The running boom continues to flourish as record numbers have entered this year’s Lifestyle Sports adidas Dublin Marathon which takes place Bank Holiday Monday next. Registration closed at 5pm on Monday October 6 with a total of over 11,700 entries, making it the largest field ever in the 29 years of the event.
In previous years over half the field has been comprised of overseas runners but this year Irish entries make up 57 per cent of the total field, an astounding 22 per cent increase on last year. England have the second largest contingent at 20 per cent, followed by the USA with seven per cent and France, Scotland, Italy at two per cent each. Overall, 49 countries will take to the streets of Dublin for this year’s Marathon.
More and more people are discovering a love of running as a cost-effective way to relax, keep fit and work out. Whilst more men than women traditionally take part in the Marathon, this year sees an encouraging 33 per cent of entries coming from women. As usual the Dublin City Marathon incorporates the National Marathon Championships. Mayo AC will be well represented by a record eighteen senior and masters athletes - double last year's number. They have high hopes of team and individual age category medal success in this gruelling 26.2 mile event.
Mayo AC Marathon team
Senior men: John Byrne, Anthony Devaney, Robert Malseed, TJ McHugh, Timmie Glavey. Masters Men Group 1 (35-49 ): Dave Huane, Gerry Galvin, Brian Cusack, Christy O'Malley
Senior Women: Mary Gleeson, Catherine Conway, Kathy Connolly, Yvonne Byrne, Edel Reilly, Caroline Conway, Breege Staunton. Master Men Individual : PJ Hall O50, Tom Hunt O60
Sucessful Gerry Farnan cross country event
Metro St Brigid's AC hosted the 24th annual Gerry Farnan Cross Country races on Sunday at the Phoenix Park. The course was good given the recent weather but the wind was strong and gusty at times. This open race is also used as a trial for places in the Home Countries International Masters Cross Country which this year takes place next month in Swansea, south Wales.
The men's five-mile and the women's three-mile races were very competitive with many young athletes testing the experienced contenders in this first event of the XC season. All the top clubs in the country were represented in the field of over 150. Mark Christie (Mullingar Harriers ) was the winner of the men's race while Olympian Fionnuala Britton (Slí Chullann ) was the easy winner of the women's.
Mayo AC had two participants in the masters categories. Experienced Ballina man Ronnie Naylor was well up in his O50 category and finished in a creditable fifth place while Tom Hunt from Carracastle finished third in the O60 category. Computer problems meant there was no results sheet on the day, but the selections for the Irish masters International team will be announced during the week.
Ballina athlete competes in Amsterdam Marathon
Ballina athlete Declan Fahey (Tullamore Harriers ) competed in the Amsterdam Marathon on Sunday. He finished an excellent 41st place overall and was sixth in the O35 category in 2.33.38.
