Mayo AC: The Terry Fox Foundation Connection
2007 Terry Fox Ballina 4 mile start: left 3rd Anto Devaney (146), John Byrne (146 the ‘man in black’), 2nd Martin Conroy (125). Women’s race winner Mary Gleeson in pink
The Terry Fox /James Murtagh story published yesterday is a good reminder of the club’s connection with The Terry Fox Foundation.
Mayo AC 2007 Open Road Race League poster
One of the seven races was the Ballina 4 mile, held in association with the Terry Fox Run. This race was organised for over 20 years by Ballina businessman Michael Rice. All proceeds from the event went to the Terry Fox Foundation.
“2008, October 24
Byrne best in Belleek
Winner of the Terry Fox 4 Mile in Belleek was John Byrne (Mayo AC), who only broke the challenge of Ballina man Martin Conroy in the final half mile. His winning time of 20.15 was 25 seconds faster than last year. In third place was Anto Devaney. Mayo AC’s Mary Gleeson, who has dominated the Women’s League so far, recorded her fifth win from seven races. Second was Ann Murray. With just two races to go in the C&C Cellular Mayo Open Road League, John Byrne and Mary Gleeson remain top of the leaderboard. Next round is the Hollymount International Road Races on November 9.”
These links are a unique historical record of Mayo’s connection to the Terry Fox story, and how the Terry Fox Foundation was supported directly through the excellent work of Michael Rice and by runners from the county and beyond.
The 4 mile race distance was quite common in those days – and is still a popular choice for event organisers.
As in our upcoming fundraiser: