Search Results for 'Regina Casey'

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.

•SPORTS PERFORMANCE: The Sports Performance Centre in Oranmore Business Park is offering individual athletes and teams of all sporting disciplines scientific based programmes. The centre is open for children from six years of age up at the initiation stage up to high performance stage for adults 19 years and over. There are four phases of development at the centre: 6 to 10 years old – Initiation Development Phase; 11 to 14 years old – Athletic Development Phase; 15-18 years old – Specialisation Phase; 19+ years old - High Performance Phase. During the four phases, all athletes learn how to optimise their general athletic motor skills. The programme includes coordination and balance, speed , general endurance (aerobic and progressive anaerobic from specialisation phase), progressive anatomical adaptation for strength and power development, and flexibility and agility. New courses are starting early April and there are limited spaces on each course. For more information contact Sports Performance Centre, Unit 5 Oranmore Business Park, Oranmore, Galway. Email: [email protected]; or visit www.sportsperformance.ie.

There was a good atmosphere on the streets of Swinford on Sunday for the annual road race. Swinford AC organised the fourth race in the 2008 Mayo Road Race League and provided a warm welcome for the participants in the 8k and the children's race which preceded it. Joe McNulty and his team of enthusiastic supporters in this young and successful club made sure the event was a huge success. The streets in the start and finish areas were cordoned off and traffic free, which enhanced the safety and enjoyment of all. This race has gained in popularity and stature and is now a key event in the Western athletics calendar. The main race had over 130 runners from 20-plus athletics clubs.

The Streets of Galway 8k road race continues to be a success story on the Irish athletic calendar.

One of Mayo’s top young athletes is in with a chance of walking away with an award at next weekend’s Athletics Ireland National Athletics Awards. Pamela Hughes from Westport AC is nominated following her impressive performances this season. The second annual National Athletics Awards, which are in association with Waterford Crystal, will honour the best Irish athletes, clubs and coaches from across the country.

The 10th Annual Mayo AC Road League, which concluded with the ninth race at Westport recently, was the most successful so far. Increasing numbers are taking part in running related events and the Fit4Life programme has become another opportunity for people of all ages to get involved. During the course of the 2008 League 104 men and 100 women won individual points through finishing in the top 25 in at least one of the races.

The Carramore 10k is the first race in Mayo AC's 2009 Road Race League, which is sponsored by Vodafone C & C Cellular and supported by Mayo Sports Partnership.

The Carramore 10k is the first race in Mayo AC's 2009 Road Race League, which is sponsored by Vodafone C & C Cellular and supported by Mayo Sports Partnership. The race is on tomorrow at 6pm. This will the first chance for participants to pick up league points in what promises to be a very competitive league this year. The Carramore 10k is a firm favourite on the western athletics calendar and is now in its sixth year of the race. The course is a fast, one lap, rural circuit which will test all athletes. There is a good community spirit and there has been lots of local help in support of the main organiser Christy Heneghan, who has been involved in athletics since the 1970s. Once again the race is supported by local business people PJ and Helena O'Connor. This race has a strong fund-raising tradition. The main charity this year is the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation. To date the event has raised €46,000 for its palliative care service.

At the Dublin Athletic Board Graded meeting last week two Mayo AC vets took part in the 1500 metres race. Seamus (Jim) Gaughan has been training back in Mayo recently and it showed as he recorded an excellent 4.57.33 in the over 55 category. His Dublin based colleague and clubmate Mick Ferry (over 60) also had a good run to finish 5.40.13.

There were over 100 participants in the inaugural Ballindine four mile race on Sunday in aid of Western Alzheimer’s. The race was the brainchild of local organiser and Mayo AC athlete Dave Huane - with a little help from his running friends on both sides of the border. The runners/walkers put down their estimated finishing time on the entry form and were not allowed carry any time recording device during the race. The closest time to that predicted would determine the winner. As it turned out, three athletes finished within three seconds of their predicted time and were declared joint winners. They were David Mullins (Tuam AC), Angela O'Connor (Mayo AC) and Paul Fallon (GCH). They were followed by Michael McGrath (Mayo AC) +five secs, Fergal Egan (GCH) +10, Deirdre Ruddy (Mayo AC) +11, John Stagg, Hollymount +11. The fastest finisher was John Byrne (Mayo AC) in 21.17, with Ian Egan of GCH second in 23.27. Angela O'Connor was fastest woman in 26.50.