Westport House is one of the few remaining Irish historic homes of national and international significance .
Westport House Demense was the magnificent theatrical setting for Sundays’s (February 9) National Masters and Intermediate cross-country event . The event took place on the demesne which retains 100 acres of historic woods dating back to the 1700s.
A bumper entry of over 1200 competitors and their supporters made for an exciting day for competitors and spectators alike.
There was a total of 391 Masters and Intermediate finishers in the four races which began at 13.30 with all women and men o65.
Westport AC were the hosts of this Athletics Ireland National Championship event - the first one in Connacht for some time.
They did a brilliant job.
The course for the competition had a flat fast start alongside the river before a number of twists and turns took runners along the edge of the wooded section and then rejoined the start area for the next lap.
The day was chilly and overcast, and thankfully dry.
The Intermediate and masters races were preceded by a number of Juvenile B races which left the course well trodden and soft in places . However, it held up well for the adult competitions.
With the event right on their doorstep, Mayo AC had a big number of representatives competing for both National individual and team medals.
In addition to their cross-country regulars, it was good to see a good number of other runners new to the event.
They ran in the three very competitive races with great courage and determination. Stamina and recovery were big factors as usual with twists and turns on the course interrupting pace.
There was great support all around the course encouraging clubmates to greater efforts. Its a unique feature of cross-country unlike road races.
There was a good turnout of teams from clubs nationwide. As a result club and county medals were well earned.
Once again in this event Mayo AC came away with a number of medals.
Colette Tuohy led the way with a well deserved individual bronze in F55 and led the F50 team to bronze also, with great support from Angela O’Connor, Breege Blehein and Mary Browne.
Mary Browne also won silver individual F65 just behind fellow International Sheelagh Jones of Rathfarnham WSAF AC.
Mags Glavey continued her amazing masters career with her first National gold medal in F75 – and it looks like first of many more for her in that category.
In the Intermediate women's race, Mayo AC were fourth club. However the team won National County silver!
Mayo AC's four finishers Martina O’Connor, Lucy Tuohy, Katie Gibbons and Sheelagh McDonnell were joined on the county team by Joanne Padden of Erris AC.
It's brilliant to see them rewarded for their huge efforts over 5,000 metres.
Well done also to Mayo AC’s first runners home in their respective teams:
M35 Michael Rocke
M50 John Gordon
M65 John Jennings
F50 Colette Tuohy
F35 Eimear Fitzmaurice
Detailed results of Mayo AC’s 30 finishers (a club record for cross-country),
both individually and in teams, plus photos from the day are at www.mayoac.com
