Swiss athlete Colin Wyss is Charlestown 10k winner
Colin Wyss at the 8k mark on his way to victory in Charlestown 10k
The first Charlestown 10k was held in 2012, and the race is now well established as a popular September event.
It’s ideally placed at the N5/N17 North Connacht intersection – so as the sporting cliche goes “all roads lead to…”
Local athlete David Tiernan 35:51 and Leitrim Olympian Breege Connolly – second overall in 36:03 – were the winners in 2012. Her time is still the women’s course record. The men’s record is held by Matt Bidwell (Mayo AC) who ran 32:28 in 2016.
Today’s race on the pan-handle course – out and back through the town centre with an 8k rural loop – was another successful day for the East Mayo AC /CBD complex organisers.
Competitors assembled in five separate waves at the start in Lowpark.
The sun came out and a light breeze cleared early morning mist to give the 123 finishers ideal running conditions.
The race winner was Swiss athlete Colin Wyss (Stade Geneve) in an excellent time 33.18. He was the clear leader from the start and finished over a minute ahead of Declan Brennan 34:35 with Hugh McArdle (Roscommon Harriers AC) third in 34:46.
Second woman home Paula Donnellan (Mayo AC) on her way out of town at the 1k turn
The women’s race was a closer contest with Elise Phillips (Swinford AC Jnr) coming home 36th overall in 44:30, eleven seconds ahead of Paula Donnellan (Mayo AC) 44:41, with local organiser Trina Donohue (East Mayo AC) a close third in 44:54.
Tadgh Hanrahan was Mayo AC’s first finisher in 37:54, followed by Gerry Kirrane 38:09, Ray Clarke 42:15, Johnny Cribbin 42:39, Dee Corcoran 47:00, Donna Gallagher 47:51.
Congratulations to Paula on her second place finish and well done to our other runners.
Results: 123 finishers
Upcoming local events:
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.
Clogher half and full marathons October 16/17.
East Mayo AC inaugural Charlestown Half-marathon October 16: