Week-end News updated: Success in Burren & Ballina

Ann Lennon on way to 2nd place in Ballina (pic Mary Moylett)

It was another week-end of success for our members and women in particular. Well done to Paula Prendergast first woman in Burren Marathon in 3:34:03; one of the toughest courses on the Irish calendar with a gradual rise to 1000ft from sea-level start at Ballyvaughan to the 20k mark, then along the coast road return via Black head . Results of 10k and half also at www.precisiontiming.com

In Ballina Ann Lennon  and Sarah Syron were in the top three in the Ballina Half with brilliant times. Ann is still setting the standard in distance running and it is remarkable that her considerable marathon achievements have not been emulated by Mayo women in over ten years. She was first Irish woman in Dublin Marathon in 2002 in 2:46:18 while in w35 category. Karen Alexander won in Ballina and equalled her 2008 pb time. Men’s winner Alan O’Shea stopped off in Oughterard on Sunday and won the Mayfly 10k in 33:45. John Byrne was 4th and 2nd M35 – he will be inspired by Haile Gebrsellassie, now officially an M40, who set a world best for 10k when finishing 3rd in Manchester on Sunday in 28:00. Sean Murphy set new season standards for himself with a mighty run for a 84: 56 finish and 3rd M40.

Ballina Half  403 finishers (Mayo AC unless stated
Race won by Alan O’Shea (Bantry AC) 70:48, 2 M Canty (Ballina AC) 73:28, 3 Richard Gorman M35 (Sligo AC) 73:35, 4 John Byrne,  M35 74:06, Sean Murphy  84:56 3rd M40,
Women 1 Karen Alexander W35 (Sperrin Harriers) 83:05, 2 Ann Lennon W45 86:58, 3 Sarah Syron WS 88:50 PB

Also among those listed in results (in finishing order) are a number from Castlebar Fit4Life with a load of PBs and some first timers. Well done all and thanks to Ann McDonald for compiling them. There may be other ‘known unknowns’ ….from other groups, so send them in.
Gerry Galvin 1.26.17

Patrick Walsh 1:39:54 pacer
Ambrose Gaughan 1.40.13 pacer
Christy O Malley 1.46.08
Anne Marie Staunton 1.47.34
Micheál Carney 1.49.33 PB
PJ Hall 1.49.44 pacer
Tracy Durkan 1.52.41 PB
Ann Murray 1:51:11

Laura Heneghan 1:52:25

Karen Devaney 1.53.50 PB (1st timer)

Tom Charles 1:55:12

Mairead Cafferkey 1.56.02 PB (1st timer)
Ann McDonald 1:56:42
Colin Ryder 1.56.42 PB
Patricia Carty 1.58.50
Chris O’Connell 1:58:57

Siobhan Duane 2:01:44 PB
Mary T McDonald 2.01.44 PB
Rebecca Mc Hugh 2.04.13

Jim Donnelly 2:05:11
Mark Fitzgerald 2.08.07
John Roddy 2:18:27 PB

Craughwell AC’s Gerry Ryan won the M45 title  for the 10k at the European Masters Non-Stadia Championships in Upice, Czech Republic. Gerry won in 32:03. and with Raheny Shamrock pair Mick Traynor 2nd M45 32:52,  and Damien Martin  6th M45 34:21, he also helped Ireland win team gold.  Ryan finished second overall in the race just behind the M35 winner.

At the Irish Milers Club meeting in Greystones, Roger Barrett (Ballina AC) finished third in the 5,000 metres in a fast 15:14