Conditions were tough for the 12th Annual Tuam 8k last Sunday. For many this race is one of the best of the West's early season tests. Persistent rain swept across Connacht but lightened off for the race. However, a chilly headwind on the early kilometres along open sections of the course made it difficult for the 387 finishers.
GCH swept the board taking five of the six top men/women podium prizes. Winner Gary Thornton was 12 seconds faster than last year in 24:22. He's aiming for a good time in the 36th Rotterdam Marathon (it's on the same day as the National 10k - April 10 ) and edge into the top four Irish men for Rio Olympics.
Mayo AC trainer Matt Bidwell who finished second in 25:54 repeating his 2015 place and time. Regina Casey put down a good 2016 marker with an improvement of 26 seconds on her winning 2015 time. There was a good turnout from Mayo AC and they had two prizewinners, with PJ Hall winning the M55 category in 35:55 and Geraldine Heneghan who was the W55 winner in 44:06.
Breege Staunton finished in a time of 40:14 which was two minutes faster than her previous 8k time at Carnacon last year. Laura Heneghan ran 36:19 almost half a minute faster than her Tuam 2015 finish. Other Mayo AC finishers included: Matthew Gill 31:07, James Malone 32:47, Tom Charles 33:46, Tom Hunt 34:20, Ger Fahy 38:07, Annmarie Clarke 39:08, Geraldine Murphy 41:33, Chris O'Connell 41:41, Christy O'Malley 42:45, Maria Kneafsey 43:37, Jennifer Charles 48:15, Helena McNamara 50:50.
