Matt and Norah are Balla 10k winners again
Norah Newcombe on her way to Balla 10k victory in 38:05
The 23rd Balla 10k took place on Saturday evening in good running conditions. The traditional one lap course always proves a tough test for competitors. The winner was Matt Bidwell (GCH) who has won this race in previous years including 2014. He strolled to victory in 33:42 with Tadgh McGinty and Robert Malseed coming home just over 20 seconds apart in second and third place. Norah Newcombe (Mayo AC) was also the women’s race winner for the second year in a row in 38:05, slightly slower than 2014 but over a minute ahead of clubmate Colette Tuohy in second. Colette had a good battle with Katie Shiel-Rankin who ran 37:43 when winning the Kilmovee 10k back in April ahead of Norah Newcombe. Colette caught up with Katie inside the final kilometre to finish 13 seconds ahead in 39:11.
Event organiser Brendan Conwell thanked his team who marshalled out on the course, those who helped at the start and finish line and at the Community Centre where refreshments were provided and prizegiving took place.
The race was the fourth in Mayo AC’s 2015 Vodafone Move2Improve series and points will be awarded at all 3 levels based on the race results.
The next race in the seven race series is the Claremorris De Care 5 mile on August 29th.
Look out for more pics at www.facebook.com/mayoathleticsclub
Race winner Matt Bidwell (GCH) at the 9k mark
Prizewinners 23rd Annual Balla 10k (134 finishers)
Men:
1 Matt Bidwell (GCH) 33:42
2 Tadgh McGinty (Swinford AC) 34.10
3 Robert Malseed (Westport AC) 34:35
o40 Sean Murphy (Mayo AC) 37:10, Michael McNeela (Mayo AC) 40:00
M50: Hugh Duffy (Mayo AC) 40:14:, 2 Paul McDonagh (Maree AC) 40:38
under 23 Men: Declan Martin 39:17
Men Team 1 Westport AC
Women:
1 Norah Newcombe (Mayo AC) 38:05, 2 Colette Tuohy, (Mayo AC) 39.11, 3 Katie Shiel-Rankin (Aldershot Farnham & District) 39:24
F40 1 Chrissy Hardiman, 48:20 2 Colette McNicholls 50:39
F50 : 1 Maura Dervin (Mullingar Harriers) 44:06 2 Maire Flanagan 45:14
under 23 Women: 1 Susan Shiel-Rankin (Aldershot Farnham & District) 43:08
Women team 1: Mayo AC
results :www.precisiontiming.net