Record numbers take part in 5k series
Aisling Joyce of Galway City Harriers crosses the line in Ballinrobe to win last Tuesday's Mayo AC Series 5k.
Athletics: Racing conditions in Ballinrobe for last Tuesday’s fourth 5k race in the 2026 Mayo AC Series were dry with a moderate westerly breeze. There was a series record turnout of 277 runners, with 191 of those finishing in under 25 minutes.
There was the usual buzz of anticipation as a huge field assembled at the start at An tSráid Árd. From there it was fast and flat all the way – crossing over to the Cloongowla Road and on to the finish at Abbey Street junction in town centre.
Kenneth Rogers of St John’s AC was first home in the men’s race in a course record time of 15:08, with David Hickey of Westport AC in second in 16:43 and Shane Horan of Lake District AC third in 16:53. There was a Galway City Harriers AC one-two in the women’s race as Aisling Joyce (18:00) led home Sinéad Egan (18:47), with Michelle Heneghan of Mayo AC third in 18:58 having previously won the Claremorris 5k. Laura Langan of Westport AC was fourth in 19:22, followed by Sue-Ellen Griffith of Claremorris AC in fifth in 19: 39, which was her first sub 20 in the series. Michelle Needham of Westport AC (F50) was sixth in 20:06.
Ten Mayo AC runners finished in the top 30 and they were led home by Darragh Healy 6th in 17:07, followed by 7th Lorcan Murray 17:14, 8th Michael Rocke 17:19, Darren Flanagan 17:46, and Stephen Timlin 17:52. The next Mayo AC women after Michelle Heneghan were Eimear Fitzmaurice 20:07 and Angela O’Connor (F60) who ran a brilliant 20:34.
Mayo AC’s Lucy Tuohy was one of many finishers who achieved a PB, as she ran 21:47.
The final race in the 2026 Series will be hosted by Manulla FC today (Tuesday, June 9) at 8pm.
