Kinnegad Road Races prove a resounding success

For a first running of a new road race on the fixture list, the Kinnegad 5km Road Race last Wednesday evening (11th Aug) could only be deemed a phenomenal success, with over 330 taking part, including some top class International athletes such as Sean Connolly (Tallaght AC) and Olympian Pauline Curley (Tullamore Harriers AC). The evening was mild and sunny, so running conditions were perfect for the race. The layout of the course was met with universal approval, being mainly flat and therefore fast, with a good wide start on the Main Street and a long finishing straight from the last bend up to the finish. There was an excellent prize fund, which clearly had a big influence and attracted the big names, and big numbers of competitors. Proceeds go to Coralstown/Kinnegad GAA, whose Clubhouse was the headquarters for the event, with registration, showers and changing facilities, and refreshments and presentation of prizes after the race. Congratulations to everyone concerned with the organization of the event.Right from the gun Sean Connolly (Tallaght AC) went to the front of the very large pack and slowly increased his lead to finish in 15:05, clear of Jake Byrne who had a great race to finish in 2nd place in 15:32. Paddy Kelly finished very strongly and was involved in a three-man sprint over the last 100m to decide the 3rd place prize but just lost out and finished 5th. Ben Vaitkavichius was next in for Mullingar, delighted to win his master category, with Maurice Looby close on his heels. Thomas Lynn finished 1st junior man, just ahead of Matt Glennon who won his master category, followed by Shane Fitzsimons who suffered stomach problems during the race and had to slow down after 1km and just ran on easy to finish the course. Shane has had a long season and deserves an easy run! Aidan Gorry was next in to win a prize for 1st local man, followed by Mark Carroll and Adam Daly (2nd junior man).The women’s race was won by Patrica Wlobarczyk (Poland), ahead of Pauline Curley (Tullamore Harriers AC) with Michelle O’Halloran in 3rd to win an individual prize. First junior woman was Lorraine Daly and Edel Glennon was 2nd junior woman. The prizes for 1st local boy and local girl were won by Kevin Giles and Donna Kiernan.Also competing for Mullingar were Gerry Duffy, JP O’Brien, Liam O’Reilly, Oisin Quinn, John Bannon, Aidan Daly, Karen Kellaghan, Freddie Murray, Michael O’Sullivan, Aaron Glynn, Louise Moore, Nuala Moran (2nd in master category), Sean McMullin, Eoghan Bracken, Mary Kennedy, Noeleen Bourke, Anna Ryan, Hughie O’Reilly, Ciaran Bracken, Sinead Muldoon, Brenda Butterly, Ann Lynch, Mary Daly, Tricia Flanagan, Emma Glynn, Des Walsh, Andrew Bracken, Geraldine Walsh, Caroline Walsh and Karen Malherbe who all enjoyed the 5km loop around the Boreen Bradach in Kinnegad.Masters T&F ChampionshipsIn spite of the very warm conditions last Sunday, which were very testing for the longer distance races, we had medal winning performances from two of our most experienced master athletes at the AAI National Masters Track and Field Championships in Tullamore, where Sean McMullin took silver in the 5,000m race walk and Christy Creagh took silver in the 5,000m run. Congratulations to them both.Boston Scientific Half MarathonSpare a thought for Eddie Newman who along with about 300 runners had to endure sweltering conditions in the inaugural Boston Scientific half marathon organized by Clonmel AC last Sunday, where he finished an excellent 12th overall and was 2nd in his master age category. The lead car took a wrong turn at one point, making it a 14.30 mile half marathon and just to add to the torture, it was advertised as a flat course but there was a tough 2 mile drag in the first half of the race. It’s just as well that Eddie is made of stern stuff! Congratulations to Eddie for surviving and finishing so well up the field in a time of 89:14.National Community Games Athletics FinalsFinally, we wish the very best of luck to all our Club members taking part in the Community Games Athletics Finals in Athlone IT this week-end, as they represent their local areas and County Westmeath. As always, those who will do well have been training all summer and will do their best on the day. Given the proximity of the venue, we expect that many supporters will take advantage and make the short trip to Athlone in support.Fixtures20th St. Abban’s AC Road Race, Monavea, Crettyard, Carlow21st Frank Duffy 10 mile, Phoenix Park28th Longford AC Children’s Sports Day, St. Mel’s College28th Rockford Roof tile 4 Mile Road Race, Tinryland, Co. Carlow29th Leinster Combined Event Championship, Claremont Stadium, Navan29th Longford MarathonTraining continues each Tuesday and Thursday from the Clubhouse in Grange at 7pm and at Belvedere on Sunday mornings at 11am. For results, news and details of all upcoming fixtures check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com.