Strong showing by Mayo AC at Achill Half-Marathon
Six of Mayo AC’s finishers at the Achill half-marathon. From left, John Reilly, Tony O’Malley, Colette Tuohy, Pauric Sweeney, John Byrne, Thomas Reilly.
The Annual Achill Half-marathon and 10k took place on Saturday, July 6. Twelve Mayo AC members competed and there was a total of among a total 1172 finishers in the two races. It's a popular athletics event that attracts a significant number of weekend visitors to the island.
Tudor Moldovan Clonliffe Harriers AC was the winner of the Half in 1:11.30 – he also won in 2023 in 1:10.52.
First woman across the line was Theresa Hughes Athlone AC, 1:27.16.
Mayo AC’s half-marathon finishers were led home by John Byrne in 5th overall and 3rd, M40, in 1:20.16, a great time on this tough course. John ran 1:19 in Charlestown in May in the relatively flat Colm Horkan Half. He was followed by Tony O’Malley, 2nd M50, in 1:30.00, a three minute improvement on his 2023 time.
Next home was Thomas Reilly, M40, 1:34.36, Colette Tuohy, 9th woman and 1st F50, in 1:36.50, Paraic Sweeney, 1st M70, in 1:43.03 – another brilliant run – over a minute faster than his 2022 time on his home terrain.
They were followed by John Reilly 1:43.08, Thomas Jennings 1:54.16 and Stephen Skillington 1:59.33.
The Achill 10k winner was Anthony Mannix Cork Track AC 33:27, first woman Laura O’Connor 44:31.
Mayo AC 10k finishers: George Bell, M60, 59:11; Patricia Ryder, F50, 1:00.34; Clodagh Geraghty, F50, 1:05.16; Loretta Caulfield, F50, 1:09.38.
