Masters International XC: Medal success for our runners

Five of our squad in the Irish team at Nottingham: l-r Tom Waldron, Colette Tuohy, Margaret Glavey, Pauline Moran, Tom Hunt

Six Mayo AC athletes travelled to Nottingham on Saturday to take part in the 27th Annual British & Irish International Masters Cross Country . They were selected after last month’s trial in the Phoenix Park, and formed part of a seventy strong Irish team competing against England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland as individuals and in teams in nine age categories ranging from 35 to 75. Mayo AC have a long tradition of successful participation in this event, and this year’s representation of six was their biggest so far.
Three races took place over a two kilometre lap course at picturesque Wollaton Park. As the official programme said ” a set of closely contested races right through the age groups , held in a very friendly atmosphere”.
The first race over three laps –  6k – was for all women and men over 65, 70, 75.
The Mayo AC starters were Colette Tuohy F45, Pauline Moran F55, Margaret Glavey F65, Tom Hunt M65 and Tom Waldron M75. The course was in excellent condition despite a downpour in the previous 24 hours. There was a tough hill right after the start, followed by a fast and furious downhill section, but the course proved a good test. Colette was 6th o45,  first Irish finisher and led her team to bronze. Pauline was 6th F55 and the team won gold helped by a great individual silver place run by Lucy Brennan (Sligo AC). Margaret finished 4th F60 and led her team to silver. In the men’s o65 Martin McEvilly led the team to gold and the GCH man added to his fantastic record in this event with a silver individual medal, with Tom Hunt 11th. This year men over 75 competed for the first time and Tom Waldron was in the Irish team who won silver.

Phillip Harty (3527) and Roger Barrett (3529) leading the Irish challenge in 8k race

Roger Barrett came home 12th overall and the Irish o35 team won silver in the third race of the day over 8k for the 35-49 age categories. Like Margaret Glavey and Tom Waldron it was his first time taking part.

It was great to see all the Mayo AC runners come home with a medal and make it a thoroughly successful and enjoyable trip.
In the evening Nottingham Trent University Conference centre was the venue for the medal presentation banquet hosted by the England Athletics Masters Association.

Full Results are here: race-results.co.uk