Mayo AC's masters athletes competed on the Irish team in the 26th Annual British and Irish Masters International Cross Country at Bute Park, Cardiff, last Saturday.
Pauline Moran W55, Colette Tuohy W40, and Jim Gaughan M60 ran in their age category teams against the top masters runners from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The women ran three 2k laps (6k ) in the first race. The field was made up of 35+ to 65+ women and men 65+ and 70+. Gaughan ran in second race of 50+ to 64 categories. The parkland course was in great shape with a couple of short sharp hills and through mature trees.
Well done to both Moran and Tuohy – their teams finished second of the five competing nations. Tuohy was third Irish W40 finisher in 22.07 and seventh W40 overall, while Moran was second finisher in the Irish W55 team. Moran was going well until the end of the race when she slightly misjudged the finish due to the crowds gathered there. Sadly, Gaughan had injury problems in the week leading up to Cardiff and despite treatment he had to pull out of his race after the first lap with hamstring problem. Martin McEvilly (GCH ) won gold individual in the M65 category, continuing a great record at these championships over the years.
Once again England was the overall winning country in both men and women, with the Irish women second. The Irish men’s M35 team won gold again. Medals were presented at the celebration banquet on Saturday evening. Congratulations and well done from all at Mayo AC.
