Mayo AC Sprint Squad
John Walkin
Mayo AC have announced details of a weekly sprint squad training session. It targets people who may have been successful as underage athletes but drifted from the sport, or who may not have competed before, but feel that they have the talent for sprints at either senior or masters level.
The man behind the venture is popular Mayo AC member John Walkin, a qualified Sports Massage therapist and Lecturer who will be taking part and supervising sessions at Claremorris AC track on Saturday mornings at 10.15 am.p
John will be competing at the Nationals Indoors Masters Championships in January. He took up the sport about 20 years ago when he was a member of Castlebar AC, and as a senior joined Mayo AC with whom he has competed every season since. One of the highlights of his career was in 2004 leading a Mayo AC 4 x 100 metres team to
Senior silver medals at the AAI National Relays as well as multiple Connaught sprint titles.
Being the only sprinter in a club of predominantly distance runners, has never dampened John’s enthusiasm for the sport, and he has always felt very much part of the club and appreciated the support and encouragement he received. when he competed at National Championships in Santry, Tullamore, Belfast’s Odyssey Arena or more recently at Athlone IT International Arena. At those championships he has noted the small number from Connacht and in particular Mayo competing, and this despite having produced underage sprinters down the years, so many seem to have left the sport before reaching senior level.
John’s vision is to build a strong Mayo AC sprint squad and prepare athletes to compete at Connacht and National senior and masters level as individuals or in relay events in indoor and outdoor championships.
He will be coaching and giving advice on 60, 200, and 400m indoors and 100, 200,and 400m outdoors. More information available from John at 086 8738018. There is a small charge of EURO 2 per person per session
to cover the use of the excellent Claremorris track facility.