National gold for Mayo AC Athlone and Dublin
At Phoenix Park National 5k, from left, Mary Browne (Mayo AC, F65, Gold 21:29), with Niamh O’Sullivan (An Riocht AC, F60, Gold, 19:34) and Breda Gaffney (Mallow AC, F50, Gold, 19.09).
There was some great running by Mayo AC members at a number of races over the weekend in both the Athlone 10 and Irish Runner 5k in Phoenix Park Dublin on Saturday, and the Colm Horkan Memorial Run in Charlestown and Fast Lane Half-marathon in Dublin on Sunday last (May 18/19).
There was a national gold for Mary Browne in the F65 category in Irish Runner 5k in the Phoenix Park, coming home in 21:29, as well as a great win for John Byrne in the Colm Horkan Memorial Half-Marathon in Charlestown. He finished in an excellent time 1:19.00 and clubmate Colette Tuohy was second woman home in 1:34.08. Paraic Sweeney made a brilliant comeback to racing with a 1:45 finish and second M70.
Donna Gallagher won the Colm Horkan Memorial 10k women’s race in 42:01 with Dee Corcoran third, and there were category wins for Johnny Cribbin (1st, M60), Ruth Carney (1st, W50) and Caitlín Woods (1st, F50) in the 5k. In addition, Martin Fitzmaurice ran the Athlone 10 mile in1:29, and Neil Carroll finished the Fast Lane Half-marathon in Dublin in 1:34.
All in all a successful weekend for over 20 members in the various events.
The action continued on Tuesday evening last (May 21) in Race 2 of the Intersport Elverys Mayo AC 5k Series, which was held at Westport. It was a new addition to this year’s series, and was hosted by Westport AC.
The course had loop sections plus an out and back, and was almost entirely within the grounds of Westport House.
Running conditions were much better (wouldn’t be hard!) than at the opening race in Castlebar where many got drenched. It was noticeably cooler than the previous days which suited most competitors.
There was another excellent turnout at all levels – club runners, fitness groups, and individuals with many looking to improve on their performance in last week’s 5k.
Race winner was Eamonn Staunton Westport AC in 16:18 – the same time as he ran in finishing first in Series Race 1 the Castlebar 5k the previous week.
He led a Westport podium with Shaun McLoughlin second in 16:30 and Anthony Murray (Multisport Westport) third in 16:47 – also the same time as last week.
David Hickey (Westport AC) came fourth in 16:57, with Mayo AC’s first finisher Darren Flanagan fifth in 17:26, and Declan Ryan (Roscommon Harriers AC) 6th in 17:27. John Byrne was eighth in 17:37. There were seven Mayo AC members among the top twenty finishers.
Hillary Hughes (Westport AC) was also the clear winner again of the women's Race 2 – 18th overall in 18:34 – and over twenty seconds faster than her Castlebar time. She was just under two minutes ahead of second placed Colette Tuohy Mayo AC who crossed the line in 20:32 – a typical very strong run by the W55 master athlete.
Clubmate Helen Hopkins finished third (21:09), with Maura Ginty fourth (Sportsworld AC, 21:24), Paula Donnellan Walsh fifth (21:26) and Dee Corcoran sixth (21.38).
