Lots of love for The Downs 10k and 5k Valentines Run

The Downs Valentines 5/10k run Sunday once again drew a great turnout of participants. The run is in support of The Downs LGFA and is a huge event for the community and for athletes across the county.

Anne Marie Corroon is one of the organisers and she said the committee are happy with how the day turned out.

“Thanks to the club for facilitating the event,” said Anne Marie on Sunday morning, “and all our volunteers today – from our race stewards to the people who brought goods and treats at the end, and those who did the registration.

“Thanks in particular to all those who sponsored prizes for the event, and, most of all, thanks to all of those who took part, because without them, there wouldn’t be an event – so thanks a million to everyone.” Anne Marie also added thanks to An Garda Síochána, Westmeath Sports Partnership and Westmeath County Council for their support.

The run gets great support throughout the local community and beyond, from families and children, to elite athletes.

“It’s a lovely flat course and one of the really popular things about it is that there’s always tea and sandwiches and a few treats afterwards, and a lovely gathering in the clubhouse afterwards for the prizegiving. So I think people really enjoy that as well.”

The event paused for a few years following the Covid-19 pandemic, and while it took some time for things to get up and running again, The Downs LGFA brought it back, and it’s now a firm fixture.

“We made sure it was registered with Athletics Ireland and we’ve really put it as a race in the athletics calendar.

“The 10k in particular has become really popular with athletes. The 5k tends to be a mixture of athletes and fun runners and walkers as well.

“A lot of people enjoy the 10k – it’s because it’s such a flat course as well, and people tend to get PBs on it, so it’s a competitive race, the 10k one.

“And as I say, it’s a really good training point as well for the half marathon (the Mullingar half is on St Patrick’s Day).”

There is a local a Couch to 5k year tied in to the run: “We run it from the first week in January up to the race, and this is the first 5k some of them have run.

“We’re also delighted to see our own players, parents, coaches, and everyone else in the club out running. It’s really professionally organised, we have chip timing as well and results are available afterwards, which is always really good for people who like to keep track of their runs. The event is growing in popularity every year, it’s really become a race on the calendar.”

5k Results: Male: 1 Stephen Nea, 2 Mark Ronan, 3 Olive Keane. M40 John Murphy, MU16 Shay Leavy. Female, 1 Áine Gilhooly, 2 Emma Chambers, 3 Linda Lewis. F40 Sandra Mulvey, FU16 Eiva B.

10k Results: Male, 1 Euan Lagan, 2 Peter Mooney, 3 Barry Mooney. M40 Stephen Bracken. Female, 1st Orla Flanagan, 2nd Orla McLoughlin, 3rd Niamh Rowan, FO40 Maura Shine.