The 43rd Annual Hollymount Road Races take place on Sunday November 9. The 3km 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 10km, while the women just do one in their 3km, 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. Of course 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 60s and 70s. The programme is: 1pm: U17 boys/girls 3km; 1.30pm: women's 3km, various master's categories. Entries (€10 ) /changing/post race presentation in Community Centre. Contact: Sean Reilly 094 954 0110, 086 840 2679
Good performances by Mayo athletes at Dublin Marathon
Among Mayo AC's record 18 runners in the 29th Dublin City Marathon on Bank Holiday Monday there were both first timers and experienced marathoners. It was fantastic that nine of the 18 achieved personal best times for this gruelling race. Conditions were excellent for the 9am start at Nassau Street - cool, sunny, with a slight breeze now and again on the 26.2 mile one-lap course. The race incorporated the AAI National Marathon Championships. All the top clubs in Ireland were represented with big contingents from Athenry, GCH, and Craughwell. Mayo AC had three teams - senior men and women, and masters men 35-49. John Byrne in his 13th Dublin marathon was relying on experience, while recognising that every race is different. John was Mayo AC's top performer again and is an inspirational figure for the club, He cut a minute off his PB but still seeks that elusive sub 2:30- that day will surely come soon. TJ McHugh knocked a massive four minutes off his PB and was just outside the medals in the M35 category. Timmie Glavey shook off recent injury worries and ran a great debut marathon. These three combined PB times of 7:58:20 were a full eleven minutes faster than the silver medal wiining team of 2007. However, this year they were in fourth place of 20 very competitive club eams - in truth, a fantastic effort.
The first team home this year were GCH led by marathon winner Mike O'Connor (2:20:49 ) ,supported by Conor Maloney and O40 bronze medallist Ian Egan in a combined time of 7:43:15. Anto Devaney was feeling the effects of a cold but still ran a very creditable race. Andy Neary ran a PB with a very steady performance and is improving with every race.
Unfortuneately, Robert Malseed had a back problem and dropped out in the Phoenix Park. Catherine Conway brilliantly led the women's team home and took seven minutes off her 2007 time. She was well supported by Mary Gleeson just outside her 2007 time, and a great PB run by Kathy Connolly ensured that their combined total of 9:52:24 leaves them with a great chance of medals (results eagerly awaited ) in the senior women's club team - a fantastic achievement by the Claremorris trio. This follows their silver-medal winning run in the National half marathon in September. They had excellent back up in Edel Reilly and Breege Staunton who were delighted with PBs in their first marathons and although Yvonne Byrne suffered toward the end she never gave up.
Dave Huane led the Group 1 (35-49 ) masters men’s team home with an excellent run and a PB. After a knee problem earlier in the season his steady improvement means there is a lot to come from this athlete who has only been running three years. Together with two Westport men, Gerry Galvin and experienced marathoner Brian Cusack, their combined team total of 9:38:21 should give them a good position in Masters Group 1 teams category - again results not to hand from AAI. Tom Hunt from Carracastle won gold in his first year in the M60 category and was very pleased with his race after being laid off with injury for four months from April this year. It was his sixth consecutive Dublin marathon. PJ Hall (O50 ) had suffered with a cold prior to the race but ran a gritty 3:52. It was a great team effort and a joy for all the red and green singlet wearers to experience the wonderful suppport these colours get all along the 26.2 miles. And there is always next year - the 30th Dublin Marathon is on October 26 2009. Maybe the first step can be taken next Sunday at Hollymount.
