The Meath Spring Half Marathon in Bohermeen by Bogusboy
Finally it arrived. After much talking, planning and many, many hard miles of training, a bus full of maybes was more or less a bus full of hopefuls as Newcastle AC and a few friends headed south to complete the annual pilgrimage to Bohermeen. Since training for spring marathons began in earnest on 1 January, this date has been firmly etched in the diaries of the NAC faithful as the barometer for measuring progress against their goals for the year, particularly in the forthcoming marathons that have been entered. The day got off to a great start with David O’Flaherty romping to victory by more than a minute in the 10k that went out 30 minutes before the half began. His 32:22 marks an impressive new PB as he left Paul Magee of Shercock AC (33:31) and Eoin Taggart of Conliffe harriers (33:54) trailing in his wake.
To train or not to train?
Some had tapered in preparation for the half and others had ‘tore away’ at the running during the week, less mindful of the demands that a 13.1 would present. A late addition to the team was David Simpson and after a quick change of name, without having to utilise the services of deed poll, Newcastle’s latest recruit was able to ditch his running alias, much to the chagrin of a certain Nial King. Simpson would have an outstanding run, clocking a highly impressive 1:11:39, a time good enough for second place overall behind the runaway winner, Eoin Callaghan of Star of the Sea AC (1:08:28). Impressive when one considers that there were 682 in the race. Next home in red and yellow was Aidan Brown. The Leitrim man was in imperious form and impressed Paul Rodgers with a significant negative spilt. Brown finished 33rd in 1:19:28 – 26 minutes faster than his time in the same race 12 months ago and evidence of his supreme form as London approaches on 24 April. A little further back McCann, O’Hare and Murtagh ran side by side for 12 miles and were only separated when a bogus sighting of Wonderwall forced the former to break for the line, thus contravening the gentleman’s agreement that had been struck at the 12 mile marker that all would finish together. The three finished close together in 1:21:22, 1:21:41 and 1:22:02 respectively. The more cynical saw it as revenge for a dirty action by a different Murtagh a year earlier!
Murtagh secures a podium in the ladies’ race
Next home was Paul Byrne, 1:25:08, followed closely by Sinead Murtagh, 1:25:21 – an excellent time which was good enough for the third female podium spot. Noel Gallagher ran exactly as planned as his Manchester Marathon looms ever closer and his 1:25:32 is clear evidence of the monumental gains that have accrued in the relatively short time he has been running the big miles – a sub 3 in Manchester is a very realistic possibility. The Newcastle faithful came home in a very steady stream after that with Pascal Toner (1:27:15), Norman Smyth (1:28:18), Niall Carson (1:28:35), Richard Rodgers (1:29:11), Marty McKibben (1:29:30) and Paul Rodgers (1:29: 50) all dipping under the elusive 1 hour 30 minute barrier. Philip Murdock was just a whisker outside this marker in 1:30:04 and the Prophet continued his return to form after a series of setbacks with an impressive 1:30:43.
Big Ron has a big run
There was much speculation about how Ronnie Horrox would perform in his first ever half marathon. His coach had refused to engage in spurious speculation in the weeks leading up to the event, but was convinced that he would run an average of 7:30 per mile. Big Ron delivered like a trucker with a reliable sat nav coming home in 1:35:59 before declaring, ‘this is only the beginning; there is plenty more to come’. Ronnie’s happiness was akin to that of a man who had just been given a 40 foot trailer with a double axel as the bus left for home. Rita Devlin was not too far behind, recording a PB 1:37:44 and, like many of her peers, will be hoping to take this good form to London for 26.2 miles. Megan McGreevy was next home in her maiden half and only the second race of her life. She had a very consistent race, finishing in 1:40:40. Like Horrox, Megan is already preparing her next half. Jerome Farrell, a man who has missed a lot of training through a back injury occasioned by hauling copious amounts of lead, made a welcome return to racing and for 8 miles was up with his bromance buddy, Ron. However, the lack of time on feet in recent weeks would be his undoing. Nonetheless, he demonstrated the ‘determination, discipline and resilience’ that have become the unofficial mantra of the club’s road running fraternity. In a happy conclusion to the racing for the NAC faithful, Farrell and the Spartan both enjoyed a post-race MOT and were declared ‘right as rain’. Farrell took the advice to get plenty of fluid in very seriously as the bus made the obligatory pit stop at the Monasterboice Inn. By the time the bus was back on the M1, Jinxy was fully hydrated.
Well done to everyone
It would be remiss at this point not to mention the fortunes of those who accompanied the NAC posse to the race. Michelle McCann took over two minutes of her PB (1:47:06) and was closely followed by the evergreen and ever-consistent Ann McCormick (1:47:23). Monica McCrickard and Pauline Carson finished together in an impressive 1:51:46, with Nicola Mathers two seconds adrift in 1:51:48. Rumours abound that the Leitrim ladies have asked for a fitting for red and yellow vests before their next outing! The ever-young Michael Power was delighted with his 1:54:59 and the bus was filled when his son Joe crossed the line in 2:21:08. Our thanks to Arthur who took us there and back and to the Bohermeen club for organising a great event and reserving our premium parking space. We would recommend this race to anyone who is looking for a fast time on a well-designed and well marshalled course. The post-race feed is of County Down standard!