Swinford was in Síamsa Sráide Festive mode on Sunday when the local athletic club put on their annual 8k race. It was the fourth race in the 2009 C&C Cellular Mayo AC Road League.
Despite the unsettled weather, the 200 plus runners and walkers in the 8k and the children's race which preceded it, enjoyed good conditions although the humidity level was high. There was a great buzz of excitement in Main Street which was closed to traffic as the runners started and finished in this area.
Joe McNulty and his team made sure the event was a huge success and the race HQ at the Gateway Hotel provided excellent post-race facilities and refreshments. The first three finishers were in the same order as race three last week in the Balla 10k.
Robbie Matthews (Dunshaughlin AC ) ended his holiday in Mayo with another clear victory in a fast 25.20 with Mayo AC's Robert Malseed and John Byrne second and third. Martin Corcoran (Craughwell AC ) was fourth and first in o-40 category in 27.10. Ronnie Naylor won the o-50 section in 29.26. The women's race produced some excellent performances particularly by winner Mary Gleeson who improved her Swinford time by almost 40 seconds on last year. The next five women finishers were all also from Mayo AC. Breege McHale had a great race after a disappointing run in Balla, finishing second in 31.03; Angela O'Connor, Cathy Connolly and her rapidly improving sister Chris Gallagher were next in excellent finishing times. Ann Murray, looking fit and fresh back from holiday, won the o-45 section in sixth place overall in 33.55. Christy O'Malley (Mayo AC ) reached another milestone in his 2009 calendar - running his 40th race of the year, so far. Clubmate Dave Huane, in training for the Berlin Marathon next month, warmed up for the race by running from Claremorris to Swinford beforehand, and completed the race in 33.10.
Mayo AC teams for the National Half Marathon will be drawn up soon and on current form they should have strong selections for Ballybofey on September 6. There will be another opportunity for athletes to beat their Swinford 8k times at the end of the month - the Claremorris five mile on August 29. Entry details will be available soon.
Before then, the National Masters Track and Field is on August 16 in Tullamore and the Fif4Life Westport 5k is on Sunday 23.
