Westmeath Road Championships 2023 (2nd Aug)
Gold for Whitelaw and Connolly as Westmeath Road Championships return
The 2023 Westmeath Road Championships took place in overcast conditions at Grange on Wednesday evening 2nd August. A day of showers gave way before the start, and while a tricky head wind added to the challenge for athletes, particularly on the C-Link Road section, a competitive race saw some regular podium finishers mix in with newcomers to honours. In the ladies’ 6k race Sinead Whitelaw led from start to finish and powered home in an impressive 22 minutes 24 seconds to take gold. Jacintha Reilly ran a very controlled pace and was rewarded with her first Championship medal, taking silver in 23:53. Mary Stuart continued her excellent form across a range of distances winning bronze in 25:02.
The senior men’s 6k race saw James Keegan stretch out into a commanding lead over the first circuit before being reined in gradually by Vinny Connolly at the 5k mark. Vinny pushed on in the closing stages opening a gap of 11 seconds by the finish to claim gold in 19 minutes 58 seconds, with James taking silver in a time of 20:09, and Kris Foster was a worthy winner of the bronze medal in 20:58.
In the master categories, it was master women o/35 gold for Michelle Bohan in 25:09, with silver going to Clare Gavin in 30:24. The o/40 category was won by Aeilish McGovern in 26:38, silver going to Ciara Dillon (22:23) and bronze to Eva Ross (29:24). Linda Cunningham was the gold medallist in the o/45 category in 27:27, silver going to Marie Louise Johnston and bronze to Naomi Battle with a finishing time of 29:15. Criona Reid continued her excellent recent form taking gold in the o/50 category in 26:45. Aisling Lane combined race walking and some running to win gold in the Junior category.
The master men categories saw Enda Seery take the honours in o/35 with 22:58, followed by Tommy Byrne on 23:40 for silver and bronze to John McNamara with a time of 28:24. In the o/40 category Alan Crowley came home for gold with 21:15, silver went to Patrick Muldoon in 23:34 with Darren Carroll earning a bronze with 24:17. The o/45 gold went to Enda O’Carolan on 21:53, silver to Kieran Nolan with a time of 22:33 and bronze to Colm Walsh with 24:56. Gerry Gavin picked up gold in the o/50 category with a time of 21:39. The o/55 category was won by Eddie Newman in 22:29, silver went to Tom McGrath (23:01) and bronze to Liam McGlynn (25:53). John Bannon struck gold in the o/60 category with a time of 27:53, the o/65 winner was Nollaig McEntegart in 27:26, with silver to Pat Muldoon (30:05). Sean McMullin was the gold medal winner in the o/70 category with a time of 32:48 and Jim Langan took silver with 42:50.
The other finishers on Wednesday evening were John Whitelaw (21:24), Padraig Beglin (23:23), Martin O’Donnell (23:48), Murty Hanly (24:45), Dara O’Shea (25:16), Niamh McEntegart (25:43), JP O’Brien (25:46), Paul Ginnell (26:41), Orla McLoughlin (26:43), Laura Geoghegan (26:54), Ciaran Muldowney (26:54), Martin Fitzpatrick (26:56), Mark Dunne (27:25), Therese Glynn (27:37), John Meagher (27:39), Aisling Farrell (28:48), Brendan Rice (28:52), John Donohoe (28:58), Eoin Clarke (29:17), Kevin O’Brien (31:08), Richard Ferris (32:10) and Shilpa Finnegan (37:40).
Medal presentations took place after the race in the Clubhouse, with refreshments provided by the athletes. Some excellent baking skills were evident and a most enjoyable after race get together was enjoyed by all present.
