Over the past few months, I have raced in many countries all over the world, mostly in extreme heat, through magical beauty, enjoying and enduring the most amazing experiences. Now back to the west of Ireland, winter is gradually emerging.

We’ve celebrated, recovered and taken it all in. A chance to see some of Transylvania, no running too far out of the village; pictures of brown bears even on the bins, warnings for wild dogs but we do get to see Dracula’s Castle.

The highlight of the weekend of September 13/14 for Mayo AC was their Autumn Club Day Out to the 11th annual Céide Coast Atlantic Run, featuring both a Half Marathon and a 10k.

Ah sure, when do you ever get the chance to go and race in Romania? That was my first thought when the European Off-Road Running Championships were mentioned.

Athletics: Four Mayo AC runners won prizes in the Swinford road races on September 5. In the 10k, Michelle Heneghan was first woman across the line in 39:41, followed by Sarah Byrne who was third in 41:47.

Athletics: The 44th North Mayo Primary Schools Cross Country Championships took place in Belleek, Ballina, last Thursday, September 17, in conditions that could only be described as challenging.

We’re after winning a world medal and hubby messages, “If Mayo win Sam, we’ll have to change the flights. ” Mayo do win Sam and so the holidays are put off for two days. What a buzz to be going away on though.

Athletics: The month of August was particularly busy for Mayo AC competitors, beginning with Ronnie Naylor’s victory at the Castlepollard 5k on Wednesday, August 12. The Ballina man clocked a brilliant time of 21:22 to take first in the M60 category.

In the parish of Caherlistrane, immediately west of Belclare, between the towns of Headford and Tuam, lies this giant, historic, spiritual and culturally significant mountain.

Bofeenaun native Roxane Sands has completed a remarkable season by successfully defending her National Youth Triathlon Championship title and securing the National Youth Triathlon Series crown.

There has been a wonderful performance by a Mayo woman at today’s Sydney Marathon in Australia. Castlebar native Fiona Naughton crossed the line as the first Irish woman in a highly impressive time of two hours 47 minutes.

Ireland, as a country, likes the notion of being a plucky underdog. In a sporting context, this can actually be beneficial.

A letter of congratulations to Irish Runner founder Frank Greally from President Of Ireland Catherine Connolly, put the icing on the cake on a day of special celebration to mark the 45th anniversary of the magazine at St Helen's Hotel in Stillorgan ...

A call-out for volunteers has been made ahead of this weekend’s Wild Atlantic 10 Miler Event in Ballina.

Seán Gallagher had an excellent weekend at the All-Ireland Masters track championships by winning gold in the M55 800m and 1500m in Morton Stadium, Santry, Dublin.

There truly was a world class performance by Mayo’s Seamus Clarke on Saturday as he finished fifth in the 5000m race walk at the World Under 20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA.

Athletics: On what was an historic week for Mayo sport, Moy Valley AC athlete Seamus Clarke was preparing meticulously to be in the best shape possible to compete in the World Under 20 Track and Field championships, which get underway this Wednesday ...

Mayo AC’s Ballina-native David Naylor ran a personal best time to finish in a brilliant 13th place overall in 15:45 in the Docklands 5k on July 9 last. The event is organised annually by Crusaders AC.

Athletics: In November 2024, Mayo AC’s own Colette and Lucy Tuohy participated in the Frauenfelder half-marathon, a popular running event in Eastern Switzerland. This mother-daughter duo hails from the remarkable sporting Tuohy family in Castlebar.

The Moy Valley AC athlete wll be one of two Irish race walkers looking for big performances in the Men’s 5000m race

A host of highly ranked athletes feature on the team, with some gaining their first international experience for their country at a major championship event.

Athletics: More than 550 young athletes representing 25 Community Games areas, from the four corners of the County, gathered in Claremorris on June 14 last for the Mayo Community Games Athletics County Finals, enjoying a day of competition, ...

It’s 2. 15am on Thursday, June 25, 16 degrees and a bright nighttime sky. I’m tiptoeing around the house to get ready before heading for Tuam and the 3am Citylink to Dublin Airport.

