Week ending Saturday 7th September
Delaney Trophy for Mullingar Harriers Ladies Team
The Bord na Mona Tullamore Harriers AC Half Marathon last Saturday, which incorporated the Leinster Half Marathon was the major road racing event at the weekend. The half marathon started from the Tullamore Harriers Stadium, taking in a scenic route through Mucklagh, Killurin and Cloonagh before finishing with a lap of the stadium track. The course is generally flat and best described as undulating with some gently rolling hills along the way.
With the entire country enjoying a belated summer’s day of warm sunshine, there was a downside for the athletes. The Mullingar Harriers competing and indeed several others spoken to, remarked on the difficulty caused by the heat, with several having to slow and take in extra hydration in the latter stages of the race. It proved a very successful event for the 39 Mullingar Harriers athletes who were part of a huge field of 1,162 finishers. Pride of place to our women team of Mary Stuart (1:29:56), Criona Reid (1:32:33), Jacintha Reilly (1:33:13) and Aisling Corcoran (1:34:25) who combined to win the coveted Phyllis Delaney Trophy for first women team. Mary, Criona and Jacintha also took gold for first senior women team in the Leinster Championships. There was further success for Mary, Criona, Jacintha and Aisling, when they took silver along with Therese Hughes (1:27:49) and Monika Dealmeida (1:36:47), both of Athlone AC in the Leinster County senior category.
Our master women over 50 team took bronze in the club category with Caroline Mullen (1:47:02), Michelle O’Halloran (1:51:38) and Anna Redmond (2:05:09), while Caroline combined with Lisa O’Rourke (1:38:59) and Julie Maguire (1:46:57), both of Athlone AC and Elaine Cooney of Coralstown Kinnegad AC to take gold in the master women over 50 county category. Mary Stuart won gold in her individual master category as well as gold in her Leinster category, and Criona Reid won gold in her individual Leinster category.
Our men team took bronze in the club category, with Eddie Newman (1:20:11), Eoin Clarke (1:20:41), Alan Crowley (1:21:24) and Tony Doran (1:22:32). In the Leinster Championship, Eddie, Eoin and Alan combined to take bronze in the master men over 35 club category. The silver medal for second club master men over 50 in Leinster went to Mullingar Harriers, with Gerard Gavin (1:23:39), James Cribben (1:27:11) and Mark Geoghegan (1:28:57). The bronze medal for third County over 35 went to Westmeath with Eddie, Eoin, Alan and Gerard joined by Jim Whelehan (1:19:40) from Coralstown Kinnegad AC and Sebastian Sokolowski (1:20:49) from Athlone AC. There was gold for Eddie and Gerry who combined in the master men over 50 County category with Jim Whelehan and David Watson (1:26:19) from Athlone AC. Eddie Newman won gold in his individual master category and gold in his Leinster category, and Gerard Gavin was a silver medal winner in his Leinster category.
Our other athletes to compete in Tullamore were Ollie Geoghegan (1:24:54), Enda Seery (1:28:55), Darren Carroll (1:28:55), Dara O’Shea (1:29:26), Tommy Byrne (1:31:22), Evan McCormack (1:32:39), Enda O’Carolan (1:33;14), Orla McLaughlin (1:35:02), Kieran Dodrill (1:38:04), Mark Dunne (1;38:53), John Long (1:38:52), Therese Glynn (1:38:41), John McNamara (1:40:33), Marie Louise Johnson (1:41:42), Linda Cunningham (1:43:14), Zane Smukste (1:43:37), Gemma Kelly (1:44:42), Aisling Farrell (1:45:01), Lorraine Claffey (1:45:10), Brendan Rice (1:51:50), Ray Smyth (1:57:59), Martin Mullen (2:00:41), Kevin O’Brien (2:02:26), Rodney Farry (2:03:05) and Joan Mulvihill (2:05:24) [MO’S].
Breast Cancer Ireland Very Pink Run
Over the weekend Breast Cancer Ireland ran their annual Very Pink Runs in Leopardstown Racecourse with further events in Kilkenny and Cork to follow. Five members from Mullingar Harriers thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and all aspects of the 5k at Leopardstown on Saturday morning, while raising funds for the vital work of Breast Cancer Ireland. Over five thousand ran the 5k at midday on Saturday with Joanna Tyrell, Marna Groenewald, Michelle Kavanagh, Ger Langtry and Pauline Troy the five from Mullingar Harriers taking part. After the run they made their way to the Forty Foot for a traditional dip in the sea and had a most enjoyable evening [MO’S].
Cross Country Season Beckons
With September in only a short few weeks to the start of the cross country season. Our juveniles continue their preparations on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the club, as well as Sunday mornings at Belvedere. Our adult group commence their cross-country training at Belvedere from this Saturday morning. Details next week on the upcoming cross country events later in September.
Fit 4 Life returns
Preparations are under way for a new series of fit4life with the autumn programme due to commence on Monday 23 September. This programme gives beginners and those returning to running an opportunity over 12 Monday evenings to develop their fitness and get valuable coaching from our trained coaches. Further details will be available in the next week on our website and on club noticeboard.
Sympathy
Finally, the Executive and members of Mullingar Harriers wish to extend sincere sympathy to Aeilish McGovern and Eithne Clinton and their families on the passing of their father-in-law Eddie Clinton RIP.
Check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com or its Facebook page for all the latest news.
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