Mullingar Road League 2010 : Reports

Round 4 - 26th May

Curtain closes on phenomenally successful Road League

The final round of our Road League on Wednesday evening 26th May saw another huge entry on the start line on a fine evening for running. The total number of participants over the four weeks was an astonishing 636, which is a big increase on the 450 or so who took part last year. The success of the superbly organised League was due in no small measure to the many volunteers who gave of their time to make it the success it was. These are the people who take registrations, record results, steward the course, organize prizes, and the myriad other tasks required to run a race series successfully. The final round also saw the emergence of Jake Byrne and Vincent Connolly, both juniors, as top quality athletes when they finished first and second ahead of the vastly experienced Ger Heery of St. Brigid’s AC (Meath), with Jake setting a new course record of 15:30 in the process.

Following Ger Heery in to fill the top six places was Declan Fahy (Tullamore Harriers AC), Peter Mooney (Meath) and Martin Fulton (Baileborough AC). First woman on the night was Lorraine Daly (Mullingar), followed by Michelle O’Halloran (Mullingar), Shauna Moore (Dunshaughlin AC), Paula Murray (Mullingar), Sinead Nolan (Annalee AC) and Maura Dervin (Mullingar). With prizes decided on the total of the three best finishing times over the four races, this meant there were battles taking place throughout the entire field for prizes in the various categories. The prize giving took place in the Courtyard at Belvedere and the prizes were presented to the various category winners by Susan Finnerty, wife of the late Pat whom the League commemorates.

While Ger Heery finished third on the night, he was the clear overall winner of the senior men’s category and in the senior women’s category, Mary Scully (Mullingar Harriers) had all the work done with victories in the first 3 rounds and was an equally emphatic overall winner and both were presented with the Pat Finnerty Memorial Trophies for first man and woman, which Ger has now won for the second year in a row.

The other men’s prizes were awarded to Peter Mooney 2nd (Meath), Declan Fahy 3rd (Tullamore Harriers AC), Martin Lyons 4th (Mullingar), Robert Miller 5th (North Laois AC) and Derek Croal 6th (Bohermeen AC). Women’s prizes were presented to Michelle O’Halloran 2nd (Mullingar), Sinead Roche 3rd (Mullingar), Sinead Nolan 4th (Annalee AC), Edith Brady 5th (Midland Tri) and Elaine Smith 6th (Baileborough AC). Full details of all the junior and master prize winners can be seen HERE.

The four races succeeded in introducing hundreds of men and women to the joys of running and fitness, which they had never experienced before, and many of them had joined the Harrier’s Fit 4 Life Programme over the past few months. Hopefully, many of them will continue in the sport and take part in the various low-key races throughout the Midlands in the months ahead and continue their training at both the Harrier’s grounds and at Belvedere.

Finally, many thanks 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.

Round 3 - 19th May

Registrations top 600, making 2010 League most successful yet

Taking full advantage of the beautiful summer weather on Wednesday 19th May, over 422 runners, joggers and walkers took part in the third round of our Annual Road League. Over 600 competitors have registered so far, the majority locals, making this the most successful and best supported athletics event in the County, which is a just reward for the hardworking group of people who have given freely of their time to make the League a success. No doubt the late Pat Finnerty, whom the League commemorates, would have been very proud.

