Mayo AC had 21 runners competing in the National 10k Championships held in the Phoenix Park on Sunday, April 14 in their efforts to pick up gold, silver, and bronze medals. They faced tough conditions as a gusty wind swept over the country and swirling showers added to the task. The race was incorporated in the Spar Great Ireland Run with 6,200 finishers. On a blustery day that made a tough course even tougher, Dublin based Geesala native Seamus Gaughan ran a great race and had a ding dong battle all the way with track record holder Joe Gough (West Waterford ). Gaughan won by two seconds in 39:09, retaining the M60 title he won last year. There were other excellent performances in the conditions, book-ended from senior woman Ann Marie Staunton in her first championship race to Tom Waldron who also won gold in his M70 category.
Bernie McHugh was another success story. She started with Claremorris Fit4Life and now in her first championship race in Mayo AC's W50 team won silver alongside Pauline Moran and Mary Walsh. Henry Hughes flew in from London underlining his commitment, and the club's first man over the line was Brendan Gill, ninth in his M35 category he was supported by Anto Devanney and Michael McNeela who won bronze M35 team medals. Paula Prendergast led the women home as 10th senior and knocked three and a half minutes off her 2012 time. The ever reliable Angela O’Connor won silver in her W45 category, and great runs from Chris Gallagher and Breege Blehein led the W40 team to silver medals. It was another excellent performance for the club in championship races
Finishing touches being put on plans for summer series
Final plans are currently being put in place by Mayo AC for its annual 5k series and Road League. They are both being organised to take place in the coming months. The fourth annual 5k summer series will be held over either four or five Tuesday evenings with a likely start date of June 18. The15th Annual Road League will begin with the Balla 10k on July 27. This year the road league is expected to consist of six races. It will be held over a more compact timescale and will include some recently launched races. The current plan is to conclude with the Ballyhaunis 8k at the end of September. This was the most favoured option following consultation with competitors and race organisers in a crowded fixture calendar.
The 5k series has always been seen to have a development/introduction aspect when many take their first steps in athletics. The road league being more competitive presents an opportunity for people to progress to another level. Full details of both promotions will be announced in the coming weeks on www.mayoac.com and in local media.
How fast can you run four miles?
The fifth Annual Ballindine four mile road race will take place on Saturday May 18 at 7pm. Can you tell how fast you run? This is your chance to find out. This event is a race with a twist. All participants must predict his/her finishing time in advance. The participant whose predicted time is closest to their finishing
time will be the winner. The last can be first! This means that everyone, fast or slow, has an equal chance to win. Watches, GPS devices, headphones are not allowed. The four mile measured course is over quiet country roads. The race is organised by Dave Huane of Mayo AC in support of Western Alzheimer's and sponsored by Health West Pharmacy, Ballindine. Entry is €15 online at www.runireland.com to prevent delays, and will be taken from 4.30pm in Ballindine Community Centre on the day of the event. All enquiries to Dave Huane on 087 9272242.
