Brendan Conway wins Castlebar Greenway 10

Castlebar Greenway 10 first three: l-r Francis Cryan 3rd, Brendan Conway 1st, Michael Canty 2nd

The Castlebar Greenway 10 mile race took place on Sunday morning. The event was first held by Mayo AC last September and this year’s race followed the same general pattern. The club’s five races in the annual summer series of weekly 5ks concluded on Tuesday last. 

The out and back 10 mile course started and finished at Castlebar town park and included eight miles of flat traffic free terrain along the Greenway, criss crossing bridges over the Castlebar river, and a two mile more challenging loop on public roads through Turlough village via the Round Tower.

Running conditions were good though light rain fell throughout. Two in-form athletes contested the lead from the start. Brendan Conway (Westport AC) had an excellent recent Mayo AC 5k series with top three finishes, and finished second in the Run for Ollie 10k on June 15 in 33:59.  Michael Canty won the inaugural Run West Ballyhaunis 10 miler on June 3 in 57:21.

Brendan took over the lead from about 11k and came home the decisive winner in 56:19 with Michael finishing in 59:49. John Byrne (Mayo AC) won this race last year in 59:17. It was Brendan Conway’s first 10 miler – he’s a keen marathoner. Francis Cryan (Westport AC) ran well for third place in 63:13 – he only decided to take part half an hour before the 10.00 am start. Michael Rocke was Mayo AC’s first finisher in fourth place in 64:31, followed by John Gordon 64:39 1st 040, and Tony O’Malley 68:12.

Four women at the finish line : l-r Jackie Fleming (East Mayo AC), Colette Tuohy and Pauline Moran (both Mayo AC,) and Fiona Kelly (Ballina AC)

Colette Tuohy (Mayo AC) – second last year- was the first woman home with another consistently paced run in 68:57. Clubmate Pauline Moran W60 was second in a brilliant 71:13, a great time – she ran 73:54 here last year. Jackie Fleming of newly formed East Mayo AC was third in 74:24. She ran 74:36 in the Run West Ballyhaunis 10. Paula Donnellan Walsh was third Mayo AC finisher in 76:02 – 30 seconds faster than Run West 10.

All finishers received a ‘Castlebar Greenway 10’ technical t-shirt and enjoyed post race refreshments at An Sportlann.

Congratulations to the winners and well done to all 70 finishers.

Mayo AC Chairman Stephen Skillington presented the prizes and congratulated all who competed. He apologised for the weather and to some runners who ended up off course. Thanks to all who assisted him with the event, including Order of Malta, those who provided and served the refreshments, and An Sportlann for their facilities.

The 10 mile race is included in Mayo AC’s club league with members who competed gaining points.

Results: (70 finishers) Castlebar 10 Miler

Prize winners:

Men 1 Brendan Conway (Westport AC) 56:19 ,2  Michael Canty (Moy Valley AC) 59:49 ,3  Francis Cryan (Westport AC) 63:13

Women 1 Colette Tuohy (Mayo AC) 68:57, 2  Pauline Moran (Mayo AC) 71:13;  3 Jackie Fleming (East Mayo AC) 74:24

o40 men 1 John Gordon (Mayo AC) 64:39,

o40 women 1 Natalie Langan 78:30

o50 men 1 Mick Cull (Carrick on Shannon AC) 71:10

o50 women 1 Veronica Burke Woods (Swinford AC) 87:44

o60 men 1 Jimmy Feeney 76:24 (Mayo AC) 78:52,

o60 women 1 Rita O’Dwyer Brett (South Sligo AC) 1:47.24