Search Results for 'John Byrne'

People often shake their heads when they hear you are about to run a marathon. Mayo AC's John Byrne is well used to dedicated preparation. He has been their most successful athlete over many years now at a range of distances from 5k upwards. He has completed 24 marathons and a 50k. Over the past year John has moved on to new goals. Given the number of training miles he runs it seemed a natural step-up that he would progress 'beyond the marathon', or that zone defined as ultra distance running. The 100k is the equivalent of running two marathons plus ten miles - 62.5 miles in total. Start out in Ballaghaderreen, run along the N5 to Bohola, take a diversion down to John's homeplace in Straide, then back onto N5 at Ballyvary, through Castlebar and Westport, then on to the R335 until you hit Louisburgh - you will still have 3k to run to complete 100k!

Four Mayo AC members were among the winners at the 2010 C and C Cellular/ Mayo AAI County Board Awards function held in the Park Hotel Kiltimagh on Sunday last.

A Galway resident has had €35,050 confiscated and forfeited to the State after a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court judge ruled it represented the proceeds of crime.

There was an exciting finale at the 2010 Vodafone C&C Cellular Mayo AC Road League which concluded on Sunday with the final ninth race, the Westport 5k. Rain and a chilly breeze did not deter the excellent turnout who ran though the grounds of Westport House and round the triangle at the Quay. This was the 12th Annual Road League and another successful series with increasing numbers taking part, especially from the Fit4Life programme. Gerry Ryan (Craughwell AC) was the race winner in an impressive 15.19 and he also retained the men's race series crown. Roger Barrett (Ballina AC) finished second in 15.37 and was also second in the league series. In addition he was the worthy winner of the Most Improved Male athlete award based on his performance over the series.

While many of his Mayo AC club mates prepare for the Westport 5k, John Walkin will be heading to the Odyssey Arena in Belfast. The AAI National Senior Indoor Track and Field Championships take place over Saturday and Sunday this weekend. Walkin, who specialises in sprinting, will be rubbing shoulders with many big names when he takes part in the 60 metres event. Over the years he has represented the club with distinction and led the Mayo AC relay team to national silver a number of years ago.

This Christmas saw 50 children from the most affected regions of the Chernobyl disaster spend their Christmas holidays in Ireland. Despite an eventful arrival of three flight diversions, snow blizzards and 3,000 miles of travel the children arrived safely and were welcomed by their host families at Dublin Airport.

For 45 years now the Hollymount road race has been the highlight of the athletes’ diary in the winter season. All roads again will lead to Hollymount this Sunday November 7 for the 45th Annual Road Race. Hollymount is renowned because of its international appeal with a huge contingent of runners again making their way from the UK and further afield. Things get under way on Sunday at 12 noon with a Fit4Life 8k fun run and walk, at 1pm the u17 boys and girls’ 3k race will go to the start line. Half an hour later the senior women’s 3km will start, with the main event the men’s international 10k going under starters orders at 2pm.

Among the thousands of runners competing in the Dublin Marathon last Bank Holiday Monday was a very strong Mayo AC team. In total 21 athletes made up the Mayo AC team which took on the gruelling course across the nationals capital. The senior men’s team consisted of John Byrne, Anthony Devanney, Timmy Glavey, Kevin Mellett, Brendan Gill, Paddy O’Toole and Dave Huane. The men’s o40 team was made up of the trio of Gerry Galvin, Christy O’Malley and Tony Gleeson, while the men’s o50 consisted of PJ Hall, Owen Mongan, Brian Cusack, Tom Hunt and Christy O’Connell. The senior women’s team was made up of Paula Prendergast, Sarah Syron, Anne Fahy, Yvonne Byrne, Anne McDonnell and Anne Shortt. There were a number of excellent performances put in by the Mayo squad and some medals may be wining their way to Mayo once the AAI confirms the team and individual results.

Athletics

Ballina AC runner Scott Walkin completed the Berlin marathon last weekend in a personal best time of three hours three minutes and three seconds. It marks the culmination of many months’ preparation that paid off on the day. Scott is an integral member of the collective training sessions on Belleek track that have contributed in no small way to the improvement in running times for many club members. These training sessions continue every Thursday starting at 7pm, even in the dark winter months when the track lights come into operation. With Scott having achieved the qualifying time for the world famous Boston marathon with this run, there could be a sizeable contingent from the club travelling to Boston next April.