnerty Memorial 5k League will take place in Belvedere on three consecutive Wednesdays in May, beginning 8th May. The best two of three times count for the league, so you only have to run two of three rounds, though we’d encourage everyone to run all three. Entry is €30 for three or two nights, but if you can only run the final night, the entry fee reduces to €20 for the single race.
All proceeds will go to Tanzanian Heavenly Homes, a Mullingar-based non-profit organisation founded by John McCauley, so we’re asking everyone to sign up and support this very worthy cause. The funds will go to help the poorest people to have beds, clothes, the basic items of life. We’ll also take donations on the night for anyone that wants to give more. There will be prizes for top 3 men and women in the league, and lots of spot prizes too. The Pat Finnerty Perpetual Trophy will be presented to the first man and the first woman in the League.
Online entries are now open and can be accessed through the Event Calendar on the top banner of the Athletics Ireland website or using the link on the homepage of the Mullingar Harriers website or on the My Run Results website.
Check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com or its Facebook page for all the latest news.
PRO
