Mayo AC Ladies run in European Cup on Sunday 17th October
It will be another landmark day in the history of Mayo AC on Sunday next when the clubs womens team are Irelands representatives in the 24th European Womens Road Race Interclubs Championship in Portugal.The race held over a distance of 15 kilometres takes place in Torres Vedras about 30 miles outside Lisbon.
The Mayo AC team consists of five members Catherine Conway Mary Gleeson Collette Tuohy Kathy Connolly and Chris Gallagher. All who have been in outstanding form on the road racing circuit in recent times and are looking forward to rubbing shoulders with the leading club runners from around Europe.Last years event was held in France and was won by Maratona club de Portugal while ACS Moscow were runners up
Competing in this event on Sunday will no doubt be the highlight of all the Mayo AC girls running careers to date its even more remarkable considering that all have come into the sport within the past five years or so. Team members have had numerous successes not just on the West of Ireland running scene but also at national level all five team members have won AAI National medals in 2010. The clubs great win in the recent AAI National Half Marathon Championships means that they have also qualified for the 2011 European Clubs Championship to be held in autumn 2011
Sunday will be the third occasion that Mayo AC will be represented in the European Clubs Cup in 2002 the clubs team competed in Italy near Rome while in 2003 they took part in the race staged in Moscow
A group of club members and friends are also travelling to Portugal to support the Mayo AC girls on their big day and no doubt will avail of the opportunity to get in some warm weather training in preparation for numerous races that are coming up over the coming weeks
Speaking recently on behalf of all in Mayo AC Michael McGrath club chairperson congratulated the team and wished them every success in Portugal describing them as an” outstanding group of athletes and an inspiration to all who will do their Club, County, and Country proud”