Clean sweep by local ladies in Westport
Freya Renton of Westport AC in a race with Michael Rocke of Mayo AC. Freya won the ladies race and was fifth overall, while Michael was fourth overall.
Athletics: Race two of the 2025 EBS Mayo AC 5k Series was proudly hosted by Westport AC last Tuesday evening, showcasing an exciting course that featured a combination of loops and an 'out-and-back' segment, including a brief stretch of gravel.
The running conditions last Tuesday were ideal, with calm and dry weather prevailing at a pleasant 18 degrees for the 8pm start, setting the stage for an exhilarating race.
Mitchell Thompson (Dark Horse Track Club) won the men’s race in 15:33, ahead of Ruairi Hollywood (Lagan Valley AC) in 15:58 and Alan Dunne (Swinford AC), the first Mayo man home in 16:03.
Melbourne-based Thompson, who led from the start, had recently finished 12th in the National 5k at Phoenix Park with an impressive time of 15:11. Ruairi Hollywood and Alan Dunne maintained a close pace throughout the race, with Hollywood making a decisive move in the final stages to secure second place.
There was huge pride locally when Westport AC runners filled the top four positions in the women’s race, with 15-year-old twins Freya and Holly Renton finishing first and second in 17:18 and 17:54 respectively. Hilary Hughes took third in 18:31 while fourth place went to another of the club’s junior members, May Duckett, who crossed the line in 19:51.
Freya Renton, who was also the winner of the recent West of Ireland Women's 10k in Castlebar, is a very talented junior and placed fifth overall in Westport. She engaged in a thrilling competition with Mayo AC's Michael Rocke, who finished fourth in 17:13 – an outstanding achievement as well.
Following Michael Rocke, the next three Mayo AC finishers included Tadgh Hanrahan in 10th place with a time of 17:57, Steven Timlin in 14th at 18:37, and Mike Griffin in 15th with a time of 18:44.
First of the Mayo AC women was Jo Hughes (W50) with a time of 20:07, closely followed by Eimear Fitzmaurice at 20:11, and Angela O’Connor (W55) achieving an excellent 21:22.
The turnout was impressive, with 225 finishers at this popular venue, marking the second time Westport AC has hosted the event. A total of 44 Mayo AC runners participated, many of whom recorded impressive times and achieved 5k personal bests.
Race 3 in the Series is at Foxford next Tuesday, May 27 at 8pm.
