Fantastic Start to the Midland Running League

There was an brilliant turnout of almost 190 runners and walkers for the first 5km fun run and walk in the Midland Running League at Belvedere House, Gardens & Park, Mullingar on Wednesday May 2nd last. This was a record entry for the event and included participants from eight different counties who were all full of praise for the new traffic-free course. It is fitting that this event should take place off the road over a scenic 5km course through the Earls Trail in Belvedere, following on from the recent National Road Safety Week campaign promoting road safety especially to young road users.

A fine summer’s evening set the scene for a most enjoyable event. Thanks to all the participants who came out in such huge numbers to support the league. The large entry included many local runners, joggers and walkers, with many athletes throughout the midlands and beyond also taking part. The increased entry of walkers was most welcome. Noel Kelly from the host club Mullingar Harriers and Pauline Curley from Tullamore Harriers were the individual male and female winners on the night, but in this event everyone who takes part is a winner.

Judging by the entries so far the Midland Running League is destined to be another great success this year. The event promoted by Mullingar Harriers Athletic Club & Westmeath Sports Partnership is aimed at increasing participation in sport and physical activity in Westmeath. It offers a fun and social way to participate in sport and aims to cater for runners, joggers and walkers of all ages and abilities. The focus is on participation rather that competition and the Organising Committee are encouraging as many as possible to take part. The event aims to encourage women to participate in sport and is ideal preparation for ladies who are preparing for the forthcoming women’s mini-marathon. Indeed it is a fun way for the entire family to participate in sport with children aged 12 and over also welcome to take part.

The organizers are confidently expecting another large turnout for the remaining events on the Wednesday evenings in May. We look forward to welcoming back all our participants for our next event at Belvedere House, Gardens & Park (Wednesday May 9th – 7.30pm start) and hopefully many new runners, joggers and walkers will take up the challenge and join us in this fun and social event.

For new entries, registration is at the Visitor Centre in Belvedere from 6.30pm onwards. Each entrant will receive a souvenir t-shirt. Runners and walkers already registered should go directly to the start area in the overflow carpark. The entry fee is €15 for the series, which covers the five events and includes a souvenir t-shirt for each participant, or €5 per event.

There will be a presentation ceremony after the final event on May 30th with lots of category and spot prizes to be won. The overall male and female winners will receive the Pat Finnerty Perpetual Trophy to commemorate Pat Finnerty (R.I.P.), past Chairperson of Mullingar Harriers. Prizes will be awarded for participants who take part in three out of the five events.

The Organising Committee are appealing to the people of Westmeath and the Midlands to support this event, it is a great fun and social way to participate in sport and explore the beauty of one of our finest visitor attractions simultaneously. So why not come to Belvedere House, Gardens & Park on the Wednesday evenings of May, you will not be disappointed!

Mullingar Harriers and Westmeath Sports Partnership wish to thank all who contributed to the success of the event so far, especially the Management & Staff of Belvedere House, Park & Gardens, Westmeath County Council and Westmeath Civil Defence without whose support and assistance the Midland Running League could not take place. Thanks also to all the stewards who did a superb job on marshalling the course, taking entries, recording and processing results.

The Midland Running League is a joint initiative between Mullingar Harriers Athletic Club and Westmeath Sports Partnership, supported by the Irish Sports Council under the Women in Sport Programme. One of the aims of the Westmeath Sports Partnership three-year strategy for the development of sport in the county is to encourage participation in sport at local level. For further information on the League contact Sonja Statham, Westmeath Sports Partnership Tel: 044-9390208 / Pat Muldoon, Mullingar Harriers Tel: 087 6982547. Alternatively visit www.westmeathsports.ie or www.mullingarharriers.com Full results are available on either of the above websites.