National Cross Country Championships

Athletics enthusiasts in the midlands reeived a welcome boost this week when it was confirmed the National Inter County Cross Country Championships are to be staged at Kilbeggan racecourse next month. The Championships, which are expected to attract up to 10,000, will feature all of the country's best known athletes, as the event is also a trial to pick the Irish teams for the European Championships which are being hosted in Santry, Dublin in December.Among those expected to face the starter, on Sunday, November 22, will be Mullingar Harrierts trio, Martin Fagan, Mark Christie and Damien Bateman. All three have been in terrific form of late and have very realistic hopes of making the Irish team. Just last week, Martin produced a very smooth performance to see off all comers to claim the Bost Half Marathon, becoming only the second Irishman to win the event and after troublesome injuries caused difficulties earlier in the year, he will be hoping to round off 2009 on a high.Two spectacular runs in as many weeks, indicate that Mark Christie is in the form of his life at present. Just last Sunday, he overcame a very strong field to win the Gerry Farnan Memorial 5 mile event in the Phoenix Park. The Mullingar triumvirate is completed by Damien Bateman who has been in very good form as well and the Ringtown native, who like Fagan, was US based during his academic years, will be quietly confident of gaining a green vest.The ladies race will be no less intriguing with Mary Cullen, fourth in the Europeans in Brussels ten months ago, looking to return to that big stage in December while the returning Fionnuala Britton will provide stiff opposition.Westmeath could have another potential winner, of the National Junior title, with Jake Byrne from Rochfortbridge vying for the honours. He has proved to be a class apart at underage level and hopefully that good form will carry through.Regarded as one of the finest juvenile clubs in the country, Mullingar Harriers will be hoping that quite a few of their young guns will make the starting line in November. There are twelve races in all on the day, with Juvenile Championships for athletes Under 12, 14, 16 and 18.Speaking to the 'Westmeath Examiner' this week, Bobbie Begley, founder member of Mullingar Harriers, said he was delighted that the club is hosting the event."This is a massive fixture and it will generate huge interest with television coverage planned. Up to 10,000 people are expected to travel to the midlands and, apart from the sporting spectacle, the championships should generate a much needed boost to the local economy."Kilbeggan was chosen because of this central location with the proximity of the M6 and the M4 improving the travel times", Bobbie confirmed. He paid tribute to Paddy Dunican, Manager of Kilbeggan Racecourse and his committee, for their vision and said the course should provide a real test for even the most talented athletes.While there is still a month to go to the National Championships, planning is already well advanced and Bobbie issued a call for volunteers to give a helping hand on the day. "If there are people out there who would be in a position to assist on the day, we would be delighted to hear from them.They can contact the club through our website or make contact directly with club officials", he concluded.