The AAI National Marathon Championships were incorporated in the 30th running of the Dublin City Marathon held on Bank Holiday Monday. The atmosphere was tremendous all along the streets of Dublin and Mayo AC runners in their highly visible red and green singlets experienced fantastic support. They ran in teams and as individuals and seven of the 16 athletes won medals - a wonderful haul. But as always, every finisher was a winner.
There were silver medals for the o35 men's team: TJ McHugh, Anto Devaney, and Brendan Gill who finished second of 31 club teams. Fastest Mayo AC finisher, TJ McHugh also won silver individual o35, to add to the bronze he won in the 2008 marathon. The team was well backed up by Joe Dawson, David Conway, and Gerry Galvin
Similarly, there was silver for the o50 men's team: Owen Mongan, PJ Hall and Tom Hunt won silver, and Hunt also won individual gold finishing first in the o60 category, a title he also won in 2008. Tom Waldron who was fourth member of the o50 team won individual silver in the o70 category adding to his gold in the National Half Marathon in Ballybofey last September.
There were other impressive performances on the day. Paddy O'Toole, David Conway, and Andrew Lynskey all ran sub three hours in their first marathons. Cathy Connolly knocked a massive 10 minutes off her 2008 time to finish fifth in the o-35s, while Tommy Gleason ran his first marathon in 4.45. Owen Mongan returned from serious injury problems to assist the o50 team to silver. Brendan Gill's 2.51.45 was 15 minutes faster than his time in the Cork Marathon in June this year. Anto Devaney returned from Irish Troops service in Chad late in September, shook off a lingering cold, and ran a great 2.50.02. For Christy O'Malley it was his 57th race of 2009 including a number of full and half marathons.
New fit4life programme
If you ever wanted to walk, jog, or run for health and fitness in a safe sociable environment Mayo AC is giving you that chance with its new fit4life programme which has just been launched and will begin next Thursday evening at Claremorris athletic track.
The programme which is organised in association with Mayo Sports Partnership is open to all over 18 years of age and will have a qualified fit for life leader on hand each night to give advice. The event will take place every Thursday at 7pm. New members can join for the fee of €20. All those who take part until mid December will be entered into a draw for 10 prizes including a 15’ laptop in association with Coleman Computers. For more information contact Michael on 086 8534729 after 7pm.
