The annual 5k race at Cloonacool marks an early Spring outing for many athletes and has been a popular event also for Mayo runners since it’s inception in 2010. It is a fundraiser for the local GAA club and was well organised by a team led by Bill Carty (Sligo AC ).
It’s a popular out and back course – generally flat – which runs parallel to the early stages of the river Moy and the race takes place against the backdrop of the gentle misty slopes of the Ox Mountains. Conditions were ideal as the rain held off until after prize-giving in the clubhouse HQ.
Brian Kinsella (Sligo AC ) was the clear winner in 16:02 just outside clubmate Richard Gorman’s 15:51 course record.
Edel Reilly (Mayo AC ) challenged Aoife Kilgallon all the way in the women’s race. The in-form Sligo AC athlete held Edel off to win in 17:13 breaking her own course record and claiming a €100 bonus. Edel faded slightly over the final 2k but was delighted to come home in a new 5k personal best time of 17:42.
As well as Edel there were a half dozen Mayo AC finishers and more prizewinners among them: Anto Devaney was winner of the M40 section in 19:27, Andy Neary finished in 19:57, Padraic McVann came home in a time of 20:03, Dee Corcoran finished first in the W40 section in a new personal best time of 22:13 - a 20 second improvement on her previous best, Ray Clarke finished in a time of 22:41 and Angela McVann completed the route in a time of 23:33.
Also last weekend in the John Treacy 10 at Dungarvan, Tadgh Hanrahan of Mayo AC ran an excellent time of 62:59 and in the Trim 10 mile race, Hugh Armstrong (Ballina AC ) finished third in a time of 50:22. Full results of all these events are at www.mayoac.com
