Week ending Saturday 29th August
World Master Gold for Sean McMullin
Among over 6,000 athletes from 105 Countries at the World Masters T&F Championships in Daegu, South Korea is a team of 28 master athletes from Ireland, including Sean McMullin who competed in the 10k race walk last Saturday morning. Despite the early 9am start, it was already over 30degC and the humidity was a sticky 90%. Sean’s race included athletes from seven age categories, so a very big field of 72 athletes toed the line. Unfazed, and drawing on his vast experience in International competition, Sean knew to focus on his own race and only those in his own age category and he set about the task with his usual determination. The judges were busy, with four disqualifications, and as a measure of how tough the hot and humid conditions were, fifteen couldn’t finish the race, many a lot younger than Sean, but Sean is made of stern stuff and after a terrific well-paced race he crossed the finish line in 1:15:17 to win his master age category by over 16 minutes, a truly dominant performance, adding yet another World Masters title to his very large collection of titles. Sean will be back in action in the 20k race walk this coming Saturday, looking to add to his medal tally [GD].
On the road
A huge field of 654 athletes completed the Celbridge AC 5k last Thursday evening. Run in showery conditions, the course was largely flat but with a steep incline after 2k and a nice downhill in the final kilometre. Enda Seery was the sole participant from Mullingar Harriers, recording a time of 17:42 (MO’S).
The third night of the Longford 5k trail series took place last Wednesday evening with Derrycassin Woods the host venue on this occasion. Mullingar had five athletes competing in the field of 112, led home by Darragh O’Donoghue in a fine fourth place with a time of 20:11. Finishing well up in seventeenth place overall and third woman to finish was Maura Dervin in 22:13. Following her in was Kieran Dodrill (22:34), Therese Glynn (22:58) and Aidan O’Donoghue in 26:31 (MO’S).
On a course traversing the roads around Kilcock, with the start and finish in the town, the St. Coca’s AC 10 mile took place last Sunday week (16 Aug). Described as mildly challenging, with the occasional steep climb, followed by some long stretches interspersed with a few downhills, 431 runners completed the distance, including five from Mullingar Harriers. Kris Foster was first Mullingar man home, running a time of 56:22. Johnny Morrissey won a great battle with fellow Harrier, Alan Crowley, running a time of 57:29, just 5 seconds clear of Alan in 57:34. Rachel Killalea completed the run in 1:13:24, and Joan Hickson covered the distance in 1:54:05 (MO’S).
Last Sunday week (16 Aug) also saw the final race in this year’s Healthy Offaly 5k series, when the Birr 5k was held on a dry and humid morning with little wind. Among the 293 runners, Mullingar Harriers was represented by four members, one recording a podium position. Eddie Lynch was first in his master category with a time of 18:47, Kieran Nolan completed the distance in 19:37, Conleth Mullen was delighted with a personal best and dipped under 20 minutes, recording a time of 19:48, and Martin Mullen completed the quartet from Mullingar and ran a time of 25:10 (CM).
Want to try Race Walking?
A new race walking training group for adults is being launched at Mullingar Harriers AC and is open to both club members and non-club members alike. Beginning on Friday 4 September, anybody interested in learning the sport is welcome to attend. The sessions, aimed at total beginners, will start at 7pm and last for one hour each week. There’s no need to pre-register, and if you’re interested or even just curious, simply come along at 7pm and try it out.
Earlier this year it was announced that the 2028 European Masters Athletics Non-Stadia Championships will be held in Galway. The event includes 10k and 20k race walk competitions. A number of club members have competed in International Masters Championships and can confirm that very few Irish walkers travel to these events. This presents problems when trying to create teams in each age group, but creates an opportunity for new athletes to race for Ireland.
Learning to race walk and gradually building fitness before May 2028 introduces a fantastic opportunity for athletes to compete for Ireland right here on home soil. There is no pressure to do so, but the club’s coaches will see to it that anybody wishing to pursue this discipline will be given the necessary guidance to participate in race walking competitions.
Mullingar Harriers AC has a rich history in race walking and in 2026 alone club members have won National titles at Senior, under 20, Masters, University, School and Juvenile levels. The club has also been represented in race walking this year at the European T&F in Birmingham (England), the European under 18 T&F in Rieti (Italy), the World Race Walking Team Championships in Brasilia (Brazil), the European Masters Indoors in Torun (Poland) and the World Masters T&F in Daegu (South Korea).
With a wealth of experienced athletes and coaches, Harriers are looking to grow their masters race walking squad and want both runners and non-runners to try and learn the sport. The training will begin at a complete introductory level and help walkers become proficient in the race walking technique.
Cross country season on the horizon
With September nearing, it’s only four weeks to the start of the cross country season. Our juvenile squads continue their preparations on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the club, as well as Sunday mornings at Belvedere. Our adult group will commence their cross-country training at Belvedere very soon.
Important dates for the diary
Please take note of the following important cross country dates. Westmeath Schools in Belvedere (23 Sept) and the Star of the Sea AC Open in Co. Meath (27 Sept). Further ahead we’ll have Athletics Westmeath in Belvedere on Saturday 3 October and Sunday 11 October, followed by Athletics Leinster in Co. Kildare (24 Oct) and Co. Kilkenny (7 Nov).
Sympathy
Finally, the Executive and members of Mullingar Harriers wish to extend sincere sympathy to Andy Boyhan, Paddy Boyhan and the entire Boyhan and Elliott families on the recent death of Louise Elliott (nee Boyhan) a first cousin to Andy and a niece to Paddy. Louise was an accomplished athlete and competed with distinction with Mullingar Harriers for many years from underage level to senior, making her International debut in 2004. May Louise 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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