AAI National Masters Championships

It was raining in Tullamore Saturday but what's new in what has been the story of the 2007 track season. The occassion was the AAI National Masters championships.

Once again the more experienced club athletes in the over 35 plus age group travelled and had a go with some interesting results.

We has a gold medal performance from Kay Byrne in the 3000-m, her time 10-55.02 a timely boost as she has consistently trained throughout the summer period and will now no doubt chase honours in the national half marathon on home ground next weekend.

Kieran Carlin has committed strongly over the latter half of the track season in addition to his serious committment to club affairs and was rewarded with a winning 4-14-08 in the 1500-m.

Busiest man of all was Bosco Reid from Crossroads, now living for many years in Buncrana, winner of hammer 31-07, silver in discus and shot 10-56,and third in javelin.

Kathleen Merritt who first competed for Valley at age seven on a wet day in a cross-country race in Dunfanaghy returned from London and her appearance was justified with two bronzes, shot 7-45, and discus.

The final medal went to Martin O Halloran third in the 5k at 16-42.

Well done to all.

AAI National Half Marathon

AAI National half marathon is next up and race organiser Neil Martin could do with a lot of help to steward particularly road intersections and assistance with tea and sandwiches post race in the centre.