Mayo AC well represented at big weekend road races
MAYO AC were well represented in two big road races at the weekend, both at seaside locations – Bundoran in Co. Donegal and Kinvara in Co. Galway. It was a good day for running – cool with a very light breeze.
The well established one-lap Bundoran 10 miler attracted a big field, with 1,133 finishers listed.
Jake O’Regan (St. John’s AC) was the clear winner in a fast 49:10 (he won last year in 48:40), with Rio Olympian Breege Connolly (City of Derry AC) the first woman home in 58:15.
Sara Doohan (Corran AC) ran an excellent race to finish second in 60:19, showing she is right back in form for 2023.
Neil Carroll was Mayo AC’s first finisher, crossing the line in 64:55. It’s great to see Neil out competing again; he has had a tough few years with various injuries. It was his first 10 miler since 2017, when he ran 64:36 in Bundoran. Neil is delighted to be back competing and Saturday’s performance indicates he’s in great shape.
Donna Gallagher also had a good run and she was the next Mayo AC finisher in 77:10.
She was followed by two club-mates from Ballyhaunis – Martin Fitzmaurice (86:07) and Justin McDonagh (89.08). They were joined by neighbour Joe O’Gara, who ran 90:20.
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ABOVE: Dee Finnegan, Mayo AC, finishing the Kinvara Half Marathon with a personal best time of 1:43.13. INSET: Ann McDonnell, Mayo AC, is delighted with her 1:43.52 finish at the Kinvara Half Marathon.Image 2 of 2
The Ballyhaunis trio who completed the Bundoran 10 mile race. From left: Martin Fitzmaurice, Joe O’Gara and Justin McDonagh.In a sustainable initiative, the metal medal presented to finishers in the 10 miler was made from recycled zinc and ribbon.
Meanwhile, a good number of Mayo AC runners competed in the 12th edition of the Kinvara Half Marathon.
The race winners were James Elgar (1:11.24) and Gráinne Ní Uallacháin of GCH (1:23.48).
The Mayo AC Kinvara finish times were as follows: Dee Finnegan (1:43.13 - personal best), Martin Parsons (1:57.26 in his first half marathon), Damien Finnegan (1:38.19 personal best), Ray Walsh (1:41.26), James Murtagh (1:53.55), Angela McVann (1:49.24), Ann McDonnell (1:43.52), Caitlin Woods (1:52.24), Wesley Hurst (1:27.28).
In the 10k, Michael Rocke ran 36:04 (personal best) to place ninth overall, with Greg Barry coming home 42:52 and Eithne Walsh finishing in 58:00.
The Kinvara 10k winners were Andreas Lundegård (31:59) and Ellen Moran of GCH in new course record 35:28.
There was great running by Mayo AC members in Bundoran and Kinvara, including half-marathon PBs by Dee Finnegan, Damien Finnegan and Martin Parsons, and prizewinner Greg Barry (first M50 in the 10k). Well done all!