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MA_2102_E1_0Athletics

John Byrne, representing Ireland finished in fifth place in the IAU World Trophy 50k race in Italy last Saturday morning. In very hot conditions and a strong sea breeze, finishing times were down. Participants completed eight laps of the 6.25km course at the coastal towns of Vallecrosia and Bordigheria. The race was won by British athlete Steven Way in 2:54, as the top three broke the three hour mark. John finished in 3:10, a brilliant effort by Mayo AC’s ultra man. In the early stages he ran in group of four in eighth place, including Daniel Oralek (Czech), a former World 100k winner. As the temperature hit 25c he moved into sixth place after 16 miles, and fifth after 20. “It was a battle for survival from then on,” said John. Although he dropped back to sixth with four laps to go, a typical gritty finish by the Straide man saw him gain fifth again which he sustained to the line after 31.1 miles of running.

It began with the Carramore 10k in May and will reach its exciting conclusion with the Westport 5k on Sunday December 12 it is the Mayo AC, C&C Cellular league which once again proved an outstanding success this year. This is the 12th year that this popular race series has been held and the fifth time to be supported by the C&C Cellular Group. Over the years many runners have been discovered through the league races with many going on to achieve national success since. While some of the league prizewinners are already known there is still a lot of running to be done in Westport before the prizes are paid out at the post race presentation in Hotel Westport.

For 45 years now the Hollymount road race has been the highlight of the athletes’ diary in the winter season. All roads again will lead to Hollymount this Sunday November 7 for the 45th Annual Road Race. Hollymount is renowned because of its international appeal with a huge contingent of runners again making their way from the UK and further afield. Things get under way on Sunday at 12 noon with a Fit4Life 8k fun run and walk, at 1pm the u17 boys and girls’ 3k race will go to the start line. Half an hour later the senior women’s 3km will start, with the main event the men’s international 10k going under starters orders at 2pm.

The Mayo AC ladies team have been rewarded for their good performances this year by being selected to take part in the 24th European road race inter club championships in Torres Vedras, Portugal. The event, which will take place on Sunday October 17 over a 15km course, will have top athletic clubs from all over the continent taking part. The Mayo AC team which will compete in the event will be finalised over the coming weeks.

Mayo AC members recorded some great performances at the annual Frank Duffy 10-míle road race in the Phoenix Park recently which attracted more than 6,000 competitors. John Byrne finished ninth overall in a time of 53.44, while Paddy O’Toole finished in 59.46 and Kevin Mellett, who has recovered from recent injury, came home in 62.27. Catherine Conway ran an excellent race finishing fourth in the senior woman in 62.10, while Paula Prendergast clocked 70.02. Caroline Conway ran strongly to cross the finish line in 75.13.