Generali back the renewal of historic race in Bohermeen

Navan-based Generali have teamed-up with Bohermeen AC for the running of the club's historic half-marathon at the beginning of next month. Almost 39 years since Bohermeen hosted the first half-marathon race in Ireland, the Meath club will once again stage the event over two laps of a course starting from their clubhouse on Sunday 4th March, 12.0. The return of the half-marathon race will add a new dimension to Meath athletics in 2012. The first half-marathon to be held in Ireland took place in Bohermeen in April 1973 when it was a Meath championship which then grew into a Leinster and eventually a National championship. The aim of the promotion is to give runners an early confidence-boost for the spring marathons in Paris, London, Boston, Connemara, Belfast, Newry and Cork. The course for the titled Generali Pan Europe Meath Spring half-marathon will take in two fast laps starting on the Newline and running left through Ongenstown onto the Navan-Athboy road towards Navan and left on the Boyerstown road. The course is designed to help runners from the elite to fun runner to get a decent time and also will give all runners a new half-marathon challenge right on their doorstep with a very reasonable entry fee of €20. Bohermeen are offering discounted rates for entry to the three big events on their calander. Runners can enter the Patrick Bell Memorial race on Saturday 9th June, the Rennicks and Delany Cup on Sunday 9th September and the half-marathon on Sunday 4th March for a reduced fee of €50. There will also be 5km events at each of the races for fun runners. Entry for the half marathon will be limited to 1000 and will close on Monday 27th February, enter at www.runireland.com. Further details from Damien Hilliard (086) 1685293 or Stephen Ball (086) 0792580 or email dhill1@eircom.net or stephenball@iolfree.ie. Bohermeen runners were in action on the streets of Armagh city on Thursday night for the 22nd International road race. The club team placed fourth overall in the 3k open event with Darragh Rennicks sixth overall and Conor Rennicks won the under-17 grade. Others on the team included Damien Hilliard, Chris Murray, Keith Murray, Jack McGowan. Sonya Reilly posted an excellent debut at the distance clocking a personal best of 11 minutes, two seconds to be the first Meath woman across the line. Linda Gunning claimed third in the o-50s race. At Sunday's Ras Na hEireann international cross-country event at the Battle of the Boyne site near Drogheda, Trim's Ann Tobin won the W50 grade while her team mate Dom Mahon was second in the M50 race. Claire Smith was fourth in the W40. Bohermeen athletes were also on the podium with Kevin McGrath taking second in the under-15 boys race. Conor Rennicks also continued his good form in placing second in the under-17 event.