St Patricks Day Mullingar Half Marathon 2016

Report by Will Greensmyth (narrowly missing the deadline to be excommunicated)

Race Photos available at the Mullingar Half Facebook Page: Click here

For fear of excommunication by our esteemed web editor (baker of dubious caramel slices and BHAA flat track bully), the following is a short race report on the Mullingar Half Marathon:

Mullingar is only an hour from Dublin and there’s not much traffic on the road on a St Patricks morning. Entering the race was a spur of the moment decision after a couple of pints during the Ireland v Italy rugby match last Saturday – in Zebo veritas.

Race reporter Will in the thick of it

The race was in aid of Childline and was really well organised. Great atmosphere around the start. Lucy Darcy was running the chip timing show. The weather was class. It was never like this when we were young on St Patricks Day and getting hypothermia at the parades.

Not knowing Mullingar, it helped that the Real Paul O’Connell and his wife, Aoife were running the race for the second time and were able to fill me on the route. Summary: this course is designed for a PB – There’s only one tough climb, about 200m over the N4 fly over – From there to the end, it’s a stunning run along the Royal Canal (Note to Eoin: Insert Auld Triangle Jingle Jangle pun here).

As for my own performanace, well, running three times in the space of three weeks is probably not consistent training for a 5k, let alone a half marathon. I managed 1’27” for the run. Bravado got the better of me after 15k when I decided to push on from the group of four I was running with and tip under 1’24”. A mile later, the gauge in the petrol tank was flashing red, and the four lads breezed by me, probably thinking “what a tool”. After that, I slogged the last few km home to the finish, where a mighty spread of soup, sandwiches and sun awaited at the finish line, as well as a voucher for a free 99 cone.

Paul O’C ran 1’22 and Aoife O’C ran 1’30 – both will do great in the Rotterdam marathon next month

I would heartily recommend this race for next year. Good cause, fast route, well organised and will keep you all out of the boozer and bookies on St Patricks Day for a few hours.

Up next on the kaleidoscope of races for 2016 – The paced Mile in ALSAA next Wednesday (Enter Here) and then the Good Friday 5k in Raheny (Enter here). Maybe a bit of training as well.

Full half marathon results: Myrunresults