Ger HeeryGer Heery (St. Brigid's AC) skipped round 2 but made a winning return for round 3 and if he runs the final night, will be difficult to beat for the overall men’s prize. Peter Mooney (Unattached), Declan Fahy (Tullamore), Paul Gleeson (South O’Hanlon), Tom McGrath (Mullingar) and Martin Lyons (Mullingar) completed the top six and will be looking to run well this Wednesday and challenge for prizes. Mary Scully (Mullingar) was again the dominant force in the women’s race, followed in by Michelle O’Halloran, Sinead Roche, Maura Dervin, Paula Murray, Vera McCool and Siobhain Moore, making it an all-Mullingar top 6 finish.Ger HeeryGer Heery (St. Brigid's AC) skipped round 2 but made a winning return for round 3 and if he runs the final night, will be difficult to beat for the overall men’s prize. Peter Mooney (Unattached), Declan Fahy (Tullamore), Paul Gleeson (South O’Hanlon), Tom McGrath (Mullingar) and Martin Lyons (Mullingar) completed the top six and will be looking to run well this Wednesday and challenge for prizes. Mary Scully (Mullingar) was again the dominant force in the women’s race, followed in by Michelle O’Halloran, Sinead Roche, Maura Dervin, Paula Murray, Vera McCool and Siobhain Moore, making it an all-Mullingar top 6 finish.

In the junior men’s race, Gavin Doran (Midland Tri) led home, with Ryan Blundell (Mullingar) and Glen Gaffney (Mullingar) running well, while in the junior women’s race, Shauna Moore (Dunshaughlin) with three out of three wins, looks to have overall first prize wrapped up though Lorraine Daly and Rebecca Kelly (Mullingar) still competed with enthusiasm.In the junior men’s race, Gavin Doran (Midland Tri) led home, with Ryan Blundell (Mullingar) and Glen Gaffney (Mullingar) running well, while in the junior women’s race, Shauna Moore (Dunshaughlin) with three out of three wins, looks to have overall first prize wrapped up though Lorraine Daly and Rebecca Kelly (Mullingar) still competed with enthusiasm.In the junior men’s race, Gavin Doran (Midland Tri) led home, with Ryan Blundell (Mullingar) and Glen Gaffney (Mullingar) running well, while in the junior women’s race, Shauna Moore (Dunshaughlin) with three out of three wins, looks to have overall first prize wrapped up though Lorraine Daly and Rebecca Kelly (Mullingar) still competed with enthusiasm.In the junior men’s race, Gavin Doran (Midland Tri) led home, with Ryan Blundell (Mullingar) and Glen Gaffney (Mullingar) running well, while in the junior women’s race, Shauna Moore (Dunshaughlin) with three out of three wins, looks to have overall first prize wrapped up though Lorraine Daly and Rebecca Kelly (Mullingar) still competed with enthusiasm.

The final night on Wednesday 26th May promises to be a real thriller with plenty of prizes to be won in the various categories, which will be presented afterwards in the Reception Centre at Belvedere. For those looking to keep running, don’t forget the Rathowen 5km Road Race the following Wednesday evening 2nd June.The final night on Wednesday 26th May promises to be a real thriller with plenty of prizes to be won in the various categories, which will be presented afterwards in the Reception Centre at Belvedere. For those looking to keep running, don’t forget the Rathowen 5km Road Race the following Wednesday evening 2nd June.

Round 2 - 12th May

League proves to be the hottest ticket in town

The hottest ticket in town is the general consensus of the participants taking part in the Mullingar "Pat Finnerty Memorial" Road League each Wednesday evening during the month of May, through the magnificent grounds of Belvedere House and Gardens. Numbers were up again for the second round on 12th May, with 435 finishers, bringing the total to 537 registered over the first two weeks. With such numbers, we might have to put a limit on the number of entrants in future.

Wanting to get a good hard race under his belt, Jake Byrne (Mullingar Harriers) went straight to the front and was never troubled seriously as he led from start to finish to come home in an excellent 15:46, followed by a fast finishing Vinny Connolly (Mullingar Harriers), comfortably clear of Peter Mooney (Unattached), Martin Lyons (Mullingar Harriers), Declan Fahy (Tullamore Harriers) and Martin Fulton (Baileborough).

In the women's race, Mary Scully (Mullingar Harriers) was first to finish in 18:07, followed by Sinead Roche (Mullingar Harriers), Michelle O'Halloran (Mullingar Harriers) to match the 1-2-3 of last week. Next in was Paula Murray (Mullingar Harriers), Sinead Nolan (Annalee) and Maura Dervin (Mullingar Harriers), all running well and certain to feature in the prizes on the final night.

