The Home Countries International Masters Cross Country races take place this year at Singleton Park, Swansea in South Wales on Saturday November 15. Following the Irish Masters team trials, which were incorporated in the Gerry Farnan five mile XC at the Phoenix Park last week,two Mayo AC athletes have been selected on the Irish team. They are Ronnie Naylor from Ballina and Carracastle's Tom Hunt. Both of them were part of Mayo AC's gold medal winning Masters team in the National Half Marathon Championships in Waterford last month, and were also individual medallists, Ronnie winning silver in the O50 category, while Tom won bronze O60.
Ronnie Naylor has been involved in athletics in the Ballina area for over 35 years as coach, mentor and active participant.
His recent success, and the honour of representing Ireland, is a well deserved reward for his dedication and commitment.This is the second year Mayo AC have been represented on the Irish Masters XC team — Paddy Murray and Tom Hunt ran last year when the event was held in Stormont. They both won bronze medals as part of their age category teams Paddy in O40, Tom in O55.
Once again this year in Swansea there will be five 'home countries' competing — England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland — in the various individual and team masters categories from age 35 upwards.
Hollmount gears up for road race
The 43rd Annual Hollymount Road Races take place in Sunday November 9. The three kilometer plus course is a familiar testing one, with a stiff uphill finish along the main street in the village. Three laps make up the men's 10k, while the women just do one in their 3k race. Many famous names in Irish athletics have done battle here over the years and once again a top class field is expected from clubs around the province and further afield as well as the traditional coachload from Liverpool.
Individuals are heartily welcome too. The race format has not changed much over the years, and is typical of many races around the country that originated in the 1960s and 19670s.
Entries (€10 ) /changing/post race presentation in Community Centre. Contact: Sean Reilly 094 954 0110, 086 840 2679. Again this year Mayo AC are delighted with the inclusion of Hollymount as race number eight in the 2008 C&C Cellular Mayo AC Road Race League (points allocated for first 25 to finish in men's 10k and women's 3k ). League tables showing all points won in the seven races so far will be on display at the Community Hall HQ.
