Round 5 - 30th May

The final event of the Midland Running League last Wednesday (May 30th) saw a very good turn out for an exciting climax to the series at Belvedere House, Mullingar. Being the last in the 5-race series, this was the final opportunity to make a mark and get amongst the prizes. While conditions might not have been perfect for officials, the light shower that fell during the race went largely unnoticed by the athletes due to the great shelter provided by the trees in the trails around Belvedere. As in previous nights, the venue and organisation came in for great praise and many looked forward to competing again next year. The League proved to be a great fun and social way to keep fit. One of the main aims of the event was to encourage women’s participation in sport and judging by the high number of women that took part, it certainly was very successful in this respect. Indeed the event was a fun way for the entire family to participate in sport with children aged 12 and over also taking part.

When the event was finished, everyone retired to the visitor centre for welcome refreshments and the presentation of prizes. In her speech before the prize giving, Sonja Statham of Westmeath Sports Partnership congratulated everyone for seeing the series to the end and thanked the organising committee, the Management and Staff of Belvedere House and Gardens, Westmeath County Council and Westmeath Civil Defence, without whose support and assistance the league could not have taken place. She concluded by thanking all the officials who did a superb job marshalling the course, taking entries, recording and processing results and to anyone who supported the event in any way. As the overall male and female winners were to receive the Pat Finnerty Perpetual Trophy to commemorate Pat Finnerty (RIP) past Chairperson of Mullingar Harriers, in his speech, Greg Duggan (Club Secretary) gave the assembled crowd some insights into who Pat Finnerty was and why he is so fondly remembered by the members of the Club, from the youngest to the oldest. With the speech formalities concluded, it was down to the main business of the evening, the prize giving. The Pat Finnerty Perpetual Trophy was presented by Pat’s widow, Susan Finnerty, to the overall male winner (our own Noel Kelly) and the overall female winner, Pauline Curley from Tullamore Harriers. There were very many other categories of prizes for participants who took part in three out of the five events and a host of spot prizes were also presented to acknowledge participation in the league, especially under the Women in Sport Initiative.

The Midland Running League was a joint initiative between Mullingar Harriers and Westmeath Sports Partnership, supported by the Irish Sports Council under the Women in Sport Programme. The Westmeath Sports Partnership supported the Midland Running League as a Participation in Sport Initiative under the Westmeath Sports Strategy. The 2007 League has been an unprecedented success with almost 300 registered participants, making it one of the most successful Participation in Sport Initiatives organised at local level.

Round 4 - 23rd May

Last Wednesday (May 23rd) the penultimate event in the League took place. Weather conditions were ideal setting the scene for a most enjoyable evening. Thanks to all the participants who yet again came out in huge numbers to support the event. The overall number of participants in the League has grown week on week and it was great to see so many runners, joggers and walkers again taking part. Noel Kelly from the host club Mullingar Harriers was first in the Senior Men’s category recording his third win in the League while Mary Hanley from Na Fianna Athletic Club was first Senior Woman. Going into the final event it’s looking very close in the overall standings in all categories but in this event everyone who takes part is a winner. The focus is on participation rather that competition and on catering for runners, joggers and walkers of all ages and abilities by providing a fun and enjoyable way to participate in sport.

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 League could not take place. Thanks to all the stewards who did a superb job on marshalling the course, taking entries, recording and processing results and to anyone who supported the event in any way.

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 Westmeath Sports Partnership supports the Midland Running League as a participation in sport initiative under the Westmeath Sports Strategy.

Round 3 - 16th May

Over 250 participants in the Midland Running League at Belvedere

The 2007 Midland Running League organised by Mullingar Harriers Athletic Club and Westmeath Sports Partnership is proving to be a tremendous success. There was another superb turnout of 145 runners and walkers including a steady flow of new entrants for the third event on Wednesday last (16th May) at Belvedere House, Gardens and Park, Mullingar. Thanks to all the participants who came out to in such huge numbers to support the event, braving the wet and wintry weather conditions to take part. Noel Kelly of Mullingar Harriers was first over the line to take his second win in the League while Pauline Curley of Tullamore Harriers was again the fastest woman recording her third win, and both are now in good positions in the overall standings.

There has been a fantastic response from the people of Westmeath and the wider midlands region to this event making it one of the most successful participation in sport initiatives organised at local level. Over 250 registered participants including runners, joggers and walkers of all ages and abilities have taken part so far and with just two events remaining the Organising Committee are appealing to the people of Westmeath and the Midlands to continue to support the event. The League is held on a scenic traffic free course on the trails in Belvedere is a great fun and social way to keep fit. One of the aims of the event is to encourage women’s participation in sport and it is ideal preparation for the women’s mini-marathon in a few weeks time. Walkers are very welcome and it is very encouraging to see the large numbers of them 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.

The penultimate event in this year’s League takes place at Belvedere House, Gardens & Park this evening (Wednesday May 23rd – 7.30pm start). The organisers look forward to welcoming back all existing participants and with just two events remaining are encouraging as many new entrants as possible to take up the challenge and participate. So why not give the event a try, you will not be disappointed! 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 car park. The entry fee is €15 for the series, which covers the remaining events and includes a souvenir t-shirt for each participant, or €5 per event. There will be refreshments and presentation of prizes following the final event on May 30th.

Excellent feedback has already been received on the event. Local participants are delighted that a keep fit initiative encouraging participation in sport has been organised in Westmeath while a large number of athletes from throughout the midlands region have commented on the fantastic facility at Belvedere and the unique traffic free course through the Belvedere estate. The event has also received substantial coverage in the local and national media and looks sure to attract further interest over the coming weeks.

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 event 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.

Round 2 - 9th May

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.

Round 1 - 2nd May

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.