By The Head Chef – Trim, Co. Meath | 1 February 2026
According to Bogboy, during a very early start at Drumiskin Applegreen Services while sipping his double-shot flat white, there are exactly 140 days to the longest day of the year. The days are on the turn, yes — but the long summer evenings still feel a fair bit off yet.
On Friday 7 November 2025, at exactly 10:00am, forty Newcastle AC members were poised and glued to computer screens, fingers twitching, caffeine levels high — all determined to secure a coveted place in the famously sold-out Trim 10 Mile.
Newcastle Crew at Trim
By 10:02am, forget it. This is one of the most popular races on the road racing calendar — nearly as popular as one of Franky McGivern’s YouTube running videos.
Forty club entries secured. Commitments made. Big plans announced. Fast-forward to race day and, after three months of build-up, nods to Trim training sessions, WhatsApp bravado, and plenty of “I am definitely doing it” chat… only twelve Newcastle AC runners made it to the start line.
What happened to the other twenty-eight?
An all-time great performance in excuse-making.
“Daddy duties” topped the list.
“I’m not feeling it” dominated early.
“Granda duties” (Bogusboy and The Butcher).
“I’m too tired & clean wrecked ” (Trucker Ron and Jinxy).
“I’ve too much on” proved once again that saying absolutely nothing can still mean everything.
“I have a sniffle” was dominant out of Hilltown.
“I only wanted the T-shirt” was refreshingly honest from the well-rested school teacher Yoke.
Newcastle AC’s bus of maybes
A few entrants disappeared entirely — presumed lost somewhere between November motivation and February reality.
If ever there was a bus full of maybes, this was it: fully booked, never departed, and currently parked in the land of good intentions.
A notable late withdrawal on race-day morning was The Goat O’Hare, who failed to make the start line after a hectic week negotiating government U-turns over small-scale rates rises to the hospitality industry. With diplomatic channels apparently running hot, the Goat remained at base and instead completed a significantly less intense run-for-a-bun session with his builder friend and deer-rustling dog, Cobh — a sacrifice made in the national interest.
Despite all of the above, those who toed the line ignored the noise, laced up, and ran ten miles — proving once again that turning up really is the hardest part.
Newcastle & District AC Results – Trim 10 Mile
Neil McGeough (M40) — 0:58:09
Connaire McVeigh (M45) — 0:58:47
Rory McMullan (M35) — 0:59:39
Kerry O’Flaherty (F40) — 1:00:21
Oran Dillon — 1:02:13
Brian McVeigh (M40) — 1:07:12
Nichola Watson (F40) — 1:07:52
John Paul Gartland (M45) — 1:10:20
Franky McGivern (M50) — 1:11:39
Danny O’Boyle (M50) — 1:12:47
Stephen Toner (M40) — 1:15:08
Ernest Hall (M70) — 1:18:48
Huge credit to everyone who toed the line, battled the distance, and earned their place in the results — no excuses required. Special mention to Rory McMullan, who, following last week’s cold feet at the cross-country, managed to actually get himself across the start line this week.
As for the rest… enjoy the T-shirts, the pram duties, the recovery chats, and we’ll see you all at the next race you’re definitely / maybe doing.