Search Results for 'Paula Prendergast'

Mayo AC runners were in action at various events over the weekend and had top three finishers at Roscommon, Killarney, and Crossmolina. John Byrne finished second in Roscommon Harriers' 10 mile race on Saturday. His 53:53 finish was a great time over this classic distance given his career span, it was just 45 seconds outside his 2010 Craughwell 10 mile personal best of 53:08. A tough windy stretch mid-race cost finishers a good few seconds. Mark Kirwan (Raheny Shamrock AC) was the winner in 52:32. Well done too to Brendan Hession who had a great run to finish 16th overall with a  personal best in 62:15.

There were 16 Mayo AC finishers in last weekend’s National 10k Championships which took place in the Phoenix Park over a notoriously tough course, made even harder by a strong blustery wind along with a number of hail showers.

Mayo AC had a record 37 runners at the start for the 35th Dublin City Marathon on Bank Holiday Monday.

The extended summer sunshine lit up a glorious October Sunday for the fourth annual Breaffy 10k on Sunday last. It was also the final race in this year's Mayo AC Move2Improve Series. The event was brilliantly organised by Maggie Heneghan and team, comprising the local Breaffy community and GAA club. They were also assisted by Castlebar Fit4Life and Mayo AC. One hundred and forty finishers made it to the finish line outside race HQ at the national school. The warm sun and a few uphill sections between the 5k and 8k marks made for a challenging event, and there were the usual scenes of joy, pain, exhaustion, and sheer exhilaration at the finish line.

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.

Kilmovee was buzzing on Saturday and there was more than just spring in the air. The crossroads on the R325 was full of orange clad marshals, dandelions lined the roadsides, tulips saluted from gardens, an array of green sun flowered Hospice t-shirts mingled with multicoloured runners and walkers, and sprinkled with a host of red and green Mayo AC vests. The yellow balloon arch at the start line did a spectacular malfunction which added to the excitement but did nothing to deflate the occasion. There was a record turnout of 545 entrants on a sunny Easter Saturday for the fifth Kilmovee 10k run and walk. This was the first event in Mayo AC's 2014 Move 2 Improve six race series, which is open to all entrants. It was excellently organised by Kilmovee Shamrocks GAA club and the local community in aid of Mayo/Roscommon Hospice. Ironman athlete Gerry Duffy was a guest and said: “It was the most friendly race I've ever been at, a fantastic event, testament to John Roddy's leadership and the involvement of the whole Kilmovee Community team.” The big field was well streamed out as they crossed over Aghadiffen Bridge into Roscommon after the 3k mark. Matt Bidwell, Roger Barrett, last year's winner Con Marshall, and Aidan Callaghan were in the lead group, with John Byrne - recovering from his PB run at last Sunday's Rotterdam marathon - and Timmie Glavey further back.

After a brief run for shelter from an April shower, the sun came out at noon in the Phoenix Park on Sunday for the National 10k. Mayo AC had 24 on the start line, one of the biggest contingents among the 600 club athletes taking part in the National 10k championships. There were 13 women and 11 men making up the Mayo AC team, with the women going to the gun at 1.10pm and the men 20 minutes later.

MA_2102_E1_0Athletics

Last year was an outstanding one on the road running circuit for Claremorris native and Mayo AC athlete Paula Prendergast. Paula, from Ballybrehony South, lives and works in Dublin. She was named most Improved female runner in Mayo, an annual award sponsored by Ballyhaunis native Frank Greally, editor of Irish Runner magazine in recognition of performances in both the 2013 Mayo AC League and other events.

Mayo A/C is this year hosting the 2013 C and C Cellular/Vodafone Mayo Athletic Awards which will be held at a gala function in Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar, this Sunday January 26. Athletes from all over Mayo will be honoured for their contribution to athletics during the past year. Certificates or awards will be presented to all athletes who won national and international medals in 2013. On the night some 100 awards will be presented.