The low winter sun chased the shadows and raced across the fields around the village of Hollymount as the 44rd Annual Road Races took place on Sunday. Once again they were excellently organised by Sean Reilly and his team. It was an emotional day for him and his family as the local community and the racing community from near and far assembled in November sunshine to remember his brother Tom. Tom Reilly's widow Jill, and her daughter Siobhan unveiled a plaque set into the simple stone wall adjacent to the finishing line. It is inscribed 'In memory of Tom Reilly sportsman and scientist 1941-2009'. A chestnut tree was planted beside it by Tom's childhood friend, local man Paddy Connolly.
The 3k/10k races were eighth of nine in the 2009 C&C Cellular Mayo AC Road Race League. The weather was perfect for running. Strong club teams made up the nucleus of more than 160 who took part in four races. Kathryn Casserly (Castlegar AC ) was the clear winner of the women's 3k with a very strong run in 10.21, a minute faster than her fourth place finish last year. Kirsty Langley (Liverpool Harriers ) was second, just ahead of last year's winner Catherine Conway (Mayo AC ). Breege Blehein (Mayo AC ) was fourth in 10.51 showing fine form - she runs for the Irish o40 team in the British and Irish International Masters Cross Country in Birmingham on Saturday next. The team prize was won by JMU 'A', with Mayo AC 'A' second and 'B' third. Galway club GCH dominated the men's 10k. Gary Thornton looking strong and smooth as he raced clear of clubmate Gerry Ryan early on and just dipped under 30 minutes to win in a great time of 29.59. Gerry Ryan now looks favourite to win the men's league if he runs in Westport. Emmet Dunleavy (Sligo AC ) was third in 31.32, a minute faster than last year, ahead of fourth placed Robert Malseed (Mayo AC ), who is also running in the Birmingham cross country in the Irish o35 team. John Byrne (Mayo AC ) was fifth in 33 minutes, one of his best times in Hollymount, and marked a welcome return to form for him.
Twelve club teams took part - first prize was won by Sligo AC 'A' who just piped GCH - both finishing on 32 points but winning on count back, with Mayo AC one point behind on 33. Barry Healy (Claremorris AC ) won the u17 boys’ 3k race for the second year in an excellent 9.51, while Triona Moran (Ballina AC ) won the girls’ section. There were 43 participants in new 10k race for Fit4Life runners.
Edel Reilly was first woman, with Sarah Syron second. Paul McCarthy was first man to finish. One of the finishers was Tom Waldron (Mayo AC ) who won gold o70 in the recent National Marathon championships.
Cross country success
Following their success in Dublin on Bank Holiday Monday, three of Mayo AC's marathon finishers took part in the Connacht Cross Country Championships on the following Sunday November 1 over an energy sapping wet and very muddy five lap course at Ballinamore. They were Anto Devaney, Christy O'Malley, and Tom Hunt who were joined by Dave Huane on the Mayo AC masters cross country team and won silver behind winners Sligo AC. Anto Devaney finished first in the race to win individual gold and like his club mates showed no major ill effects despite running six days after the marathon. Other Mayo based finishers included Tommy Neville, Jimmy Feeney, and John Timothy. Ann Murray won silver in the Women's Masters’ race. Sarah Syron had a muddy baptism in her first championship cross country race and finished a creditable sixth in the novice women's race. On the same day, in the New York City Marathon, Mayo AC’s Mike O'Malley ran a great time finishing in 3hrs 19, his seventh marathon of 2009. Also finishing in an excellent 4hrs 15 was John Gibbons (Hollymount ) who has been training with Mayo Fit4Life.
