September 8: Foxford 5k start
For those who missed them here’s a roundup of some the more recent results.
The final race in the Harvest Series took place on Wednesday evening (September 8). The Foxford 5k event also served as a fundraiser for Castlebar Family Centre in memory of Michael Ruane.
This well organised race and excellent joint venture was a tremendous success.
Shaun McLoughlin (Westport AC) was first across the line in 16:35, with Swinford AC’s triathlon star Maeve Gallagher first woman home in 17:33.
She was followed in second and third place respectively by two Mayo AC runners – Edel Reilly and Martina O’Connor.
There was a good cross section of club runners in the field, and the event was excellently supported by the local community.
A wondeful total of €3,624 was raised through entry donations – a fantastic achievement for Mary, Eimear and the Moylett and Ruane families.
On the last weekend in August five Mayo AC runners crossed a few borders to compete in the Larne (Co Antrim) Half Marathon. The coastal course is fast and flat and proved fruitful for three of them who recorded personal bests.
They were Sean Hynes 1:17.24, Edel Reilly 1:27.53, and Paula Donnellan 1:33.24, There were good runs too for Eamonn Joyce 1:20.29 and
Thomas Jennings 1:40.01.
Easkey (Co Sligo) was the local setting for another coastal event on the same weekend with three races: 10 mile, 10k, and 5k.
Local man Dessie Burke (Ballina AC) won the 10 mile in 56:54; Tara Malone (Enniskillen RC) was first woman home in 70:26. Johnny Cribbin (Mayo AC) just dipped under the 70 minute mark to finish 12th in 69:33. Breege Cribbin (Mayo AC) also completed the 10 miler in 93:26.
Paul Barr (Innisfree AC) won the 10k in 37:18, with Eimear O’Brien (Sligo AC) 4th and first woman in 38:45. Mayo AC duo Ray Clarke was 6th in 41:26, and Dee Corcoran – second woman in 45:28 – both recording new pbs.
Conor McLoughlin (Moy Valley AC) was the 5k winner in 17:24, and Carmel Fallon first woman in 22:43.
The National Masters Track and Field outdoor championships were held at Morton Stadium, Santry, on September 5. Competitors were restricted to two events under Athletics Ireland Covid-19 guidelines.
Mayo AC had two competitors at Santry. Paula Donnellan won silver in the W40 3,000 metres.
Mayo AC’s other competitor Martin Peyton competed in the shot put and javelin in his M70 category, winning silver in both. Well done Paula and Martin on National medals success.
The annual Louisburgh Clew Bay Half Marathon and 10k took place on September 18.
Anthony Sharkey (Lambay Sports Academy) won the 10k in 35.08.
Well done to Mayo AC’s Edel Reilly who was first woman finisher in 39:28 following her pb in the Larne Half-marathon. Clubmate Tony O’Malley came home in 39:31.
Other Mayo AC 10k finishers at Louisburgh: Sheelagh McDonnell ran 44:54 to finish third behind Edel, followed by Donna Gallagher 47:38.
The Louisburgh half marathon was won my Shane Begley (Castlegar AC) in 1:18:42, with Catherine Thornton (Crusaders AC) first woman in 1:25:41, improving on 1:27:22 which she ran when winning the race in 2020.
David McQuillan was the first Mayo AC runner across the line in 1:33.27, followed by Andy Neary 1:34.16. (Andy also ran the Ratoath Half marathon in 1:35.43 on September
11).
Paula Donnellan finished in 1:35.37 – third woman and an excellent time on a more challenging course. Two other clubmates were not far behind – Tom Jennings 1:39.12 and John Geraghty 1:54.55.
Next up on the local calendar is the Charlestown 10k on this Saturday September 25.
The Mayo Cross Country Championships is at Belleek on October 3.
Tara’s run for fun or walk 5k/10k is at Killasser October 9 at 12 noon.
