The Berlin Marathon is one of the five major city marathons in the world and has a reputation for fast times. The world record has been broken there in each of the last two years. Roger Barrett of Mayo AC trained hard for this year's race and had a brilliant run finishing with a personal best in 2:30:14 - well inside his 2:32:53 finish at the 2012 Dublin Marathon. Roger narrowly missed out on his target sub 2:30, but on this form he will soon achieve that goal. Well done too to Michael Canty (Ballina AC ) who also achieved a personal best finishing in 2:36. Last Saturday in the tough Clew Bay Half Marathon, Mayo AC had more success when Noel Gibbons who came home first in 1:22: 27.
Breaffy 10k coming up
The fourth annual Breaffy 10K fun run is back, and is the sixth and final race in 2014 Mayo AC Move2Improve Series sponsored by C&C Cellular. The 10k walk/jog/run takes place on Sunday, October 12 at 1.30pm. It is being organised by Breaffy Community/ Breaffy G.A.A. This community inspired event is aimed at runners and walkers of all abilities and levels of fitness over a 10km circuit. The predominantly flat route starts behind the national school in the village and extends in a loop along mainly picturesque country roads to finish at the front of the school.
There are toilet facilities at the start/finish line and plenty of parking in the village, at the church, the GAA grounds or in Breaffy House Resort, all within easy walking distance of the national school. Water stations will be available at the 3k and 7k marks along the route. When the event is over everyone can relax over a cup of tea and refreshments in the school hall. Presentation of prizes will take place at 3.30pm.
Cost is €15 and you can register on www.runireland.com or enter on the day between 11am and 12.30pm at St John’s National School, Breaffy, Castlebar. For more information contact Maggie on (087 ) 6324252.
Ballyhaunis 8k results
The seventh annual Go West Ballyhaunis 8k took place on Sunday afternoon last. Conditions were warm and at times humid with the temperatures in the upper teens, and with tough climbs between the 4k and 5k mark providing a extra challenge for the big field. This year's field was boosted by an encouraging number of students, teachers and parents from Ballyhaunis Community School - over 90 of them included in the 224 starters. The colours of their jerseys and t-shirts mingled well with club singlets and created a wonderful rainbow of energy as they raced down the main street. The race was used by the school as a fundraiser.
Once again John Byrne (Mayo AC ) and Norah Newcombe (Ballina AC ) were the clear winners. Like many in the field they completed many training miles in the previous week in preparation for the Dublin Marathon just four weeks away.
