Mayo AC masters women sparkle at Santry

Angela and Pauline on their way on Lap 1

On Saturday the 28th British & Irish International Masters Cross Country took place at the sylvan setting of Santry Demesne, where it was Ireland’s turn to host the annual event.  Mayo AC continued their remarkable record of representation in recent years. We had three members in the Irish women’s team this year – all three have had previous experience in this competition. Each age category team competed against their peers from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
From Mayo AC, Angela O’Connor was in W50, Pauline Moran led the W55s, and Mags Glavey captained the W65s. They were in the first of three races – 6k over three laps – which included all women, and men over 65. 70, and 75. They had two other Connacht masters for company – Martin McEvilly (GCH) M65 and Roger Rushe (Tuam AC) M75 making his debut in an Irish vest – be inspired.
The course was flat but conditions were cold, wet, breezy, and soggy after a lot of recent heavy rain which persisted during the event. However, we were treated to three races embodying the true spirit of the sport, with endeavour, endurance and enjoyment among the key elements. True camaraderie circled team base-camps as they gathered around the trunks of the pine trees.

The Irish W50 team won bronze, with Angela their third finisher in strong support. Pauline was in fine form again as she showed in the trials, and led the W55 team home but they were out of the medals. Mags had a great race with steady pace throughout and leading W65 team to gold and finished with a fantastic bronze individual in her category. Not surprisingly she’s ‘over the moon’.
Mayo AC are proud of the performances of our three wonderful women representing the club at International level.

Mags leading Irish W65 team to gold, and winning individual bronze

For Ireland there were brilliant overall wins for Letterkenny’s Ann Marie McGlynn in the women’s race and gold for her W35 team. That great Inishowen warrior, Pauric McKinney W50 came home with a resounding win in the 8k men’s 50-64 section, overtaking four-time M45 champion and long time leader Austin Davies (Wales) with a brilliant sprint on the final lap. Martin McEvilly was back in great form and first overall M65 leading his Irish team to gold. Other Irish individual category winners included Tommy Payne M55, Jackie Carthy W45, Carmel Parnell W60. In  other Irish team results: W40 second, W60 second, M55 first, M60 first, M75 third – a bronze medal  for Roger Rushe.
England have dominated the men’s, women’s, and overall results in recent years and they retained all three titles again this year.

Full results of all masters races individual categories and team) are here: http://www.irishmasterathletics.com/#!race-results/mia2s