Week ending Saturday 3rd May
Medals galore in Raheny
The “Battle of Clontarf” 10 Mile Race, which incorporated the Athletics Leinster 10 Mile Championship, took place last week on Easter Monday. Hosted by Raheny Shamrock AC, St. Anne’s Park was once again the scenic location for this annual event. Over 360 competitors took to the start line in ideal racing conditions and Mullingar Harriers had a fine representation of 12 athletes in contention for medals. Alan Crowley had the signal honour of leading the Mullingar squad home in a time of 61:28, followed by Eddie Newman in 61:43, winning the Leinster gold medal in his master category, then Eoin Clarke in 61:59 and Evan McCormack recording 64:46. Criona Reid led the women’s team home in 69:24, earning herself a Leinster silver medal in her master category. Following closely was Patrick Muldoon (69:42), Aideen Tansey making her 10 mile debut in a fine time of 69:52 and Eva McMorrow Byrne (72:28) delighted with a huge personal best for the distance. Providing what would prove to be a crucial score for the men’s team, Barry White finished strong in 75:15. Next to finish was Linda Cunningham (77:49), followed by Caroline Mullen (79:43) and Gemma Kelly (80: 22) providing a vital scorer for the women’s team. While we could celebrate the individual medals won by Eddie and Criona, it was very close for Eoin, Aideen and Eva who all placed fourth in their respective master categories.
When the team scores were sorted, the master women team of Criona, Eva and Linda finished first Club and the master men team of Alan, Eddie and Eoin came close, finishing fourth Club, just out of the medals places. With strength in numbers and six to score on County teams, when all our athlete’s scores were combined, both the women team and the men team finished a very impressive third Senior County, so everyone from Mullingar earned Leinster medals for their efforts. These were superb results over a demanding, twisting course and we look forward to the Leinster Novice and Masters Road Championships in Gowran this coming Saturday [LC].
Longford Royal Canal Racing Festival
The Royal Canal at Longford was the venue for a festival of running last Saturday morning. On a 5.2k loop with a combination of tarmac and gravel surfaces along the canal banks, an 53k Ultramarathon, a traditional Marathon, a Half Marathon and a 10k were held. It was a dry but overcast morning, and with little breeze, temperatures rose as the morning progressed. The well stocked feeding stations with water and fruit were a great support for the athletes.
In the half marathon, wife and husband partnership of Niamh Doherty and Joe Doherty ran steadily together throughout. In a field of 221 runners, Niamh was aiming for a sub 1 hour 40 minutes, and with the support of Joe was pleased to come home in 1:39:26, with Joe finishing in 1:39:34.
In the 10k race, 340 runners took part. Among them were Evan McCormack who was always in the leading group and while having to let two of those move away from him in the last kilometre, he was pleased with third place in 38:23. Mick Fagan had a fine run just off the leaders and came through for fifth place in 40:09. Mary Stuart continued her regular racing schedule and came home fifteenth overall, fourth woman to finish, in 43:16. Grainne Feely was next home for Mullingar Harriers in 46:31, and Aisling Farrell (46:47) and Joan Hickson (48:02) were also pleased with their performances [MO’S].
Team and individual prizes at Rhode 5k
The Rhode 5k, the fourth round of the Healthy Offaly 5k series was held last Sunday morning. A field of 334 runners descended on the Offaly town in overcast but dry conditions. The runners faced a stiff headwind over the opening 2k or so, before turning right to run parallel with the Grand Canal for just over 1k and then turning back on to the well packed gravel canal path. The changing landscape to the left showing the emerging wind turbines on the cutaway bogs in contrast to the stillness of the canal, but not too many runners could really enjoy the scenery before emerging back onto the road with just 800m to run. Seven of the 18 strong Mullingar Harriers contingent were up front all through the race and in the final push for the finish line it was Vinny Connolly who showed his class coming home a clear winner in 15:28, with Dan Morris third in 15:44, Kevin Moore fifth in 16:12 and the men’s Club Captain Ian McCormack sixth in 16:17 to complete the Mullingar men team that comfortably finished first Club.
