Week ending Saturday 9th May
Leinster Novice Road medal for Mark Darby
With so many other races on a crowded fixture list over the May Bank Holiday weekend, it’s little surprise that in contrast to the normal more than 20 athletes from Mullingar Harriers, we had just 8 competing at the Leinster Novice and Masters Road Championships last Saturday in Gowran, Co. Kilkenny.
The weather was really good for racing, nice and mild, and with only the occasional light misty rain, everyone could stay outside near the finish area to cheer others on in every race. The course in Gowran is made up of 1,500m laps, with a downhill start followed by a gradual long climb, an excellent course for a Championship race. Gowran AC again proved excellent hosts for the event with every facility provided, including a large hall for registration, bag drop and medal presentation, toilets, public address, lead car, lots of race marshals and stewards, some on bikes, and plenty of refreshments after. While we had no teams, after four excellent competitive races, Mullingar won 4 individual masters medals, 1 individual novice medal, good results for the Club.
The first race was the master women 3,000m, covering two laps. Finishing fast and inside the top twenty overall was Linda Cunningham to win the silver medal in her category. Brigid McCabe followed Linda in and was delighted to win the gold medal in her category.
Always the biggest race of these Championships, we had four Mullingar men in the master men 6,000m. With 4 laps of the course, everyone got plenty of encouragement as they passed the finish area. Leading the Mullingar trio home was Enda Seery who had targeted a sub-22 minute finish, so he was delighted to finish well under it in 21:44. In the “Battle of the Eddies” behind Enda, Eddie Newman had the edge on Eddie Lynch, and with both in the same category, it was great to see Mullingar winning the gold and silver medals in the category. Nicky McCabe completed the Mullingar quartet and he expressed satisfaction afterwards with his race.
We had no entries from Mullingar in the novice women race, but we had two men in the final race of the afternoon, the novice men 6,000m where both were always to the fore throughout the four lap race. Keeping right up with the lead group was Mark Darby and he was rewarded for his efforts with an excellent second place finish to win Leinster silver, a great result for a man that only recently joined Mullingar Harriers. He was followed home by Mark Ronan who finished strong and crossed the line well up in a fine eleventh place [GD].
Good outdoor season opener in Clonmel
Mullingar Harriers had three under 20 athletes competing in TUS Clonmel last Saturday at the first Irish Miler’s Club (IMC) Outdoor T&F meeting of the year. First up was Matthew Molloy in the 3,000m where he ran a solid race in the middle of the pack and came home extremely strong, running a huge personal best of 8:54.22.Donagh Carey toed the line in one of three 1,500m races on the day and despite a brave effort going with the pacemaker early, Donagh fell back as the last lap approached. It’s early in the season and juggling track racing and studying for the Leaving Cert can be challenging but his season opener should set him up nicely for the North Leinster schools T&F this week.
Our final Mullingar Harriers runner on the day was Jamie Wallace who was in the 1,500m A race and he settled into second place from the gun, following the pacemaker until he dropped out, when Jamie found himself in front and pushing the pace, just surrendering the lead in the homestretch but running a personal best of 3:52.50 [TW].
Harriers on the road near and far
Last Sunday was something of a “Super Sunday” as Mullingar Harriers athletes took full advantage of the May Bank Holiday weekend and the maroon and white colours were seen in road races north, south, east and west of Ireland. and abroad too in Czechia in central-Europe.
Belfast City Marathon
Starting at Stormont and finishing at Ormeau Park, the Phoenix Energy Belfast City Marathon was held in bright and warm conditions last Sunday morning. With a slight breeze that was helpful to keep temperatures under control, it was as always a noted race where large crowds of spectators lined much of the route giving encouragement to all participants. Among them was Barry White of Mullingar Harriers who was delighted to achieve a personal best for the distance coming home in a time of 3:21:30 [MO’S].
West of Ireland Women’s 10k Mini Marathon
Over 1,600 ladies took to the streets of Ballina, Co Mayo for the West of Ireland Women’s 10k Mini Marathon last Sunday morning, among them was Mullingar Harriers Sinéad Whitelaw. Sinéad tucked into the lead pack for the first 3 to 4k before the pace increased, and she unfortunately fell back off the group, which was led by 2016 Rio Olympian, Breege Connolly. Sinéad continued to fight hard over the remainder of the hilly course, and finished in fourth position, with a time of 39:06. The race was won by a young 13 year old Mayo athlete, Roxanne Sands, who is certainly one to watch in the future.
Sophie Whitelaw also competed in the Mini-Mini Marathon, which saw 1,000 primary school children enjoy a fun run along a 2k route through the town [SW].
Prague Marathon
The 31st running of the Vodafone Prague Marathon took place last Sunday morning. The course was through the streets and alleyways of the ancient quarter of the city with a spectacular city centre start and finish area. It was warm and sunny in the Czechia capital as 11,000 runners took on the marathon, among them Ger Feerick of Mullingar Harriers. Ger has put in a strong training regime over the past 3 months and was well rewarded with a steady run always within a minute or so of his target time. He was very pleased when his finishing time was confirmed at 3 hours 36 minutes 46 seconds [MO’S].
Great Limerick Run
The Regeneron Great Limerick Run was a festival of races offering a marathon, half marathon and 10k distances last Sunday morning. Four runners from Mullingar Harriers took part in the marathon, which was run on a course mainly on the outskirts of the city, after a start and finish in the docklands area. Just over 1,800 runners completed the marathon in overcast but hot and humid conditions. Packing well as a group the four Mullingar Harriers finished within 2 minutes of each other, having shared much of the race together. First home was James Keegan in 2:45:50, followed by Kris Foster with a time of 2:46:19. Alan Crowley returned a time of 2:47:03 with Kedagh Geoghegan finishing in 2:47:41 [MO’S].
Dublin City Half Marathon
Starting on O’Connell Street, the Dublin City Council Dublin Half Marathon last Sunday morning took runners on a route out through the North of the city before returning for a city centre finish. It was a bright and dry morning in the city for the race. Conditions were described as ideal for the race with no headwind and yet a light breeze helping to keep the runners from getting overheated. Over 13,000 runners completed the course, including five from Mullingar Harriers.
Conor Collison was first home for the Club, very happy to finish in 1:31:27. Mary Stuart was our first woman finisher, winning her master category with a time of 1:37:33. Joan Hickson was pleased with a season best time for the distance of 1:43:14 with John McNamara running a time of 1:43:46. Matt Creagh was delighted with a personal best for the distance, dipping under the 1 hour 50 mark very well and recording a time of 1:48:33 [MO’S].
Drogheda 10k
Drogheda & District AC staged their annual Drogheda 10k road race last Sunday afternoon, attracting over 1,500 runners. Ran on a picturesque course out of town along roads going parallel to the River Boyne and taking in some great views of the countryside before looping back to the town centre, Mullingar Harriers was represented by Kieran Nolan who had a very strong race finishing well up in the top 50 finishers and recording a time of 39:38 [MO’S].
Closing dates for entries to Leinster Outdoor T&F
Entries for Leinster T&F competitions are scheduled to open this week. Please take note of the following closing dates. Entries for u/20, Senior and Masters T&F and combined events close on May 15; for Children’s Games (under 9, 10, 11) and for under 12 and 13 T&F close on May 22; for juvenile relays and combined events close on May 29; and for juveniles under 14 to 19 T&F close on June 5. Don’t leave it too late to submit your entry in case you have problems with the online entry system. As always, if anyone has any difficulty submitting their entries, please don’t hesitate to contact Greg.
Check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com or its Facebook page for all the latest news.
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