Our Track session goes from strength to strength, and as the Summer months approach, even more people are likely to come along and see what the fuss is all about.

If you're sick of being out-kicked in the last km of a race, then it's time for track work!

With greater numbers comes a greater need to organise the session, rather than have a free for all. Brian has been doing a great job of suggesting sessions, and groups are sorting themselves out.

Some people have been very confused by me shouting "TRACK!" and wondered what it all means.

Ray O'Connor begins the biggest athletic challenge of his life today when he sets off on the first leg of the "Brathay Challenge - 10 Marathons in 10 Days" (http://www.brathaychallenge.com/). Ray is the first Irishman to undertake this mindblowing task and so will be attempting to set an Irish record for the feat. We want to send all of our very best wishes to Ray for today and every day during the next ten days. When you're going about your daily routine between now and next Sunday week Ray will be hoping to clock up 260 miles of road running.

Many of you will be familiar with the work of photographer John O'Connor who has documented so may of our adventures over the last number of years. John is a talented cameraman with an eye for the perfect picture. His photographs preserve the action from our races in such a wonderful way and allows us to look back at all the good times we've had running all around the county and further afield. As a former elite runner himself John can recognise all of the hard work put in by all of those who take part in our races and in return we very much appreciate and admire his photographic talent.

In a cracking time of 1:16:04, Brian O Connor followed up on his fast time in the Newcastle 5km by repeating his performance of 2 years ago by coming 3rd in the ING luxembourg half marathon.

Brian's brother Fintan also produced a creditable perfomance, clocking 1:43:41.

Well done to both!

Anyone missing gear after the National 10K im Athenry last Sunday week?

The following bits and pieces were culled from the men's dressing room in the HQ that evening.

Please contact me to claim same etc.

* 2001 Ballycotton Top-100 T-shirt.

* 2005 Prague Marathon singlet.

* Mitre Sports hoodie.

* Blue hat.

* Ron Hill running pants.

* Craft running jacket.

* NY Yankees hoodie.

Scabbing the article straight from the GCH web site:

http://www.galwaycityharriers.com/senior-news/irish-masters-aa-gazette-m...

Philip has done a great job and it's well worth downloading and reading/printing.

Did we make 50 on Sunday?

I have found 49 from the first official results released today and attached.

Paul Mc Namara 30.32
Brian O'Connor 33.07
Peter Delmer 35.28
Robert Staunton 35.41
Brian Bruton 36.09
Alan Burke 36.44
Owen Curran 37.33
John O'Connor 38.11
Donal McCann 38.45
Mark Breen 39.05
Michael Rooney 39.42
Ann Carter 40.31
James Lundon 40.32
Frank Burke 40.49
David Dunne 41.58
Patrick Forde 41.59
Philip Magnier 43.00
Gary Doherty 43.14
Elaine Walsh 43.51
James Corbett 45.27
Peter Lowney 45.31
Darragh Mc Shane 45.42
Michael Duane 45.43

Congrats to Larry Kelly and Maire Treasa Beatty for successfully completing Boston yesterday. Both in very decent times too. Looking forward to the race reports :).

Press Release

Press Enquiries to: Mick Rice (Athenry AC) Ph: 087 2896989 or by
email at mick@AthenryAC.com .

For Immediate Use

Orla O'Mahony and Seamus Power claimed individual gold medals in
Athenry at the AAI National Championships on Sunday, 20 April.
The women's winner, in the colours of Raheny Shamrocks, was well
clear of he nearest rival Caitriona Jennings, representing
Rathfarnham, who was a minute and a half further back. Gladys
Ganiel from Abbey AC was the bronze medallist. The men's
championship was a much tighter affair with Clare's Seamus Power