It was a tough day for every competitor in Tullamore on Saturday last as blisteringly hot near 30° temperatures made for gruelling conditions for all participants.
The track events particularly were affected, from sprints right through to the distance endurance races of 1500m, 3000m, and 5,000m.
Mayo AC were very proud of their twelve competitors who took on this annual outdoor championship challenge. They competed in a range of events in track and field in six different age categories.
Mayo AC came away with 14 individual medals and one magnificent silver team medal in the men’s 4x400m relay. Supported by training organiser and senior sprinter Declan Owens, the team of John Walkin, Keith Conroy, John Brennan, Mike Griffin - waited around until evening to run and it was well worth it as they put in massive shifts on each of the four legs.
The relay team made special mention of the club's supporting crew of medal-winning women who "roared and cheered us on in the 4 x 4. They were super".
As one of them, triple medal winner Mags Glavey put it: "The men’s 4 x 400m was Mayo AC’s race of the day! We cheered them on with great gusto and what a team effort! Each of the four lads gave it their all. It was a thrill to watch and enjoy. Well done again lads."
Club Chairperson John Byrne added: "Congratulations to everyone who represented Mayo AC at the Masters Athletics Outdoor Championships in Tullamore. There was an impressive medal haul but everyone who wore the vest and competed in very tough conditions deserves enormous credit. Particularly delighted for our mens 4 x 400m team. I know that silver medal will be cherished.
"Congratulations also to Mayo AC’s wonderful individual medal winners on the track: Mags Glavey – two gold and a silver; Pauline Moran, three gold; Colette Tuohy, silver; two silvers for Angela O’Connor, two bronze for Paula Donnellan, and in field events, two silver for Patrick Moran and a silver for Martin Peyton - 14 in total."
