“Barbeque………I’m there” The runners who gathered for the first ever Meath Athletics beach run on Tuesday 17th July were blessed to have three hours in the summer of 2007 that did not feature a deluge. The event attracted support from right across the county as far as Longwood and Ballinacree. 
At around seven o’clock the first arrivals jogged to the mouth of the Delvin river as they familiarised themselves with their surroundings. Gormanston Beach with the Cooleys and the mouth of the historic Boyne to the north and the light of Rockabill to the south was the wonderful setting for an event which began with juvenile races and a sandcastle competition. Then there was a senior 5km beach run to which took the 70 runners to Ben Head. There was a friendly sociable atmosphere as the runners stood around in t-shirts and shorts on one of this years rare fine evenings. 
Chairman of Meath Athletics Board Brendan Meade was given great assistance by his own club colleagues from Star of the Sea AC in feeding the multitudes. Their ranks were greatly helped by the culinary prowess of county board officers Rita Brady and Martin Heery. Navigational aids and signage were arranged by the Dunshaughlins master athlete and now master of ceremonies Paddy Mangan. 
Bohermeen AC, Dunshaughlin AC and the host club Star of the Sea featured prominently in all the juvenile races. The senior event brought together regular club runners from St Brigids, Tara, South O Hanlon,Na Fianna and Trim alongside numerous meet and train runners and some new marathon converts.. The newly crowned AAI under age 800m champion Turloch Grant and young cross country star Thomas Moran acquitted themselves well on the east Meath sands. 
If ever there was a run where taking part was the all important feature this was it. Perhaps we should reflect on the real reason why most of us run. Is it not for the sheer joy of being fit and able to get up and go. The county has one of the smallest coastlines in the country but we are privileged to have some of the very best strands which are ideal for events of this nature 
All those who took part were very happy with how the event was run and it is hoped that it will become a regular feature of local athletics calendar. We all had a good bit of crack, a lovely run at a brilliant venue and great hospitality. The weather was an unexpected bonus!
At around seven o’clock the first arrivals jogged to the mouth of the Delvin river as they familiarised themselves with their surroundings. Gormanston Beach with the Cooleys and the mouth of the historic Boyne to the north and the light of Rockabill to the south was the wonderful setting for an event which began with juvenile races and a sandcastle competition. Then there was a senior 5km beach run to which took the 70 runners to Ben Head. There was a friendly sociable atmosphere as the runners stood around in t-shirts and shorts on one of this years rare fine evenings. Chairman of Meath Athletics Board Brendan Meade was given great assistance by his own club colleagues from Star of the Sea AC in feeding the multitudes. Their ranks were greatly helped by the culinary prowess of county board officers Rita Brady and Martin Heery. Navigational aids and signage were arranged by the Dunshaughlins master athlete and now master of ceremonies Paddy Mangan. Bohermeen AC, Dunshaughlin AC and the host club Star of the Sea featured prominently in all the juvenile races. The senior event brought together regular club runners from St Brigids, Tara, South O Hanlon,Na Fianna and Trim alongside numerous meet and train runners and some new marathon converts.. The newly crowned AAI under age 800m champion Turloch Grant and young cross country star Thomas Moran acquitted themselves well on the east Meath sands. If ever there was a run where taking part was the all important feature this was it. Perhaps we should reflect on the real reason why most of us run. Is it not for the sheer joy of being fit and able to get up and go. The county has one of the smallest coastlines in the country but we are privileged to have some of the very best strands which are ideal for events of this nature All those who took part were very happy with how the event was run and it is hoped that it will become a regular feature of local athletics calendar. We all had a good bit of crack, a lovely run at a brilliant venue and great hospitality. The weather was an unexpected bonus! 
