Irishtown, Ballycastle, Ballinlough results

Colette winning at Irishtown (photo Breda Raftery)

Colette winning at Irishtown (photo Breda Raftery)

It was another busy weekend on the racing front but the primary focus was on our second Move2Improve race at Irishtown. There was a great turnout of 150 runners and walkers on a warm humid day. Conditions were tough as a result for all participants around the one lap course. The support they gave was also in memory of Padraic Cullina and proceeds will go to Western Alzheimer’s. John Byrne won the race for the second time in 27:03 and Colette Tuohy was first woman home in 31:12. She was third in Ballinlough 10k less than 24 hours earlier. Brendan Hession was third and ran a new 8k pb to follow up his 5k win also at Ballinlough. Margaret Glavey equalled her 8k pb.
IMG_0365(1)Mayo AC made a clean sweep of the main prizes. Right through the field there were points to be won at all three Move2Improve levels and the points tables will be updated shortly. The event was well sponsored by local firms and the Irishtown Community team organisation was top class. They got great help on the day from Michael McGrath, John Timothy, Dave Huane and others. As usual the refreshments were hearty and wholesome and very welcome after the energy expenditure.
Prizewinners were:
Men 1 John Byrne 27:03, 2 John Nolan 29:03, 3 Brendan Hession 29:22 pb. O40 1 Anto Devaney 30:37, o50 Dominic Regan 31:40,
Women 1 Colette Tuohy 31:12, 2 Sarah Syron 32:28, 3 Pauline Moran
34:31. o40 1 Chris Gallagher 35:16, o50 Margaret Glavey 36:05 equal pb.
All above Mayo AC .
U19 Junior men James McCormack 34:02, Junior women Katie Melvin 46:23
More photos from Irishtown below:
Thanks also to Mary McNulty for organising the results: Padraig Culina 8k Road Race 29th June 2014  pdf = Padraig Cullina 2014

Sat 29th Ballycastle 10k. Thanks to our running reporter Val P Glynn for this feedback – slightly edited to include finishing times etc – and well done to him on his o60 win.
“The Hillybilly race, because this is for hill runners and great preparation for the Achill Half Marathon in a week’s time. What a great performance from Claremorris man and Ballycastle native Brendan McDonnell winning this one in a time of 38.36 in baking heat. To keep him honest, his wife and manager ran the 6k in 36.18 and they were sorry afterwards for not running the 10k. Both are just back from a Spanish break and the heat probably suited the tanned legs. No such holidays for Mayo AC’s Tom Charles, but he still came in 10th place overall in 45.30 in very hot and humid conditions. Also for Mayo AC and in 18th overall was Val P Glynn, 1st O60 in 50:50.

The women’s race was won by Claire O’Boyle in 44:29.  This is a wonderful event, run by very enthusiastic people. Entry fee of €15 was really appreciated, considering the great prizes and spread of lovely food afterwards. This race is a test and should be in next year’s list of ‘must do’ events for runners who are not afraid of gentle pain. Well done to the people of Ballycastle.”
There was also a 6k race – results of both: ballycastle 10k results 2014   ballycastle 6k results 2014

It was hot and humid also for the second running of the Lake O’Flynn Ballinlough 10k and 5k. The breeze from the lake helped keep participants cool and there were some welcome shady tunnels beneath the leafy canopies. The event was slightly lower profile than last year’s inaugural running, but still attracted some top club runners and as you can see fast times from both clear winners. The women’s 10k winner Michelle McGee (DSD) will be familiar to many who saw her brilliant first  in the National Intermediate Cross Country in February. Colette Tuohy who had a great day also at Dunboyne, improved her 2013 second place time by 19 seconds with another strong run for third place in 39:22. The Mulhaire family had a worthwhile trip from Laois with Michael winner of 10k and Mary second woman.
Brendan Hession conserved his energy ahead of Irishtown but still recorded a good time to win the 5k. There were plenty of refreshments around the course, at the finish line where everyone got a t-shirt. This is a well organised event, with fantastic local sponsorship ensuring top class cash prizes for both 10 and 5ks.  Results Lake O’Flynn Results 2014(1)

Men 1 Michael Mulhare (Portlaoise AC) 31:29, 2 Martin Conroy (Ballina AC) 33:41, 3 Julio Cesar Castro (Kilmurry Ibrikane) 34:23, 4 Conor Dolan (GCH)
Women 1 Michelle McGee (DSD) 36:27, 2 Mary Mulhare (Portlaoise AC) 38:29, 3 Colette Tuohy (Mayo AC) 39:22
other Mayo AC: Michael McNeela 41:25,  Tom Hunt 43:47 1st o60
5k Men 1 Brendan Hession (Mayo AC) 18:14

More pics  from Irishtown

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