Seven Mayo AC athletes won a total of 20 medals at the AAI National Masters Indoors Championships at Nenagh. As usual it was colder track-side than outside at this venue. Club chairman Padraic Cullina set the standard on Saturday in the combined events quadrathlon. He amassed a fine total of 1,419 points competing in the 60 metres, long jump, shot, and 1,000 metres to win gold. On Sunday, when the indoors championship events took place, he won gold in the long jump and silver in the high jump in over 50 category. Patrick Moran (over 55 ) won four medals — gold in the high jump, silver in both the long jump and 400 metres, and bronze in 1,500 metres. PJ Hall (over 50 ) was one of four Mayo AC athletes competing indoors for the first time. He won silver in 200 metres and bronze 60 metres. Breege Blehein-McHale (over 40 ) won gold and silver medals. Ann Murray (over 45 ) won three silver medals in the 800m, 1,500m, and 3,000m, and Anthony Devaney (over 35 ) won silver in the 3,000m and bronze in the 800m. Tom Hunt (over 60 ) was second in the 400m and 3,000m and third in 800m and 1,500m. This was a great start to the championship year for Mayo AC and they will be looking to add to this medal haul at the intermediate and masters cross country at Forest Park in Boyle on February 21.
Mary Murphy from Claremorris was the popular winner of a laptop at the Mayo AC/Fit4Life pre Christmas party draw. The prize was presented in association with Coleman Computers. Other prizewinners on the night included Pauline Clerkin, Kathy Connolly, Anne Marie Tiernan, Christy O'Malley, Laura Heneghan, Marie Lavery, Brendan Cunnane, Anne Patten, and John Stagg.
The twice cancelled Athenry 10k took place on Sunday with about half of the original 1,000 entries for the St Stephen's Day race competing. Gary Thornton (GCH ) broke the course record in 29.57 to retain his title. John Byrne underlined his recent excellent form at Tuam with third place in a great time of 32.30. Teresa McGloin (Finn Valley AC ) was the first women finisher in 35.17 - a course record. Last year's winner, Catherine Conway, ran a new personal best in 36.02 to finish second. Other Mayo AC finishing in under 40 minutes included Brendan Gill, Dave Huane, and Ann Lennon.
