Bobbie Begley honoured by Mullingar Lions Club

Mullingar Harriers club notes

Last Wednesday evening ahead of the adult training session, we were visited by Frank Dillon and Noel Murphy of Mullingar Lions Club. The purpose of their visit was to make a presentation to Bobbie Begley.

This was to mark Bobbie’s contribution to athletics and in particular the founding and development of Mullingar Harriers over 50 years ago in 1975. Frank Dillon made the presentation and in his address spoke of the contribution by Bobbie to the people of Mullingar through his work and that of his colleagues in the development of the club and its continuing place in the lives of so many in Mullingar and beyond.

Frank set out that this award was first presented in 2024 and is named after the late Paddy Dunican recognising individuals who contribute significantly to the Mullingar area in terms of people and community enhancement.

It was Frank set out fitting to honour Bobbie Begley with the 2026 award as Mullingar Harriers had just marked 50 years and is recognised for its excellence in the promotion of athletics and the continuing development of all members. Bobbie addressed those present and thanked the Lions Club for their acknowledgement of the club and its achievements.

It is an award not for Bobbie Begley but for all who worked so hard and dedicated themselves to enhancing the facilities at Grange which started in the late 1970’s in what was a field with a single container to house basic pieces of equipment. Today the club proudly operates from an ever-improving clubhouse and has both a fully operational tartan track, gravel surfaced outside track, along with field event throwing and jumping facilities to cater for members.

Sean McMullin treble gold

At the World Masters Athletics Championships in Daegu (South Korea), Sean McMullin won his 3rd gold medal on Wednesday morning last. This was in the 5000m track walk, adding to the gold medals he had won earlier in the championships, as reported last week in both the 10k and 20k road race walks.

Conditions were again hot and muggy on the track for Sean’s race but in typical style he navigated through the field as the laps passed in the Daegu Stadium, emerging victorious in his age category. His time for the 5000m was 36:22.97, over two and a half minutes ahead of the silver medallist. Another dominant performance on the World stage by Sean. He is now looking forward to returning to the autumnal weather conditions in Mullingar after over two weeks in the heat and humidity of South Korea.

Abbott Longford Marathon

At a festival of running in Longford last weekend, with an Ultra Marathon, Full Marathon, and Half Marathon, Mullingar Harriers Aideen Tansey took part in the marathon race. Conditions were overcast but humid and a testing course, including a number of loops around the town at both the start and finish of the race, with long stretches out country roads westwards before returning on similar terrain to the finish on the main street.

A total of 300 athletes completed the marathon. Aideen was delighted to finish in a time of 3hours 28minutes 34seconds. In the half marathon Louise Callaghan ran 1:36.13 in a field of 550 runners.

Ireland West ¾ Marathon

Swinford Athletics Club hosted the 2026 Ireland West ¾ Marathon, 10K and 5K won Saturday the 5th of September 2026. The course situated in East Mayo passed through the iconic Meelick Round Tower, Ballylahan Castle, and the beautiful river Moy. Dara O’Shea took in the ¾ marathon as part of his preparation for the Dublin Marathon at the end of October. Dara was very pleased with his finishing time of 2hours 28 minutes 9 seconds in a field of 590 runners.

Dingle Half Marathon

Matthew Glennon took to the roads around the Dingle Peninsula on Saturday morning last running the Dingle Half Marathon. A very difficult course with several steep climbs did not deter Matthew and he was pleased with his finishing time of 1hour 55 minutes 2 seconds in a field of 2,800 athletes.

Marathon Relay

Final preparations are being made this week as our fund-raising committee put plans in place for our major fund-raising event on Saturday 19 September. The event will see 10 of the leading senior men race in 400m laps seeking to achieve a 2-hour marathon time. To cover the 42.195km requires 105.5 laps each of 400m. 10 of our leading ladies will attempt to complete the distance in 2 hours 36 minutes. For each of the relays there will be a count down clock and lap counter with track side commentary. It is certain to be an exciting spectacle as the laps mount up with the clock heading towards the target times.

Not to be outdone by their senior colleagues, several combinations of both juvenile and master athletes are set to creatively complete a marathon during the event. Their will be music and refreshments in abundance so an exciting day ahead for all members on Saturday week.

Help needed for Westmeath Schools Cross Country

The Westmeath Schools Cross Country takes place in Belvedere on Wednesday 23 September. The programme commences at 11am for the secondary schools, followed at 12 noon for the primary schools. This is an excellent introduction to running, especially for primary schools where many will taste cross country running for the first time.

This coming Saturday we will be working on the building of the course, which will remain in place to cater for the Westmeath Cross Country championships in early October. We are asking our members who can give two to three hours next Saturday to help complete the building of the course at Belvedere.

For Wednesday 23 September we are appealing to Club members and friends that can spare a few hours from 10am to please help. We ask that all who can volunteer to inform any member of the club executive.

It will get very busy near start time, so we’re advising everyone attending to come early. Once it starts, things move along quickly and we’ll be finished by 2pm.