24th Annual Balla 10k launched

24th Annual Balla 10k launch, front l-r; Kathy Gleeson, Sorcha Fletcher, Chairperson Balla No Name Club, Laurita Blewitt, Mayo Roscommon Hospice, Aoife Conway, PRO Balla No Name Club, Lisa Mallee, secretary Balla No Name Club. Back l-r; John Timothy, Mayo AC, Bernard Guthrie, Office Pro (sponsor) , PJ Hall, Mayo AC, Caroline Mallee, Balla No Name Club, Gerry Curley, Office Pro (sponsor) , Brendan Conwell, Organiser and Joe Gallagher, No Name Club. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2016.

Our long serving member Brendan Conwell has organised the Balla 10k road race every year since 1992. Last evening he launched the 24th running of the event at the new premises of the Balla No Name Club. Members and officers of the club, Office Pro, Mayo Roscommon Hospice and Mayo AC were there to help him launch the race which will be held on Saturday July 23 at 7pm.

Over the years the Balla 10k has been recognised as one of the best races on the calendar in the West and has attracted top class athletes.  Brendan says that when he started out in 1992, Balla was one of just four 10k races in Mayo in the year – with Hollymount, Ballina, Claremorris. He’s hoping for a big turnout this year, and all are welcome to run, walk, or jog the famous one lap course and as he says ‘help make Balla great again’. It’s also the next race in the 2016 Mayo AC Vodafone C&C Cellular Club League with points to be won by club members. Full details on our events calendar.

Balla 10k launch l-r John Timothy, Brendan Conwell, Kathy Gleeson, PJ Hall.