NATIONAL HALF MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIPS – IMPORTANT NOTICE
Beyond the Pale National Half l-r at Letterkenny 2006: Breege Blehein gold W40, Noreen McManamon bronze W40; at Waterford: 2008 Ronnie Naylor silver M50 – all three still members and competing
The Bord na Mona Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon, taking place on August 26, will incorporate the National Half Marathon championships.
It will be the first time in 12 years that the National Half is held outside of Dublin.
Indeed all of the National road championships have been Dublin-centric for many years.
Previously, they were standalone club championship races held at various locations around the country. Many runners preferred these events and felt they were real club championships. From recent evidence, three of the six road running championships – 5k, 5 mile and 10 mile – lack any real championship credibility with fields composed mainly from clubs in the Dublin catchment area, and age category competition low.
For this years National Half at Tullamore the Harriers organisers have set the
closing date for registration for the National championships as Sunday, August 20.
That’s just over two months from now.
The organisers say “this closing date is also to ensure Athletics Ireland has sufficient time to identify eligible athletes for National medals”.
Additionally they warn “It is important to note that if the race reaches its maximum capacity BEFORE this date (as it has in recent years), late registrations will not be accepted”.
(Back in 2006 late registrations at Letterkenny were accepted on the day – €12, cash!)
If you wish to run and represent Mayo AC in Tullamore and compete for a national medal as an individual or in teams please let our Club Secretary know immediately.
The race will start from Harriers Stadium at 10 o’clock taking in a local villages Mucklagh, Killurin and Cloonagh before finishing with a lap of the stadium track.
According to organisers “the course is generally flat and is best described as undulating with some gently rolling hills along the way”.
Apart from National Medals, race organisers will be awarding
Prizes as follows: (over €3,000 in total)
1st €350; 2nd €250; 3rd €150, 4th €100, 5th €75, 6th €50 1st o40 €75; 2nd o40 €50,1st o50 €75; 2nd o50 €50; 1st o60 €50 – men and women.
Course records (men and women) €100
1st team of four men: €200 and the Quinlan Cup
1st team of four women: €200 and the Phyllis Delaney Cup
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Note also that the National Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championships take place on August 12, at Tullamore: details as known :