Claremorris 5 mile race – report, results, photos
( ‘Sport a Smile 5’ women winners): Cathy Connolly 3rd, Maureen Walshe MD De Care Dental, Mary Gleeson 1st, Regina Casey 2nd.
Matt Bidwell and Mary Gleeson further underlined their status as leading runners in this year’s Mayo AC Road League on Saturday in Claremorris.
It was the 10th running of the De Care Dental sponsored ‘Sport a Smile’ 5 mile event and brought a fun atmosphere to the town centre
with puppet shows, face painting, music etc. It also served as a focus
for Mayo Cancer Support through participants and street collections.
Provisional Results available here: [Download not found]
(Out on his own .. winner Matt Bidwell)
Conditions were good with a slight breeze out on the loop section of the course off the N17. As in the previous league race -Swinford 8k – winner Matt Bidwell (GCH) had Roger Barrett for company up to the 2 mile mark but then stretched out over this more testing hilly course to win easily in 26.04. Michael Canty (Ballina AC) was one of the few who improved their Swinford time to finish a strong 3rd.
Mary Gleeson (Mayo AC) was on home ground and had Tommy Neville (Ballina AC) and Gerry Carty (GCH) for company for most of the race.
She ran her fastest time over this course and finished over a minute clear of Regina Casey (GCH) in 2nd. Cathy Connolly (Mayo AC) 32.18 in 3rd, was one of a number of club athletes sharpening up ahead of the National Half Marathon next saturday in Waterford.
Hugh Armstrong (Ballina AC) looked impressive again winning the junior men’s race as he prepares to join the Irish team in the World Junior Mountain running championships in Albania next month.
Michael Sweeney (Mayo AC) continues to show a fine return to road running, finishing 2nd in the o50 category. Una McGrath is having a fine season and knocked a remarkable 1 min 47 off her Swinford 8k time in 40.30, and 14 seconds better that her ‘Streets’ time.
(Picture l-r Tommy Neville (Ballina AC) 1st o40, Mary Gleeson
(Mayo AC) first woman, Gerry Carty (GCH))
While Matt and Mary have the Road league titles wrapped up, there are still vital league points to be won for places and in the age category section in the remaining two races – Ballina 10k Sept 11th, andBallyhaunis 8k Sept 24th.
(Picture below: Tony Hetherington and Maura Meenaghan)
Hugh Duffy (Mayo AC) heads for the finish line
Claremorris 5 mile race results summary:
Senior Men
1 Matt Bidwell (GCH) 26.02
2 Roger Barrett (Ballina AC) 26.46
3 Michael Canty (Ballina AC) 27.25
o40
1 Sean Gallagher (Ballina AC) 28.25
2 Tommy Neville (Ballina AC) 29.23
o50
1 Billy Gallagher (Mayo AC) 30.28
2 Michael Sweeney (Mayo AC) 32.51
Junior u19
1 Hugh Armstrong (Ballina AC) 28.31
Senior Women
1 Mary Gleeson (Mayo AC) 29.21
2 Regina Casey (GCH) 30.25
3 Cathy Connolly (Mayo AC) 32.18
040
1 Joan Walsh (Mayo AC) 35.56
2 Annette Keane (Loughrea AC) 36.55
o45
1 Angela O’Connor (Mayo AC) 32.53
2 Chris Gallagher (Mayo AC) 34.05