Pauric and Regina are winners at 54th Hollymount Road races
Hollymount 10k winners: l-r David Bohan 2nd, Pauric Ennis 1st, Ger Hartnett 3rd
The familiar setting of the main street in Hollymount village was once again the backdrop to the traditional November road races on Sunday afternoon.
Sean Reilly and his team put on another well organised version of this popular annual event. It was the 54th running this year – a fantastic and unique achievement – which once again took place around the familiar 3k lap of the village.
The weather was kind, sunny and dry, with a chilly breeze into faces at some sections. The event was supported again this year by a busload of competitors from the Liverpool area – a long standing Hollymount tradition over the past forty years with Neil Chester on his 25th trip.
Mayo AC had 30 finishers in the combined men’s and women’s field of 126.
This year’s 10k winner was Pauric Ennis (Tullamore Harriers). He made the trip over from Kilbeggan and led from the start with strong front running finishing in 33:56. In second place was David Bohan (unattached) in 35:23. There was a great battle for third between two Tuam AC stalwarts with Ger Hartnett (35:28) just edging out Sean Burke on the line. Sean finished first o40 in 35:29. John Brennan was the first Mayo AC man home in 37:10
In the other category prizes John Fitzmaurice was first o50 in 40:24, with Mattie Coleman (Ballina AC) first o50 in an excellent 40:10. Tuam AC won the team prize – Ger Hartnett, Sean Burke, Daire Comer and Dan O’Rourke.
Women’s 6k: Edel Reilly leads Heather Foley on lap 1
The women’s 6k two lap race was won by Regina Casey (GCH) leading from start to finish in 22:24. She’s won this race on a number of occasions and has lost none of her smooth and stylish form. Hollymount native Edel Reilly (Mayo AC) ran strongly for second place in a new 6k pb time 23:25. Heather Foley (Sligo AC) was third in 23:56.
Paula Donnellan was Mayo AC’s second woman home and first o40 in 25:29.
The other category winner was Adette Gallagher (Swinford AC) in 28:49.
Mayo AC team finished first led by Edel Reilly supported by Paula Donnellan and Lynda Hession 26:47.
Well done to the prizewinners and to all the other Mayo AC finishers:
Men: John Nolan 37:57, Anto Devaney 38:31, Dwayne Flynn 38:35, Tony O’Malley 39:30, Darren Brewer 39:38, Sean Murphy 39:45.
Brendan Murphy 40:34, Padraic McVann 42:41, Eugene McCartan 46:15, Brian Derrig 46:26, Owen Mongan 47:18, Jimmy Feeney 47:18, Martin Fitzmaurice 49:20, John Geraghty 52:03
Women: Laura Heneghan 27:51, Elaine Hession 28:58, Angela McVann 29:03, Trisha Carty 29:43, Geraldine Murphy 30:12, Noelle Kilduff 30:51, Caitlin Woods 32:37, Elaine Treacy 32:38, Geraldine Heneghan 33:52, Colette McTigue 37:39, Mary T Griffin 43:14.
Organiser Sean Reilly thanked all the athletes, marshalls, catering crew and sponsors who helped with the event.
Neil Chester from the Liverpool party thanked the Reilly family and organising team, and the local community for their continued hospitality on this unique annual weekend.
Look out for more photos tomorrow on our facebook pages, and photos by race photographer Trish Forde in local papers
Results: