Joe Warne of Doheny AC was the winner of a competitive MyRunClub Race Series 5km, with Drogheda and District AC, held at Newtownsallaban, Drogheda on Sunday (September 27).

Warne finished in 15 mins 19 secs, ten seconds ahead of junior athlete Ruarcan O Gibne of Ace AC who finished in 15:29. Indeed junior athletes took three of the top four places, with Michael Murphy from Tullamore Harriers, just holding off the challenge of Aaron Smith from Cilles AC for third place; their times were 15:37 and 15:40 respectively. Fifth and first M35 was Karl Nolan of Clonliffe Harriers in 16:08.

Aoibhinn McGoldrick of Raheny Shamrock AC, another junior athlete, was first woman in 17:39, with Edel Gaffney of Trim AC second in 17:45 and Mary Leech of the host club Drogheda and District AC third and first W45 in 17:47.

In a second race, junior athlete Tony McCambridge from St Malachy’s AC was the winner in an even faster time of 15 mins 15 secs, followed by Declan Toal of North East Runners in 15:48, and Callum Morgan, another junior from St Malachy’s, in 15:51. World W55 record holder Anne Gilshinan of Slaney Olympic was first woman in 18:35.

A clear winner of the 5km at the Champion Chip Ireland Running Series Event 6 at Shane’s Castle in Co Antrim on Saturday (September 26) was James Hamilton of Ballymena Runners who finished in 15 mins 46 secs.

Second in 16:12 was Peter Gracey of Beechmount Harriers, while third in 16:20 was Adrian Scullion of Knockmany. Eighth overall and first woman was Grace Carson in 16:59. Emer McKee of Willowfield Harriers in 18:04 and Aine Hughes in 18:55 were second and third.

Tommy Hughes loves a race

Winning the 10km in 33:49 was Adam Smyth of St Peter’s AC. The ageless Tommy Hughes of Strive Racing Club was second and first M60 in 33:54 while third in 34.29 was Jonathan Canning of Foyle Valley AC in 34:29.

Elizabeth Carr of Mullingar Harriers led home the women in 38:55, followed by Gemma McDonald of Ballycastle Runners in 39:20 and Kelda Gibson of Convoy AC in 40:03. Back in action after a long period of injury was the veteran Cathy McCourt who finished fifth woman and first W45 in 41:33.

Winners of the half marathon were Iain Taggart in 76:48 and Karen Alexander in 84:46, while first home in the marathon were Rowan Griffin of Magherafelt Harriers in 2:43.40 and Fiona McFall of Jog Lisburn RC in 3:134.50. The final round in this well-received series takes place at Down Royal on October 10.

Thursday night racing

In Rathdrum, on Thursday evening (September 24) junior athlete Joe Byrne of SBR AC in Co Wexford was a clear winner of the MyRunClub 5km Series at Avondale House in 16 mins 34 secs. Derek Crammond of Parnell AC was second in 17:05 and Paul Gary Duffy of Inbhear Dee AC a close third in 17.08. In fourth place, Myles Gibbons of SBR AC was first M45 in 17.18, while finishing sixth and first M60 was Mick Byrne of Parnell AC in 17.47.

Edel Gaffney of Trim AC was first women in 18:37, Catherine O’Connor of Parnell AC second and first W40 in 19:11 and Rebecca Harris of Ashford AC third and second W40 in 19:40.

John Fitzgibbon of Thurles Crokes won the The Thursday Club 10km Stagger at Mondello Park, Co Kildare, also on Thursday evening (September 24).

Fitzgibbon finished over a minute clear of the field in 35 mins 1 sec. Second was Tommy Kelly in 36:04, while third and first M50 was Michael Counsel of Trim AC in 36:22. First woman in 41:03 was Sharon Cantwell of Moyne AC; Ulrike Strubing of Trim AC was second and first W50 in 43:02 and Annmarie Feely of Naas AC third and first W40 in 46.01.

Ruth Here finishing strong over the cross country.

Even more cross-country

David McGlynn of Waterford AC was a convincing winner of the men’s race at the annual West Waterford AC open cross-country, held in the grounds of St Augustine’s College, Dungarvan on Sunday (September 27).

McGlynn, who finished in 26 mins 1 sec, was followed home by Pat Hennessy of host club West Waterford in 26:29, with Noel Murphy of Waterford AC third in 27:53. With four finishers in the top six, Waterford AC were clear winners of the team prize, ahead of West Waterford AC and Ferrybank AC.

Making it a Waterford AC double in the women’s race was Ruth Heery who had a clear win in 14: 37. Ferrybank AC pair Louise Morgan in 15:56 and Orna Murray in 16:04 were second and third, and with back-up from Mollie Hutchinson and Aisling Lowe, Ferrybank finished first team ahead of West Waterford AC.

Junior winners were Una O’Brien and Matteo Mary, both from Waterford AC. The event, which included a number of juvenile races, incorporated the Waterford County Championships.

Exciting racing in historic mountain race

Blue skies and wonderful sunshine greeted the runners in the 76th annual Slieve Donard Race in the Mourne Mountains of Co Down on Saturday (September 26).

Only after much negotiation with the Forestry Commission and a slight adjustment to the course, the race was allowed to go ahead after earlier dates in May and July proved impossible.

At the sharp end of the race, Timmy Johnston of Mourne Runners used his track speed to pull away early reaching the summit 35 mins 2 secs, with Seamus Lynch of the organising club 23 seconds adrift. Behind them came Jonny Steede of Glen Runners, now over 40, and 16-year-old Tom Crudgington of Newcastle and District, who lost some momentum on the downhill but still finished seventh.

