Week ending Saturday 6th January 2018
Mullingar athletes very busy on the roads over the Christmas period
While most of the Club’s victorious underage cross country squads took a well earned break over the Christmas and New Year holiday period, our adult members were extremely busy running off any Christmas overindulgence by competing in road races in Galway, Meath, Longford, and nearer to home in Kilbeggan.
After a difficult summer hampered by injury, Eddie Newman was delighted to be back competing again at one of the top road races in the country, the Fields of Athenry 10k, which took place on St. Stephen’s Day. Organised by local club Athenry AC, this ever-popular annual race attracted nearly 1,100 entrants. Running in very cold conditions, Eddie finished an impressive 23rd overall in 36:04, winning his master age category with ease by nearly three minutes. Well done to Eddie on his winning return to competitive racing.
A regular favourite of Mullingar athletes and a great way to run off the Christmas turkey and pudding, the annual “Shane Brennan 5k” on St. Stephen’s Day, a charity event for MS Therapy this year organised by Fr. Kieran McGovern, a long time friend of Mullingar Harriers, attracted nearly 370 finishers including a small group from the Club, with most of them getting in the prizes. Leading the Mullingar group home was Oisin Lane in ninth place in 17:56, winning a prize for first junior man, followed by Liam Woods (19:07), second in his master age category, Aine O’Reilly (19:20), third woman to finish, Matt Glennon (20:53), first in his master age category, Susan Glennon (20:53), first junior woman, Andrew Glennon (21:42), Sarah Glennon (22:34), third junior woman, Nicky McCabe (23:37), first in his master age category, Aisling Lane, Eamonn O’Reilly and PJ Ballesty.
The Kilbeggan 6k in aid of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin on St. Stephen’s Day attracted a huge entry of 324 runners and walkers from far and wide looking to work off the Christmas excesses and support a worthy cause into the bargain. Leading the field home in first place was Johnny Daly (19:26), followed by Malcolm McDonnell in fourth place (19:48), first in his master category, then fellow Club members Lorcan Mullen (22:36), first junior man, Kieran Nolan (22:44), Nollaig McEntegart (23:49), first in his master category, Sean Liston (24:59), Gillian Walsh (26:10), Criona Reid (28:14) and Mervyn Kennedy (28:34). A local race like this deserves local support and it was good to see Mullingar Harriers out in good numbers.
The Rita and Robbie 5k organized by Navan AC last Wednesday attracted a large crowd of nearly 350 finishers who competed in very cold but sunny conditions in a fund raiser for Claremont stadium. This year’s race changed its name from the Robbie Byrne 5k to the Rita and Robbie 5k in memory of the late Rita Brady who was an integral part of Athletics not only in Navan but also in County Meath. Among the big entry was Mullingar’s Pauric Brady who finished 16th in 18:24, so was very pleased with his race.
Now an established race that continues to grow in popularity, the Ardagh 10 mile last Sunday drew an entry of 152, despite the bitter cold and wet weather and a course that included a brutal Category 5 hill – a long steady climb to sap the energy of the best! Never one not to race in his Club colours, Eddie Newman had to make an exception because he was suffering from a heavy head cold and opted to dress up extra warm as a precaution. Despite the extra layers he still managed an excellent fourth place finish, just outside the hour mark by one second and comfortably winning his master age category to continue his return to racing form. Following in behind was Kieran Nolan in sixth place (62:53), Joan Flynn (66:50), second woman to finish, Enda Seery (70:35) and Michael O’Sullivan (75:48), first in his master age category. Well done to them all and we know they were relieved to finish and get out of the cold and enjoy the post-race refreshments in the comfort and warmth of the Community Hall.
Annual General Meeting
The Club’s Annual General Meeting will be held in the Annebrook Hotel, Mullingar on Friday 19th January at 8pm. We hope see all our adult members attend and also the parents of the very many underage athletes who receive training, coaching and guidance throughout the year. The meeting will take about an hour and a half and we urge everyone to show your appreciation of the work being done at the Club by attending the AGM. Refreshments will be served after the meeting.
For the latest results, news and details of all upcoming fixtures check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com. You can also follow what is happening at the Club on our Facebook page.
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