The first "Lakeland 15" mile road race was held 29 years ago and stopped in 1996, but returned to the race calendar on Sunday 14th August after a 15 year absence. With entries this year of the calibre of Andrew Ledwith (Fr. Murphy AC) and Olympic athlete Pauline Curley (Tullamore Harriers AC), everyone knew that it was going to be some re-launch. Conditions proved ideal for running, being mild and not too sunny with just the occasional shower, which didn’t trouble spectators too much and helped to cool the athletes. The race drew entries from near and far, including Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Limerick, Longford, Clare, Wicklow, Dublin, Meath, Offaly, and even one man from as far away as Ontario in Canada – Tony Dunbar, who has local connections to the Tyrrellspass area.

Taking the lead from the start, Andrew Ledwith set a fast pace that soon had the field trailing behind him and he looked extremely comfortable and confident as he covered the 15 mile distance in 1:17:53, which is a terrific time running solo from the front. Some minutes behind were Tom McGrath (Mullingar Harriers) in 1:25:41, Declan Fahey (1:26:22), Peter Mooney (1:28:56), Kevin Baker (Mullingar Harriers) in 1:29:13 and Mark Carroll (Mullingar Harriers) in 1:30:42 to fill the first six places in the senior men’s race.

Victory in the women’s race proved just as emphatic with Pauline Curley also striking out early and covering the distance with ease in 1:31:48, proving what a class athlete she is. Also running extremely well behind was Jill Hodgins in 1:34:38, Mary Scully (Mullingar Harriers) in 1:37:11, Elizabeth Cuskelly (Tullamore Harriers) in 1:39:42, Loretto Duggan (St. Mary’s AC, Clare) in 1:49:17 and Deirdre NíChearbhaill (Crusaders AC) in 1:53:11 to take the prizes.

From first to last all through the race there were battles going on for prizes in the various categories from senior to all the master categories, which were presented after the race when everyone had cooled down, washed and changed and taken some of the excellent refreshments laid on in Tyrellspass GAA clubhouse, courtesy of Tyrrellspass Castle. The GAA clubhouse and grounds proved an excellent venue with excellent parking, toilet and shower facilities, and we could even watch the video of the 1994 "Lakeland 15" and it was terrific to see so many that competed in 1994 back again to compete in 2011.

All in all it was a great success and the race is sure to grow in the years to come now that it has been re-established on the race calendar and will serve as an excellent preparation for future Dublin City Marathons in October in particular. Such an event stretches the resources of any Club and we must mark the huge effort put in by so many members and friends of Mullingar Harriers. Particular thanks too to the Executive and members of Tyrrellspass GAA for the use of their excellent facilities and generous support on the day. Many thanks too to members of Rochfortbridge GAA and Ballinagore GAA who were out in number to help steward at junctions in their areas. There are very many others that deserve mention, among them the Gardaí for their invaluable assistance, the Westmeath Civil Defence for ambulance cover and first aid, the many householders that manned the nine water stations along the route, using water generously provided by Noel McIntyre of "Buy Lo" in Mullingar, "Value Centre Cash and Carry" in Mullingar for providing fruit and chocolate for the goody bags at the finish and of course "Tyrrellspass Castle" for providing all the post-race refreshments. The Club owes a deep debt of gratitude to one and all for helping to make the return of the "Lakeland 15" such a success.