James Keegan was next home in 16:18, followed by Kris Foster (16:47), just ahead of Paul O’Reilly (16:49) second in his master category. Mark Ronan ran 17:37 with Enda Seery coming home in 18:16. Unfortunately Eddie Newman had to pull up with a muscle twinge mid-way through the race, Eddie Lynch was a clear winner in his master category in 18:49, but Jason McKevitt just missed a podium finish in his master category coming home in 19:13, as did Kieran Nolan with a finishing time of 19:28. Conleth Mullen with 19:57 was the thirteenth runner from Mullingar Harriers to come home in sub-20 minutes. Aisling Corcoran won her master category with 20:07, followed by Dean Keogh (20:12), Joe Curley (20:36) and Maura Dervin (21:02) winning her master category, followed by Michael O’Sullivan finishing in 26:46 [MO’S].
London Marathon
The 45th staging of the London Marathon last Sunday morning saw a huge field of over 57,000 runners take to the city streets and roads around central London, a record number in any city marathon in the World. Among them was Declan Costello who had endure very warm conditions and was very pleased to finish in 4:35:10 [MO’S].
Connemara Half Marathon
The annual Connemara Half Marathon last Sunday morning took place along with an Ultra Marathon and a Marathon. Staged in the dramatic setting of mountains, glacier lakes and a rugged green-brown landscape in wind and rain around the challenging mountain wilderness of Connemara, it was not for the faint hearted. The course meandered past bogs, hills, lakes, and the Twelve Pin mountains rising up over the great expanse of Killary Lough, through the quiet village of Leenane, around the Maam Turk Mountains and all the way back up to Maam Cross.
Ciaran Mulkerrins and Brendan Rice braved the elements first as they took part in the Ultramarathon, in a total field of 167 runners. 64k through hills, valleys and varying terrain in wind and constant rain, 150 saw it through to the finish. Ciaran had a terrific effort holding a top 10 position for much of the race and eventually finishing thirteenth in an excellent time of 5 hours 39 minutes 5 seconds, having gone through the marathon distance in 3 hours 40 minutes. Brendan battled through, finishing in 7 hours 27 minutes 47 seconds, averaging 7 minutes per kilometre in the most difficult conditions imaginable and while exhausted, was very pleased with his run.
Eight athletes from Mullingar Harriers toed the line for the half marathon among over 1,400 others. Despite the very difficult weather conditions, all expressed satisfaction in braving the difficult elements. First home was Caroline Mullen in 1:54:00, followed by Martin Mullen (1:56:57). Terri Greene came through the finish line in 2:04:27 with Ray Smyth home in 2:10:23, followed by Joanna Tyrrell (2:12:57), Pauline Troy (2:14:38), Sorcha Hennessy Silke (2:16:37) and Michelle Kavanagh (2:30:21) [MO’S].
Westmeath Road Championships
The annual Westmeath Road Championships take place this year on the Park Run course at the Greenway this Wednesday evening (30 April). Race distance is 8k, with a small 3k loop followed by the 5k Park Run route. Registration will be taken on the night, and with gold, silver and bronze medals on offer for senor and masters over 35 to over 70, there will be plenty of opportunities to gain a Westmeath Championship medal in the different categories. Entry is open to all runners residing in the county from age 16 upwards. The race starts at 7pm.
Important dates for your diary
Please make a note of the following important events that will be taking place in late summer and in the autumn. The MHAC Dysart 4 Mile Classic Road Race on Tuesday August 5, the launch of our 50th Anniversary Book on Wednesday September 24, and our 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner on Saturday November 29. Mark these dates in the your diary now. Details will follow in the coming weeks and months.
May Committee Meeting
The May meeting of the committee will be held next Tuesday 6th May in the Clubhouse at 8.20pm after training. There’s a full agenda and a full attendance is requested.
Sympathy
Finally, the Executive and members of Mullingar Harriers wish to extend sincere sympathy to Breege Lennon (née Kilgannon) on the recent death of her mother, Philomena. The Kilgannon family were members of the Club many years ago when Breege’s late father, Joe, was based in Mullingar Garda Station. Breege won many National Juvenile titles in race walking in the early years of the Club and made her International debut in 1980. RIP Philomena.
Check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com or its Facebook page for all the latest news.
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