Places are filling up fast for the third annual Mayo AC 5k Summer Series Run and Walk which starts next Tuesday evening, June 19 in Lough Lannagh in Castlebar at 8pm. This popular annual event which is open to all who wish to run jog or walk is limited to 300 approx. You can enter online at www.runireland.com, but it will close at noon this Saturday June 17.
Race headquarters is the Castlebar Tennis Club which will be open for registration from 7pm participants are urged to get to the venue in good time to avoid traffic delays. Entry fee for the full series which also includes runs in Ballyhaunis, Claremorris and Ballinrobe followed by an end of series party is a very reasonable €25. The series is described as “a no frills event “where people of all ability come run jog or walk at their own pace in a fun sociable environment over an accurate well marshalled 5K course.
Ballindine guess your time race
The fourth annual Ballindine four mile guess your time race will take place on Saturday, June 23. Can you tell how fast you run? This is your chance to find out. This race is organised a little differently to normal races. You must guess your time in advance at registration on the day. The winner is determined by the finishing time closest to their predicted time. The last can be first! This means that everyone, fast or slow, has an equal chance to win - but obviously, no watches, phones, GPS devices, headphones are allowed. The course is an AAI certified four miler on quiet country roads. Come along and enjoy an active evening building community spirit.
Enter online at www.runireland.com to help the race start on time.
Entry fee is €15 and entries will also be taken on the day. Race HQ is Ballindine Community Centre and the race will start at 7pm and there is prize money for the first, second and third places. The race is in aid of the local Western Alzheimer’s Centre.
Mayo AC couple take on Cork Marathon
Patricia Carty and Sean Murphy headed to Cork for the June Bank Holiday weekend, not for the sunshine but to take on their first marathon. Sean had run the recent Kinvara half marathon in a time of 87.55 and the Kilmovee 10k in 39.51 and was aiming for a time of between three hours to 3:20 for his finish, while Patricia was aiming for time between 4:10 and 4:30 going on her previous times over shorter races. They both started sensibly and reached half way in 1:37 Sean, 2:07 Patricia - so on target. Then at 18 miles, Sean picked up a knee injury. But he courageously carried on, walking the last eight miles - it meant his second half took 3:11. But he finished, in a time of 4:48:37. Meanwhile, Patricia was running a very steady race and looked fresh and in control as she ran the second half in 2:20 for an excellent 4:27:54 finish, over 20 minutes ahead of Sean.
