Colm Walsh (centre) on the podium receiving his European Masters team silver medal.

Medal winning Harriers master the conditions in Italy

Two International debuts, a European title, an individual silver medal, two team silver medals and a fourth place team made for an extremely memorable few days in Italy for three of Mullingar’s master athletes

The European Masters Non-Stadia Championships got underway in Grosseto, Italy last Friday morning where Sean McMullin and Colm Walsh competed in the 10k race walks, which were held in Sandro Pertini Park over five laps of a 2k looped flat course that had long sweeping bends, so with no sharp turns it was more like racing on a track and was therefore very fast.

First into action in hot sunny mid-twenties Celsius conditions was Sean McMullin who lined up in his race with over seventy men across several age categories, but Sean is used to competing at European and World level, so knew who his opposition was in his own age group and remained focussed on them. He gave his customary polished performance to finish second and add another European masters race walk medal to his collection, reinforcing his formidable reputation in the event.

By mid-morning when Colm Walsh took to the line in a very big field of over forty men across several age categories, the 28degC heat was intense and posed a real challenge. This was new territory for Colm, being used to much smaller fields in Ireland and much cooler conditions but settling in superbly, he stayed focused and concentrated on his own race.

He went out hard for the first 5k but the water stations only had cups of water, which are difficult to manage when moving at pace, so he couldn’t keep hydrated too well and had to ease back on the second 5k as the heat began to take its toll. He battled on with great determination to the end though and any disappointment he felt on a relatively slow time was put aside when he learned that he had finished a terrific fifth in his age category, and even better that he was second finisher on the Ireland team that placed second behind Italy, earning him a silver medal in his first International masters competition, a brilliant medal-winning International debut.

Saturday morning dawned just as warm as Friday when Aidan O’Donoghue competed in the 5k run at the same Sandro Pertini Park venue as used for the race walks. Nearly one hundred men across three age groups toed the line in sweltering conditions and even though Aidan ran as best as he could he didn’t feature in the individual results, but was delighted to learn that he was third finisher for the Ireland team that placed a very creditable fourth team behind Italy, Germany and Romania. Aidan was delighted to have made his International debut in his first European Masters competition and is looking forward to further opportunities.

The final event of the Championships took place on a warm sunny Sunday afternoon, where Sean McMullin competed in the gruelling 30k race walk, but at least it was late in the afternoon and had cooled a little, but still tough conditions for such a long distance. Doubling up the start with the women 20k race walk saw over ninety athletes setting off from the gun, making it very busy in the early stages until things settled but Sean has considerable experience in such events and it didn’t faze him in the slightest. Drawing on all his physical and mental reserves Sean kept his focus and settled into his race and maintained excellent technique under the vigilant eyes of the judges. As the fifteen laps of Sandro Pertini Park counted down, he slowly pulled clear of his rivals and holding off a late challenge to win and clinch the European title. To add to the celebrations, Sean combined with two others to secure the silver team medals for Ireland. An individual gold and a team silver are very well deserved awards for such an accomplished and dedicated master athlete.

Sean of course is no stranger to International competition but for Colm and Aidan this was their first time to compete at this level. They both gave great accounts and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and now that they have made their International debuts their names will be added to the International Roll of Honour in the Clubhouse, bringing the total to 122 members of Mullingar Harriers AC that have represented Ireland since the Club was founded in 1975.

National 5k Honours for Mullingar Masters

The Irish Runner 5k, which incorporated the National 5k Road Championship, took place in a warm and sunny Phoenix Park last Sunday morning. This was the first instalment of the Athletics Ireland 2022 race series and it attracted 775 runners, joggers and walkers. Given the numbers, the starts were divided into waves based on predicted finish times and prominent in the early waves was the group from Mullingar Harriers.

The Park isn’t the easiest course, not helped by the heat of the morning, but first home for Mullingar based on chip time was Tony Doran in 17 minutes 21 seconds, just ahead of Eddie Newman (17:22) who finished fourth in his master category, missing bronze by an agonising three seconds.

Next in was Stephen Shanahan (17:55), Pauric Brady (18:37), and Stephen Naughton (18:53) showing no effects from running 6k in Navan only two days earlier, in fact running the 5k in the Park at a faster pace, then Mullingar’s first woman finisher Aisling Corcoran (19:53) fourth in her master category, followed by Linda Cunningham (22:23), then Brigid McCabe (22:54) second in her master category and Nicky McCabe (24:16) second in his master category.

In the team event, the master women team of Aisling, Linda and Brigid finished third Club and were delighted to receive their National medals. Very well done to the Mullingar athletes on competing so well in a National competition.

Navan 6k

The annual Simon Cumbers Navan AC 6k took place on a glorious summer’s evening last Friday. A long established race with a great 6k route on the outskirts of Navan Town, as is the norm in Meath, this was another great high quality race that attracted over 300 to the start line, among them Stephen Naughton, the sole representative from Mullingar Harriers. Clearly enjoying the course and the competition, Stephen raced to a fine thirtieth place finish overall in a swift 23 minutes 21 seconds, placing a very creditable sixth place in his master category, not far off the prizes.

Club’s youngest athletes to compete in Tullamore

This Friday evening, the Inter-County T&F Match between Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath will take place in Tullamore Harriers Stadium, starting at 6pm. This is an ideal competition for our younger members to take part in and boys and girls from U9 (born 2014) to U14 (born 2009) are strongly urged to take part.

Despite the title, this really is a low key very friendly event and a chance for everyone to try several events – sprint, middle distance, long jump, turbo javelin or shot. Entry is €2 per child to cover the cost of medals and is payable at training this week. If you ran in the recent Mullingar Harriers Juvenile Spring T&F Meet, you’re in for a treat in Tullamore, as it will be just as much fun.

There is no pre-selection – just turn up and compete. It’s an Inter-County competition, so wear your Club vest, so everyone knows you’re from Westmeath. Finally, just like our own new all-weather track, remember 5mm spikes or runners only on the track in Tullamore.

Sympathy

Finally, the Executive and members of Mullingar Harriers wish to express sincere sympathy to Tom Wallace and the Wallace family on the death last week of his mother, Annette, grandmother to Eve, Aimee and Jamie. May she rest in peace.