Tullamore Harriers athletes shine at Dublin City Marathon

It was a wonderful day for Tullamore Harriers at the 45th edition of the Dublin City Marathon, with 16 club athletes taking to the streets and producing some excellent performances after months of hard work, dedication and training.

Although a smaller contingent than in previous years, the Harriers had plenty to celebrate, with personal bests, sub-three-hour marathons and some outstanding individual achievements.

While the day remained dry, runners faced extremely blustery conditions throughout the course, with Storm Beaulo making its presence felt. In the days leading up to the race, athletes had been warned to prepare for strong winds, and they certainly got them - with several stretches proving particularly challenging, with significant headwinds, especially over the final three miles to the finish.

The race began on Leeson Street Lower at approximately 8.45am, with the first wave followed by three further waves. From there, runners tackled the challenging 26.2-mile course through the heart of Dublin, finishing at Mount Street Upper. The atmosphere was brilliant, as always, with thousands of supporters lining the streets to cheer on the participants. A special word of thanks goes to the Tullamore Harriers supporters who turned out to encourage their clubmates along the route, despite having to endure the miserable weather themselves.

First home for Tullamore Harriers was Paul Mitchell in an excellent time of 2:33:16. Garry Whittle and Ollie Neary both broke the three-hour barrier, recording personal bests of 2:58:33 and 2:58:44 respectively. This was a tremendous achievement for both athletes and a fitting reward for their months of dedicated training.

Shane McGuinness was next home in 3:21:42, followed by Jason McDermott, who recorded a personal best of 3:28:24. After many years of marathon running, Jason broke the three-and-a-half-hour barrier for the first time.

Adrian Curley was next across the line in 3:29:35, closely followed by Maire Triona Keane in 3:29:57. Maire Triona also recorded a personal best and looked comfortable throughout, capping off a fine performance.

Seamus Hoey continued the strong club showing with a time of 3:34:01, followed by George Fox in 3:48:48 and Mary Daly in 3:49:36. Bryce Fraser crossed the line in 3:51:51, with Daniel Thomas finishing in 4:00:42 and Mary Berry in 4:02:34. Josie Lalor completed the course in 4:46:09, followed by Aisling McCormack in 4:57:30, while Paddy Rowland brought the Harriers contingent home in 5:17:42.

The Dublin City Marathon also incorporates the National Marathon Championships and the Leinster Marathon Championships, with the championship results to be published in due course.

Congratulations to all 16 Tullamore Harriers athletes who took on the challenge. Completing a marathon is a tremendous achievement, and doing so in such testing conditions makes their performances all the more commendable.

Gold Rush for Tullamore Harriers at Leinster Cross Country

The Tullamore Harriers squad that braved the elements in Gowran for the Leinster Cross Country on Saturday the 24th of October, were rewarded for their efforts. Alongside a fantastic individual gold for James Hynes there were team victories for the clubs Under 14 Girls, Under 18 Girls and Under 20 Women squads.

Despite the torrential rain throughout the day the course held up well at the Kilkenny venue. In addition to James Hynes win in his Under 14 race there were top twelve finishes which are rewarded with individual medals for Tilly Cusack, Annabel Donegan, Heidi McCarthy, Niamh Garvey, Adelyn Walsh, Elise Cusack, Ally Duffy and Danny Rigney. Quite the medal haul for one afternoon of racing.

Under 12 Girls

Team- 9th

44- Laoise Kelly

46- Sophie Hynes

50- Laura Deverell

51- Evie Mahon

86- Niamh Murtagh

103- Faye Carroll

108- Aibhlinn Golden

134- Mairead O’Brien

Under 12 Boys

Team- 10th

33- Dara McLaughlin

47- Levi Carroll

67- Sean Dunican

70- Finn O’Connor

85- Luke Whittle

105- Jay Byrne

Under 14 Girls

Team- 1st

2- Matilda Cusack

10- Annabel Donegan

12- Heidi McCarthy

30- Amelia Lillie O’Connor

Under 14 Boys

Team- 5th

1- James Hynes

25- Aubin Walsh

51- Jason McKinney

56- Eoin Herlihy

70- Matthew Berry

78- Max McKiver

Under 16 Girls

46- Roisin O’Brien

50- Mollie King

Under 16 Boys

51- Daire Garvey

Under 18 Girls

Team- 1st

3- Adelyn Walsh

6- Elise Cusack

9- Ally Duffy

14- Aurelia Crotty

Under 18 Boys

4- Danny Rigney

32- Jack Marron

40- Jack Cowman

Under 20 Women

Team- 1st

2- Niamh Garvey

10- Eabhadh Multaney Kelly.

