The body can only do what it is able to do on a given day. One can train, prepare and do all the right things for an event but if the body isn’t feeling well, you have no choice but to listen to the screaming and just do what you can.

At a recent discussion, one of the questions I was asked was if, as a female, I feel disadvantaged living in the West of Ireland, Instantly I said no, and then as I listened to some of the others speakers, I had time to reflect and thought hard ...

Athletics: The Westnet Mayo U9 and U10 Track and Field Championships took place in Ballinrobe on March 2.

Athletics: There were some highly impressive results for Mayo at Saturday’s 123. ie All-Ireland Schools Cross Country Championships which took place at Galway Racecourse.

I have been to Paris before.

In our younger days we won All-Ireland football medals before and behind us, with years of victories in our schooldays. Our celebratory song was “Everywhere we go, people always ask us, who we are and where we come from.

Athletics: Mayo AC’s Mary Browne was a member of the Irish team who ran a new World Masters 4x800m indoor F65 relay record in Abbotstown, Dublin.

I leave the vibrant red sun behind, the bright blue skies, the warm brown sand, the beautiful breeze, the volcanic mountains, the sounds of the ocean, the feel of the heat in my bones – and return to the freshness of the west.

As I look out a different lens this morning, I am blinded by a vibrant red sunrise, immersed in a bright blue sky, rising over a calm white ocean, touching down on a beaming brown sandy beach, alongside a prom, all the way to Arecife.

All roads lead to The McWilliam Hotel, Claremorris this Sunday, January 26, where The Westnet Mayo Athletic Awards will take place in with St. Colman’s Athletic Club hosting the event.

I have absolutely no idea what roads, paths, boreens, mountains, hills or thrills 2025 will bring – but I am up for anything. I am mad for road and I sure intend to make the most of every opportunity the year brings.

I draw the curtains back, it’s pitch-black outside but the sky’s white light is trying to shine through. It’s bit like how I feel this morning, dark, but my brightness trying to shine through.

Ardagh GAA Club's annual 5k fun run/walk held on St Stephen's Day proved an outstanding success. Club officers and committee members wish to thank everyone who participated and supported it.

A sporting year like no other, 2024 provided plenty of highlights. The recent RTÉ Sports awards offered an opportunity to reflect on a momentous year for Irish sport, with the Olympics rightly taking centre stage.

2024 has been one of the most difficult years in my life personally, but one of the best sporting years.

Believe in the magic and it will come true. We all need dreams, hopes and aspirations. We all have beliefs, wants and needs; sometimes these come true and sometimes they don’t. We must believe or otherwise what's the point.

People in Ballina and Castlebar and the surrounding areas are urged to step up for communities facing crisis around the world this Christmas Day (Wednesday, December 25) for the annual GOAL Mile.

There was more national success for Moy Valley Athletic Club last Sunday as Jake O’Brien took home gold at the 123. ie National Race Walking Championships & World Race Walking Tour in Raheny.

Athletics: Two of Mayo’s top athletics clubs were represented at the European Cross Country Championships which were held in the Turkish coastal city of Antalya last Sunday.

When Mother Nature rules, there is nothing we can do. Everything gets paused, put on hold and we must readjust. Schools close for the safety of all concerned and we call upon skills that help us adapt to last minute changes.

Athletics: There will be significant local interest in next weekend’s European Cross Country Championships which are taking place in Turkey, with both the Ballina-based Moy Valley Athletic Club and Swinford Athletic Club proudly represented.

To give something back is always so important. I try to do my bit whenever I can, whether that be with family, friends, neighbours, charity, the community and so on, but sometimes one cannot do it all.

Athletics: The honours continue to roll in for Mayo javelin star Oisin Joyce. At the 123.

COMMUNITY NOTES: FOXFORD - WESTERN PEOPLE (NOVEMBER 19 EDITION) Congratulations to Foxford man and Swinford AC member Alan McDonnell who ran two marathons in the space of seven days on both sides of the Atlantic.

Athletics: Billy Neill Country Park, nestled just a few miles from the eastern side of Belfast, served as the picturesque venue for the 35th Annual British and Irish Masters Cross Country International last Saturday.

Athletics: There were scenes of great emotion in Co. Fermanagh last Sunday afternoon, as Moy Valley AC runner Keelan Kilrehill claimed his first national senior cross country title at the 123.

There are lots of choices in this world. Sometimes we might not know if it’s the right or the wrong path we have taken and that’s okay because we learn from our mistakes.

The hubby’s phone rings, the island is calling, work needs to be done. It’s perfect timing, with all on midterm break and this also the week after the Dublin Marathon, off we all go.

I return from the World Mountain Running Championships, home from all my adventures, my legs have a lot done but feel good and my head is buzzing. There’s a lot preying on my mind.

In a display of talent and teamwork, Moy Valley Athletic Club made waves at the recent Connacht Cross Country Championships.

