Norah leads women to medals bonanza in National Half Marathon – updated

Norah Newcombe flying in the final mile heading for Senior bronze

(Update: see correction note below )It was another wonderfully successful day for Mayo AC women in the National Half Marathon Championships. Thirty two Mayo AC runners – twenty women and twelve men –  were on the start line early on Sunday morning at the North Wall Quay. Well done to them all on a great club performance. The race was incorporated in the Dublin Rock n Roll Half Marathon. Over 900 runners from 141 clubs gathered at The Point to compete for national medals on the 13.1 mile course. Conditions were warm and dry with a tough blustery breeze which was evident over the flat first half and added to the second half challenge with ups and downs to the finish in the Phoenix Park.

Provisional results have been published and indicate that six members – all women – won individual medals. Norah Newcombe ran a brilliantly paced race to win senior bronze.

Ann Lennon at 10k mark on the way to o50 gold.

Ann Lennon returned to championship racing in style with a typically gritty run to win gold o50. Colette Tuohy stuck to the task tenaciously and was rewarded with silver o45.  Pauline Moran is new into the o60 category and she ran a great race to claim gold. Mary Murphy followed her home in bronze. Mags Glavey looked relaxed all through and she finished first o65. Team medals are yet to be declared, but our o50 women Ann Murray, Pauline, and Mags look good for gold, while Norah, Ann Lennon, and Colette will be in Senior team contention.
Sean Murphy led the men home, with Noel Gibbons close behind and a brilliant pb by Brendan Murphy – all three sub 90 minutes. It was great to see all our members race and try to be the best they can be. It wasn’t an easy day for running and finish times were generally down. However, our runners gave it a real go and their finish line medals were well deserved.

The event was part of the Club League as was the Streets of Galway 8k last night. Points will be calculated and tables updated soon.  We’ll have more action photos on our facebook pages later and a further update as soon as more details are published and validated.

Update – correction:  Due to error in race entries of Monica Joyce’s age category listing (she is W50 not W55) the provisional published results are incorrect and this posting has been edited accordingly. Karen Clancy from Brickens was a late entry and her finish time is now included in the Senior team section.

Times as published on Athletics Ireland:

Team Senior women:
Norah Newcombe W35 81:59 3rd overall
Colette Tuohy W45 2nd 94:10
Ann Lennon W50 1st 86:33
Paula Prendergast S 97:26
Maria Kneafsey S 2:00.19
Helen Hopkins S 1:48.03
Edel Feeney S 1:54.21

Karen Clancy S 2:09.26

o35
Karen Davitt W40 2:10.50
Katie Concannon W45 2:16.43
Angela McVann W45 1:56.31
Patricia Nyland W45 2:34.43
Marie Murphy W35 2:26.27

o50
Ann Murray W50 1:45.12
Monica Joyce W50 1:52.39
Una McGrath W55 2:12.42
Pauline Moran W60 1st 1:40.25
Mary Murphy W60 3rd 2:07.20
Margaret Glavey W65 1st 1:50.14
Marie Mullarkey W50 2:44.20

Senior men : Neil Carroll 95:06

Men o35 A:
Sean Murphy M40 83:06
Noel Gibbons M45 85:38
Paul Reynolds M45 91:42
Brendan Murphy M45 89:11

Men o35 B:
Tim Ganley M35 1:49.10
Shane Timothy M35 1:52.43
Gerry Corley M40 1:58.52
John Nyland M45 1:55.34
Padraic McVann M45 1:40.51

Men o50:
James Murtagh M50 2:08.32
Finian Joyce M55 1:55.39

Monica Joyce looking focused at mile 12