Massive turnout for 5K race in Mayo Town which was a big success

THE 2025 Mayo AC Series sponsored by EBS continued on Tuesday evening with the fourth 5k race at Claremorris. Conditions for running were good - dry and chilly with a moderate to fresh and gusty southwest to west breeze.

The majority of runners who signed up for the full series improved their finish times over the first three races. However, the Claremorris course with a long climb up Claremount Manor after the 3k mark is one of the most challenging in the series. On race evening there was a breeze into faces as runners started the climb. After reaching the top they faced into the wind again on an energy-sapping circuit of the track to the finish line.

The top three finishers were: 1, David Hickey (Westport AC) 17:13; 2, Sean O’Brien (Westport AC) 17:35; 3, Michael Rocke (Mayo AC) 17:51. The first three women were: 1, Hillary Hughes (Westport AC) 19:19; 2, Jo Hughes (Mayo AC) 19:50; 3, Eimear Fitzmaurice (Mayo AC) 20:10. 

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Westport AC claimed the top spots again this week with David Hickey and Hillary Hughes in winning positions on the respective men’s and women’s podiums. Michael Rocke ran another strong race to finish third and was first of Mayo AC’s 44 competitors. The next three Mayo AC finishers were Matt Bidwell M50, fourth in 17:59, Thomas Reilly 18:17, and Gerry Kirrane 18:28.

Jo Hughes and Eimear Fitzmaurice led the Mayo AC women with brilliant performances again this week for second and third. They were followed by Colette Tuohy 21:10, Una Mayock 21:24 and Catherine McHugh 21:28. The wind and that challenging climb in the final 2k played a big impact on all finish times.

There was another excellent turnout with 205 runners completing the race. The number of participants in the four races to date is more than 20% up year on year, which is great news for the club’s annual fundraiser.

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It was also good to see representatives from a range of local clubs in the Claremorris field: Westport AC led the way with 18, and there was great support by runners from Lake District, Tuam, GCH, Athenry, Castlebar, Claremorris, Nephin, Swinford, Milltown and a series regular Tony McCabe Garda AC.

Huge thanks to John Timothy and Christy Heneghan who had plenty of help from their dedicated crew at Claremorris, making for a well-organised and smoothly managed event.