Mayo AC proudly fielded six competitors in the third leg of the Connacht Cross-Country league, held at the historic Roscommon Racecourse on Sunday.

In today’s modern world it’s easy sometimes to get caught up in the busyness of life and forget some of the wonderful qualities we were brought up with and can demonstrate to the next generation.

Athletics: Following the Open Autumn trials in Abbotstown recently, the Irish Masters Athletics Association have selected the teams to represent Ireland at the forthcoming British and Irish Masters Cross-Country Championships in Belfast on Saturday, ...

I rose early, as always, on Sunday, September 15 last to prepare for another race, except this was like no other race.

Athletics: Castlegar Athletics Club hosted their 29th Open Cross Country event at Galway Racecourse at Ballybrit on September 28. The Open Cross Country was also a leg of World Athletics Bronze Tour.

Athletics: The Westnet Mayo Uneven Ages Cross Country Championships were hosted by Swinford Athletic Club in Mellett’s Hill, Swinford on Sunday, October 6 where over 350 athletes from all over the county took part.

Athletics: Mayo AC had four members on the start line for the Berlin Marathon on Sunday, September 29.

Athletics: The 2024 Mayo National Schools Cross Country Championships were hosted by Moy Valley Athletic Club in Belleek on Wednesday, September 25.

It’s 3. 45 on Thursday morning, I don’t need an alarm, I’m already awake. It’s been a busy week so I hadn’t time to think about what’s ahead.

Athletics: The Westnet Mayo Even Ages, Junior, Senior and Masters Cross Country Championships was hosted by Erris Athletic Club at Doolough, Geesala on Sunday September 22. Weather conditions were ideal and underfoot competitions perfect.

Athletics: Moy Valley Athletic Club hosted the North Mayo Primary Schools Cross Country in brilliant sunshine in Belleek, Ballina last Thursday.

Hugh Armstrong became the first man to win all four races in the Irish Life Dublin Race Series in one year, by taking the title in the Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon at the Phoenix Park last Sunday.

Mayo AC were represented by 23 competitors in the National Half Marathon Championships in Charleville on Sunday. The event was organised by North Cork AC. Their team of nine women and 14 men.

It’s 12pm on a Saturday night. As I sit in my hotel room with my legs elevated, I stop, reflect and think about what has happened today.

“The course was very good and the organisation by all involved was great so thanks to everyone.”

To say it has been a whirlwind two weeks for Oisin Joyce would be putting it lightly. The Ballinrobe native became only the fourth Irish athlete to win an individual medal at the World Athletics U20 Championships, and the first to win a throws medal.

Moy Valley AC had a special celebratory event to recognise the achievements of club members Clodagh Gill and Seamus Clarke at the recent European Under 18 championships where both represented their club, Mayo, Connacht and Ireland with distinction.

I try not to have any regrets in life. When decisions have to be made, if one has a little time it’s good to go to a quiet place, by one’s self and think clearly before making the final call.

In life there is much more that unites us than separates us. Uniting people is one of the many things I love about sport.

When the Olympic Games last rolled into Los Angeles back in 1984, the Irish tourists returned with just a single piece of hardware for their efforts.

Well done, Oisin.

Athletics: The Tom Waldron Run/Walk took place over a 5k course at Claremorris on the evening of Tuesday, August 13.

Athletics: A 5km fun-run in aid of children’s cancer charity, Cancer Fund for Children, is to be hosted by Connacht GAA at its Centre of Excellence in Bekan, on Saturday, September 7.

This morning I look out a different bedroom window. I’ve left the back window view of drizzle over the Reek, the front window view of sunshine rising over Knockma behind me.

The Half-marathon will start at 12pm sharp.

Athletics: A record 172 finishers completed the Wild Atlantic 10 mile race held in Ballina last Sunday, August 18.

A "devastated" Sinéad Diver has hit out at the criticism she has faced online after failing to finish the women's marathon at the Paris Olympics.

Norah Newcombe Pieterse led the Mayo AC runners home with a brilliant win in the 38th annual Streets of Galway 8k Road Race last Saturday evening. Norah, a former winner of the Western People Mayo.

Mayo-native Sinead Diver was forced to pulled out of the Olympic marathon little more than one kilometre into the race.

It’s the last Sunday in July, there is so much going on and I don’t know how we fit it all in but everyone pulls together and it all works out.

Athletics: The National Masters Outdoors Championships took place in Tullamore last Sunday (August 4) where almost 500 athletes competed in track and field competitions across an action-packed eight-hour schedule.

Athletics: The country is in the grip of Olympic fever and who knows, perhaps there are some budding young athletes in Co Mayo who might be parading behind the Irish flag in Los Angeles in four years’ time or in subsequent Games to come.

Today, I run a race with a different mindset, a different outlook, with a tired body and a confused mind because I have no idea where I am at. I have no idea what I am capable of today and it could go either way; I could blow up or survive.

