The Great Railway Run 25Km

We had a number of runners here today for this 25Km run .Our first runner home was Darren Ahern in a time of 1.43.57 followed by Tony Murray. Next came our ladies Maire Walsh and Amanda Cooney both with fine runs. Well done all.

European Road Racing Championships

The Crack Was Ninety +

At European Road Racing Championships 

Midleton AC Ladies On Tour

Report Claire Fitzgerald

Before and After

At  club training one cold January evening, an Easter international half marathon was suggested. There were a fortunate set of events to make Brussels the destination with Melanie as our MAC Belgium  member to guide us and with Belgium opening up the European championships to ordinary runners for the first time, it was the off to the European championship for 12 of us.

It can only be described as the Electric picnic running version of running weekends. Between the weather, the elite runners, the venue, the craic, MAC on tour, we were up for running and up for fun and we left nothing behind in Brussels. (not even Bernie, although Bernie’s suitcase was left)

We even managed to book the hotel with all the elite athletes and European teams which ended up our equivalent to  winning gold medals on the podium. We were in the thick of it chatting and taking photos. The Irish elites did themselves proud with all their fangirls.

The late start was a double edge sword allowing time to sleep in and relax but then contend with the heat which topped 25 degrees and later displaying 29 degrees. But it was the same heat  for everyone!
The course was an amazing, showing the best Leuven had. A pretty college town just outside Brussels had the vibe  and feel of Harvard. The HM started with a few miles through the town with music pumping and crowds cheering. It was like DCM on steroids. This support continued throughout the course even as we ran through the Flanders. A sharp hill at mile 3 separated those who were here to race and those who readjusted their mindset to just enjoying it. The next 7 miles were flat and continued up until the last 3 miles which dragged us through the town. In Leuven center,  the crowds were out with gusto so anyone who may have wanted a sneaky walk were brought home by an amazing welcoming and enthusiastic crowd. Belgium, you really did yourself proud.
Hot it was but hot times were had by some of our runners who were on fire. First MAC  home was Louise who was followed by Loveness who had a stormer with a PB at 1.45! Anna and Claire came in close pursuit and were followed by Brigid with another PB  at 1.55. Using the half as a training race for the Cork marathon left Melanie thrilled with her performance and clocked a very comfortable PB. Siobhan, Linda and Christine were next and followed by Bernie. Eoin, Melanie’s husband and adopted MAC also comfortable Pb at 2.03.

With the race complete, running shopping followed and Monday night training will soon get see the latest running European styles, even if they are all the same tops and shorts.
Our guide and host secured a booking at the most popular restaurant and we sampled the Belgium cuisine followed by  beer and cocktails with our Irish elite team. Thanks Mel and Christine for guiding this rowdy crowd.
Roll on 2026

Picture shows Anne Marie McGlynn  Irelands National Marathon Champion 2024 ( she won Dublin) with our ladies obviously enquiring about joining our club

The last time Claire and Louise adopted this pose they got their picture in the Irish Times and its now on display annually as part of the Dublin Marathon Museum at the Expo every year. I wonder what European paper will have this one.

The winner of the European Championships asked to have his photograph taken with our Louise

Next Stop Ballintotis Wednesday Next for the County Cork Road Racing Championships