The salty sea air of Kilmore filled our lungs today as we began the road race season off with a bang. The novice is such an interesting event every year because it acts as a showcase for all these new runners and the new training which old runners have undergone. Let’s just dive into the day’s events because they were truly amazing.
  We arrived  and the running atmosphere was well and truly alive. Our chairperson, George Delaney, was running laps to help motivate all the participants. There was a rainbow of different club colours present there, and people from all over the county had gone against their better natures and decided to run.
  The first race up would be the ladies, which was 4k. There was a massive uptick in the amount of women running in this race, which is great to see. We couldn’t field a team in the Senior XCountry so seeing the wave of black and white in the ladies race today warms the heart.
  It would start a kilometre down the road, and be a lap. The race whistle was sounded and they came bounding down the lane and onto the main street. There was a heavy upwind, blowing back against the runners, but our women fought it every step of the way. They disappeared up the hill and wouldn’t be seen again until the finish.
  We had Lorraine Harrington(5) leading our team home. Lorraine truly exhibited and embodied the new talent of women we have within the club. Sinead Cullen(6) came in next, followed by Liz Conway(9), Stephanie Davis(16) and Bernie Cashin(19). Next came Catherine Redmond(21), Tina Nunnan(24), Emma Mooney(29), Caroline Murphy(31), Aine Cullen(32), Aisling Wall(34), Yvonne O’Connor and Ann O’Reilly(42).
  Next up was the men’s race, and we had a big field in this one. Our own Tomas Harrington was favourite, his training has reached it’s peak, after a marathon and some intense sessions. We had a surprise arrival in the form of young Joe Byrne, an S.B.R who’s only able to run the Novice this year. Add into this mix some more Striders. S.B.Rs and Slaney Olympics and we truly had an amazing race ahead of us.
  The start sounded and the runners moved like a roaring river. The first kilometre of race is an uncertain time as each runner desperately fights for some kind of foothold. We wouldn’t see  them again until 4k was through, and the hierarchy within the race had been established.
  Tomas Harrington came through, closely followed by John Byrne. Our two Striders men were holding their positions but closely being tailed by Joe Byrne. The chasing pack was being led by Thomas Moran, with Pat Murray just behind. Pat finished out our scoring four, through the fate of our team was in uncertain hands at this point. They continued up the hill, and were into the final loop.
  The pain was really setting in by the time they’d reached the final loop, so it took everything our brave men had to fight back against the torment. They came down the country lane one more time, and the positions had shifted. Tomas was still our leader, but Joe Byrne had shifted into second. The shouts from both sides were almost deafening as the town rounded the final corner.
  Time almost seemed to slow down as they bounded up the finishing straight. Reality had simply been reduced to the next step, and the next. The finishing chute seemed an aeon away but still they continued, unable to stop if they wanted to. They both pushed, but when it came time to test their metal Tomas came out on top, securing the gold for himself. Joe came in next, having had a very good run for his first novice.
  John Byrne(2) came in next, finishing strong and taking the bronze.  He was followed by two S.B.R men which meant that we were now on level playing ground. The fourth man would shift the balance, and luckily the fourth man was Pat Murray(4), fending off attacks on all sides. He was followed by Pat Callaghan(14) and Sean Meaney(28). The always majestic Eddie Murphy(33) rounded out our team. Unfortunately Martin Kehoe had to prematurely retire due to injury.
  A unique point within the race today was that the Harrington household was very present in our race. They led home our male and female teams, and both had stellar runs. It will be a happy night in the Harrington household.
  All the runners were in, and the waiting for results began. The counting, re-counting and re-re-counting all happened, and finally the announcement was made. Both male and female team prize had been won by the Striders. I’m sure you can only imagine the squeals of delight and roars of happiness we elicited upon receiving the news.
  It was truly a great start to the road race season, and probably one of the only times we’ve taken home both the men and women team prize. The wave of black and white was truly a sight, and the season has only begun. Huge well done to everyone who participated today, both old and new. The club is truly lucky to be blessed with such wonderful and amazing runners. I’ll see you all at the intermediate.