With lots of races coming up, with lots of events on the horizon, with marathon season looming, the miles are upped, the speed increased and the heart-rate is gone out the window.

The emigration to the USA of a Mayo man over 100 years ago has almost come full circle with his descendants visiting the county this past week on their way to supporting the great-grandson of Michael Duffy at the Paris Olympics.

‘I’m going to get even quicker.

When your world gets turned upside down in seconds, you need something to get you through.

There are days to go until the 10th annual Ronan Clarke 10k run and 5k run/walk, an event that continues to raise much-needed funds for Mayo Roscommon Hospice and the Killala GAA Benevolent Fund, and which also remembers a great club man who sadly ...

Athletics: Three gold medals were won by Mayo athletes as the 123. ie National Juvenile Track and Field Championships in Tullamore on Sunday, July 7.

Moy Valley AC duo Seamus Clarke and Clodagh Gill will travel to Slovakia next month with the Athletics Ireland U18 squad for the upcoming European Athletics U18 Championships which take place in Banska Bystrica from July 18-21.

The Annual Achill Half-marathon and 10k took place on Saturday, July 6. Twelve Mayo AC members competed and there was a total of among a total 1172 finishers in the two races.

Last night, the Lake District Athletic Club (LDAC) hosted a joyous celebration to honour the remarkable achievements of our U9-11 athletes who have qualified for the All-Ireland Championships.

To mark the bicentenary of the town of Belmullet, the Great Erris Run has been organised to get the community of North Mayo out into the great outdoors.

Health is your wealth. When you feel good, anything is possible. After suffering for two years with a gut infection, to run pain free is such a pleasure. When you think pushing up hills is tough, it’s not compared to stomach pain.

The youngster set a new 600m national record.

Few things get the juices flowing for the sporting public than Irish success in athletics.

Community Notes: Erris - Western People (June 18 Edition) An athletics club in Mayo has paid tribute to a native Olympian.

West Sligo 400m Relay star Lauren Cadden has condemned the online racist abuse directed at her European champion teammate Rhasidat Adeleke. Cadden was speaking at a celebratory reception held in her honour last Sunday at her alma mater, ATU Sligo.

Athletics: The Claremorris 5k proved to be a magnificent finale to the 2024 Intersport Elverys Mayo AC 5k Series. Last Tuesday evening, June 11, the curtain came down on a very successful and enjoyable twelfth edition of the popular series.

The Mayo Track and Field Championships, sponsored by Westnet, were held in Claremorris recently, with a large number of athletes from all corners of the county and from under-12 right up to senior level, competing in an array of events.

Athletics: The fourth race in the Intersport Elverys Mayo AC 5k Series took place at Ballinrobe last Tuesday evening, June 4.

Athletics: Another record breaking performance has delivered Ballina racewalker Seamus Clarke a significant victory on the continent. The Moy Valley AC athlete won gold at an U18 meet in sunny Palafrugell on Saturday.

Athletics: Mayo AC had two runners among the thousands who participated in the annual Cork City Marathon which took place on Sunday, June 2.

After one of the most intense selection contests for this year’s Paris Olympics, the Australian Olympic Committee has announced its marathon team with the inclusion of Mayo woman Sinéad Diver.

Coming near the end of what can only be described as a week of intensity, where one is in the middle of the to-do list but it’s getting longer and longer; with each hour, it’s been added to by the wonderful people surrounding you.

Ireland’s mixed 4x400m relay team of Chris O'Donnell, Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr and Sharlene Mawdsley won a historic gold medal for Ireland at the European Athletics Championships in Rome on Friday night.

Ballina duo Clodagh Gill and Seamus Clarke won gold at the 123. ie All-Ireland Schools Track and Field Championships came to a thrilling conclusion at a sun-drenched Tullamore Harriers Stadium last weekend.

The 2024 Intersport Elverys Mayo AC 5k Series continued with the third race at Foxford last Tuesday evening (May 28).

There was some great running by Mayo AC members at a number of races over the weekend in both the Athlone 10 and Irish Runner 5k in Phoenix Park Dublin on Saturday, and the Colm Horkan Memorial Run in Charlestown and Fast Lane Half-marathon in ...

In life, each and every one of us face obstacles and challenges, both big and small, that test our strength, resilience and determination.

The 1921 All-Ireland football championship was a peculiar one, to say the least. It was peculiar for a variety of reasons, and Mayo football had a significant role to play in the manner in which that peculiarity played out.

The Westnet Mayo U9 to U11 Children’s Games were held in Claremorris on May Bank Holiday Weekend.

It finally arrived, the forecasted sun. For two days we had temperatures better than in Spain, all over a weekend for us to enjoy.

Finding time for yourself can be difficult as a parent.

The last chance to register and receive your Mayo. ie Western People West of Ireland Women’s Mini-Marathon t-shirts and race numbers in advance by post is today, Tuesday, April 23, at 4pm.