26 go in Dublin Marathon
The 34th Dublin City Marathon takes place on Bank Holiday Monday next. Once
again Mayo AC have a strong team entered, 26 in total – 17 men and 9 women.
Yes, it’s all about the detail. 26.2 miles, pace, hydration, nutrition,
efficiency, and of course endurance. There are as many gurus as marathoners
if you listen out. However, experience is key. Listening to your body.
Staying focused and positive. Enjoying the moment, the support, the music,
the road sound. Mayo AC have done well over the years in this race which
serves as the National Championship. This year’s team has experienced
runners and newcomers. Many have come through the Fit4Life programs. Back
in 2002, Ann Lennon ran 2:46:18 to win, a time not bettered since by
Connacht women. And she is still showing the way home as top woman in
Mayo this year. John Byrne has some great times in his log, and has
peppered the 2.32 mark often. He will be trying once again to get that elusive sub
2.30, and emulate Paddy Murray’s best – 2:28. Our Senior men won silver in
2007 led by John, TJ McHugh and Anto Devaney. Our Senior Women won bronze
in 2008 with three Claremorris runners: Catherine Conway, Mary Gleeson, and
Kathy Connolly. We had 18 on the start line that year. Over the years there
were national medals for master’s teams and individual categories too. This
year a range of athletes from senior men and women, Christy O’Malley in his 49th marathon, to Tom Waldron in M70, will be at the start on the morning of 28th October. We wish them all the best of luck.
Mayo AC National Marathon Teams 2013:
Masters M35+ A: John Byrne, Noel Gibbons, Brendan Gill, Sean Murphy, Paddy O’Toole, Patrick Walsh
Masters M35+ B Tom Charles, Frank Cloherty, Mark Fitzgerald, John Fitzgibbons, Ambrose Gaughan, Christy O’Malley, John Roddy
Masters M50+ Val P Glynn, PJ Hall, Chris O’Connell, Tom Waldron
Senior Women: Aine Gallagher, Paula Prendergast, Ann Marie Staunton, Colette Sweeney, Sarah Syron
Masters W35+: Mary Beston, Maggie Heneghan, Ann Mc Donnell, Mary Murphy