Busy weekend for Mayo athletes
Belleek 10k First three Mayo AC finishers. From left, Tony O’Malley, Norah Newcombe Pieterse, Lorcan Murray.
Mayo athletes were busy over the weekend and ran with great success at events at home and abroad.
On Saturday, December 6, Hugh Armstrong (Ballina AC) finished second in a fast time of 14:15, in the Jingle Bells 5k in Phoenix Park Dublin. He was just a second behind the winner Kevin McGrath Bohermeen AC in 14:14.
Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill W40 West Limerick AC was first woman in 16:12. Ballina native Mark Naylor Liffey Valley AC was 38th in 15:48.
Congratulations to the Mayo under-13 boys team who won silver in Sunday's (December 7) National Unevens cross-country championships in Abbotstown. The six-member team finished with 157 points behind winners Cork 89, with Dublin third on 265. Philip Griffiths of Claremorris AC won silver individual.
Well done to Mayo AC’s Mary Browne who ran 1:58.51 also on Sunday in ‘sweltering’ conditions in the Lanzarote Half-marathon.
On Sunday, Michael Rocke Mayo AC had a superb run in the Maratón Valencia in Spain finishing in 2:50.37.
He passed halfway in 1:25.02 in an excellent even paced performance averaging 6:31 per mile.
It was a brilliant new PB for the Castlebar-based runner. Michael has run excellent times across a range of distances from 5k to marathon. He ran 2:53 in Boston Marathon in 2022, and 2:55.56 in Dublin in 2023.
Belleek was buzzing with excitement as a massive field of runners took to the scenic route for this year’s Belleek 10K and 5K. The event delivered everything we love about road racing —speed, determination, and community spirit.
The 10k is a challenging course which takes runners out onto the Killala road before turning across through local roads and entering Belleek Woods for the final 3k alongside the Moy.
The men’s race was a nail-biter, with Dessie Burke of West Sligo AC claiming victory in an impressive 34:58. Hot on his heels was John Courell of Ballina AC in 35:29, followed closely by Danny Loftus in 35:44.
The women’s race was equally thrilling. Norah Pieterse of Mayo AC stormed home in 36:34 to take first place, followed by Caroline Coulter of Tieragh AC in 41:43, and Trona Donohue of East Mayo AC securing third in 42.13. Fourth was Una Mayock Mayo AC in 42:52.
The event was well supported by Mayo AC with 20 finishers. Lorcan Murray in 4th place was their first finisher in 36:26 – a brilliant time and over forty seconds faster than his 37:09 finish when he was fifth in Hollymount 10k three weeks ago.
He was followed by Tony O’Malley M50, 15th overall in 38:21. Other Mayo AC finishers were: Neil Carroll, M40 40:16; Barry Freeman, 42:58; Brendan Murphy, 43:30; Lisa Lally, 46:05; Dee Corcoran 46:19, Mairéad Bristow, 47:43; Ray Clarke 48:09; Martin Parsons, 48:11; Dee Prendergast 48:25; Jimmy Feeney, M70, 48:52; Mags Glavey, W75, 49:22; David Crowley, 49:56; Michelle McAlpine 50:17; Finian Joyce 55:49; and Maureen Costello, 1:07.13. The Belleek 5k winner was Enda Gilmartin (Sligo AC, 18:28). First woman was Abbie Harkin 24:25.
A heartfelt thank you goes to main sponsors, John and Ann Marie Courell, for their generous support. All proceeds from the event will go to this year’s chosen charity, The Sunflowers Children’s Hospice, making every stride count for a wonderful cause.
A huge thank you is extended to all participants, volunteers, and spectators who made this a truly special day for us. Your energy and enthusiasm brought Belleek to life!
