Congratulations to all master’s teams who competed at 123.ie AAI Relay Champs once again hosted by Raheny Shamrocks last Sunday. In the opening race of the day. F35 & F50 Teams, just a small total of 11 clubs faced the starter. The format was 1 mile leg, followed by 2 miles & 1 mile to finish. Host club, Raheny Shamrocks captured both the F35 & F50 titles, followed by Longford A.C & Crusaders A.C. in the F35s & Bros Pearse & Donore Hrs in the F50s.

Next race up was the M35s with a total of 23 clubs toeing the line for the same formation, 1, 2, 1 mile. Donore Hrs just edged out Raheny Shamrock by 4 secs with Liffey Valley a further 13 seconds adrift. In the final Masters race, M50s, 13 teams commenced here, with D.S.D. capturing this title followed by Raheny  Shamrock  & Drogheda & District capturing bronze medals. It was a little disappointing to see just 4 clubs outside of Dublin competing with Longford A.C the sole Women’s club, & Annadale Striders, Drogheda & District plus Tullamore Hrs in the Men’s races. It did not fare any better in the Senior Women’s & Men’s races It is important that clubs support these Championships.  A big thank you to all the Volunteers on the ground, plus the Officials from AAI plus Raheny Shamrocks for once again hosting these Championships.

Further afield this coming weekend, a very small team of approx. 14 Irish Master Athletes will travel to the non-Stadia Champs in Catania, Sicily. After the phenomenal success of the Team in Torun, expectations will once again be high, but given the small numbers travelling, medals are going to be hard won. Wishing the very best to all competing.

Michael Fennell,

IMAA Comm