Curtain falls on successful 5k series

Athletics: Over 200 runners gathered at Manulla FC on Tuesday evening, June 9, for the final race in the 2026 Mayo AC 5k Series.

This year marks a special milestone for Manulla FC as they celebrate their 50th Anniversary, and hosting the 5k was a key event in their lineup of celebrations.

The series concluded with great success during its 14th edition, attracting record participation in all five races. The atmosphere throughout the series was vibrant, with hundreds of runners enjoying the low-key, no-frills events. Participants included members from various local clubs, with Mayo AC and Westport AC standing out. However, the majority were individuals seeking to enhance their fitness levels in a welcoming environment while tracking their progress as the series unfolded.

Conditions for the race were generally favourable, with a south-westerly breeze keeping the weather pleasant until a familiar widespread shower arrived in the closing stages.

As runners assembled at the start line, Manulla 5k organiser Tracy Durkan led a round of applause in memory of Josephine Hall, the wife of former Mayo AC chairman PJ Hall and mother to Tracey, a member of Manulla FC’s senior women’s team.

John Heneghan from Core Timing ensured a timely start, and runners quickly settled into their pace on the out-and-back course, finishing at the clubhouse after laps around two football pitches.

The top finishers in the men’s category were: 1. Shane Heneghan (Dublin Front Runners) 17:09; 2. Christopher Troy (Westport AC) 17:25; 3. Lorcan Murray (Mayo AC) 17:33. In the women’s category, the top finishers were: 1. Michelle Heneghan (Mayo AC) 18:59; 2. Sue-Ellen Griffith (Claremorris AC) 19:52; 3. Michelle Needham (Westport AC) 20:27.

This victory marked Shane Heneghan’s second win in the series, following his success in the Claremorris 5k on May 26. Michelle Heneghan, who also triumphed in Claremorris with a time of 19:47, crossed the finish line first in Manulla.

After the race, Manulla FC hosted the Mayo AC 5k Series afterparty at their clubhouse, where everyone enjoyed a generous spread of refreshments.

Prizes based on the five races were awarded by the club and series sponsors.

John Durkan of Manulla FC welcomed Mayo AC and all participants, expressing delight in hosting the event and celebrating the club's 50th Anniversary.

John Byrne, head of the 5k Series Committee and chairman of Mayo AC, extended his gratitude to Manulla FC for hosting the event and to all participants for contributing to a highly successful series. He also acknowledged the sponsors and partners of the 2026 5k Series: Shaw Commercials, EBS, Intersport Elverys, Alltech Building Systems Ltd, Fitness Analytics, and Mayo Mental Health Association.

John further thanked the Mayo AC 5k Series Committee members – Colette Tuohy, John Gordon, Tony O’Malley and Mike Griffin – as well as the race organisers, Colette Tuohy (Castlebar), Kevin Hastings (Westport), John Timothy (Claremorris), Joan Walsh (Ballinrobe), and Tracy Durkan (Manulla).

Special recognition went to John Heneghan of Core Timing, Greg Barry for photography, and the Order of Malta.

Raffle winners, drawn from participants who entered all five races, received vouchers from sponsors Fitness Analytics and Tom McLoughlin Sports Massage.

The lucky winners included Shane Breen, Michael Fahy, Ger Walsh, Mary O’Toole, Tara O’Malley, and Mary Gavin.

Overall winners of the 5k Series, who received vouchers for a pair of training shoes from InterSport Elverys, were: Men: 1. Lorcan Murray (Mayo AC), 2. Michael Rocke (Mayo AC), 3. Declan Donnellan (Team West). Women: 1. Sue-Ellen Griffith (Claremorris AC), 2. Eimear Fitzmaurice (Mayo AC), 3. Angela O’Connor (Mayo AC). Category winners included: First woman over 40, Paula Donnellan Walsh; O50, Dee Corcoran; O60, Mary Browne; O70: Margaret Naughton. First man over 40, Sean O’Brien; O50, Tony O’Malley; O60, Michael Sweeney; O70, John Jennings. The 'Most Improved over the Series' prizewinners were Shane Friel and Alanna Brewer.