The second Braveheart 5km trail run took place along the banks of the Boyne
at Trim last Friday evening. Race organisers Trim Athletic Club were very
relieved when the early rain and wind gave way to clearer conditions during
the afternoon. Things further improved for all when the runners assembled in
the shadow of the Yellow Steeple for registration with the evening sun
reflecting on the 125 foot tower.
This year the race has been included in the Meath Running League for the
first time and there was a continuation in the improved attendances at
league events. The 2011 Braveheart attracted nearly twice as many
participants as the inaugural event in 2010 with 473 recorded finishers
making the trek through the Porchfields. The course which is one of the most
scenic in the country featured many set locations from Braveheart. The first
half takes the runners towards the medieval ruins of Newtown, returning
along the Boyne past Trim Castle for the finish near St Mary's Abbey. As
the runners assembled on the start line, Trim Drama Group set the scene with
an extraordinary rendition of the William Wallace battlefield speech. The
tartan and sackcloth battlers urged the runners with inspirational roars and
a selection of weaponry which included the iconic Wallace broadsword which
was used by Mel Gibson.
This year the organisers selected Trim Special Olympics swimming club as its
charity. The race was started by local girl Eleanor Murray who won a gold
medal in the 2010 Downs Syndrome world swimming championships in Taiwan.
She has also won silver in European competition and won gold, silver and
bronze in different swimming disciplines at this years Irish Special
Olympics.
When the pageantry was complete the main bunch set out a blistering pace
over the fast first kilometre of the race. Some of the region's most
experienced distance runners were well to the fore. Last years winner Peter
Mooney was battling it out with Nevile Reilly, Paul Gleeson, Tommy Maher and
Cormac Fitzpatrick for the overall honours. The womens tussle had three of
the stalwarts of the Meath inter counties cross country team, Fiona Mahon,
Mary Hanley and Lucy D'Arcy as the main protagonists.
As the race came through the underpass to begin the final two kilometres the
Dunboyne runner, Neville Reilly was pushing for home ahead of Gleeson (who
operates in the masters ranks) and last years winner Peter Mooney. This is
how the hunt for overall honours remained over the hilly loop which brought
the race though the fresh cut grass awaiting the Scurlogstown Haymakers.
Reilly emerged with a clear margin through the medieval toll gate and headed
up the final incline to win in a time of 16.21. After the race it emerged
that he set this race as a target for 2011. He knocked 1m20s off the time
he recorded last year and went from 11th to first, underlining his rate of
improvement and wonderful progress as a distance runner. Neville Reilly as
first Meath registered finisher won the Larry Daly Cup succeeding the
inaugural winner Derek Croal.
There was another new winner in the womens overall this year. Fiona Mahon
won the womens overall with a time of 18.25 ahead of her inter counties
cross country team mates Mary Hanley and Lucy D'Arcy. Fiona has a national
cross country title in her list of achievements and this experience stood to
her over the ups and downs of the Trim course. Hanley and D'Arcy are regular
podium finishers in the countries prestigious half marathons and marathons.
The top ten placings in this race gives credence to the phrase "the ould dog
for the hard road" with masters taking six places alongside four seniors.
Competition in M45 was very hot with Tommy Maher, Phelim Glynn, Aonghus
Burke (North Laois) and Dave O Connell all crossing the line within a minute
of each other. Don Mahon from the host club won the M40 ahead of John
Clarke,Na Fianna. In the W45 Dunshaughlin runner Ann Hunter prevailed over
Maureen Getty, St Brigids. The Dunshaughlin duo of Paddy Mangan and Benny
Byrne took a few hours out from the preparations for next weekends Michael
Manning Memorial 10km to run the Braveheart and they were first and second
in the M50. Mangan's time of 17.52 is continued proof of his national age
group ranking.
One of Fiona Mahons clubmates at Donore Harriers Bernadette Kavanagh was
thewinner of the W50 ahead of Linda Gunning who trains daily over the
course.
The South O Hanlon club which is staging its own race in the coming weeks
over the new course at Seneschalstown had the top two M55 finishers, Michael
O Brien and Patsy Fitzsimons. Nuala Reilly Drogheda and district won the W55
ahead of Trim woman Attracta Doran.In the junior grades the honours went to
two youngsters who are carrying ona family tradition in running. Lorcan
Lambe, Carrick Aces AC, who won themens in a time of 18.14 is the son of
Rosie Lambe , former winner of theDublin Womens Mini marathon. The winner of
the womens junior was Eimear Bourke who is the daughter of Breda Clifford,
Navan AC and member of various Meath cross country squads.
Many races are used to fund raise for charitable causes and this one was no
exception. Trim Athletic Club chose the Trim Special Olympics Swimming Club
for this year's event . The race included a group of fifty two members of
Summerhill GAA club who under the guidance of Stephen Husband raised
valuable funds for the Ross Nugent Foundation. They will be contributing to
the improvement of oncology facilities in Beaumont hospital. Their great
effort is a credit to their club and community.
Trim AC would like to acknowledge the support of all the clubs and
individuals who took part, the Scurlogstown Haymaking Festival, Duchas The
Heritage Service ,Trim Drama Group, Trim Scouts, the local authorities,
Gardai, Red Cross, the local business sponsors, local media and all who
volunteered. The county running league continues over the summer with the
next two races planned for Dunshaughlin , Saturday 27th June and the South O
Hanlon 5km, Seneschalstown , Wednesday 6th July.
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