It was an unseasonably mild, still and dry morning as 12 of us headed for Bohermeen for our distance of choice.  First up was the 10K open race at 11.30am and exactly half our gang headed for the starting line.

Fit4Youth’s Maeve Dunne was intrepidly embarking on her first ever 10K. Pat Ryan helped pace her until he could no longer live with her speed. She pushed on to finish in a sensational (gun) time of 47.37, scooping second prize in the Junior category and finishing 11th lady overall.  Way to go Maeve!  Now that’s what we call a debut!  Pat finished close behind in 48.22 finishing 8th in his category.  Good on you Pat!

Kay Gilmartin and Ger Ryan, both ever-ready for a 10K, ran impressively to finish in 57.51 and 59.31 respectively, taking 6th and 7th places in the same age category.  Not a best by their own high standards, but hugely impressive to the rest of us mere mortals.  Sadly Ger isn’t speaking to Kay anymore, and is particularly miffed about Kay’s recent talk of a knee injury.

Nicola McKernan pulled Ger Fagan along from the off.  They soon realised S3A had lied about the flat course. “He’ll get no dinner!” says Nicola. “Proper order!” says Ger. Punishment plan hatched and sorted by 6.5km, Nicola struck for home, taking out more than half a dozen extra rivals on the way to finish in 1.04.58.  Ger followed in 1.05.43.

Meanwhile the other 6 Fit4Lifers had lined up for the Half Marathon, incorporating the Meath Championships.  Whereas all 10K times were gun times, chip times were available for the Half.

Lauren Flood led the Fit4Life charge, as she so often does, and ran a stellar race finishing in 1.54.01, winning second prize in her category and a Meath Championship SILVER medal to boot.  Congrats Lauren, 3 Meath medals in the first 3 months of the year is some going.  You might want to pace yourself  😉

Speaking of Meath medalists, Angela Egan was looking even more fabulous than normal sporting stylish blue compression socks.  Did they work?  Did they what? She clocked 2.14.26, claimed second place in her category in the open race and bagged herself a Meath GOLD medal. Stylishly done Angela, in every sense of the word!

David Byrne continued to rack up the miles as he readies himself for his charity run in the London Marathon.  No-nonsense David got the job done in 2.07.53.  Looking good for London David, keep it going!

After a triumphant first year in the club in 2015, Hilary Madden has had a frustrating start to 2016 being forced to withdraw from both Raheny and Trim due to injury.  A chest infection threatened to stop her gallop at Bohermeen, but she refused to let it.  Somewhat under the weather, she still managed a superb race in 2.08.56 and finished smiling.  Well done Hilary!

Orla Brady returned to Bohermeen where she made her half marathon debut a year ago in a superb time of 2.06.50 and completely smashed that time, finishing in 2.00.44 this year.  What a wonderful improvement in just one year.  Congratulations Orla, you were getting stronger and stronger as the miles rolled on!

Lyndon Thomas continues his quest to topple Mo Farah at the World Championship Half Marathon in his native Cardiff next month.  Bohermeen AC and the Meath County Board were delighted to sign a world class athlete for the Meath Half and Lyndon didn’t disappoint.  He paced Angela for the first few miles, to showcase women’s athletics before pushing on.  He thrilled the spectating crowds with his dressage-inspired showboating as he passed the community centre.  He clocked a fantastic 2.04.21 despite selflessly helping Angela to her gold medal.  And just to prove that good things do happen to good people, Lyndon was rewarded with a SILVER Meath medal in his own category in the process; his first podium finish.  Lyndon, we are thrilled for you!  It is really little over a year ago that you dubbed yourself “Lyndon-will-I-ever-make-the-top-ten?-Thomas”.   Question asked, question answered Lyndon!

Thanks to Bohermeen AC and the Meath Officials for 2 extremely well organised races yesterday.  We appreciated the road signs and the great spread afterwards.  Many thanks to all our clubmates who offered welcome encouragement along the way and congrats to the Seniors on their fantastic performances also.  Well done to our 11 Fit4Lifers and Fit4Youth’s Maeve Dunne who donned the club singlet yesterday.  Special congrats once again to our 3 Meath medalists Angela, Lauren and Lyndon in the Half Marathon and to Maeve, the pride of Fit4Youth with that podium finish in her first ever 10K.

Check out the photos from both races HERE