A busy few days of action began in south Longford on Thursday for the Newtowncashel 5k/10k. Colin Beades was first home in the longer distance to take the win with Seamus Murtagh, Charlie Barone, Martin Monaghan and John Farrell all also clocking good times. Michael O’Hara was the first club member across the line in the 5k placing fifth and soon followed by Philip Bannister, Barry Hall, Eleanor McLoughlin as well as young Jack Clarke from little athletics.
Away from the track and field, Athlone also hosted a 10 miler on Saturday morning with Jacqueline Mahon running well in the warm, humid conditions.
Probably the best 10k race in the country took place on Saturday in Meath with the annual Dunshaughlin 10k attracting a large, quality field on a muggy evening. Adrianna Mulligan continued her good form with an excellent run clocking 36:23 for 12th place. Despite a few hours officiating at the Long Jump in Athlone earlier in the day, Donal Mulligan still ran very strongly finishing seconds later. Declan Newman also registered a good time for the distance.
Juraj Karcak was on his travels again this time to Austria. The hills were alive with ultra runners in Salzburg with a composed performance by him at the Mozart 100k covering the distance and plenty of elevation in 15 hours.
To Kildare then on Sunday morning where John Scott ‘stayed the distance’ with a very good 2:51 for second place at the Thoroughbred Marathon. John will be under starters orders again next week at the Waterford Marathon as he looks to chalk off another 26.2 miler for the year.