Pauline Moran adds Half Marathon team gold in World Masters
Masters W60 Half Marathon gold: Pauline, Noreen and Nuala on top of the world
Pauline Moran was back competing this morning at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Toruń, Poland. The half marathon was her third race in five days completing just short of a marathon in total distance – an amazing achievement in itself.
Pauline went into today’s race on the back of tremendous success having won two silver W60 medals – in the 8k cross-country on Monday and 10k on Wednesday.
It was 11°c – quite a bit warmer – as the field of 500 men and women of all age categories assembled on the start line, with fourteen Irish runners among them.
Pauline was joined by Nuala Reilly (Drogheda &District AC) and Noreen Bonner (Finn Valley AC) in their women’s W60 team – a formidable combination.
Unfortunately, after Wednesday’s 10k Pauline was very sick all that evening Thursday and Friday, with a stomach bug and thought she wouldn’t make the start. However, with typical courage and resilience she finished the race in 1:38.02, sadly just outside the medals in fourth place.
Teammate Noreen Bonner was just ahead to win bronze in an excellent 1:35.36. Third team member Nuala Reilly ran strongly for fifth W60 in 1:40.12. The W60 winner was Marcelina Hernaiz (SP) in 1:34.16.This 3,4.5 finish gave the Irish team a cumulative total of 4:53.44 to clinch team gold.
Congratulations all!
Naturally, Pauline was exhausted afterwards but delighted to end an amazing five days with gold team.
Three races, three world masters medals – two individual silver, and one gold team. A fantastic performance.
World Masters Half Marathon results:
W60 team results:
https://wmaci2019.domtel-
As the final day drew to a close Ireland were in 11th place of 55 countries on the medals table with 41 : 10 gold, 18 silver and 13 bronze.