The Great Erris Run returns on Sunday, August 9, 2026, and this year's event carries special significance as the community comes together to honour the life and legacy of Rob Turner.

Athletics: Two Mayo AC athletes shone brightly at the 21st Annual Achill Half-Marathon and 10k which were held on Saturday morning last, July 4. Both races featured a single lap on challenging courses that started and finished at Keel.

Athletics: It was a Super Saturday for Seamus Clarke of Moy Valley AC at the 123. ie National U20 Track and Field Championships in Tullamore.

I don’t really like tapering, not even the word; meaning gradually reducing your training load before the big event. For me that means slowing down, doing less of something I love, and having too much time for thinking. Parking things becomes harder.

Athletics: The 2026 Ronan Clarke 10k and 5k races and 5k walk, held annually in association with Killala GAA and the Clarke Family, took place on Sunday, June 7 in aid of the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation and Killala GAA Benevolent Fund and ...

Athletics: Over the past couple of weekends Mayo AC had significant success in two events in the current Pop Up Races Peugeot Series.13 members travelled on a club outing to Dunshaughlin, Co Meath for the annual Michael Manning Memorial 10k on June ...

Athletics: Over 200 runners gathered at Manulla FC on Tuesday evening, June 9, for the final race in the 2026 Mayo AC 5k Series.

East Mayo AC officially opened its new purpose-built athletics track and astro facility in Charlestown on Sunday, marking a major milestone for the rapidly growing club.

Athletics: Racing conditions in Ballinrobe for last Tuesday’s fourth 5k race in the 2026 Mayo AC Series were dry with a moderate westerly breeze. There was a series record turnout of 277 runners, with 191 of those finishing in under 25 minutes.

Athletics: The Westnet Mayo Children’s Games (U9 to U11) and Track and Field Championships (U12s) were held in Claremorris where almost 460 athletes – and no fewer than 95 relay teams – competed on the day.

We all have different reasons why: why we do certain things, why we choose a particular career, why we live where we do, why we make certain decisions and why we play the sports we play.

Athletics: The 2026 annual Ronan Clarke 10k run and 5k run/walk takes place from the Killala Community Centre next Sunday, June 7 at 12 noon. The event will yet again raise funds for the Mayo Roscommon Hospice and the Killala GAA Benevolent Fund.

Athletics: The Westnet Mayo U13 to Senior Track & Field Athletic Championships were held in Claremorris. Athletes from all corners of Mayo competed.

Athletics: Race 3 of the 2026 Shaw Commercials Mayo AC 5k Series was in Claremorris last Tuesday evening. Hydration was key as temperatures at race start were very warm and dry (26°C) with a light northerly breeze.

Little did I know how the sporting day would pan out when I left my own Ard na Gaoithe for my Sunday morning long run through Ard na Gaoithe in Cong.

It’s Easter Saturday and I’m away in the sun. Sometimes I have a guilt about being away, leaving extended family behind or friends who haven’t been away, but this time I don’t.

The most welcoming town in Ireland will have hundreds of runners pound its historic streets on Saturday, May 16.

Athletics: Mayo AC runners have been competing at home and abroad over recent weeks and in some instances, with great success to boot.

Westport was alive with energy and excitement on Saturday as thousands of runners descended on the town for this year’s Westport Marathon, creating a fantastic atmosphere from the early morning start right through to the finish line.

The launch of the 2026 Mayo AC 5k Series took place in Castlebar recently. Mayo AC is delighted to announce that EBS, Intersport Elverys, and Shaw Commercials have joined forces as the main sponsors for this year’s series.

It’s the week before the National Indoors and the headaches are back, I could scrape the skin off myself and I’m a little dizzy – all the same signs as last year, so I’m guessing its low salt levels again.

Ballina athlete Seamus Clarke has been selected to represent Ireland at the World Race Walking Team Championships in Brasília next month.

Athletics: The 'long weekend' of St Patrick's Celebrations was a busy time for Mayo AC athletes. Over the weekend, a total of 30 members took part in various events at home and abroad.

Athletics: The Westnet Mayo U9 and U10 Indoor Track and Field Championships took place in Westport where over 320 athletes from all corners of Mayo took part.

A Mayo man is to pit himself against the best javelin throwers in Europe this weekend.

It’s 6. 45am on a Friday morning. The room is brighter than normal, there is light. I hear no wind or rain. The birds are singing, the lambs are maaing, the dog is barking, the world is awake… earlier. I quickly and quietly go downstairs.

{element}Aoife Connor of St Josephs Castlebar, 288, and Leah O'Callaghan of Castleknock Community College, Dublin, 333, compete in the junior girls event. {element}Seamus Burke of Ballinrobe Community School, competes in the inter boys event.

There is no stopping the young Ballina athlete

A beautiful hard day in the West, another weather warning for the East. We train on the grass; a hard, trail-like surface, a flying fast downhill. We’re going well only to realise that the surface we’ll be running on in Dublin is now a mud slide.

There was yet another sensational performance by Mayo teenager Freya Renton at the 123. ie All-Ireland Schools Cross Country Championships held at the Mallusk Playing Fields outside Belfast on Saturday.

Seamus Clarke claimed his first All-Ireland senior medal at the Athletics Ireland 123. ie National Senior Indoor Championships held at the National Indoor Arena, Dublin.

Athletics: Mayo AC member Sinéad Diver returned to marathon competition on Sunday, March 1 with a brilliant run in the Tokyo Marathon where she was the 19th woman across the line in 2:29. 57.

There was a huge entry for Day 2 of the Connacht Indoor Championships at Athlone TUS on Sunday, February 22 last for ages U15 to Senior/Masters. In addition to 800 plus Connacht competitors, there were over 60 guests from the other provinces.

January came to a close with St Brigid’s Day brightening our way to spring.

Westport runner (15) beats all the field in U17 and U20 cross country international in London

They are only 15 years of age but already Freya and Holly Renton are the talk of Irish athletics. They and their parents Bryan and Phillipa have shared their remarkable tale of achievement with Edwin McGreal

The 2025 Western People Mayo Sports Stars Awards take place on Saturday, February 7 at Breaffy House Resort. You could say that Colette Tuohy does nothing by half measures.

The 2025 Western People Mayo Sports Stars Awards take place on Saturday, February 7 at Breaffy House Resort.

For a man who only began athletics competitively in his early 20s, Declan Owens had made quite the name for himself.

Mayo athletes were busy over the weekend and ran with great success at events at home and abroad. On Saturday, December 6, Hugh Armstrong (Ballina AC) finished second in a fast time of 14:15, in the Jingle Bells 5k in Phoenix Park Dublin.

She finished in the top 40 in the U20 Women’s race at last year's World Cross Country Championships

At the Athletics Ireland Awards ceremony in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry, Dublin, Moy Valley Athletic Club were awarded the Best Developmental Club award.

Mayo has never been shy about hailing its heroes. The county doesn’t just remember its sporting greats – it polishes them, frames them, worships them.

Roundhay Park, three miles north of Leeds city centre, served as the picturesque venue for Saturday’s 36th Annual British and Irish Masters Cross Country International.

Athletics: The third and final leg of the Connacht Cross Country Championships took place in sunny and calm conditions at Ballinrobe Racecourse on Sunday, November 9.

Athletics: Mayo AC are proud to confirm that seven of their masters athletes have been selected to represent Ireland in the British and Irish Masters International Cross-Country Championships Leeds on November 15.

A large crowd of athletes from every corner of Mayo travelled to Ballinrobe to take part in the Westnet Mayo U9-U18 Cross Country Championships which were hosted at the racecourse by Lake District Athletic Club, where weather and ground conditions ...

Athletics: Three teams from the Quay NS qualified to run in the Connacht Primary Schools Cross Country championships having qualified through both the North Mayo and Mayo qualifying races.

A Mayo secondary school has been honoured by Athletics Ireland for the work it is doing to promote athletics among its female student population.

European Indoors 3000m champion and Irish 1500m record holder Sarah Healy was in Ballina in recent days to visit family and during her stay, kindly agreed to meet athletes from Moy Valley AC.

