Mary Roache going for gold in the W45 400 metres.
Mayo AC were well represented at the annual masters indoor track and field Championships on Sunday last at Athlone Arena. Eight members competed in a range of events – 25 in total – and added to the 2017 National medals toll they have accumulated so far in intermediate cross country at Tuam in January and masters' cross country in Waterford last month.
Friendly rivalry and valiant effort is the order of the day, with many a close battle for coveted age category medals. Martin Peyton M65 was busy – he competed in shot put and high jump, won silver in long jump, and a 60 metres bronze. Patrick Moran M60 threw 9.52 metres in the shot put for fifth place, won bronze high jump which gave him his 100th national medal – a wonderful achievement. Sadly, Moran pulled a muscle and could not compete in the long jump.
Mary Roache W45 finished fourth in the shot put, and won a brilliant gold in the 400 metres by just 0.2 second. Sadly, Roache twisted her knee in the long jump and had to pull out of the 200. Pauline Moran W60 was in great form. Like many in the endurance events she found the dry atmosphere in the arena tough, but still managed a tremendous triple gold in 800, 3,000, and 1500 metres – in that order.
Angela O’Connor’s W50 category was very competitive. However, she ran strongly for fourth in 800, silver in 3,000, and bronze 1500. John Walkin and Cormac Kearney were drawn together in the M35 60 metres. John was sixth in 7.98, Cormac seventh in 8.11 in a race won in 7.29.
Tom Hunt in his final year as M65 came home with three silvers in 800, 3,000, 1500 metres. It was a long day especially for the endurance athletes who ran three hard races in a five hour period – that is 26.5 laps in total. Mayo AC celebrated another successful day for the club with a total of four gold, five silver and three bronze medals.