Mayo AC runners put in the hard miles
Mayo AC’s silver medal winning mixed relay team at Belleek. Left to right: John Nyland, Anne Marie Staunton, Colette Tuohy and Keith Conroy.
Athletics: Four Mayo AC runners won prizes in the Swinford road races on September 5.
In the 10k, Michelle Heneghan was first woman across the line in 39:41, followed by Sarah Byrne who was third in 41:47.
Lorcan Murray was third overall in the men’s race, finishing in 36:39 while in the 5k race, Angela O’Connor was first F50 in 21:57.
Neil Carroll was the first Mayo AC finisher in the 3/4 Marathon, crossing the line in 15th in 2:17.01, closely followed by Gerry Kirrane who was one place behind in 2:17.17.
In the Craughwell 10 mile and 10k races on September 5, there was success for Knock-based Ann Lennon who won the F60 category in the 10 mile in 1:14.34, finishing as the fourth woman overall. Dee Corcoran was the 10 mile F50 category winner in 1:19.04, and Achill master athlete Paraic Sweeney won the M70 category in the 10k in 46:52.
Three Mayo AC runners competed in the 15th annual Clew Bay Half Marathon and 10k at Louisburgh on Saturday, September 12.
In the 10k, Ruth Carney ran 45:52 to take fourth place in the women’s race and first F50. Lisa Lally was fifth overall in the half marathon in 1:43.03, which was also good enough to take first place in the F40 category. Mick Shaw crossed the line in 1:52.34.
On Sunday, September 13 three Mayo AC runners made the trip south to the Charleville Half-marathon, which was a fast, flat out-and-back course running from Charleville in Co. Cork to Kilmallock in Co. Limerick, and back.
Trevor Dempsey was the first Mayo AC finisher in a great new personal best time 1:15.22. He passed the six mile mark in 34:22. He ran 1:16.42 in the National Half-marathon in Tullamore last year. He was followed by Tadgh Hanrahan (1:25.51) and Tony O Malley (1:36.31).
Erika Ryan of Mayo AC was among the 63,000 participants in the 40th Great North Run from Tyneside to South Shields in the UK on September 13. She passed the 10k mark in 54:09, and 10 miles in 1:27.17 on her way to an excellent 1:54.09 finish. She is the third Mayo AC member to complete the Great North Run.
Local championship action in athletics centred on the inaugural Connacht Cross Country Mixed Relays which took place on Saturday, September 12 in Belleek, excellently hosted by Moy Valley AC and the Mayo Athletics County Board. There were nine underage events before the Senior/Masters Relay.
Conditions were overcast and breezy at times, but despite overnight rain the course was firm and grassy underfoot all the way round the 1k lap.
In the senior masters 4x1km mixed relay, Mayo AC were represented by Anne Marie Staunton, John Nyland, Colette Tuohy and Keith Conroy. They were rewarded with Connacht Championship silver medals, finishing second to Swinford AC.
