Memorable day for Harriers in Leinster championships

The Leinster Novice and Masters Road Race Championships took place on Bank Holiday Monday, on a most miserable, unseasonal day. Four teams from Tullamore Harriers made the trip to Gowran, Co Kilkenny, and put in performances deserving of individual and team medals. The Harriers' first medal winner was in the Novice Ladies race of 3000m which was run over two laps of the village of Gowran. Michelle Mullaney worked her way through the field and was the leading lady going into the second lap. She held this lead until the final 500m but was outrun in the final sprint to the line finishing in a most commendable third place. It was a great achievement for Michelle. Ber Daly, Mags Grennan and Mary Casey also ran very well to make up the novice team. Next up was the Masters Ladies, where Liz Cuskelly was in contention for a medal from early in the race. She held her placing well, finishing in 3rd place overall and winning her age group also. Her team-mates (Una Mullen, Rita Daly and Martina) added to the medal collection by winning bronze club and county medals. Martina was 2nd in her age group. Next was the Novice Men's race where the Harriers' only representative was Pauric Sweeney in this fast and furious race. The club's two teams of Male Masters and Over 50 were the final race of the day, which was run over 6000m. Here, too, Tullamore Harriers featured well in the fight for medals. In the Masters race, Catch Grennan was to the front of the pack from the start and didn't show any ill-effects from taking part in the Dochas Race the previous day. He finished 4th overall and won his age group into the bargain. John O'Connell, Brendan Abbott and Matt Corcoran made up the team who were 4th club overall. In the O-50s team, John Todd won silver in his age group, Jim Langan was 1st O-60. Andy O'Grady made up the trio in this team. Superb run by Ian Almost 3800 runners lined up for the Belfast Marathon on Monday last. Among the record crowd was Tullamore Harriers athlete Ian O'Kelly, who was competing in his 2nd marathon following his debut in Dublin City marathon six months ago. Rain and cold winds didn't deter the ever-improving Ian in his endeavour. He crossed the line in 3hrs 4mins, taking 15mins off his previous marathon time, proving his dedicated training has paid off. The sun shines for Dochas The Annual Dochas four-mile run/walk in aid of Offaly Dochas Cancer support group, was held last Sunday. The beautiful sunny morning attracted a crowd of 377 runners, joggers and walkers of all ages. Ferbane AC runner, Paul Buckley took an early lead and maintained it to finish in a fine time of 21.03. Tullamore Harriers man Catch Grennan was hot on his heels, taking 2nd place in 21.39. He was followed by Paul Mitchell, also from Ferbane AC, in a time of 22.11. Pauline Curley was an easy winner in the Ladies category in a time of 22.53, with Mary Bracken 2nd (25.53) and Michelle Mullaney 3rd in 26.11. Results (Tullamore Harriers athletes unless stated): 1st Paul Buckley 21.03; 2nd Catch Grennan 2.39; 3rd Paul Mitchell 22.11; 4th Richie Galvin 22.31; 5th Jason Donegan 22.39; 7th Jody O'Reilly 22.48; 8th Pauline Curley 22.53; John Donegan 24.04; Christy Donegan 24.27; Ray Martin 24.40; Liam Byrne 25.17; Glen Finlay 25.27; Sean Rigney 25.36; Mary Bracken 25.53; Michelle Mullaney 26.11; Diarmuid Herlihy 26.24; Sinead Rigney 26.25; Nadine Donegan 26.50; Andy O'Grady 27.20; Evelyn Herlihy 27.25; Eugene Mann 28.02; Declan Lambe 29.04; Ray Murray 29.38; Pat Kennedy 31.34; Aoife Convey 32.03; Aiden Larkin 32.30; Claire Dunne 32.35; Caroline Bryant 32.54; Katie Dunne 33.01; Marie Donegan 33.20; Charlotte Abbott 33.22; Mary Casey 33.22; Jane Conlon 33.24; Martina Conlon 33.26; Dorothy Heffernan 34.10; Angela Martin 35.21; Eoin Conlon 35.29; Frances Neville 36.39; Veronica Casey 37.35, Full list of times of all competitors will be on Dochas Facebook page and Tullamore Harriers website as soon as possible Hanover Marathon Congratulations to Tullamore man Barry Minnock (Rathfarnham AC), who had a fantastic marathon run in the Hanover Marathon, Germany on Sunday last. He crossed the line in 2hrs, 17mins, 41 secs. Business Houses On Saturday last, the BHAA held a 5-mile road race, promoted by RTE. Taking in the grounds of Donnybrook, a large field of 410 lined up and Tullamore Harriers veteran, John Todd finished in an impressive time of 30.52, earning him 1st O-60 and 58th overall. National 10K In the recent National 10k road race championships (The Great Ireland Run), Tullamore Harriers ladies Rita Daly, Bernie Daly and Una Mullen were 3rd in the 0-40 category, and in the Senior ladies competition, Maire Triona Keane, Mary Bracken and Michelle Mullaney finished a commendable 4th. In the Men's race, John Todd earned the bronze medal in the O-60 individual category. Catch Grennan narrowly missed out on a medal in the O-35 age group finishing in 4th place. In the men's teams, the senior team finished 9th and the O-40 team claimed 6th place. Fixtures Sunday 13th May: Kildare Half and Full Marathon, Curragh, Co Kildare. Saturday 19th May: Leinster Senior Road race, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow. Tuesday 22nd May: Enfield 5k, Co Meath. Sunday 27th May: Abbeyleix 10k. Sat 2 June: Aviva All-Ireland Schools T&F, Tullamore Monday 4th June: Ladies Mini Marathon. Saturday 2nd June: Aviva All-Ireland Schools T&F, Tullamore. Monday 4th June: Ladies Mini Marathon. Friday 8th June: Ballinagar 10k. Sunday 10th June: Woodie's DIY National League Round 1, Tullamore. Sunday 1st July: Marian Geraghty 10k. Mountbolus. Sunday 22nd July: Woodie's National League, Round 2. Training Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30pm and Sunday at 8.30am except on race days. New members always welcome; contact any member of Tullamore Harriers.