Search Results for 'Mary Gleeson'

Freddy Keron Sittuk from Kenya won the 21st Balla 10k in a time of 31:25, and in the process beat Sean Hehir's 2102 course record by seven seconds. The Balla 10k was the first race of the 2013 C&C Cellular Mayo AC Road League, and the spectators saw a brilliant demonstration of smooth front running by Dublin based Sittuk who trains with Raheny Shamrock AC. It was also his second victory in Mayo this month - he won the Achill Half Marathon. In the early stages he had Sligo native Alan Maguire and Max Ware (on holiday from UK) for company, but as the race progressed and a welcome cooling shower eased, he pulled clear to win decisively and enjoy the festive mood at the yellow arch finish line in Balla village. The women's race was less clear cut as Mayo AC masters trio Ann Lennon, Mary Gleeson, and Colette Tuohy traded places at the front. Ann Lennon has been in great form recently - the evidence was clear in her 5k series finish times when she got down to 18:40 at Ballyhaunis and showed how valuable this 'speedwork' preparation is for endurance racing. She pulled ahead in the final kilometres to win in her best 10k time for a few years 37:49, more than 30 seconds ahead of Mary Gleeson, who was more than a minute down on her 2012 time. Colette Tuohy looked strong and comfortable in third place and was well pleased with her finish time.

Mayo AC's Michael McNeela took the long road to Norway to run in the Nordmarka Skogsmaraton set entirely in a forest just outside Oslo and finished in an excellent time 3:24:58, Michael ran 3:14:08 in Dublin 2012 and was the recent winner of the Inishbofin half marathon.

There was a brilliant turnout on a sunny but chilly Easter Saturday for the 4th Kilmovee 10k run and walk, excellently organised by Kilmovee Shamrocks GAA club and the local community in aid of Mayo/Roscommon Hospice. A good breeze cooled participants as the field turned towards the Roscommon border at Aghadiffen Bridge after 3k. Apart from a slight hill at 9k it was a relatively flat course. Con Marshall (M35) led out with John Mannion and Aidan Callaghan close behind. As the race progressed the Cork man, pushed ahead and established a 17 seconds winning gap at the tape. His finish time was two minutes outside Martin Conroy’s 2012 effort. Brendan Gill was the leading Mayo AC finisher in fourth, less than a minute behind Marshall and he was first M35. Mary Gleeson was first woman once again and was unchallenged all the way. However, she was a bit disappointed with her time – almost a minute slower than 2012. Paula Prendergast underlined her recent brilliant form at Tubbercurry with another PB, finishing second in 39:23 – nearly a minute faster.

It is just over four weeks until the first National Road race championships of 2013. The Spar Great Ireland Run which incorporates the AAI National 10k championships will be held on Sunday April 14, starting at 1pm in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. This year Mayo AC plan to have their largest contingent ever participating, with a broad spectrum of members, ranging from elite to experienced club runners and Fit4Life participants. It is a unique occasion and a great opportunity to wear the famous green and red vest on the big day.

There were a number of Mayo competitors in the recent Tuam 8km event. There was lots of success for Mayo in the women’s event, with Mary Gleeson coming home in first position in a time of 29.38, just one place further back was her Mayo AC team-mate Colette Tuohy in a time of 30.32. In the women’s over 45 category Chris Gallagher from Mayo AC was first home in 33.41, with Pauline Gallagher claiming the W55 win in a time of 34.41 and Margaret Glavey completing the wins for Mayo AC in the W60. Other Mayo AC/Fit4Life finishers in the women’s event were Joan Walsh (35.16), Ann Fahy (36.35), Laura Heneghan (38.32), and Katie Concannon from Ballyhaunis meet and train (43.03).

Three of Mayo AC's top masters women athletes competed on the Irish team in the 25th Annual British and Irish Masters International Cross Country at Queen's University Playing Fields, Belfast on Saturday last. Three club members in Irish vests is a great achievement.

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).

The Ballyhaunis 8k takes place next Saturday, September 29 at 4pm. This is race number seven in the Mayo Road league. Last year three former Irish Olympians took part, Jerry Kiernan, David Matthews and Noel Berkeley, who won the race in a fast time of 25:54. The women’s race was won by Mary Gleeson (Mayo AC) in 29:16. A large attendance is expected again this year.

Athletics

There were great scenes of celebration at Athenry on Sunday as Mayo AC's National Half Marathon team had huge success winning medals in three team categories and eight individual medals. The club brought a record 31 runners to the race and 13 of them came home with medals - a great result. For once AAI came up with the results on the day and a delighted Michael McGrath was able to present most of the booty at the team's HQ.