Week ending Saturday 2nd October
Golden International debut for Andrew Glennon
Andrew Glennon had good reason to celebrate last Saturday when he made his International debut for Ireland at the SIAB Schools T&F International in Derbyshire (England). Competing in the boys 3,000m race walk, Andrew had to dig deep in the closing laps but his class showed through and he prevailed against a late challenge to win and earn a gold medal in his first International competition, which turned out to be the only gold medal won by an Irish boy in the entire competition. In the girls 3,000m race walk, Aisling Lane also showcased her talent with a fine second place finish to take silver. Congratulations to Andrew and Aisling on these great performances, which added to the team points to place Ireland third overall.
Now that Andrew has competed for Ireland, his name will be added to the Roll of Honour in the Clubhouse, bringing the total so far up to 114 since the Club was founded in 1975. Congratulations from everyone at the Club.
Help needed for Westmeath Schools Cross Country
We know it’s a week day, but we’re appealing to Club members and friends to help out at the Westmeath Schools Cross Country this Wednesday in Belvedere. Help is needed with parking, stewarding, assembly, finish line etc, so if you can spare a few hours, please be there before 10am; everything will be finished by 2pm at the latest.
Family Mile on new all-weather track
We got the lines finished on our new track just in time for the Family Mile last Sunday morning, which was organised as part of the European Week of Sport, and supported by Sport Ireland and Athletics Ireland. This was the first time for many of our members and their families to run on the new track and to see it up close and about 200 took up the opportunity. There was a series of six one mile races, starting with the younger children and their families and moving on to races for boys and girls and for adults too, which were well supported and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Feedback on the new track was very positive and everyone agreed that it is a major boost for the Club and one we’ll enjoy for years ahead. Participants received a medal at the end of their run but if anyone missed out, please enquire at any training session.
Every Club that hosted a family mile has a chance to win up to €500 in vouchers of sports equipment for their Club. To be in with a chance to win for Mullingar Harriers, we’re asking everyone that took photographs on the day to please post them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, tagging @sportireland and @irishathletics and @athleticsireland while using the hashtag #BeActive.
Welcome return of Mullingar Half Marathon
After an absence in 2020 due to Covid-19, the Mullingar Half Marathon made a very welcome return last Saturday morning. Traditionally held on St. Patrick’s Day when wind and rain can present problems, there were no such problems this year when over 530 runners gathered in Mullingar in warm and calm conditions, ideal for running, which certainly helped many run personal best times for the distance. There was a palpable buzz of excitement in the air at the start line as many were experiencing their first proper in-person race with a large entry in a very long time, among them a strong entry of thirty from Mullingar Harriers eager to take on the 21.1km undulating course that started in Austin Friar Street, included main roads, quiet country roads and the Royal canal towpath before finishing in Mullingar town park.
By the 5k mark, the leading group was well established, led by Timmy Murphy (Mullingar Harriers) and eventual race winner Mick Fogarty (Ferbane AC) going through in 16:24 with several more in close attendance. The leaders pushed on and with 7k to go, Mick had opened a gap of 10 seconds on Timmy and continued to push hard for the finish, going on to win in 1:10:38, with Timmy second place in 1:12:17 and Paul Buckley (Ferbane AC) third in 1:13:28. Following in for Mullingar was James Keegan fifth (1:15:58), Alan Crowley nineteenth (1:20:27), Eoin Clarke twentieth (1:20:43) and Tom McGrath twenty first (1:21:19), first in his master category. In the women’s race, it was all about Aine O’Reilly who led comfortably throughout to finish strongly in 1:25:00, thirty first overall and a clear winner of the women’s race from Cora Regan (Drumshanbo AC in 1:27:01) and Cathryn Brady (Brothers Pearse AC in 1:28:19). Following in behind Aine for Mullingar was Kedagh Geoghegan (1:26:53), Stephen Naughton (1:27:56), Jenny Algar (1:30:35), Enda Seery (1:32:02), Michael Clinton (1:32:02), Mary Stuart (1:33:54) third in her master category, Michelle Bohan (1:35:11), Paul Ginnell (1:38:22), Colm Walsh (1:39:18), James Cribbin (1:41:59), Emer O’Hanlon (1:41:59), Siobhan Farry (1:42:59), Joan Hickson (1:46:07), Terri Greene (1:47:22), Caroline Mullen (1:49:53), Jason McCabe (1:50:38), Orla Ginnell (1:52:05), Jane Creevy (1:52:54), Patricia Broderick (1:52:53), Kevin O’Brien (1:53:39), Gemma Kelly (1:57:38), Emer Savage (2:07:32), Des Walsh and Geraldine Walsh. Several Mullingar Harriers were also on important pacing duties, including Andrew Nevin, Joanna Tyrrell, Ian McCormack, Evan McCormack, Bernard Groenewald, Philip Burke, Declan Costello and Eamonn O’Reilly. Congratulations to everyone who took part and to the organisers for putting on such a memorable race.
Eddie Newman boils in Berlin
The last time Eddie Newman ran the Berlin Marathon was in 2009 when he finished just 31 seconds outside the 3 hour mark. He completed 16 marathons since then, each in under 3 hours, the last 6 in under 2 hours 50 minutes, so he was fully justified to target another sub-2 hours 50 minutes finish in the Berlin Marathon last Sunday morning where he lined up with nearly 23,000 others. Running very consistently up to the halfway mark he was on target for a 2 hour 46 minute finish but the combination of high temperatures of 24degC and high humidity took its toll and he was forced to ease back a bit. Admitting that he had to dig very deep and required great mental resolve to finish, he did so in 2 hours 50 minutes 13 seconds, to place 557th overall and 6th in his master age category. If it’s any consolation to Eddie, even the elite athletes in the race were affected by the conditions and all the pre-race commentary that it would be won in a time very close to a World best came to nothing.
Irish Universities Cross Country
Normally taking place in March the Irish Universities Cross Country Championships for 2020/2021 were delayed due to Covid-19 and were held last Sunday morning at the DCU Sports Grounds in Glasnevin, Dublin in dry, mild but windy conditions. Mullingar had three men competing for the DCU team and all gave excellent accounts against some top quality opposition. Jamie Battle (14th), Colin (D) Smith (25th) and Euan Lagan (28th) were all on the scoring team for DCU that finished third team, playing a vital role in helping DCU to secure the bronze team medals.
Upcoming fixtures
This Sunday, the first day of the Westmeath Cross Country Championships will take place in Belvedere, which will be for boys and girls from under 8 to under18 years. This will be used as trials for team selections for the Leinsters. These are open races, so anyone can take part and you don’t need to be a member of a Club.
Further afield, the Belfast Marathon this Sunday will incorporate the AAI National Marathon Championships.
Check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com or its Facebook page for all the latest news.
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