THE Mayo AC Road League comes to an exciting conclusion with the Westport 5k next Sunday at 11am. This is the 12th year of this increasingly popular series and the fifth time to be supported by the C&C Cellular Group.
This year, some of the league prize-winners are already known, having gained enough points in six of the eight races so far. However, there is still a lot of running to be done in Westport before the prize presentations for the 5k race itself and the League at Hotel Westport (from 12.30pm). In addition prizes will be presented to the most improved male and female runners from the League series. Entries (€15 adult, €10 junior/U-19) ) will be taken at the Sports Centre beside the track from 9.45am.
Mayo AC’s Mary Gleeson has amassed 150 points already and will be crowned this year’s women’s winner. Club-mates Colette Tuohy (143), who was in fine form in last week’s masters cross-country and Kathy Connolly (136) will finish second and third respectively. Chris Gallagher currently leads the 35+ category on 121 points, but could be overtaken by an in-form Angela O’Connor (107). Joan Walshe (Mayo AC), Helen Corbett (GCH), Anne Egan and Michelle Reynolds (both Ballina AC) will battle for the third place in this category. Anne Murray (Mayo AC) on 110 points looks likely to take the 45+ prize ahead of Bernie Kelly (GCH).
Ballina AC are set to pick up a number of prizes in the men’s league, regardless of what happens in Westport. Current league leader Roger Barrett(140 points), has been consistently improving all year. Team-mate Michael Canty is second on 125 points, but with last year’s League winner Gerry Ryan (Craughwell AC) third on 123 points from five races, the result this year will go down to the wire. Ballina AC also lead the way in the men’s 40+ category where Seán Gallagher (117 points) leads Tommy Neville (100). Third place is still very open. Any one of five athletes – Dave Mullins, TJ Whyte (both Tuam AC), Peter Hynes (Swinford AC) or Gerry Galvin, Hugh Duffy (both Mayo AC) – could win. Ronnie Naylor leads the 50+ category on 59 points from Mayo AC club-mate Billy Gallagher. Daniel Murray (Ballina AC) is clear leader in the junior section.
Byrne wins in Cloonacool
THE second annual Cloonacool GAA 5k race/walk took place on Sunday. Over 100 runners and walkers took part in this well organised event in good conditions on an out-and-back course in the shadow of the Ox Mountains.
Mayo AC were again the dominant club this year with John Byrne the easy winner in 15.57 in his first race since the Dublin Marathon. Anto Devaney was second, one of many to check their pace ahead of the Westport 5k next Sunday. The performance of the day was by Mayo AC’s Sarah Syron, who cut almost a minute off her personal best 5k time to finish second woman home in 20.42. Ann Murray was third, showing no ill effects from last week’s tough masters cross country race where she helped Mayo to bronze in the inter-county section.
Results – Men: 1, John Byrne (Mayo AC), 15.57; 2, Anto Devaney (Mayo AC), 17.28; 3, Kevin McGlone (Sligo AC), 18.52; Other Mayo finishers: Dave Huane 19.20. Tom Hunt 19.40, Christy O’Malley 21.06, Jimmy Donnelly 26.01; Women: 1, Mari Johnston (Cloonacool), 19.55; 2, Sarah Syron (Mayo AC), 20.42; 3, Ann Murray (Mayo AC), 21.11.
John heads for the Odyssey
MAYO AC’s John Walkin will be heading to the Odyssey Arena in Belfast for next weekend’s AAI National Senior Indoor Track and Field Championships. John, who specialises in sprinting, will be rubbing shoulders with many big names when he takes part in the 60 metres event. Over the years he has represented the club with distinction and led the Mayo AC relay team to national silver a number of years ago. We wish him well.
Connacht Indoors
THE 2011 Connacht Indoor Championships (U12-U19) will take place in Nenagh, Co Tipperary over the weekend of March 5/6.
Westport athletes impress in Galway
ATHLETES from Westport Athletics Club enjoyed tremendous success last Tuesday at the Connacht Schools Cross-Country Championships at St Mary’s, Galway. In the minor girls’ 2000 metres, Dearbhail McNamara came eighth with Rebecca O’Malley in 22nd position. Elisha Gill came 25th in the junior girls’ 2000m. The intermediate girls’ 3000m saw Ellen Moran coming home in second place, ensuring qualification for the All-Irelands, to be held in ALSAA, Dublin on Saturday, March 12.
In the intermediate boys’ 4,500m, Con Doherty was in first place, David Harper in second and Oisín McNulty in 40th, ensuring that the Rice College intermediate team came in first place overall – a fantastic achievement. Anthony Chambers took 10th place in the senior boys’ 5,500m race, also qualifying for the All-Irelands. Congratulations and well done to all the athletes.
McKiernan to visit Kiltimagh
IRISH running legend Catherina McKiernan is coming to Kiltimagh to launch the inaugural Race2Glory Kiltimagh competition, which is taking place on Saturday, July 16. Members of the public are invited to attend a question and answers session with Catherina McKiernan next Monday, February 21 at 4pm at the Park Hotel Kiltimagh. Also in attendance will be Pádraig Marrey, Race2Glory race co-ordinator and winner of Gael Force West 2010. This is a perfect opportunity for anyone who is intending to sign up for Race2Glory to receive top-level advice on preparing for adventure racing.
Race2Glory is a 40-kilometre multi-sport adventure race involving a 10-kilometre mountain run, 23-kilometre cycle and a 7-kilometre river run. The Race2Glory course is an ideal training ground for all those who are preparing for Gael Force West 2011.
“Race2Glory is a really hard course so start training,” said Pádraig Marrey. “The river run will help cool down the legs and it would be great event as preparation for Gael Force West with the long hilly runs and bike sections.”
Registration for Race2Glory is now open with a special early bird price of €40 per entry. To register or to see details of the course log onto www.race2glory.com. If you require any further information email race2glory@gmail.com.
