Bibs and pieces

There’s just over eight weeks left until the final road race championship of the year. The Dublin Marathon incorporates the national championships and takes place on the October Bank Holiday Monday. As usual bib collection takes place at the RDS and there will be the annual rustle along the leafy pavements around Raglan road and environs. Most members intending to compete are already well into the training schedule. Entry fees go up from €80 to €90 after 31st August, and entry closes on 1st October.

For most members the endurance summit of a 5, 8, 10k etc is the focus and there are plenty events to choose from. However, others looking for marathon PBs are planning a short cut on flat fast courses, such as Berlin. Nothing is guaranteed, as many have learned that in the democratic world of running, pace is the great dictator.

After this weekend’s Claremorris 5 there are two races remaining in the Move2Improve Series – Ballyhaunis 8k, and Breaffy 10k.

We have 16 National medal winners so far in 2015. There may be more by year end, and all will be recognised at the Mayo Athletics Co Board Awards early in 2016.  We’ll be looking to take photos of medal winners – recent portraits requested by Co Board – at upcoming events. Some of our winners have completed a unique collection – indoor, outdoor, cross-country and road.

Mayo AC at the Great Wall, China- March 2009

After the Claremorris 5, we’ll be cheering on Sinéad Diver in the Women’s marathon at the World Athletics championships in Beijing. It’s amazing to think it will be her second marathon race. The early start will help and the forecast is of high humidity and possibly welcome heavy showers. Look out for  Sinéad’s bib number 119. She sounds excited, who wouldn’t be? “Mayo Abú!” is her final message.

We’ll have a full wrap up later.