The sun shone brightly on Ballina for the River Moy Half Marathon on Saturday last. And, on a perfect day for running, many personal bests were set on a flat and scenic course which is never too far away from the salmon rich river which lends its name to the race. This is a race which has justifiably gained a reputation for catering for the athletic targets of all participants and this year was no different with the presence of race pacers for 1:30; 1:40; 1:50; 2:00 and 2:10.

If you are in your teens and want to try out athletics come to the Ballina Athletic Club track in Belleek on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 7pm. 

Simon Gillespie, Ballina Athletic Club, has proved that he is one of the up and coming walkers on the athletic circuit when he won another national title at the Indoor track and field championships in Nenagh. 

Ballina AC's Martin Conroy put in an extremely strong run in his first competitive run of 2012 to secure second place in the Kostal Ireland 10 mile road race in Mallow, Co. Cork. The race took place on bank holiday Monday, the 19th of March over a reasonably undulating course.

Ballina AC's Michael Canty ran to victory in the Enniscrone 10K held to raise funds for the Irish Kidney Association. Hitting the front from the start of the race, Michael signalled his intent and demonstrated that he has not been idle for the winter months with a display of strong front running.

With the race day on the 5th of May looming ever closer, 26 Extreme, the company responsible for the Mourne Way Marathon, Causeway Coast Marathon and Ireland's Coast 2 Coast Multi Sport Race, have reported record numbers of entries into the Achill 10k and 5k races. Taking place from Keel on Achill Island on the 5th May, the 10k event gives runners of all abilities the opportunity to enjoy some of Achill Island’s most breathtaking scenery whilst passing historical sites and island life along the way.

The Mayo Athletic Co. Board AGM was held in the Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar.  All athletic clubs in the county were represented.

Claremorris Athletic Club was the venue for the 2012 AAI National 30k Walks championships. Connaught athletes performed exceptionally well in the AAI 30k walks. Irish Olympian Colin Griffin (Ballinamore AC) held on to take the 30k title, only 9 seconds ahead of 2nd placed Brendan Boyce (Letterkenny AC).

It was a gala night in the Downhill Hotel, when Ballina Athletic Club hosted the 2011 C and C Cellular/Vodafone Mayo Athletic Awards, honouring, athletes - young and not so young - from all over Mayo for  their achievements on track and field during the past 12 months. There was a huge turnout of athletes, parents, and friends for what was, as always, an enjoyable occasion.

Galway Ironman organiser and Galway Tri club man, Ruaidhri Geraghty, romped to victory at the Ballinrobe Duathlon beating 200 competitors. However, Ruaidhri Geraghty didn't have it all his own way during first leg (4k Run around the Bowers) as Anthony Murray from Westport pushed him all the way even leading him into Transition.