Joan Walsh and her Ballinrobe Fit4Life team did a great job as usual in organising the third race in Mayo AC Summer 5k Series on another very hot Tuesday evening. The water stop at 2.5k was very welcome, as was the shade of the trees from 3k. There was a great turn out with 226 finishers of the event with a lot of the ‘big guns’ of Mayo racing out in force on the course. The course was fast and flat and despite the heat there were plenty of PBs and happy faces at the finish line. The top three male finishers were Conor Dolan (GCH ) in 15:49, TJ McHugh in 17:28, and Noel Gibbons (Mayo AC ) IN 17:29. Catherine Conway was the first woman over the line in 18:49, with Sarah Syron (Mayo AC ) in second place in 19:24, and Pauline Moran (Mayo AC ) in third place in 20:59. Full results of the race and of the series so far on www.mayoac.com The fourth 5k race is at Brickens near Claremorris next Tuesday July 8, Registration at community centre from 6.30pm, start at 8pm sharp.
Last weekend was another busy weekend on the road racing front for Mayo AC but the primary focus was on the second Move2Improve Series race held in Irishtown. There was a great turnout of 150 runners and walkers on a warm humid day. Conditions were tough as a result for all participants around the one lap course.
John Byrne won the race for the second time in 27:03 and Colette Tuohy was first woman home in 31:12. She was third in Ballinlough 10k less than 24 hours earlier. Brendan Hession was third and ran a new 8k personal best to follow up his 5k win also at Ballinlough. Margaret Glavey equalled her 8k personal best as Mayo AC made a clean sweep of the main prizes. Right through the field there were points to be won at all three Move2Improve levels and the points tables will be updated shortly. The event was well sponsored by local firms and the Irishtown community team organisation was top class. They got great help on the day from Michael McGrath, John Timothy, Dave Huane, and others.
The top finishers were; Men: 1st John Byrne 27:03, 2nd John Nolan 29:03, 3rd Brendan Hession 29:22. Men’s over 40: 1st Anto Devaney 30:37, Men’s Over 50: 1st: Dominic Regan 31:40. Women 1st: Colette Tuohy 31:12, 2nd: Sarah Syron 32:28, 3rd: Pauline Moran 34:31. Over 40: 1st Chris Gallagher 35:16, Over 50: Margaret Glavey 36:05. U19 Junior men: James McCormack 34:02, Junior women: Katie Melvin 46:23.
There were hot and humid conditions on Saturday for two local races at Ballycastle and Ballinlough. The Ballycastle 10k was a hilly course and Brendan McDonnell won this one in a time of 38.36 in baking heat - a great performance from the Claremorris man and Ballycastle native. The women's race was won by Claire O'Boyle in 44:29. Mayo AC's Tom Charles came home 10th place overall in 45.30, and in 18th overall was Val P Glynn who also won the Over 60 section in 50:50.
It was tough going also for participants in the second running of the Lake O'Flynn Ballinlough 10k and 5k. Colette Tuohy (Mayo AC ) improved her 2013 second place time by 19 seconds with another strong run for third place in 39:22. Colette Tuohy who had a great day also at Dunboyne, improved her 2013 second place time by 19 seconds with another strong run for third place in 39:22. This is a well organised event, with great local sponsorship ensuring top class cash prizes for both 10 and 5ks.
