Here is an article, attached as a PDF, by Marian Spellman on some of her half marathon races this year. Marian comes from Ballymacward, just 25k north east of Athenry, and lives now in Killimordaly, just a short hop away. "I joined Athenry A.C. Approx five years ago but only really began training...

Originally from Fanore, Co Clare, I have been living in Athenry for the last few years and joined Athenry AC shortly after I moved here. I have been part of different running groups over the years. I have been running forever ! I love Athenry AC and especially love the Saturday morning runs. 1. How...

Mark is a stalwart of the club, a long-time member who organizes the Connemara Run each year in Spring. (If you haven't participated, try to make it in the coming years, it's a lot of fun and a great day out). His wife is Carmel Mitchell who is a swimmer. His kids are Ethan, 15 years old, and Nicole...

Michelle just volunteered as the Athenry AC Club Secretary and good luck to her with that role. She regularly attends the three club training sessions and is down to run the Paris Marathon in April this year. I am from Athenry. I’m a graphic designer, I have the printing shop, Envision Design Studio...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? June 2010. 2. Briefly, what started you running? I was very overweight and was getting absolutely no exercise. I have arthritis as well and the extra weight and lack of exercise was making it worse. Decided one day to get out the door and try going for...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? A long time: I think it was 2001. 2. Briefly, what started you running? I hate to sit still and I couldn’t kick a ball out of my way so my options were limited. 3. What shoes do you train/race in? ASICS Gel Nimbus or Gel Cumulus. 4. What piece of...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? Since January 2013. 2. Briefly, what started you running? To keep fit. 3. What shoes do you train/race in? Have probably tried them all, brooks, saucony, mizuno but use Asics GT3000 now. 4. What piece of running gear/apparel is your most prized...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? The beginning of 2012. 2. Briefly, what started you running? I bought a bike to start cycling, I did some adventure races and realized I prefer running to cycling, so I parked the bike and concentrated on running. 3. What shoes do you train/race in...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? I joined Athenry AC in 2013. 2. Briefly, what started you running? My asthma was progressively getting worse so my doctor suggested walking or running. I absolutely hated both, as both involved a bit of effort but my friend Brighid Cannon called to...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? Just over two years, Jane Ann convinced me to join during a physio session. I only said yes to try and make the pain stop…it didn’t!! 2. Briefly, what started you running? I was getting married in 2013 and I wanted to try and shift some excess weight...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? 9 happy years :-) 2. Briefly, what started you running? Myself and my sister in law walked the Women’s mini marathon one year and were so frustrated with the crowds we vowed we would run it the following year – However it did take 9 months to get...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? Since 2006 2. Briefly, what started you running? A friend of mine had taken it up so i joined him for a few runs 3. What shoes do you train/race in? At the moment Nike Lunarglide 4. What piece of running gear/apparel is your most prized possession...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? I joined in 2012, Frances joined in 2011 and was telling me about speed sessions on a Tuesday so I decided to join to do speed only. It was grand for the first few while I knew nobody but when I got to know people I got sucked into more and more...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? I started in May 2011 as a Fit4Life member. 2. Briefly, what started you running? I used to work alongside Elaine Quinn & she was forever talking about running & how many miles she had done at the weekend etc etc, so got me thinking maybe I can do this...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? I joined Athenry AC just over 18 months ago in August 2014. 2. Briefly, what started you running? Funny thing is i hated running or anybody that suggested i give it a go. I wanted to shift a bit of weight but love my food, so knew i had to start some...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? 4 Years. 2. Briefly, what started you running? A desire to keep off the weight i'd lost during a period of loss in 2012. I'd never been active when younger and was always overweight. Anyway i started walking but soon got bored of that as i felt I wasn...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? Since March 2010. 2. Briefly, what started you running? A few friends at work were in to it so I decided to give it a go. Our New Years resolution in 2010 was to run the Dingle Half marathon that September. 3. What shoes do you train/race in? Mizuno...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? Since 2009. 2. Briefly, what started you running? My two housemates back in the day did a lot of running which began to affect our social life so I took up running so as not to be left out. 3. What shoes do you train/race in? Always Asics GT 3000, they...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? I joined in 2013. 2. Briefly, what started you running? Marathons. I always loved the idea of running a marathon and was amazed that anyone could run that far. 3. What shoes do you train/race in? Saucony Guide 9 for training and racing. 4. What piece...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? Since 2012. 2. Briefly, what started you running? Everyone around me seemed to be running, so I decided to see what all the fuss was about, and joined a Fit for Life group. 3. What shoes do you train/race in? Saucony Guide. 4. What piece of running...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? Joined May 2013, almost 3 years. 2. Briefly, what started you running? There was a baby triathlon for charity organised in my office in April 2013, I started training for it in January 2013 and loved the running element so kept it up. 3. What shoes do...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? 4 years approx 2. Briefly, what started you running? “Back in the day” I played soccer, football and rugby and running was always part of training! 3. What shoes do you train/race in? Asics 3000 4. What piece of running gear/apparel is your most prized...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? This is my second year. 2. Briefly, what started you running? Increased interest in fitness. 3. What shoes do you train/race in? Mostly asics and nike. 4. What piece of running gear/apparel is your most prized possession? It has to be my watch and...

1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? Joined February 2010. Just over 6 years. 2. Briefly, what started you running? I couldn't jog, never mind run 50 meters. I was also overweight. My Daughter was 4 years old at this time. I needed to do something to get the weigth off and fitness up. The...

1. What running shoes do you train in? Currently, Brooks PureFlow for training. I’ve just come back to Brooks shoes after a bit of a break and they suit me well. I have some Brooks racing flats as well which were great in the 5km series, and Inov-8 Mudclaw fell racing shoes which haven’t had any use...