Six Mayo AC athletes travelled to Nottingham on Saturday to take part in the 27th Annual British & Irish International Masters Cross Country championships. They were selected after last month's trial in the Phoenix Park, and formed part of a 70 strong Irish team competing against England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland as individuals, and in teams in nine age categories ranging from 35 years to 75 years. Mayo AC has a long tradition of successful participation in this event, and this year's representation of six is its biggest so far.
Three races took place over a two kilometre lap course at picturesque Wollaton Park. As the official programme said "a set of closely contested races right through the age groups, held in a very friendly atmosphere". The first race over three laps - 6k - was for all women and men over 65, 70, 75.
Mayo AC runners were in five of the Irish age category teams with four in each team and the first three to count. They were: Colette Tuohy F45, Pauline Moran F55, Margaret Glavey F65, Tom Hunt M65, and Tom Waldron M75. The course was in excellent condition despite a downpour in the previous 24 hours. There was a tough hill right after the start, followed by a fast and furious downhill section, but the course proved a good test. Colette Tuohy was their first finisher in sixth place in the over 45 and she led the team to bronze. Pauline Moran was sixth in the women’s over 55 race, and the team won gold helped by a great individual silver place run by Lucy Brennan (Sligo AC ). Margaret Glavey finished fourth in the over 60 section and led her team to silver.
In the men's over 65 race Martin McEvilly led the team to gold and the GCH man added to his fantastic record in this event with a silver individual medal, with Tom Hunt coming home in 11th. This year men over 75 competed for the first time and Tom Waldron was in the Irish team which won silver. Roger Barrett came home 12th overall, and the Irish over 35 team won silver in the third race of the day over 8km for the 35-years-old to 49-years-old age categories. Like Margaret Glavey and Tom Waldron it was Roger Barrett’s first time taking part.
Great turnout at Ballina Parkrun
Last Saturday saw the latest addition to the Parkrun network in Mayo with the free weekly timed 5K event taking place at the picturesque Beleek in Ballina. Approximately 140 people of all ages and abilities participated in this non competitive fun event in terrific weather conditions, with all treated to tea and coffee and light refreshments at Ballina Town’s clubhouse afterwards.
Along with host club Ballina Athletic Club key partners involved included Mayo Sports Partnership, HSE, Ballina Municipal Council, Coillte, and Parkrun Ireland. Ballina brings to three the number of sites in Mayo along with Castlebar and Westport. All Parkruns commence at 9.30am sharp every Saturday and more information can be got by contacting Mayo Sports Partnership at (094 ) 9047025 or log on to www.parkrun.ie
