The famous Connemara marathon races return this weekend to the west of Ireland.
Three events take place in the loop around Maam Cross, Lough Inagh and Leenane - the ultra marathon, a full distance marathon, and a half marathon, attracting some 2,000 athletes.
Another popular local fixture set to start is the Galway 5k series which will kick off on Tuesday next at 7.30pm. Ballybrit racecourse, hosts the GCH leg of this sold-out six race series.
In action last weekend Stuart Moloney of Moore Abbey Milers took a comfortable win at the Easter Monday 5k held around the town centre of Loughrea. Moloney was well clear of David Meehan of Athenry in second, with Jane Ann Healy also Athenry third home. Second woman was Sarah Collins of GCH, just behind Healy, with Lisa McTigue in third place.
In Mayo, Gary Thornton of GCH made a welcome return to action last weekend with a win at the Kilmovee 10k. Thornton clocked 32 minutes, well clear of Sean McLaughlin of Westport in second and a resurgent Gerry Ryan of Craughwell in third.
Shaughnessy seals bronze
In recent action Galway athlete Laura Shaughnessy of DSD AC had a superb run at the National 10k championships in the Phoenix Park to win national bronze in a great time of 35.04 on a testing course.
Galway City Harriers athletes secured individual medals via Martin Kearney, who won silver at O60 level, while clubmate Martin McRvilly won bronze in the O65 category.
GCH senior women took team silver, led home by the strong running Barbara Dunne who clocked 39.08, with Grainne Ni Uallachain next and Sarah Makem third scorer, all combining well to take second behind a strong Metro team from Dublin. GCH men’s squad were led home by Gerry Carty, who clocked a good 35.24, and placed in the team.
IUAA Track & Field Championships
NUIG finished eighth university in the men’s competition, seventh overall in the women's event, and seventh combined team at the Intervarsity Track and Field Championships held in Cork IT.
There were two outright victories for the college, with the first gold from Aisling Joyce, who won the 3000m in an incredible time of 9:44.58, an NUIG record, Grainne Kelly also of NUIG placed 13th in the same race
Aengus Meldon claimed the second gold for NUIG, again in a college record of 1:52:51, and he was followed home by Roland Surlis to make it a college one-two in a great race between the pair.
