Gerard Gavin, Declan Costello, Linda Cunningham, Lee Anne Maye, Colm Walsh, Michelle Bohan and Jenny Algar in jubilant mood after the World Masters Mountain Running Championships in Clonmel.

World Masters medal joy for Mullingar Harriers runners

Published: Thu 8 Sep 2022, 1:00 PM

Last updated: Thu 8 Sep 2022, 2:02 PM

The World Masters Mountain Running Championships took place in Clonmel, County Tipperary last Saturday morning where Mullingar Harriers AC was well represented on the Irish squad.

Heavy overnight rain made conditions wet and mucky, adding to the challenge for the group from Mullingar Harriers, most of whom were taking part in competitive mountain running for the first time.

The race started on the edge of Clonmel town and ventured in to the Comeragh Mountains on a challenging and exciting course along a mixture of trails, forest paths and open mountain tracks, finishing at the Cross overlooking Clonmel town and the River Suir valley. The format of the competitions followed two distances, an 8.4k short course for athletes aged aged 55 up to 79 years of age and a long course 10.6k route for athletes aged 35 up to 54 years of age.

Image 1 of 9
Jenny Algar races through the finish in Clonmel.

Image 2 of 9
Michelle Bohan finishes strong in Clonmel.

Image 3 of 9
Stephen Naughton (412) in relaxed mood before the start in Clonmel.

Image 4 of 9
Aisling and Oisín Lane who competed in the mass 10k event at the recent European T&F in Munich, Germany.

Image 5 of 9
Gerard Gavin (third from left) proudly stands on the podium to receive his World Masters silver team medal.

Image 6 of 9
Gerard Gavin and Linda Cunningham pose for a photo near the finish line – the view behind gives a sense of how high they had to run up the mountain!

Image 7 of 9
Gerard Gavin poses with his World Masters silver team medal.

Image 8 of 9
Sean McMullin – World Masters Mountain Running Championships, bronze team medal winner.

Athletes racing the short course started the day and first to race from Mullingar were Club President Sean McMullin and Stephen Naughton, taking on the many climbs that accumulated over 500m of ascent.

Stephen battled hard to finish well up in his master category, unfortunately out of the medal places but happy with his effort. Sean was first Irishman in his category finishing an incredible sixth place and leading the Irish team to third place and the team bronze medals.

The long course race followed the same initial very steep 2km climb followed by a technical descent but had more than an extra 100m in altitude to conquer before reaching the finish line. Gerard Gavin, Colm Walsh, Declan Costello, Michelle Bohan, Jennifer Algar, Lee Anne Maye and Linda Cunningham all put their climbing strengths and skills to the test and did themselves, Mullingar Harriers, and the Irish team proud.

Gerard Gavin was third scorer on the Irish team that finished second in his category and both Michele Bohan and Jennifer Algar had top 20 finishes in their categories.

Sean McMullin is an ever-present at International competitions and continued his amazing run of success with another World Championships medal. With Gerard Gavin also picking up an International medal, and other club members continuing or getting their first taste of International competitions, it is great to see more and more Harriers looking beyond local races and competing against the World's best.

With the final track race walking event completed in mid-July, the Club’s racewalkers took a well-earned rest from their intense training for the remainder of the summer and tried out various alternatives for fun and experience.

Firstly, Andrew Glennon and Matthew Glennon, successfully tried out the Glendalough Mountain Running Race in late July at Camaderry Mountain in the Wicklow Mountains and shocked the traditional enthusiasts with Andrew finishing an excellent seventh overall, but having to yield to his older brother Matthew, who finished second in this gruelling test of strength and stamina.

On finishing, Matthew was surprised to learn that the race was actually a trial and his podium placing automatically earned him selection for the Irish Mountain Running Association (IMRA) team for the 2022 British and Irish Junior Mountain Running Championships in Cumbria, England. So, last Saturday morning he took on the best of the Fell Runners of these islands and moved up a gear in every sense of the word.

The 5.7km Cumbria course was a stiff test, taking the runners up the mountain side, climbing 300m in the process, and then descending at breakneck speed back to the start/finish line, all in challenging underfoot conditions with plenty of rough ground, rocks and brambles. Boosted by his excellent Leaving Certificate results the day before, Matthew fought hard and was rewarded for his efforts by finishing first Irish athlete home in the Junior International. Well done Matthew. Training on the hills of Belvedere has definitely paid off dividends for young Matthew.

More “down to earth”, Oisín Lane and Aisling Lane gave trail running a trial, and took part in the excellent new series of 5km trail runs, which were a great success throughout the month of August for our neighbouring club, Longford AC. These are reminiscent of the Trail League once run by the Club every May in Belvedere. Oisín had a 100% success rate, easily winning all three trail races entered. This was regardless of the terrain, as the venue changed every week, with the first race being held along the Canal paths, the next through a bog circuit and finishing off with a forest run through Newcastle Woods (home of Center Parcs Ireland).

Not to be outdone, his younger sister Aisling too held her own with the many adults participating across all age groups. Many of these also included fellow members of Mullingar Harriers, with Maura Dervin also having a 100% record by winning on both nights that she participated despite some close competition. Likewise, Brigid McCabe was absolutely dominant in her age category every night and was ably supported by her evergreen husband Nicky, who was very much at home running through the wonderful wilds of the Irish countryside.

Oisín and Aisling Lane soak up Munich atmosphere

Taking a break from the Irish trails, Oisín and Aisling Lane followed the trails of the elite European marathon runners as they enjoyed participating in the mass 10km event, in which 2,500 competed, hosted by the organisers of the European Championships in Munich on the same course used for the Championship marathons.

With the same course facilities and thousands of spectators, they had a very pleasant run through Munich, despite the ever increasing afternoon temperatures, with Aisling finishing fourth in her category. A great and unique way to see Munich and enjoy the Championship atmosphere.