The postponed Breaffy 10k road race originally scheduled for Sunday, August 25 has a new date. The Breaffy 10k is now set for Sunday October 6 at 1.30pm. This will now be the final race in the Mayo AC Road League and the relatively flat course should see some good times from finishers. The postponement was due to the involvement of the local GAA Club, for which the race is a fundraiser, with players competing in both the minor and senior teams in the All Ireland football semi-finals on August 25 in Dublin. The organisers apologise for the change of date. They hope that the new date will attract even more competitors as it is the only local permitted race on that weekend.
Mayo AC man picks up medals at World
Police and Fire games
In last week’s World Police and Fire games, which were held in Belfast, Mayo AC M60 masters champion Seamus Gaughan picked up four track medals in the M55 grade in the 5,000m, 1,500m and 10,000m. Seamus claimed bronze in his first two events, before taking silver in the long distance run in a time of 38:50. But he went even one better in the 10k cross country race picking up the gold medal, to cap a great championship.
Good showings from Mayo AC athletes at half marathon championships
Thirty two Mayo AC red and green vests went to the start line for the National Half Marathon championships recently. The 13.1 mile race was incorporated in the Dublin Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon with thousands of participants. Among the 32 runners taking part were a number of runners from the club's Fit4Life groups. John Byrne and Ann Lennon led the teams - their experience, success and inspiration now spanning three decades. John was first club finisher in 17th place overall in 71:53 and probable bronze medal in M35 category. Ann has been in great form in local races and had one of her best races in recent years with an amazing 82:29 finish and almost certain gold in her W45 category. Paula Prendergast had also displayed excellent form this year and knocked minutes off her previous best with a terrific 84:29. They were joined by Mary Gleeson’s 85:24 looking like it will be enough to take the W35 silver and these three top seniors have a great chance of team medals. There were nine personal bests among the 32 starters. Five were from Fit4Life - Mairead Cafferkey, Sarah Flood, Siobhan Duane, Maggie Heneghan and Mary T McDonald. There were PBs too for Westport native Henry Hughes who travelled from London, Kilmovee 10k organiser John Roddy and two staunch members Michael McNeela and Ambrose Gaughan.
Ballina 10K won by Canty
After their National Half Marathon heroics in Dublin on the Bank Holiday Monday, Mayo AC women were back on the road last Saturday evening and dominated the Ballina 10k women’s results. Ann Lennon in flying form won in 37:19, over two and a half minutes better than her 2012 time and just three seconds outside Mary Gleeson’s 2012 winning time. Colette Tuohy finished in second in 38:30 and Mary Gleeson was third.
The race winner was Michael Canty (Ballina AC ) 33:53 and the top Mayo AC men finishers included Brendan Gill in fourth, Anto Devaney in sixth and Brendan Hession in seventh.
