Community projects to benefit from Turlough run
Westport friends Cormac Moran, Declan Moylette, Sandra Crimmins, Ciaran Quinn and Aoife Quinn at the 12th Mayo Mental Health Association Turlough 8k Fun Run and Race at the National Museum of Ireland Country Life. Picture: Alison Laredo
Athletics: Beautiful mild early spring conditions greeted the large attendance of runners, joggers and walkers at The National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park for this month’s Turlough 8k.
It was the twelfth annual hosting of the ever-popular event which is co-organised by Parke-Keelogues-Crimlin GAA, Parke-Keelogues-Crimlin LGFA and Mayo AC. The National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park and Mayo Mental Health Association also partnered to promote this event. The challenging 8k course starts and finishes in the beautiful grounds of Turlough Park, passes by Turlough Round Tower towards the undulating countryside of the Parke and Turlough townlands, returning via Turlough Village to the finish line at Turlough House.
Conditions were favourable, and some excellent times were recorded. Almost 400 entrants took part with participants travelling from near and far.
Niall Dunne from Mayo Mental Health Association spoke to the gathering assembled in the courtyard for post-race refreshments. He congratulated all for turning out in such great numbers. Niall reminded everyone that a positive approach to physical health is closely aligned to establishing and maintaining good mental health.
Patrick Dunne thanked the organising committee, volunteers, sponsors and all the Turlough 8k affiliated partners – Parke-Keelogues-Crimlin GAA Club, Mayo Mental Health Association, Mayo AC and the National Museum of Ireland – who make the event what it is today.
Patrick said that all funds raised from the event will go back into local community projects that aid mental health services and towards the continued development of PKC GAA club.
Well done to the organisers Frank Cloherty, Patrick Dunne and Niall Dunne.
Prizes were awarded in the following categories:
Men senior: 1, Dan Charlton, Mayo AC, 27:17; 2, Bryan Renton, Westport AC, 27:50; 3, John Byrne, Mayo AC, 28:37.
Women senior: 1, Madeline O’Donnell 35:23; 2, Dee Corcoran, Mayo AC, 35:38; 3, Helen Hopkins, 36:14.
Men O50: 1, Ray Clarke, Mayo AC, 33:00.
Women O50: 1, Margaret Naughton, 43:11.
Male 15 to 18: 1, Matthew Kelly, PKC GAA, 30:47.
Female 15 to 18: 1, Ailish Harte, PKC LGFA, 46:41.
