Mayo AC Open Road League races will take place this year at the rate of one race a month - from the start on the streets of Claremorris in June, to the finish at the historic grounds of Westport House on the last Sunday in December.
Details of the exciting new Mayo AC Open Road Race League have just been unveiled. The league is once again sponsored by the C&C Cellular Group - Main Vodafone Agents for Mayo.
It is being organised by Mayo Athletic Club for the 9th consecutive year, and will be the biggest to date, taking in seven major races at six different venues in the county. This has been achieved with the excellent co-operation of a number of other athletic clubs in Mayo. Race 1, will be the Claremorris 5 mile race on Saturday 23rd June at 6pm and Race 7, the Westport 5k, organised in association with Westport AC, will be the last on Sunday 30th December. (See full list below).
Speaking recently, Michael McGrath, Chairman of Mayo AC, paid tribute to the other athletic clubs and organisers for their co-operation, and also thanked C&C Cellular for their continued support. "All the races will have their own structure and prize fund etc, but what will enhance them is the fact that competitors can pick up league points in each one".
He also said that the three main goals of the league are:
1) to provide top quality competition for runners from all over the West and further afield;
2) to have a strong fund-raising community aspect - people can use the races to run or walk to raise funds for local projects and charities;
3) to cater for people who just want to jog and walk for their fitness and meet others with similar interests.
The recent very successful Galway 5k series during May, with record numbers taking part, showed that there is a growing participation in these events for people at all levels of fitness. Mayo AC hope that the Open League 2007 will be a springboard for many to continue (or start) their personal fitness programmes and goals for the rest of the year.
Brendan Chambers of C&C Cellular (sponsors for the second year in succession) said that they were very pleased to be able to support a major event like this in the area where his company operate.
LEAGUE FORMAT
Each race will have its own prize structure and will be advertised in the media etc in advance.
In each of the races the Top 25 men and women to finish will be awarded points i.e 1st place = 25 points, 25th place = 1 point.
A competitors best scores from a maximum of 5 races will be used to calculate their final score.
Ther is no requirement to run a minimum number of races to be eligible for league prizes.
It will not be necessary to enter the Road League seperately - results will be taken from the official results sheet of each race.
ROAD LEAGUE PRIZES
When all races are completed the final league points table will be calculated.
There will be a generous prize fund -
First Three Overall - men and women,
Men over 40, 50
Women over 35, 45
Juniors
Although many Mayo competitors will be challenging for the main league prizes, there will also be a category for Mayo competitors who finish outside the top bracket of the league table.
Also, this year for the first time Ballyhaunis native, Frank Greally, Editor of the 'Irish Runner' magazine for the past 25 years, is offering trophies for the competitor (man and woman) who is judged to have improved most over the league series.
ENTRY FORMS AND INFORMATION
Race details will be available on the recently launched club website www.mayoac.com
Race info: contact Michael at 086 8534729 after 7pm or any club member
MAYO AC OPEN LEAGUE SCHEDULE 2007
Race 1 CLAREMORRIS 5 MILE
SATURDAY JUNE 23rd @ 6pm
Race 2 BALLA 10K
SATURDAY JULY 28th @ 7pm
Race 3 SWINFORD 5 MILE
SUNDAY AUGUST 5TH @ 5pm
(in association with Swinford AC)
Race 4 BALLINA 10K
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 9th @ 3pm
(in association with Ballina AC)
Race 5 BALLINA 4 MILE
SUNDAY OCTOBER 14th @ 3pm
Race 6 HOLLYMOUNT ROAD RACES .
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 11th @ 1pm
Race 7 WESTPORT 5
SUNDAY DECEMBER 30th @ 2pm
(in assocation with Westport AC)