Search Results for 'Mary Gleeson'

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.

Athletics

The annual Mayo Athletics Awards hosted by Mayo Athletics Board and sponsored by C&C Cellular/Vodafone took place at the McMillan Park Hotel, Claremorris, on Sunday. Mayo AC celebrated their most successful year so far with 20 members nominated for awards. All of them won national medals as individuals or as part of a team in track, field, and road running championships in 2008. Among the nominees for senior and masters categories, Mayo AC athletes won four of the five awards. They were Anne Lennon, Women, Masters Road Racing; Ronnie Naylor, Masters Male High Achievement; Catherine Conway/Mary Gleeson shared Senior Women Road Racing; Tom Hunt, Masters Male Road Racing.

The Woodie's DIY AAI National 10k Road Race Championship of Ireland takes place on Sunday April 26, in Navan, Co Meath. Club athletes from every county will be there hoping to win individual and team medals in what is usually a very competitive race. Mayo AC will be among them and is sending a strong squad, some with plenty of experience and some new to championship racing.

There was an excellent turn-out of over 200 runners and walkers for the Carramore 10k road race on Saturday evening. This was the first race in the 2009 Vodafone C&C Cellular Mayo AC Road Race League. Despite the bad weather the rain held off until the race finished, but the blustery wind was evident on open sections of road.

John Byrne was the clear winner of the Maugherow 10k on Sunday in 33.33. The race was run over a picturesque figure of eight course on the north Sligo coast, from the local church to the causeway with a tough second half and an uphill finish. Lucy Brennan (Sligo AC) was first woman in 38.08, less than two weeks after her victory in the Cork Marathon. Mayo AC's Andrew Lynskey was third in 36.34. Tom Hunt 40.36, PJ Hall 42.25, Ann Murray 45.07, Christy O'Malley 46.05, Sarah Syron 48.50 all had good workouts on a humid afternoon. Other finishers included Breege Staunton and Fit4Life participants Chris Clarke, Clare Walshe from Claremorris, and Michelle Reynolds from Ballina.

It may be just coincidence that the Balla 10k is on the same weekend as climbing the 'Reek'. It just gives the penitents another choice, while some extreme sinners opt for both. The 17th Annual Balla 10k, which is race three in the Vodafone C&C Mayo AC Road League, took place on Saturday evening. Conditions were very good with a slight breeze freshening faces as the field turned for home after 5k. Brendan Conwell and his team of 35 once again put on a well organised event, with an extensive prize list; no mean achievement in these lean times. As usual the Balla course provided a real challenge. Some 250 runners and walkers participated. This year the better conditions produced generally faster times and as usual many tortured and triumphant souls had tales to share. 2008 winner Robbie Matthews (Dunshaughlin AC) made it a double finishing first again in 32.05, 50 seconds faster than last year. He was 13 seconds ahead of Robert Malseed (Mayo AC) who improved his 2008 time by a minute. John Byrne third (33.21), and TJ McHugh fourth (33.47), showed that they are in very good shape as did the whole Mayo AC team in the lead up to the National half marathon in just under six weeks time.

Swinford was in Síamsa Sráide Festive mode on Sunday when the local athletic club put on their annual 8k race. It was the fourth race in the 2009 C&C Cellular Mayo AC Road League.

It had been quite a while since Mayo AC did not have a finisher in the top three of a Road Race League. This happened last Saturday in the fifth race in Mayo AC's 2009 Road Race League, sponsored by C & C Cellular, which took place in sunny conditions over a recognised testing course at Claremorris. The eighth DeCare International sponsored road race and walk started and finished in Main Street.

“It was a wonderful day, one of the most successful we have ever had,” said a delighted club chairman, Michael McGrath as Mayo AC swept the boards at the AAI National Half Marathon Championships at Ballybofey on Sunday. The event was hosted by Finn Valley AC and attracted a field of over 200 of the top club athletes from all over the country. The 13.1 mile one lap course went out along one side of the river Finn, across the bridge at 7 miles and back to town via the main road. Conditions were excellent — misty but not wet. Mayo AC had 23 runners of whom 14 won medals. The club had five teams and all participants competed as individuals in age categories from senior to over 70. Four of the five teams won — two gold and two silver — and six individuals collected medals.