Success
of Midland Running League Continues
There was another fantastic entry of 160 runners and
walkers in the second 5km fun run and walk in the Midland Running League jointly promoted by Mullingar Harriers Athletic
Club and Westmeath Sports Partnership at Belvedere House, Gardens & Park, Mullingar on Wednesday evening last (May 9th).
This
follows a record 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.
Forty new participants took part in the second event bringing the total registered
entry to well in excess of two hundred, making this year’s League an overwhelming success. Conditions were ideal despite
the heavy showers earlier in the evening. The runners and walkers enjoyed the challenging course that took them around
the scenic perimeter of the Belvedere estate on the undulating Earls Trail
alongside Lough Ennell. Paul Buckley of Ferbane Athletic Club and Pauline Curley of Tullamore Harriers recorded the
fastest individual male and female times, while Cormac Finnerty and Eva Ross were first Westmeath male and female runners
to finish. The focus of the League however is on participation rather than competition and it is great to see such a keen
interest in the event with runners, joggers and walkers of all ages and abilities taking part. Thanks to all the participants who came out in such huge numbers so far. The entry has included many local runners,
joggers, walkers and also athletes from throughout the midlands.
The Midland Running League aims to encourage women to participate in sport
also and is ideal preparation for the forthcoming women’s mini-marathon. It is also very encouraging to see the large
number of walkers participating. Indeed the League is a fun way for the entire family to participate in sport with children
aged 12 and over encouraged to take part.
Mullingar Harriers and Westmeath Sports Partnership have
received excellent feedback on the event so far and with just three events remaining we anticipate a large turnout for
each of the remaining Wednesday evenings in May. We look forward to welcoming back all our participants for our next event
at Belvedere House, Gardens & Park on Wednesday May 16th – 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. Registration is at the Visitor
Centre in Belvedere from 6.30pm onwards. 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 all the events and includes a souvenir t-shirt for
each participant, or €5 per event. The presentation of prizes including category and spot prizes will take place after
the final event on May 30th.
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 at one of our finest visitor attractions. So why not come to Belvedere House, Gardens &
Park to participate in the Midland Running League, you will not be disappointed!
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.
The Organising Committee wish to thank all who have 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. For further information on the League contact Sonja Statham,
Westmeath Sports Partnership Tel: 044-9390208 / info@westmeathsports.ie or Pat Muldoon, Mullingar Harriers Tel: 087 6982547 / info@mullingarharriers.com
