The lure of the Champions League final on television wasn’t enough to prevent the 242 participants that turned up to run last Wednesday in Belvedere on the final night of the most successful Road League we’ve ever held. With registrations still taken on the final night, the total number registered over the whole series exceeded 450, which is terrific and would certainly have greatly pleased the late Pat Finnerty, whom the League commemorates.

There was the same finishing order in the men’s race on the first three nights, but this was slightly changed on the final night when Derek Croal of Bohermeen AC just got the better of Na Fianna AC’s Peter Mooney to finish second, but no doubting the winner on the night and overall winner of the men’s trophy, Ger Heery of St. Brigid’s AC, who finished 5 seconds clear of Derek, and in doing so won all four races, which hasn’t been done before on the Belvedere course. First Mullingar man was Paddy Kelly in 4th, just ahead of Tom McGrath on the line, with Ben Vaikavichius in 6th and young Vincent Connolly who has really improved over the series in 7th. In the junior men’s race Thomas Lynn, another up and coming star from Mullingar, was first, followed by Gavin Doran (Midland Tri Club) and Shane Kelleher (Mullingar Harriers).

Máire Triona Keane from Tullamore, the winner of the women’s race on the first three nights, sat out the final night and watched Ciara Hewson (Mullingar Harriers) finish first woman with a fast time, followed by Club mates Lorraine Daly 2nd and Alwyn Kinane in 3rd. Of course, with prizes decided on the total of the three best finishing times over the four races, all through the field there were battles taking place for prizes in the various categories, sometimes with only a few seconds separating competitors, which made for some exciting finishes.

Once the race concluded, all retired to the Reception Centre in Belvedere for welcome refreshments and the prize giving ceremony. No surprise that Ger Heery and Máire Triona Keane scooped the Pat Finnerty Memorial Trophies for first man and woman respectively, which were presented by Susan Finnerty, but they were very pleasantly surprised when Bartle Darcy, the General Manager of Belvedere, stepped forward and presented them with annual family memberships of Belvedere. This is a very desirable bonus prize and we can look forward to seeing Ger and Máire training in Belvedere over the next year.

The other men’s prizes were awarded to Peter Mooney 2nd (Na Fianna AC), Derek Croal 3rd (Bohermeen AC), Paddy Kelly 4th, Martin Lyons 5th, and Vincent Connolly 6th (all from Mullingar Harriers). Women’s prizes were presented to Alwyn Kinane 2nd, Eva Ross 3rd, Sarah Mescall 4th, Riona Ní Mhuirairtaigh 5th (all Mullingar Harriers) and Sinead Nolan (Annalee AC). Click HERE for details of all the prize winners. Apart from these prizes, there were many spot prizes presented too, which created a buzz of anticipation and feel-good factor at the awards ceremony.

It would be wrong not to pay credit to the many back-room people involved in organizing the League, without whose help the League just wouldn’t take place. These are the people who give freely of their time to take registrations, record results, steward the course, organize prizes, and the myriad other tasks required to run a race series successfully. Thanks also to the Management and Staff of Belvedere House, the Westmeath Civil Defence for providing first aid cover, but especially to all those who took part.