John Nolan, Most Improved Male 2013
John Nolan (left) presented with ‘Most Improved Male’ trophy by Brendan Chambers C&C Cellular
John Nolan won the ‘Irish Runner’ trophy for the most Improved Male athlete in 2013. Like Paula Prendergast, who won the Most Improved Female award, John is from the Claremorris area. The Brickens native began competitive running in 2013 having been involved in football and other sports over the years. He ran a number of races at a range of distances during the year and his finishing times show how he improved as he immersed himself in the sport.
In his first race last June, the Claremorris Lions Club 10k, John finished 4th overall in 39:26 behind three other locals, TJ McHugh, Brendan Hession, and Mary Gleeson. He then excelled in the Mayo AC 5k Summer Series, opening with 7th place at Castlebar 18:32, a 3rd place finish in his local Brickens leg in 18:19 in those soaring July temperatures and finished 3rd again in the final Series race in Ballyhaunis in 18:15.
He won his first race, the Padraic Cullina Memorial Irishtown 8k in September in 32:03. Other good performances included Carnmore 4 mile 24:19, Belleek 10k 38:07 and a 37:45 finish in Breaffy 10k in October where he was awarded the trophy at the C&C Cellular 2013 Road League presentations. John hopes to be running lots of races in the Mayo AC colours in 2014 and looks forward to clocking up new personal bests along the way.