Week ending Saturday 8th December

Jamie Battle and Jack O’Leary to compete at European Cross Country

This Sunday morning we’ll be keeping an eye out for results from the European Cross Country Championships in the Beekse Bergen Safari Park near Tilburg in the Netherlands where Jamie Battle and Jack O’Leary will be competing on the Irish Junior and u/23 men’s teams respectively. Jack is no stranger to European cross country having competed at Junior level for several years, but this is his first time to step up to the more senior u/23 ranks. For Jamie though, this is his first time to compete at this level but being part of a large Irish team of nearly forty men and women will surround him with huge experience to draw on for support and encouragement and inspiration. Everyone at the Club wishes Jamie and Jack the very best of luck in the Netherlands.

Jingle Bells 5k

The Donore Harriers AC “Jingle Bells 5k” took place in the Phoenix Park last Saturday morning in mild but damp conditions, which was ideal for the nearly 1,200 participants in this ever-popular race. Keeping right up with the leading group throughout was Timmy Murphy and Michael Moran. Timmy continues to race himself back to full fitness and finished strongly in nineteenth place in a time of 15:40, with Michael also finishing fast only a few places behind in 15:49.

Indoor Season on the horizon

The AIT Baseline Indoor T&F Meeting next Wednesday evening is an ideal opportunity for our senior and older juvenile T&F athletes to chart how their training is progressing for the coming indoor season. This is a low-key time-trial event, rather than a formal competition, and athletes will have the opportunity to test themselves in a range of events and non-standard track distances. Electronic timing will be used. Entry is on-line through the Athletics Ireland website and athletes must be at least 16 years of age to compete.

Road safety/reflective clothing

Everyone running from the Clubhouse on the roads is reminded to take road safety seriously and wear reflective clothing. If you do not wear reflective clothing, how can you expect drivers to see you? It’s very simple, if not wearing a reflective bib, you should not be running on the road at night. There are spare bibs available in the Clubhouse to borrow if you forget to bring your own.

Dressing for the cold

Now that December is here, we can expect the weather to turn even colder at training, so it’s a good time to remind all athletes that they should wear appropriate running gear for the cold weather. Warm clothing is essential and that includes going to and from training and competition. A pair of lightweight gloves, a woolen hat and a few layers of warm clothing is all it takes. Having a warm sweat shirt, fleece or jacket for after training is especially important. Parents of younger juveniles should insist that they wear the proper clothing. Also, lightweight running tights or leggings are recommended and will give much needed protection against the cold. Athletes not properly dressed for the cold weather will not perform to their best.

Finally, the Executive and members of the Club wish to express sincere sympathy to the Finnerty and DeFeo families on the untimely passing a little over a month ago in the USA of John DeFeo, RIP. John was the husband of Margaret (née Finnerty) and a brother-in-law to Patricia, Enda, Cormac and Susan Finnerty.

For the latest results, news and details of all upcoming fixtures check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com.

PRO