Kells AC make it through the early storms

It started, like so many things do, with a thought; an idea. That idea, in time, developed legs and became a reality. Then, finally, that original idea was to evolve further and have a name - Kells Athletic Club.

The orgins of the club dates back to a few years ago when Kells resident Frances Smyth Campbell was out walking with her partner Martin O’Brien. Frances decided to up the pace a little. "Will we run to the next tree?" she said to Martin.

They did just that and over time the couple's walks turned into jogs with new challenges regularly set - and from that inauspicious start a journey neither could have forseen got underway. "We started to push out the boundaries a bit and before long we were getting braver and we were able to run 3k," recalled Smyth Campbell.

"Neither of us had any experience of what we were getting into. We had no long-term goals or anything like that. We trained for our first local race, the Navan 6k in 2018. We looked around on the start line and to us, everyone else looked so professional and knew exactly what they were doing. The buzz of finishing that was amazing and we went on from there."

In 2018 also both Frances and Martin took part in a variety of local races all the time gaining invaluble experience in their new sport.

In early 2019 the couple focused on the famous, long-established Bohermeen Half-Marathon, the completion of which was a very significant achievement indeed fjor both.

Around that time also Smyth Campbell began employment as a support worker in the Kells Rescource Centre. As luck would have it the Meath Local Sports Partnership commenced their 0-3k Get Active programme from the resource centre at around the same time.

Part of S|myth Campbell's duties included working on supporting the event and helping out with registrations. It gave her an first-hand, invaluable insight and experience on what is involved in staging something like the 0-3k programme.

Many of those who took part in the programme clearly indicated that they wanted to continue running - in some form or other. Gradually the idea took shape. Suggestions and messages were posted on social media. The word got around. The concept, the idea of an athletic club turned into a reality and in early 2020 Kells AC came into existence.

"I don't really know how it happened. I just asked people - when they had completed the programme - if it was something they wanted to continue. They seemed very enthused by it. It was never something I planned," added Smyth Campbell who says she only started running seriously herself when she was 46.

"I had said to them if you want to continue running you can run with me. I didn't have much experience but I used the bit I had. There were six of us and I booked into their first race which was the Fr Murphy AC Streets of Athboy run. It was my own social media I was sharing it on and people were contacting me after that first race and going: "Can I meet you for a run' and it just went from there.

"That was original six people and I just kep booking them into little 5ks here and there and by October I had 20 people running with me. It was like mad, every time we would organise to take part in a race more people would join in.

"I was sharing everything on my own social media but at the same time Meath Local Sports Partnership was watching my Facebook page. They contacted me and asked me how many were runninig with me at that stage. I said 22 or 23. They said you do know you only need 10 people to form a club - and it just went from there."

So Kells AC, the club that was born in a pandemic, was up and running - although it had to endure some turbulence before it got moving in earnest. A forthnight or so after the club was formed some members of Kells AC took part in the Bohermeen Half-Marathon. A week further on and everything changed with the Covid lockdown.

Little by little, day by day, members formed pods and training resumed in these pods with 5km limits, virtual runs and virtual individual training schedules the order of the day. The committee tried to have a celebration run to mark the club's first anniversary but with Covid still looming, it had to be cancelled.

Showing admirable resilience the club members continued on flying the blue flag - and they made it through. Recently Kells Athletic Club had good reason to blow up the the ballons, slice up a celebratory cake - and mark the club's second birthday in style.

The birthday bash took place beside the running field at Kells Parochial School and a large number of enthusiastic runners, showed up to mark the occasion and this time a celebration 5km run did take place. Those who took part could, no doubt, compare notes about how they had sought to maintain their fitness through the pandemic.

Among those who attended the birthday bash were athletes with a wide range of abilities - and all were as welcome as the swallows of summer. As club official Ciara Shaw points out the philosophy of the club is not just about winning.

"The important thing is that people take part in competitions whether that's in running, jogging or walking," she adds by way of explanation. The unofficial motto of the club is "Age is only a number."

The initial club committee comprised founder Frances Smyth Campbell as well as Martin O'Brien, Brenda Keyes, Tracey Corcoran, Lena Monaghan, Sheila Neilan and Alison Clynch. Since then the club have formed a new committee adding Jackie Rogers, Ciara Shaw, Gavin Browne and Christopher Gaynor to the hard working group.

Among the members' first task was the organisation of that second birthday party - and the organisation of the club's inaugural 5k Heritage Run chipped run which is planned for 12th August next. Smyth Campbell points out that Kells AC has now 60 members. "It's just building and building," she adds.

As the newest club around Kells AC have to use whatever facilities they can. "With no track and no base the club members have been utilising walkways along link roads, ensuring the club's 'track' involves plenty of hill training!" adds Shaw.

The Kells club official thanked all those who had helped the club over the past two turbulent years. She had particular praise for Lisa O'Dowd of Meath Sports Partnership in helping the club get underway.

"Lisa encouraged guided amd supported Kells AC and she still remains a huge support to us now. Kells AC was privileged to have a woman of Lisa's knowledge and experience help us in those early days. We can't thank her enough so for that we made her an honoury member of Kells AC on the day (of the second birthday presentations) presenting her with a medal and club merchandise."

A lot of people clearly played their part in helping Kells AC make it out of the blocks. They are well on their way now - having made it through the storm.