Masters T&F: 10 medals, week-end round-up

Sun 10th The National Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Tullamore: Six members made the trip through torrential showers. The Harriers Stadium was full, busy, wet. We were rewarded with a fine total of 10 medals. Angela O’Connor and John Byrne made their track debuts and enjoyed the experience. Both were rewarded for their efforts in some very competitive category races. John won silver in the 5,000 metres – his first race on the track after years of road running from 5k to 100k. On the track, position and tactics are key, the clock a lot less so – especially in championship events.

The shorter distance races make great demands as there is very little time to settle in as we do on the road. Lactic acid builds up quickly as energy is burned off. Try doing this in two or three consecutive events as the program dictates and you will experience a new form of fatigue. Not that that should put you off.  The friendly but keen rivaly that is generated at both indoor and outdoor championships means it is not all about the medals, as friendships are forged through the years meeting club runners from all over Ireland. During the seven hour program, there is time between events to chat and renew acquaintances and ‘catch up’. Angela O’Conner found it hard at first but like John she has the talent to achieve, and get results. And what a week for Pauline Moran. Book-ending the National Half, she won five medals in four races – two gold, individual and team in Dublin and three in Tullamore at different levels. And she smiles through it all. Mags Glavey had a gold double, another great performance despite not being able to train properly for the month of  July.  All these brilliant performances are  reflected in the details below. Congratulations to all our medal winners.

These are the details. (all distances in metres)

Angela O’Connor: F45: gold in 800, 4th 3,000, silver in 1500.
Anne Murray F50: 5th 800, 6th 3,000, 6th 1500
Pauline Moran F55: gold 800, bronze 3,000, silver 1500
Margaret Glavey: F60: gold in 800 and 1500
John Byrne M35: silver 5,000 in 16:00:25
Tom Hunt M65: silver 5,000 and 1500

Sat 9th The 29th running of the Streets of Galway 8K took place on Saturday evening. We had 10 finishers  – provisional results (race time).

Well done to Colette Tuohy who was 7th woman overall in 30:46 and a prizewinner 1st o45, Patricia Carty 30:30, Tracy Durkan 36:59, Edel Feeney 37:31, Donna Gallagher 36:44, Geraldine Heneghan 44:15, Rebecca McHugh 40:56, Laura Heneghan 36:36, Sean Murphy was our first man home 29:32 6th o40, John Geraghty 35:48

Sat 9th In Castlebar parkrun
Clive Lavelle 20:03
David Dinsmore :20:45
Jimmy Feeney:20:51
Monica Joyce 23:46
Karen Devaney 28:22