More than 40 runners from Harriers in Dublin Marathon

From Mullingar Harriers club notes

The 44th Irish Life Dublin City Marathon took place on a chilly and at times wet morning on Sunday. The breeze stiffened as the morning progressed, giving a headwind to be encountered from mile 1 to 7 and again from mile 13 to 15, adding to the challenge.

While the event was a sell-out of 22,500, those who toed the line numbered just over 18,500.

The event incorporated the National Marathon and the Athletics Leinster Marathon, and with individual and team medals to be won in both, competition was keen across all age categories.

This year, the Westmeath Marathon Championship was also run in conjunction with the race, adding to the competition for medals.

Mullingar Harriers had a great turnout and 42 who achieved their individual targets in completing the race.

There was also a strong entry from the other clubs in Westmeath, Coralstown Kinnegad AC, Athlone AC and North Westmeath AC, so the Westmeath Marathon proved to be competitive.

There was unanimous agreement from all finishers of the difficult conditions, especially in the second half of the race, with wind and rain proving a real challenge. The dedication to training and preparation paid off handsomely despite the challenges and there were several personal best times from the Mullingar athletes.

Timmy Murphy (2:27.34) was the first Mullingar athlete home, finishing 24th overall, fourth in his category in the National Marathon, and winner of the Westmeath Marathon.

James Keegan (2:38.51) was second to finish, picking up the Westmeath silver medal, and Alan Crowley (2:45.38) was the third Westmeath finisher.

Ken Whitelaw (2:47.29) won Westmeath gold in his category, Kedagh Geoghegan (2:48.13) won Westmeath gold in his category, and Enda O’Carolan (2:51.41) was second and Robert Downes (2:55.02) third in their category in Westmeath.

Ciara Foy (2:57.42) was the first Westmeath woman to finish, missing out on the club record for the distance by less than 30 seconds.

Eddie Newman (2:58.03) earned National bronze and Westmeath gold in his category, and Paulius Patackas (2:58.40) competing in his debut marathon, won his category in the Westmeath Championships.

Joan Flynn (3:06.21) was the second woman to finish from Westmeath, and Dara O’Shea ran an excellent personal best of 3:07.55.

Mary Stuart ran a magnificent 3:16.35 to earn National gold in her category as well as Westmeath bronze.

Thomas Gilligan (3:17.16) won Westmeath silver in his category, Aeilish McGovern (3:17.17) won Westmeath silver in her category, Criona Reid ran 3:17.49 and set another personal best and won her category in the Westmeath Championships.

Eoin Clarke ran 3:18.09 and Aisling Corcoran ran 3:21.53, which earned her Westmeath silver.

Ger Feerick (3:24.25) won Westmeath bronze in his category, Barry White ran 3:25.36, Andy Boyhan ran 3:26.03 and Orla Gillespie ran 3:28.02, which earned her Westmeath bronze.

Next in were Tom Byrne (3:28.32), Conor Corcoran (3:28.34) and John Long (3:30.19).

Emer O’Hanlon had a personal best by more than 30 minutes at 3:30.32 to earn Westmeath gold in her category, followed by Joe Curley (3:31.28), Stephen Olwell (3:34.00) and Laura Fitzpatrick (3:43.04), who won Westmeath silver in her category.

Jane Creevy ran a personal best of 3:43.58, as did Marie Louise Johnston with 3:44.47. Joan Hickson ran 3:47.16, and Michael Purdue 4:01.01.03, which took him to Westmeath bronze in his category.

Kelly Dunne ran 4:06.35 in her debut marathon, and Jessica Crowley finished her debut in 4:08.56. Lorna Moody ran 4:10.32 and Claire Lennon 4:12.35. Martin Mullen (4:25.14) picked up Westmeath bronze in his category, followed by Declan Costello (4:32.57), Anna Redmond (4:45.08), Aoife Austin (4:53.12) and Matt Creagh (4:54.02).

There was a great turnout from Mullingar Harriers and great performances from all.

The full Leinster, National and Westmeath results will be finalised during the week and more medals are likely to be heading to Mullingar. Details next week.