Mayo AC had 31 competitors on the startlines of the
42nd edition of the Dublin Marathon on the recent Bank Holiday Sunday - October 29.
They had all trained hard over recent months in preparation for the classic endurance challenge. They were ready to embrace the race, enjoy the experience and the unique atmosphere.
Since 2003 the event has doubled has the Athletics Ireland marathon championships. This year there were 2,843 club athletes nationwide in competition for individual category and team medals
Many of the Mayo runners were looking to better their previous Dublin finish times, some were running their first Dublin Marathon sixteen of them ran in 2022, and four were running their first marathon.
The club's first finisher was Tadgh Hanrahan M40 who ran a new PB finishing in a brilliant 2:47.29, almost three minutes faster than his time last year.
Next home was Darren Flanagan M35 2:51.55 – a massive improvement on his 2:59 in 2022.
Third across the line was TJ McHugh M50 also in an excellent 2:52.51
Like Darren and Tadgh, John Gordon M50 is another of Mayo AC’s well documented marathoners and he came home in a great time too – 2:54.16.
Three more sub 3 hr finishers followed John - Michael Rocke M35 2:55.56 – 3:08 last year, Rowland McIntyre M35 2:58.41, and a delighted Andrew Hayes M40 2:58.53 who finally achieved a sub 3 after years of trying.
John Nolan improved his 2022 time by eight minutes to finish a brilliant third the our M50s team in 3:02.53. The three M50s finished a very creditable 4th of 67 teams in the Athletics Ireland club team championship with a combined time of 8:51.53 .
The first Mayo AC woman home was Colette Tuohy who finished in 3:13.43. It was another trademark gritty performance by one of the club's formidable master athletes. She was a richly deserved winner of an individual bronze medal in the F50 category.
Behind Colette was Dee Finnegan W35. She ran an amazing even paced race in her first marathon finishing in 3:35.54. Dee was closely followed by Sheelagh McDonnell W35 who also ran a great race and came home in a personal best time in 3:37.38.
Elsewhere among Mayo AC finishers there were many more brilliant performances including eleven who ran PBs.
The four first time marathoners were – Dee Finnegan W35 3:35.54, Mairead Bristow W40 3:56.52, Gillian Hanrahan W45 3:56.52 and Martin Parsons M50 4:44.42.
Congratulations to Colette Tuohy and well done to all Mayo AC finishers!.
Mayo AC times listed here:
(gross times, and are provisional Athletics Ireland championship results until November 8)
Women:
Dee Finnegan *W35 PB 3:35.54
Noelle Kilduff W35 3:54.10
Sheelagh McDonnell W35 PB 3:37.38
Catrina Houlihan W40 5:13.10
Julie Higgins W40 4:15.19
Paula Donnellan W40 3:49.00
Mairead Bristow *W40 PB 3:56.52
Gillian Hanrahan *W45 PB 3:56.52
Colette Tuohy W50 3:12.54 4th W50 finisher
Yvonne Coyne W50 4:47.12
Marcella McDonnell W55 4:15.17
Men:
Richie Hanley Senior 3:08.12
Michael Rocke M35 2:55.56
Darren Flanagan M35 2:51.55
Rowland McIntyre M35 2:58.41
Brian Fox 3:38.05
John Brennan M35 3:13.54 PB negative split = 1:43/1:31!
Damien Finnegan M40 3:28.58 PB (3:54.39 in 2022)
Tadgh Hanrahan M40 2:47.29 PB
Andrew Hayes M40 2:58.53 PB
Andy Neary M40 3:22.41
Wesley Hurst M45 3:05.48
Damien Glackin M45 3:48.46
Martin Parsons *M50 PB 4:44.42
John Gordon M50 2:54.16
John Nolan M50 3:02.53
Tony O’Malley M50 3:14.43
Noel Gibbons M50 3:22.55
TJ McHugh M50 2:52.51
Tony Hegarty M55 3:32.22 PB
John Nyland M55 3:47.01 PB by 11 minutes
