Hollymount Road Races bring the crowds back

The South Mayo village of Hollymount came alive once again on Sunday last for the 58th edition of the famous International Road Races. The event was held in support of Mayo Mental Health Association and race-organiser Sean Reilly was there again continuing the event’s great tradition which was the brain-child of himself and his brother Tom back in 1966.

On the course at the outskirts of the village, runners pass Tom’s statue commemorating his involvement in sport at Liverpool John Moore University and the Hollymount races in particular.

Tom was the UK’s first Professor of Sports Science and helped lay the foundations for sport and exercise scientific study at Liverpool Polytechnic before it became known as LJMU.

Hence the annual arrival of a bus load of runners and their supporters from the Liverpool area for the race weekend. They maintain a unique sporting connection and tradition and regular Hollymount guest, Neil Chester, led the contingent once again.

Sean Reilly got the 10k race going as a welcome break in the morning’s rain gave way to blue sky. Bright, low winter sunlight spread over stone walls and along the course – three laps of the local area mainly on single track slightly undulating roads.

Conditions were good for racing – mild with a light breeze as the field of 127 made their way up Main Street.

This year’s winner was Shaun McLoughlin Westport AC in a time of 34:01. He’s a regular race competitor and winner on the circuit. He was over 40 seconds clear of Dan Charlton Mayo AC in 34:44, with Alan Dunne East Mayo AC (a Sea2Summit winner last week) in third place in 35:34.

The women’s race winner was Sara Doohan Corran AC. She was well up at the front of the race from the start and came home sixth overall in 37:31. Sara won the recent Connacht Cross-Country Senior League and was delighted with her time in Hollymount.

Hilary Hughes from Westport also had a great run finishing ninth overall and the second woman home in 38:07.

Caroline Coulter, Tireragh AC is another regular competitor at Hollymount, and she came home third in 41:35

Donna Gallagher Mayo AC ran a great race and was fourth woman home and first in O40 category in 42:29. This year she has shown tremendous improvement in races over various distances. 

The event was well supported by clubs from around Connacht, and by the annual contingent of runners from clubs in the Liverpool area.

Category prizewinners were:

Men: O40, Shane Horan Lake District AC 36:44; O50, Francis Cryan Westport AC 38:03; O60: Frank Gilmore Castle AC 50:22.

Women: O40, Donna Gallagher Mayo AC 42:29; O50, Michelle Murphy Liverpool 49:55.

There was a great turnout by Mayo AC with 12 finishers. John Byrne was Mayo AC’s second man home in 39:37. He was followed by Alan Bourke-Tuffy 43:23, Eimear Fitzmaurice 44:47, Gillian Hanrahan 48:58, Mairéad Bristow 48:59, Joan Walsh 51:52, Caitlin Woods 52:10, Julie Higgins 54:13, Rick Holmes 54:20 and Marcella McDonnell 54:29.

As usual there was a great race day atmosphere around the village and at the prizegiving. Sean Reilly presented the prizes and thanked everyone who made the day possible including the organisers, stewards and refreshments providers.

After the event in the Community Centre race HQ, there was an excellent spread of refreshments which were enjoyed by all.

Full results and more photos are at www.mayoac.com