Prizes Galore for Mullingar

The 17th edition of the Castlepollard Road Race last Wednesday, August 12 drew athletes from the four provinces of Ireland.The North Westmeath AC organised event, which has firmly established itself as one of the main fixtures in the road race calendar.Before the main 5km event, we had the customary races around the Square for boys and girls under 9, 11 and 13 years in which over 70 children took part, and young athletes from Mullingar Harriers featured strongly among the many prizes presented on the night. Judging by their performances, there's little doubt but Mullingar will have some very strong underage teams in the upcoming cross country season.At 8pm sharp, a very large gathering of 260 runners and walkers took to the line, and were cheered off by a good crowd of locals out to support the race. Among the 260 competitors were over 50 runners and walkers from Mullingar Harriers.From the off, Gerry Ryan of Galway City Harriers took up the running and over the 5km opened up a big lead to win in 14:45, over one minute ahead of Gerard Heery (St. Brigid's AC), who just edged out Derek Croal (Bohermeen AC) and junior Cian O'Reilly (Annalee AC) in a very close finish. Tom McGrath had a brilliant run and finished 6th overall and won his master age-category, with Martin Lyons close behind in 10th to take a prize for 6th senior man and with Ben Vaitkavichius in 12th (and 2nd in master category) the prize for second men's team was assured. In the corresponding women's race, Lorraine Manning (Raheny Shamrocks) got the better of Breffni Twohig (DSD) and Crona Brady (Sportsworld), but with Sinead Roche in 5th and Sarah Mescall in 6th combining with Paula Murray (3rd in master category), the Mullingar trio were delighted to win the women's team prize.Not far behind Ben there followed the rest of the very large Mullingar contingent, led in by Paddy Kelly, Vincent Connolly (3rd junior), Aidan Gorry, Colm Walsh, Eddie Newman (3rd in master category), Kieran Nolan, Padraig Moran (1st boy u/15), JP O'Brien, Robert Yorke (1st boy u/17), Sinead Roche (5th senior woman), Sarah Mescall (6th senior woman), Liam O'Reilly (3rd boy u/15), Gerry Duffy, Paula Murray (3rd in master category), newcomer Adam O'Keeffe (2nd boy u/17), Christy Creagh (1st in master category), Barry O'Brien, Michelle O'Halloran (2nd in master category), Lorraine Daly (3rd girl u/15), Brian Boyle, Aine Devaney, Shane Nugent, Nuala Daly, Victoria Harris, Lorna Moody, Anna Ryan, Vera McCool, Michelle O'Sullivan (1st junior woman), Michael O'Sullivan, Aisling Bannon (2nd junior woman), Hugh O'Reilly, Emer Fitzpatrick, Des Walsh, Mark Nugent, Pat Nugent, Yvonne Kane, Breda Daly, Paul McCool, Sinead Marshall, Nicky McCabe, Julie Clarke, Siobhan Devaney, Martha Marshall, PJ Ballesty (1st men's race walk), Caroline Boyle, Breda McDonnell, Ann O'Sullivan and Geraldine Walsh (3rd in master category).Twenty individual prizes and two team prizes is quite a haul for Mullingar, and to think that there were still some that didn't compete, as they were saving their energy for the Frank Duffy 10 mile road race in Dublin on Saturday.World Medal for Olive LoughnaneThe athletics community in Ireland is understandably delighted with Olive Loughnane's fantastic silver medal in the 20km race walk last Sunday. The last World medal won by Ireland was also a silver medal in the women's race walk, which was won by Gillian O'Sullivan in Paris in 2003 and she was coached by our own Michael Lane. Michael is in Berlin as the Team Ireland race-walk coach and doubtless was very excited to witness Olive's performance up close and it must have brought back some terrific memories of Paris in 2003.Frank Duffy 10 mile Road RaceAs the pre-race limit of 6,000 for the Frank Duffy 10 mile road race in the Phoenix Park last Saturday was reached before the day, the organisers had to cancel arrangements for late registration, but that meant the Mullingar contingent really had to perform well to even get noticed in the thronging crowd!Competing over a tough 2 lap course, with all the hills included, despite the challenging windy weather conditions, Martin Lyons had a very strong run and finished 40th overall in a time of 58:40, which is a terrific result for him. Also running extremely well was Maurice Looby who finished 6th in his master age-category, followed by John O'Reilly trying out his new birthday runners, and Darragh Thornton just returned from warm weather training (not holidays, as rumoured). Next in for Mullingar was Mary Scully, finishing 10th woman overall despite reports that she complained all the way that she'd never race more than 5km ever again, followed by Matt Glennon, and Alwyn Kinane finishing 17th woman overall and breaking 70 minutes into the bargain.For their troubles, Mary and Alwyn received very generous gift vouchers as prizes, but that meant a stop for everyone on the way home to Mullingar to help them purchase shiny new runners, much to the envy of the men, by all accounts!AAI Masters T&F ChampionshipsCongratulations to our brilliant master athletes, Sean McMullin and Christy Creagh on their successes at the AAI National Masters Track and Field Championships in Tullamore last Sunday. Sean was a worthy winner of the 5,000m race walk and Christy took silver in the 5,000m. Sean has been on the top of his game all season and his victory was thoroughly deserved. Christy has only recently returned from injury and was very pleased to take a National medal. Very well done to these magnificent master ambassadors for Mullingar Harriers.Damien Bateman rounds off trip home with fast 1,500mJust before departing back to the USA recently, Damien Bateman rounded off a very successful trip home to Ireland, which included a 4th place finish over 5,000m at the National T&F Championships, by dropping down to the 1,500m at the Dublin Graded Meeting on Wednesday, August 5 last and winning in 3:48.22, just one hundredth of a second ahead of second place in a very close photo finish. This is an excellent time and proves that Damien has both strength and speed, essential ingredients for a successful distance runner and will stand him in great stead for the cross country season ahead.National Community Games Athletics FinalsWe wish the very best of luck to all our Club members taking part in the Community Games Athletics Finals in Athlone IT this coming week-end, as they represent their local areas and Westmeath. Those who will do well have been training all summer and will do their best on the day. This of course is the first time the finals will be held in Athlone and we expect that many supporters will take advantage and make the short trip to Athlone in support.SympathyFinally, the Executive and members of the Club wish to extend sincere sympathy to Pat Nugent and the Nugent family on the recent death of Pat's brother, John. May he rest in peace.TrainingTraining continues each Tuesday and Thursday from the Clubhouse in Grange at 7pm and at Belvedere on Sunday mornings at 11am. Check the Club's website <>at www.mullingarharriers.com for results, news and details of all upcoming fixtures.