The ninth and final race of the Vodafone C&C Cellular Mayo Road Race League takes place in Westport on Sunday December 27. It looks like being an exciting finale to another successful race series. Ninety eight men and 112 women athletes have won points in the eight races so far. The 2009 Race League has proved an excellent testing ground for the Fit4Life members who started their programme back in February. They have been training weekly at the five group sessions organised by clubs in conjunction with Mayo Sports Partnership. The Westport 5k will include a Fit4Life team challenge among the five groups.

Mary Gleeson looks certain to retain the title she won in 2008. She has won three of the seven races she contested thus far and her best six have earned her 147 points. She could be pipped for the title if Catherine Conway were to win the Westport race. However Conway, who is recovering from injury, has chosen to run the 10k at Athenry on St Stephen’s Day. Breege Blehein has had a great year since her return to competition and is currently in second place ahead of Cathy Connolly.

Currently Robert Malseed looks the most likely winner of the men’s league, he has finished in the top four in all the races but has only won once – the Carramore 10k. However he could finish in second place to Gerry Ryan if the GCH athlete runs. Martin Corcoran and Robbie Matthews are well in the running for the other top senior places, with Corcoran almost certain to be the first o40 if he does not get a place among the first three seniors. The flat and fast Westport 5k course is always a great spectacle as the race heads out through the grounds of Westport House and around the Quay before returning to the finish near Hotel Westport. Entries for the event cost €15 and will be taken from 12.30pm on the day at the track in Westport. The race starts at 2pm sharp. Prize presentations for the race and the league, plus the Irish Runner most improved athlete award, will be at Hotel Westport near the finish area from 3.30pm