The Annual Newtownforbes 5km Road Race on St. Stephen’s Day was held in very difficult conditions. With the usual course declared too dangerous, a new out and back course on the main N4 was hastily arranged but a heavy rain shower made it very unpleasant for the athletes. With all other races throughout the Country cancelled, the hardy athletes who turned up in such large numbers enjoyed the fast 5km course. With some athletes having travelled from Counties Dublin, Meath, Offaly, Cavan and Westmeath to name but a few, it would have been terribly disappointing to have had to cancel the race, but fortunately the athletes’ journeys were not in vain.

For the fourth year in a row, Damien Bateman home from University in Albuquerque in New Mexico finished very strongly in a thrilling finish to win from Mark Kirwan (Raheny Shamrocks) with Rory McDonnell (Dunboyne) third, Paul Buckley (Ferbane) fourth, Catch Grennan (Tullamore) fifth and Aodhan O’Reilly (Annalee) sixth. The ladies race saw Linda Byrne of DSD record a very impressive victory over Pauline Curley (Tullamore), with Aoife Brady (Sportsworld) in third.

The large contingent of Mullingar athletes had a very successful day, and most won the various categories. Following in after Damien were Martin Lyons, Ben Vaitkavichius (1st in master category), Aidan Gorry and Matt Glennon (1st in master category). One of the most impressive runs of the day was that of Padraig Moran who finished an amazing 13th place, which is really great running by a 14 year old. Others to get in the prizes included Enda Mimnagh, Aidan Daly, Michael Moran, Nicky McCabe, Seamus Moran, Sean McMullin and Christy Creagh. Also running well were Brendan Marshall, Liam Dalton, Gary Moore, Brian Boyle, Brendan Flynn, Paul McCool, Aidan Smyth and Kevin Glennon.

The Mullingar ladies also made their presence felt with Paula Murray having a fine win in her master category, as did Vera McCool, Brigid McCabe, Nuala Moran, Edel Glennon (2nd junior), Breda McDonnell, Aine Devaney, Mairead Devaney, Rachel Glennon, Nicole Gorry, Breda Daly, Siobhan Devaney and Terri Greene.