After a tense wait of almost three weeks there was great news for Mayo AC following publication of the results from the National 10k Championships held on April 15 in the Phoenix Park. They came away with rich sprinkling of five gold, three silver, and two bronze with medals for four teams and in six individual categories.
It is clear from the overall results that Mayo AC were the most successful club this year in terms of medals won - their haul doubled that of 2011 when they won three silver team and two individual medals. Success came across a spectrum of athletic endeavours - from Sarah Syron winning her first national senior team 10k medal, to Margaret Glavey and Seamus Gaughan's gold in the over 60 section. Many will be delighted for Christy O'Connell who won silver with the over 50 team. Christy is a dedicated club man and has been a regular at races near and far for many years. Seamus Gaughan's gold in M60 section was a just reward for dedication and hard work over the winter and made up for the disappointment of fourth place in the Masters cross country in Boyle. Margaret Glavey won gold W60 and with Mary Walsh, Una McGrath and Mary Murphy, she has taken a big step forward in the past year with consistently improving times. Team leader and W55 gold winner, Pauline Moran has reduced her 10k time dramatically in the past year and shown versatility in triathlon/duathlon competition too. Her next goal must be the Irish masters W55 10k record - her recent 42.58 finish at Foxford is only 35 seconds off. The W40 silver medal team Angela, Chris and Ann were three minutes faster than 2011. A great run by Mary Gleeson led the senior women to bronze assisted by Colette Tuohy's individual bronze in W40.
Quick times in West of Ireland 10k
The West of Ireland Women's 10k was held on Sunday as over two thousand runners, walkers, joggers gathered at The Mall, an ideal location in the centre of Castlebar.
Bright sunny conditions helped make the day a very social fun occasion. Mayo AC women took a large slice of the prizes, winning six of the 9 on offer. They repeated the recipe that brought so much success recently in the National 10k. In retaining her title, Colette Tuohy will have inspired many women as she led from start to finish in typical style. She cut a minute off her 2011 time in the process.
Second placed Dervalla Holmes a native of Moygownagh ran strongly while Angela O'Connor in third, ran her third 10k in a month, all with very consistent finishing times. Sarah Syron finished fifth again and improved her 2011 time by over a minute. Chris Gallagher (first o40 ) and Rosie Hynes (first Junior ) were almost inseparable at the line in the most exciting finish of the day. It was good to see another Moygownagh woman, Breege Blehein return to racing with a 43 minute finish. National W55 champion Pauline Moran was disappointed with her time but easily won the W50 section, as did W60 champion Margaret Glavey who was first W60.
Balla 8k on Saturday week
The Balla 8k will take place on Saturday May 19 at 12pm. You can race, jog or walk. It is the second race in Mayo AC 2012 C and C Cellular Road League and replaces the Carramore 10k which is not being held this year. Entries online at www.runireland.com or at the Community Centre Balla from 10.30am on race day. Entry costs €10.
A contribution from the race will go towards Balla 'No Name Club'. Changing facilities will be available in the community centre and post race refreshments and prize giving will take place Durkans at the Square. The 8k course is AAI measured, for more information contact Brendan Conwell on 087 2491227 or Michael McGrath on 086 8534729.