Athletics: The Westnet Mayo Even Ages, Junior, Senior and Masters Cross Country Championships were hosted by Swinford Athletic Club at Mellett’s Hill on Sunday, September 28. The weather was ideal with underfoot competitions absolutely perfect.

The beautiful south-west Mayo lakeside community of Tourmakeady has just celebrated establishment of its parkrun, bathed in brilliant sunshine.

Mayo AC had a big day out at Tullamore last Saturday, August 30. The club bus took most of their 39 competitors to the National Half-marathon Championships. The race was incorporated into the annual Bord Na Móna Tullamore Harriers half-marathon.

Philip Griffith is a national champion once again after winning gold at the National Community Games in Carlow last month. The Balla native, who was a winner of a Western People Sports Star award earlier this year, took home the gold in the U12 600m.

Ballina AC’s Hugh Armstrong made a strong return to form at the Irish Life Frank Duffy 10 Mile in Phoenix Park today, finishing runner-up in a sold-out race that brought thousands of runners to the capital for the second leg of the Irish Life Dublin ...

History was made last week (July 30) at Morton Stadium when a new 4x800m Relay World Record was set by the Irish Masters women over 75. The attempt was organised by Ronan Gately and held in conjunction with the Dublin Graded Meet at Morton Stadium.

Sarah Quinn took home the bronze medal in a highly competitive field in the senior 100m women’s hurdles final at the 123. ie National Senior Track and Field Championships last weekend. The St Colman’s South Mayo AC star finished in a time of 13.

Athletics: The Great Erris Run returns this summer and this year’s event, which is to take place on Sunday, August 10, carries a deeply personal and heartfelt meaning.

Athletics: Mayo AC has enjoyed some great success in a number of recent events. The Streets of Sligo 5k returned on June 2 for the first time since 2019. There was a slight drizzle as starters lined up between WB Yeats’ statue and Hyde Bridge.

Athletics: These are exciting times in Irish athletics across a range of disciplines but perhaps none more so than sprinting – and Mayo native Daniel Kilgallon is at the total forefront of this exciting revolution.

Athletics: There was huge excitement as runners gathered at Ballinrobe Racecourse on Tuesday evening, June 10 for the final race in the 2025 EBS Mayo AC 5k Series.

Athletics: Moy Valley AC racewalker Pearl Sands travelled to Carlow SETU on Saturday afternoon for the Tailteann Games to represent St Joseph's Secondary School, Castlebar.

Athletics: The 2025 Ronan Clarke 10k run and 5k run/walk, held on Sunday, June 8 in association with Killala GAA and the Clarke Family, was once again a major success.

Athletics: There was huge excitement as runners gathered at Ballinrobe Racecourse last Tuesday evening, June 10 for the final race in the 2025 EBS Mayo AC 5k Series.

There was a remarkable coincidence when the towns of Ballinrobe and Claremorris played host to the final two legs of the 2025 EBS Mayo AC 5k Series.

Killala GAA club are to host their annual Ronan Clarke 10k run and 5k run/walk next Sunday, June 8.

Athletics: Ballina star Seamus Clarke sent another walking record tumbling at the 123. ie All-Ireland Schools Track and Field Championships held in Tullamore last Friday and Saturday.

I’ve left the Canaries and its barren red, open volcanic landscape behind for now. So long to its basking sunshine yet cooling breezes, the miles and miles of trails, mountains, sand and tracks to trot away on, and its warm blues seas.

Athletics: Race two of the 2025 EBS Mayo AC 5k Series was proudly hosted by Westport AC last Tuesday evening, showcasing an exciting course that featured a combination of loops and an 'out-and-back' segment, including a brief stretch of gravel.

The mountains are behind me, the sun is above me and the sea is calling me. Los Ancones provided the mountain fix last week and the sun park run will meet the speed need for this week.

I’m all week looking up at these mountains, running towards them, around them and beside them.

Qualifying for an Olympic Games could be something much more than a pipedream for rising Swinford runner Caitlin Hughes, writes Stuart Tynan.