Six Mayo AC runners made the trip to Tullamore on Sunday for the National Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The Harriers Stadium was full, busy, wet and there was a full seven hours of exciting events. The Mayo AC six were rewarded with a fine total of 10 medals. Angela O'Connor and John Byrne made their track debuts and enjoyed the experience. Both of them won medals in some very competitive category races. There were other fine performances too from Margaret Glavey and Pauline Moran.
Angela O’Connor (F45 ) won gold in the 800m, silver in the 1500m and came fifth in the 3,000m. Anne Murray (F50 ) took fifth place in the 800m and 1500m, and came sixth in the 3,000m. Pauline Moran (F55 ) won gold in the 800m, silver in the 1500m and bronze in the 3,000m. Margaret Glavey (F60 ) won gold in both the 800m and 1500m. John Byrne (M35 ) won silver in the 5,000m and Tom Hunt (M65 ) took home silver in both the 5,000 and 1500m events.
Good showing from Mayo AC athletes in Galway
The 29th running of the Streets of Galway 8K took place on Saturday evening last. Mayo AC had 10 finishers - provisional results (based on race time ). Colette Tuohy finished in overall seventh place in the women’s race and claimed the F45 win in the process. Other Mayo AC finishers were Patricia Carthy, Tracy Durkan, Edel Feeney, Donna Gallagher, Geraldine Heneghan, Rebecca McHugh, Laura Heneghan, Sean Murphy and John Geraghty.
Full effort in half marathon
Mayo AC took to the streets of Dublin in record numbers in the recent National Half Marathon Championships with a club record squad of 48 runners. They competed in team and individual categories among 800 club athletes in the event which was incorporated in the Dublin Rock 'n Roll Half marathon.
Roger Barrett made his club championship debut and was out with the early leaders in 10th place after 10k in 33:27, with John Byrne in 21st just over a minute behind in 34:55. At the finish Roger came home 11th (71:58 ) and John 18th (73:58 ) of the Irish competitors. Brendan Hession, John Nolan, Anto Devaney, and Sean Murphy all had strong performances. Both winners of the recent Balla 10k won medals, Freddy Sittuk (Raheny Shamrock ) won bronze in 67:10, and Balla women's race winner Sarah Newcombe (Ballina AC ) had a great race finishing 3rd 81:36 with a bronze medal behind first woman Sarah Mulligan (DSD ) 76:02. Top woman finisher for Mayo AC was Paula Prendergast who finished 11th overall in 86:44 and led their senior team home. She was well supported by Sarah Syron 92:56 and Tracy Durkan 1:47:02. The three were fifth, 12th, and 34th respectively in the senior section. There were some great performances by newcomers especially by those who have come through the club's four Fit4Life groups. The recent successful Summer 5ks and the ongoing Move2Improve Series were an added factor and despite tough hilly conditions a number achieved PBs.
The current update from provisional results published by Athletics Ireland, place Mayo AC Senior women's team in bronze medal position, masters o50 team in gold, and individual category medals for Pauline Moran, gold o55, Mary Murphy, bronze o60, and John Byrne, bronze in men o35. This is another excellent national championship result for Mayo AC. Congratulations all! Full results of all Mayo AC's 48 finishers are at www.mayoac.com
