Search Results for 'Catherine Conway'

It was another winning weekend for Mayo AC over the Galway border. The Clarinbridge Charity 10k had more than 300 finishers led home by Steve McKeigue from Ferbane AC in 33:17 on a demanding course which included some 3km of forest trail. Mayo AC's Paddy O'Toole was third in 34:59, and TJ McHugh fifth overall in 36:05. Catherine Conway was fourth overall and first woman in a brilliant personal best time of 36:03. This was just one second better than her 36:04 second place at the Athenry 10k in Jan 2010.

John Byrne, representing Ireland finished in fifth place in the IAU World Trophy 50k race in Italy last Saturday morning. In very hot conditions and a strong sea breeze, finishing times were down. Participants completed eight laps of the 6.25km course at the coastal towns of Vallecrosia and Bordigheria. The race was won by British athlete Steven Way in 2:54, as the top three broke the three hour mark. John finished in 3:10, a brilliant effort by Mayo AC’s ultra man. In the early stages he ran in group of four in eighth place, including Daniel Oralek (Czech), a former World 100k winner. As the temperature hit 25c he moved into sixth place after 16 miles, and fifth after 20. “It was a battle for survival from then on,” said John. Although he dropped back to sixth with four laps to go, a typical gritty finish by the Straide man saw him gain fifth again which he sustained to the line after 31.1 miles of running.

There was a blustery breeze around the 8k course as more than 100 runners lined up at the start outside Caulfield's shop in Ballyhaunis on Saturday afternoon for the fifth annual 8k run west race. It was also the seventh race in 2012 Mayo AC C&C Cellular Road League. The road was dry as they raced down main street and turned out Clare road. The pace dropped for many as they came on a tough hill section as they approached Gorteen after the 4k mark . By then Con Doherty (Westport) who led out from the start had a few seconds lead over Matt Bidwell (GCH).

Mayo AC continued their recent impressive run of podium positions in

The inaugural Kilbride 10k took place on Sunday and attracted an excellent field of some 400 runners and walkers. Conditions were calm, but persistent rain overnight carried on until the race start. The one-lap course had frequent splash-through pools and roadside streams over the first 8k and then two tough hills made it a demanding finish over the final 2k. Mark Doyle (Runworx) was first across the line in 35.04. Performance of the day was by women's race winner Sarah Syron (Mayo AC), whose gritty finish enabled her to win by nine seconds in 40.56.

Athletics

A large number of members from Mayo AC are getting ready to take on the challenge of the 2011 Dublin Marathon on Monday morning. Almost half of those who are taking part have come into running through the Mayo Fit4Life scheme in Claremorris, Ballinrobe and Castlebar. The women’s senior team consists of Ann McDonnell, Maggie Heneghan, Kathy Connolly, Patricia Gallagher, Paula Prendergast and Yvonne Byrne. The women’s o-40 team is made up of Gwen Daly, Anne Fahy Ronayne, Pauline Joyce, Mary Walsh, Chris Gallagher and Mary Murphy. The senior men’s team is Damien Glacken, Brendan Harrison, Gerry Corley and John Byrne, while the o-50 side consists of Brian Cusack, John Timothy, Jimmy Feeney, Billy Gallagher, Owen Mongan, Chris O’Connell and Tom Hunt.

The Carramore race is a traditional 10k race ran over a fast flat rural one lap course. The Carramore 10k has been organised by Christy Heneghan and his local committee for the past 10 years or so. There is also a four mile walk over a separate course. Both events start at 6pm on Saturday May 21 and both are in support of Mayo Roscommon Hospice. This is the second race in the 2011 Mayo AC Road Race League. Gerry Ryan, John Byrne, and Robert Malseed are previous Carramore 10k winners and Catherine Conway, Mary Gleeson, and Regina Casey have won the women's race.

Just a couple of years ago the first race of the year in Mayo was the Carramore 10k in May, and it signalled the start of Mayo AC's annual road league. How times have changed, and in tandem a surprising growth area races here, there, and everywhere have sprung up. But it is back to basics with the Carramore 10k which will suit all the Fit4Life groups as they test out their Spring into Summer programmes, in a hope of reducing times and improving endurance. Other athletes will want to build confidence with a fast time and see what the hard work done during the recent good weather produces.

Kilmovee is the place to be this next Saturday, April 23 for the first race in 2011 Mayo AC C and C Cellular Road League. This is the 13th year of the successful series, which covers various distances and venues around the county. The League will have a more compact structure this year, comprising eight races, and finishes with the Ballina 10k in September. Martin Conroy (Sligo AC) was the winner over this reputedly fast course last year in 32.41, closely followed by John Byrne. The women's winner was Angela O’Connor (Mayo AC) in 41,27. Angela won the over 45 category in the recent National 10k championships. The race starts at 1pm sharp. Registration is at GAA grounds in Kilmovee. Entry fee is €20 on-line at www.runireland.com or €25 on the day. Showers and refreshments available in Kilmovee community centre.