Runners take scenic route at Belvedere for Westmeath Schools Cross Country
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First year girls. Farah Fox (Moate), Aoife Dunne (St Finian's) and Isabel Morris (Rochfortbridge)Image 2 of 19
First year boys. Adam O'Donoghue (Colaiste Mhuire), Daniel Cummins (Kilbeggan) and Tom Frayne (Colaiste Mhuire).Image 3 of 19
Second year girls. Caoimhe Lynam (Kilbeggan), Chloe Bell (St Finian's) and Síomha Leonard (Loreto).Image 4 of 19
Hary Flanagan (St Finian’s College), Rian Greene (Rochfortbridge) and Rhys Delamere (Coláiste Mhuire) were the first three home in the Second Year Boys event.Image 5 of 19
Third year boys. Serchio Solere (St Finian's), Evan Nohilly (St Finian's) and Scott Cogan (Rochfortbridge)Image 6 of 19
Fifth and sixth year boys, Conor Walsh (Colaiste Mhurie), Matthew Molloy (St Finian's) and Daniel Glennon (St Finian's)Image 7 of 19
Jimmy Dalton sang Amhrán na bhFiann.Image 8 of 19
First class girls. Eve Spain (Holy Family), Anna Byrne (Holy Family) and Maisie Grehan (Taghmon)Image 9 of 19
First class boys. Jackson Daly (Edmonton), Luke Cummins (Streamstown) and Ky Colgan (Gaelscoil an Mhuillinn).Image 10 of 19
Second class girls, Ella Maxwell (Whitehall), Roisin Smyth (Edmonton) and Sadie Canning (St Kenny).Image 11 of 19
Second class boys. Tadgh O'Farrell (Gainstown), Evan Clifford (The Downs) and Luke Sheahan (Gainstown).Image 12 of 19
Third class girls. Alana Spain (Holy Family), Jane Leavey (Edmonton) and Freya Dole (Holy Family).Image 13 of 19
Third class boys. Harry Farrell (Gainstown), Benjamin Bagnall (Holy Family) and Archie Brennan (Sonna).Image 14 of 19
Fourth class girls. Mia Barry (St Tola's), Tara Hickey (Gainstown) and Kaia Daly (Edmonton)Image 15 of 19
Fourth class boys. Donnacha Galvin (Clonbonny), Rian Healy (Holy Family) and Tadgh Barry (St Tola's)Image 16 of 19
Fifth class girls Maisie Walsh (St Colman's), Elia Bezintyte (St Colman's) and Ivana McLoughlin (Coosan)Image 17 of 19
Fifth class boys. Jack Ahearne (Edmonton), Ruadhan Murphy (Gaelscoil an Mhuillinn) and Conor Adamson (Moate).Image 18 of 19
Sixth class girls. Lauren Smith (St Tola's), Helen McGrath (Loughegar) and Derbhla McHugh (Ard na Grath).Image 19 of 19
Sixth class boys. Olly Loughrey (Holy Family), Mel Bohan (Gainstown) and Donagh Bourke (loughegar).On a beautiful dry, warm and sunny autumn morning, the Westmeath Schools Cross Country took place at Belvedere last Wednesday. It was no surprise that the grounds looked beautiful and underfoot conditions were perfect for running.
Thanks to the hard work put in by volunteers from Mullingar Harriers in setting up the course, everything was ready on the day.
As always, the organisers are indebted to the many volunteers, members, and friends of Mullingar Harriers who turned up in big numbers to help and make the day a success.
It was great to see such enthusiasm in the competitors from the first class girls and boys to the older secondary school students, cheered on by a big crowd of teachers and parents.
The event remains one of the most popular of the year and the feedback from teachers and parents was positive, so the Harriers look forward to continued support in future years.
Thanks to Westmeath Civil Defence, who attended to look after any first aid needs with their customary calm professionalism. The management and staff at Belvedere House and Gardens were also of great help in organising the day at a venue that is ideal for hosting such an event.
Thanks also to An Garda Síochána for their invaluable assistance monitoring and controlling traffic on the N52, as cars and buses entered and exited Belvedere.
Finally, thanks to the teachers and schools for competing and ensuring that the event continues to be one of the most eagerly awaited sporting events on the calendar for those of school going age in Westmeath.
The primary school top 20 individual finishers and team scores and the secondary schools top 10 individual finishers are available on the Mullingar Harriers website here.
Congratulations to all who took part and as usual, the standard of competition was extremely high and medals were hard won for all the competitors.