AON MULLINGAR HALF MARATHON 17/03/2018

Report: Gearoid Rohan

There was no problem getting to the front of 1,200 runners at the start line, most were huddled together for shelter as the countdown began to the attractive 10:30am start time. Weather forecast was promised to be 1°C and feel like minus 4°C with a biting wind and it didn’t disappoint.  The midlands were experiencing arctic winds which made the choice of clothing a major talking point before the Mullingar Half Marathon on St Patricks Day.

Eventually, after consulting with another club nutter decision made, drop the long-sleeved shirts and run in the singlet.

The first 7 miles were directly into the bitter headwind, making it tough going and negative splits were the order of the day to achieve a desired time.  Super organisation along the route, junctions well marshalled and many Garda traffic diversions in place to allow the run to flow with ease. The inclusion of both mile and kilometre markers somehow seemed to help pass the time a bit faster.

Just as I began to doubt the locals we chatted to before the race, when they promised a fast finishing 6 miles with a tailwind, we turned off-road and onto the scenic Royal Canal pathway which took us all the way back to Mullingar. The surface on this section, although not tared, was immaculate and ideal for tired legs so the miles tipped along at a nice rate.

Back onto the road for the last ½ km and after a few agonising short downhill turns the finish line was in sight.

Athenry AC runners to make the trip included Colin Duane, Kieran Walsh, Jane Ann Meehan (2ndLady overall) and credit to Sinead Foran who produced the run of the day, smashing the elusive 1hr 30mins for a super PB.

Big turn out from Galway club runners and our car mate Steven Carty (Craughwell AC) had a whopping 7 minute PB.

It’s a race I would highly recommend with a course that you can really attack in the 2nd half. On a calmer day I reckon finish times would have been even faster. Race entry included a generous goody bag, T-Shirt and finishers medal along with post-race food with homemade soup and when you have a good pilot at the wheel it makes short work of the trip to Mullingar.

Race results available here: 

https://www.myrunresults.com/events/aon_mullingar_half_marathon_2018/2523/results

Race photos and video here:

https://vimeo.com/260644723

https://flic.kr/s/aHskuKhr7F

Race facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/mullingarhalfmarathon/