Thomas Lynn, Oisin Quinn and Cormac Dalton filled the top three places in the Junior Men's race, making it a 1-2-3 for Mullingar Harriers, while in the Junior Women's Shauna Moore (Dunshaughlin) won for the second week, ahead of Rebecca Kelly and Hilary Harris (Mullingar Harriers).

The superbly organized League is proving to be a real winner, from the youngest to the oldest – who happens to be 84 years of age – with each and every runner, jogger and walker striving to improve on his or her time of the previous week. For most of the ladies taking part, it is the ideal preparation for the Women’s Mini Marathon in Dublin, which is run over a distance of 10km.

Perhaps it is the uniqueness of the course, with the first 2km on grass and the remainder through the woods that appeals to all? Also, although 10 different Counties are represented, over ninety percent taking part are locals, so the final evening on Wednesday 26th should see the largest number ever to take part in an athletics event in Westmeath. The League continues with round three on Wednesday 19th May.

Round 1 - 5th May

Road League exceeds expectations

The first round of the 2010 Road League series took place on Wednesday 5th May on a lovely dry and sunny evening, which showed Belvedere off to its very best. Numbers taking part in the annual league have grown year on year since moving to the Belvedere venue, due in no small part to being able to run free of traffic concerns in a beautiful woodland setting and in 2009 averaged 280 per evening. However, from early last Wednesday, judging by the number of cars arriving at Belvedere, it was evident that there was a major increase in interest this year and this showed itself with a phenomenal 422 taking part. Fortunately this year we decided to change the start position and it gave us plenty of space to accommodate everyone. It was quite some sight to see 422 people as they snaked across the open grassland course for the first 2km before entering the Earl’s trail for the final 3km through the woods.

From early on, a small breakaway group took to the front with Declan Fahy (Tullamore Harriers AC) leading the group into the Earl’s trail followed closely by Ger Heery (St. Brigid’s AC), Peter Mooney (Unattached), Paul Gleeson (South O’Hanlon AC), Derek Croal (Bohermeen AC) and Mullingar’s Martin Lyons getting all the local support. However, it was Ger Heery who emerged first from the woods, 11 seconds clear of Peter Mooney in second, a tiring Declan Fahy in third, Paul Gleeson fourth, Martin Lyons fifth and Derek Croal filling the sixth place in the men’s race. Leinster Road Race champion Mary Scully (Mullingar) won the women’s race followed in by Sinead Roche (Mullingar), Michelle O’Halloran (Mullingar), Maura Dervin (Mullingar), Sinead Nolan (Annalee AC) and Karen Crean (St. Brigid’s AC).

In the junior races, Thomas Lynn (Mullingar), Gavin Doran (Midland Tri Club) and Ryan Blundell (Mullingar) filled the first three places in the men’s race, and Shauna Moore (Dunshaughlin), Lorraine Daly (Mullingar), and Elizabeth Carr (Mullingar) did likewise in the women’s race.

Of course, among the rest of the field there were the usual battles, particularly among the master athletes, each vying to finish top in their age category. It wasn’t all about the top flight runners however and over the space of 55 minutes all 422 competitors made it to the finish line having run, jogged or walked the course, with all expressing satisfaction with their efforts and looking forward to next time to see if they can improve their time. An interesting statistic is that over 90% of participants in the first round were from Mullingar or surrounding areas, so well done to all these people for supporting the local race.

Many thanks to the many volunteers and stewards, and to Westmeath Civil Defence for providing first aid cover and of course to Bartle Darcy and the Staff of Belvedere for allowing use of the grounds.

The league continues on Wednesday 12th, starting at 8pm sharp, and continues every Wednesday in May and of course we mustn’t forget the Rathowen 5km Road Race on 2nd June can make it 5 Wednesdays in a row.