All systems go for Leinster Cross Country event

Given the very large number training at the Club on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and in Belvedere on Sunday mornings, it comes as no surprise that the Club has entered 121 athletes in the first round of the Leinster Cross Country Championships this Sunday in Belvedere. We’ll have Club teams in all but one age-group from under 12 boys and girls up to Novice and Master men and women, and will have County teams in most races too. The underage teams that qualify from Sunday will go forward to the All-Ireland Championships in Derry on November 28, which will mean an overnight stay in Derry on Saturday, November 27.This will be the first taste of competition at this level for many of our younger juveniles and some might be nervous about competing in front of a large crowd, but judging by their performances at the Westmeath Schools, Star of the Sea AC, and the Westmeath Cross Country Championships, and all the training they’ve put in over the past number of weeks, we know they have no reason to be overly nervous and that they’ll be fine and will do well. The important thing is to enjoy the experience. It is only a race after all!There will be a very large crowd in Belvedere so you are asked to be there by 11am at the latest, earlier if possible, to be in plenty of time to settle in and do a good warm-up. The car park near the Reception and Coffee Shop will be restricted to the users of Belvedere House and Gardens. Car parking for cross country traffic will be in the middle of the top field nearest the entrance and buses will park in the overflow car park near the roundabout on the entrance road. When you arrive head for the Mullingar Harriers banner near the finish area to get your race number. As this is a Championship, you must wear a Club vest. There will be very few spare vests available on the day, so you are advised to buy one in advance at the Club at training. Also, please have four safety pins for your number and check that your spikes are long enough for the course in Belvedere. The names of those entered are on the Notice board in the Club. If for any reason you can’t compete, please let Club officials know as soon as possible so we can arrange a substitute. Don’t worry if you’re name isn’t on the list, as it probably means you’re entered for the second round (the uneven ages) in Wexford two weeks later.The first race of the Championships is the under 12 girls, starting at 12 noon sharp. One minute after 12 will be too late and the race will have started. Before that, there will be Non-Championship races for girls and boys under 10 (born 2001 or 2002), starting with the girls at 11.30am and all our younger athletes aged 9 or 8 years are welcome to run. Medals will be presented to the first 12 finishers. There will be no numbers for the under 10 races, so just go straight to the start line after your warm-up.Appeal for stewards and helpWe’ll need a large number of stewards and volunteers on Sunday to help with parking, stewarding on the course and at the start and finish areas, programme selling, etc and we’re appealing to all Club members and former members and parents of members to help. The first buses will start to arrive between 10am and 10.30am, with the major rush of cars about 11am so please get to Belvedere before 10am if you can and go to the Club banner near the finish area to collect a bib and be given a task.Mullingar Masters chase International SelectionThe annual Gerry Farnan Cross Country in the Phoenix Park is an open race but incorporates the trials for the Ireland teams to compete at the British and Irish Masters International Cross Country, which this year will be held in Santry on November 14, so a number of the Club’s master athletes competed last Sunday looking to secure places on the Ireland teams. The master men ran with the senior men over 5 miles and Tom McGrath recovered well from the blistering pace of the opening lap and worked his way back nicely into a good position and had an excellent race, finishing well up in his master category, but will have to wait to find out if he will be selected. Also running really well was Ben Vaitkavichius, who also finished well up in his master category and must also await the decision of the selectors. If selected, this will be an historic occasion because Ben, who we all know is from Lithuania, will be representing his adopted Country. Christy Creagh has been in great form of late and also finished well up in his master category and is hopeful of selection too.In the corresponding women’s race where seniors and masters ran together over 3 miles, Mary Scully really threw down the gauntlet to the senior women and showed she fears no-one and kept right in touch with the senior athletes throughout the race and finished a fantastic 6th overall, only yards behind some well-regarded senior athletes, and way ahead of the next master woman. Winning her category means Mary earns automatic selection on the Ireland team, making this two years in a row. Also having a brilliant race, probably her best in a long time was Michelle O’Halloran who finished well up in her master category but must await the outcome of the selection meeting. Ciara Dillon was next in for Mullingar and expressed satisfaction with her run in the senior grade. Geraldine Walsh completed the Mullingar team, and despite a good performance expressed doubt that she will make the Ireland team, but will also await the outcome of the selection meeting.For Tom, Christy, Mary and Geraldine, they have run for Ireland before, but if Ben is selected the Club’s “International Roll of Honour” will have to be updated again to add a very un-Irish name to the list.Eddie Newman fulfils a marathonambitionEddie Newman has good reason to remember the date 10-10-10, because on Sunday, October 10 last he completed theChicago Marathon in a new personal best time of 2:55:56 and in doing so realised his goal of running in the big-5 World Marathon Majors, namely Boston, New York, London, Berlin and Chicago.Eddie went through the half way point in 1:25, so was on target for a 2:50 finish but had to change his race plan then due to the increasing heat. Starting off it was 19°C but the temperature rose to nearly 30°C, especially when the runners cleared the shelter of the Chicago skyscrapers and faced the full brunt of the sun. It was a wise decision in the circumstances, as he risked not being able to finish and might have ruined his chance of completing the Big-5. Of the five, the slowest was in Boston (3:12) and he kept the best for the last in Chicago!Dublin City MarathonA number of athletes from Mullingar will be competing in the Dublin City Marathon this coming bank holiday Monday and we wish them all well and a safe 26 mile 385 yard journey in this most gruelling event.Important fixtures24th Leinster Cross Country (even ages, Novice, Master) Belvedere25th Dublin City Marathon, incorporating the AAI National marathon Championship7th Nov. Leinster Cross Country (uneven ages, Intermediate) Adamstown, Co. Wexford14th Masters Home Countries Cross Country, Santry.