Paul McNamara of Athenry AC (Senior) won the AAI national
short-course cross country championship in Tymon Park, Dublin
this Sunday (12 March). He held off Mick Clohessy of Raheny
Shamrocks by two seconds in a ding-dong battle for the lead
throughout most of the race. Paul now holds national titles
on both the road and in cross-country. He is targeting
himself for a good track season and can hopefully add to his
haul of national titles in the process.
The club enjoyed a very successful Ballycotton 10M road race
last Sunday week (5 March) with 9 locals making the trip down
to the East Cork venue. Leading Athenry AC home, again, was
Mick Rice, finishing in 49th place in an excellent time of
58:28 (Personal Best). Brian O'Connor just missed out on a
top 100 position, coming home 101st in 60:41 (PB). Peter
Delmer in 64:46, James Lundon in 65:40 (PB), Johnny O'Connor
in 66:15 (PB), Alan Burke in 66:45 (PB), Michael Rooney in
69:59 (PB), Dave Dunne 70:55 and Liam Mycroft 75:50 all did
the club proud too. A record 2800 competitors completed the
10 mile course this year.
This Sunday (12 March), Ballybrit Racecourse was the venue for
the AC's latest club run, a mile on the tarmac around outside
of the track. Fourteen athletes competed, with Ian Egan
winning in an excellent 4:40. Windy conditions made good
times difficult, with many competitors being over a dozen
seconds back on recent form over the same course and distance.
All eyes are now on the Connemarathon, to be held on two
Sundays' time out around Maam Cross, Lough Inagh and Leenane.
The club will have many runners in both the Full and Half
marathons. The race itself is organised by well known club
member and marathoner, Ray O'Connor.
As a result of our successful 10KM road race at Christmas, we
are in a position to donate รขโยฌ750 to local charity Cancer Care
West. We thank everyone who made the 4th running of the Field
of Athenry 10KM a huge success and hope to see you all again
this St. Stephen's Day.
For much more detail on the club and its activities, why not
check out our excellent web site, http://www.athenryac.com.