Jack 2nd Leinster Novice.

Jack Donegan claimed an excellent second place in the Leinster Novice Cross Country Championships in wet and soggy conditions in Gowran, Co. Kilkenny.

The Novice Men’s race brought the day’s programme to a close, with the even-aged juvenile races completed beforehand. By the time the 86 men lined out, the underfoot conditions were very typical cross-country standard, but Jack had a great run to secure a podium finish in 20:20, just three seconds behind race winner Gavin Callery of Dundrum South Dublin AC. Sean O’Connor of Dunshaughlin AC finished a tight third.

Barry Mooney also represented Tullamore Harriers, putting in a solid performance to finish 16th in a time of 21:50.

Eoin wins Mile Race

Congratulations to Eoin Brennan, who was the winner of Round 2 of the Winter League on Tuesday the 20th of October. Eoin had a fine run to clock an excellent 5:00 for the mile, with Nigel Cunningham finishing second and Darren Butler third.

A total of 43 club athletes lined out on a dry, fresh evening to cover the four laps of the tartan track.

This race marked Round 2 of the three-race Winter League, where club members are divided into four teams to battle it out for the overall honours. Captained by Nita McLoughlin, Mary Daly, Nigel Cunningham and Enda Golden, the teams now have just one race remaining - a 3,000m on Tuesday, 17th of November.

Well done to everyone who took part, and with the final round still to come, we hope to see another great turnout.

As always, a big thank you to our officials and volunteers who make these club race nights possible.

Results;

Eoin Brennan 5.00

Nigel Cunningham Captain 5.16

Darren Butler 5.26

Gearoid McHugh 5.34

Padraig Berry 5.43

Liam Byrne 5.45

Daniel Molloy 5.53

Alan Heffernan 5.56

Nick McGowan 5.57

George Fox 5.58

Jonathan King 6.03

Sarah Flanagan 6.06

Niamh McEnhill 6.07

John Donegan 6.12

Shane McGuinness 6.17

Ciaran Muldowney 6.18

Rachel Henry 6.19

Evelyn Herlihy 6.20

Nita McLoughlin Captain 6.22

Dave Dunican 6.39

Jason McDermott 6.42

Liam Dunne 6.43

Rita Daly Ravenhill 6.51

Enda Golden Captain 6.55

Elysia McCormack 6.58

Marie Donegan 7.00

Una Mullen 7.05

Emer Rigney 7.06

Seamus Hoey 7.15

Bryce Fraser 7.16

Mary Galvin 7.17

Mary Berry 7.19

Maeve Larkin 7.42

Mary Daly Captain 7.43

Ann O'Malley 7.51

Michael Kinsella 7.52

Paschal Naughton 7.59

Olive Mannion 8.02

Naomi Galvin 8.07

Sharon Daly 8.08

Helene Rouget 8.10

Martina Lydon 8.20

Niamh Ní Cheilleachair 8.31

Fixtures

November

1st November– Offaly Intermediate & Juvenile Relays Cross Country Championships – Kilcormac Killoughey GAA

7th November – Leinster Uneven Age & Senior Cross Country Championships – Curragh, Co. Kildare

7th November, Offaly Athletics Awards Ceremony, Tullamore Court Hotel.

28th November – Leinster Mixed Relays & B Cross Country Championships – Stradbally, Co. Laois.

December

13th December – Offaly Senior Cross Country Championships – Kilcormac Killoughey GAA

20th December – Grand National Club Race- Tullamore Harriers.

25th December – Hospice Mile – Tullamore Harriers

31st December – Round the Houses New Year’s Eve Club Race -Tullamore Harriers.

Senior Training

Tuesday – 5.55pm & 6.40pm.

Thursday - 6.30pm

For any enquiries contact club captains Glenn 0868275228 or Rita 0868386687