Words and Photo's From Tom Hunt Mayo AC

There was a good field of over 100 for the Ballyhaunis 8k, the 5th Race in 2008 Mayo AC Open Road Race League. Weather conditions were pleasant for once on Saturday evening for this race, excellently organised once again by the local team led Jimmy Donnelly and Martin Fitzmaurice on new one lap course.

As the leaders turned off the Claremorris road after 3k, John Byrne (Mayo AC) had already established a 100 metres lead over clubmate Timmie Glavey, who was just ahead of David Carrie (Dunleer AC).

Further back Mary Gleeson (Mayo AC) was the leading woman in a group of five men, and well clear of GCH rival Regina Casey. This mid section of the course on a single track road was quite hilly and many found the going tough. Readers of the Irish Runner will be familiar with Editor (Ballyhaunis native) Frank Greally's column 'Home Straight', where he often recalls his "first distance running experiences on the narrow winding roads around the villages of Lecarrow and Curries" .As runners emerged onto the Knock Road there was just 2k left to the downhill finish in the town centre. Leading positions remained the same to the finish where both John Byrne and Mary Gleeson had a minute to spare as they won the senior men and women's race. John Byrne was back in impressive form - now League points leader again - his winning time 25.59, was over two minutes better than in the Swinford 8k where he finished 8th. Timmie Glavey looked sharp and recorded a PB in second place in 27.03. For these and many more Mayo AC runners it was a good fast work-out in preparation for their trip to Waterford next Sunday for the National Half Marathon Championships.

Daniel Murray (Ballina AC) had an impressive win in the u19 (Junior) section recording 29.03 in his first 8k. The individual prizes were shared among 10 different clubs from near and far.

The 6th race in the League series is the Ballina 10k @ 3pm on Sunday 14th September.

Results summary:

Men

Senior

1 John Byrne (Mayo AC) 25.59

2 Timmie Glavey (Mayo AC) 27.03

3 David Carrie (Dunleer AC) 27.12

o40

1 Martin Corcoran (Craughwell AC) 27.20

2 David Corcoran (Civil Service) 27.48

3 Ian Egan (GCH) 27.57

o50

1 Ronnie Naylor (Mayo AC) 28.51

2 Michael Killeen (Mayo AC) 30.18

3 Jimmy Feeney (Mayo AC) 31.17

u19

1 Daniel Murray (Ballina AC) 29.03

Women:

Senior

1 Mary Gleeson (Mayo AC) 29.59

2 Regina Casey (GCH) 30.59

3 Caroline Clancy (Loughrea AC) 32.09

o35

1 Ann Murray (Mayo AC) 32.43

2 Maura Dervan (Mullingar Harriers) 33.01

3 Noreen Mc Manamon (Mayo AC) 32.22

o45

1 Maire T Beatty (Athenry AC) 35.08

2 Bernie Kelly (GCH) 37.40

u19

1 Emma Moran (Claremorris)