When the trees are almost bare, and starry starry nights and frosty mornings return, it must be time for Hollymount Road Races. Yes, the 46th version of this legendary Annual International event takes place next Sunday, November 13. There will be three races around the familiar testing 3k circuit. 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 the Liverpool area.
The race format has not changed much over the years, and is typical of many races around the country that originated in the sixties and seventies. Prize presentation for 2011 Mayo AC C&C Cellular Road League will precede the Hollymount races presentation. There are three different races taking place, the first a youths’ 3km for u17s starting at 1pm with a €10 entry fee. The second is a ladies’ 3k international race starting at 1.30pm, entry fee is €15. The main event gets under way at 2pm and is the men’s international 10k and entry is €15; there will be prizes in all three categories. The race organiser is Sean Reilly 086 8402679
Entries are being taken at the Community Centre from 12pm.
Mayo AC perform well in Dublin marathon
The October Bank Holiday Monday was the 32nd running of the Dublin City Marathon. A record 14,000 participants took part in what is one of the fastest growing marathons in Europe. Mayo Athletic Club had one of its highest entrants and throughout the live coverage on RTE the ‘Green and Red’ army could be seen weaving its way through the capital. The conditions on the day weren't quite ideal, it was a little breezy early on, wet underfoot and athletes also found it very mild. From the provisional results published by Athletics Ireland it looks as though Tom Hunt will take a National Silver medal in the M60 category. Tom has been one of Mayo AC's most consistent runners in recent years, and this medal will rank highly in what was a very competitive marathon. Chris Gallagher, in her first marathon, was very unlucky to miss out on a medal, finishing a brilliant fourth just 32 seconds outside bronze in the W45 category. John Byrne was once again Mayo AC's first runner home. John ran one of his fastest marathons to cap off what has been an extraordinary year for him (John captained the Irish team in the World 100k championships in September ).
Some other notable performances came from the many first timers who completed the course, many of whom only took up running through Fit4Life in the last year. Also runnig was Christy O'Malley who completed his 45th marathon, and Kathy Connolly who, only 24 hours earlier, had helped the Mayo AC women's team to a bronze medal in the European clubs 15k race in Portugal.