On the descent, Lynch overhauled Johnston and was leading when they reached the tarmac road. At that point, Johnston kicked past Lynch to regain the lead. He went on to win the race for the first time in 50 mins and 31 secs; Lynch finished four seconds adrift. Third and first M40 was Steede in 53:23.

Of the women, Esther Dickson of Newry AC proved the class of the field, reaching the summit in 44 mins 28 secs and crossing the finish line in 64 mins 2 secs. In a close tussle for second place, Sarah Quinn, also Newry AC, just pipped Karen Wilton of Jog Lisburn AC with both women given a time of 72:58.

Further down the field, BARF’s Ian McCulough, who was born in 1945 – the year the race was first held – set off with the ambition of reaching the summit in a time less than 75 minutes. He managed it comfortably in 67 mins 31 secs and went on to finish the race in 1 hr 45 mins 3 secs.

Ultra running in Co Wicklow

Northern Irish athlete Lee O’Boyle of Mallusk Harriers won a much delayed Maurice Mullins Ultra over a course located entirely in Co Wicklow on Saturday (September 26), completing the 44km distance in 3 hrs 51 mins.

Finishing second in four hours exactly was Paul Tierney of Go Tri Adventure in Co Tipperary, while third was Edward O’Connor in 4:03.

First woman in 4:26 was Patricia McLoughlin of Le Cheile AC; Claire Keeley was second in 4:47 and Mags Dempsey from Tracton AC in Co Cork third in 4:50. A total of 70 completed the course. Dublin-based athletes could not take part in the race owing to COVID 19 restrictions.

In the English Lake District, Jack McKenna, aged 23, of Ballymena Runners completed the Bob Graham Round (42 fells, 106 km, 8,200m climb) in 21 hours 43 mins on Saturday (September 26).

The end of a truncated track season?

Michele Finn of Leevale AC set an Irish record of 6 mins 16.46 secs when winning the women’s 2000m steeplechase at the City of Barcelona athletics meet in the Estadi Joan Serrahima on Tuesday (September 22).

In the women’s mile, Nadia Power of Dublin City Harriers finished a close third in 4 mins 32

Power had gone through 1500m in 4:14.76, a time which puts her behind only Ciara Mageean in the current Irish rankings. At that point, she was lying second behind eventual winner Marta Pen Freitas of Portugal but was caught by Marta Perez Miguel of Spain in the chase for the line. Power finished in 4:32.50, just behind Miguel whose time was 4:32.26.

In the men’s 3000m, Sean Tobin of Clonmel AC finished fifth in a personal best time of 7:45.46, while Paul Robinson of St Coca’s AC was 11th in a season’s best 8:03.74. Race winner was Ouassim Oumaiz Errouch in 7:40.62.

Catching up on last weekend

Evan Fitzgerald of Clonmel AC won the senior men’s at the St Senan’s AC Open Cross-Country, held for a 43rd time in Kilmacow, Co Kilkenny on Sunday September 20. He was followed home by Dean Rowe from Gowran AC and Conor Rochford of host club St Senan’s.

It was a little poetic that Fitzgerald’s father John was an Irish international athlete who finished runner-up at the St Senan’s event four times, but never quite managed to win it.

Ruth Heery of Waterford AC won the senior women’s race from Dymphna Ryan of Dundrum AC in Co Tipperary and Ciara O’Neill of Clonmel AC. First master was Evelyn Maher of Templemore AC and first junior Una O’Brien of Waterford AC. Waterford AC finished best of the women’s teams followed by St Senan’s and Gowran.

High standards all round

First of the master men was Noel Murphy with his Waterford AC club mate Trevor Power second and Alan O’Connor of United Striders third. Winning the junior race was Matteo Mary of Waterford AC. In the team competition, Waterford AC were the winners, with Ferrybank AC second and Gowran AC third.

A number of juvenile races were of national championships calibre featuring athletes who had made the top 12 in last year’s national championships. Under 18 winners were Ava Costello of Trim AC and Cathal O’Reilly of Kilkenny City Harriers.

At the British Milers Club meet in Nuneaton on Friday September 18, Iseult O’Donnell of Raheny Shamrock finished fourth in her 1500m heat with a time of 4:24.28. Jayme Rossiter of Clonliffe Harriers clocked a time of 3:56.01 for third place in his 1500m heat.
Correction:

At the Allihies 5-Mile in Co Cork on Saturday (September 19), third placed Nina Murphy ran a time of 37 mins 01 sec and not 40:33 as published last week.

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The post Another busy weekend of Irish action appeared first on Fast Running.

Clonmel’s Sean Tobin was the over six minutes to spare when he led home over 600 finishers at the Sonia O’Sullivan Cobh 10 Mile in Co Cork on Sunday (April 7).

Tobin was on his own for much of the race winning in a course record time of 48:34. Finishing second in 55:00 was Colin Merritt of Glenville AC who was also first M45.

First woman and seventh overall was Leevale’s Michelle Finn in a course record 57:26.

Winners of the Lough Boora Half Marathon in Co Offaly, also on Sunday, were Colin Maher of Ballyfin AC in 70:33 and Neasa de Burca of Galway City Harriers in 86:13.

Tommy Hughes of Termoneeny AC knocked over seven minutes off the Irish M55 marathon record when he ran a time of 2:30:10 at the Rotterdam Marathon on Sunday morning. The old record was 2:37:42.

RELATED: Olympian Tommy Hughes aims to bounce back into the record books

Best of the Irish men at the Rotterdam Marathon was Sergiu Ciobanu of Clonliffe Harriers who finished 23rd in 2:19:52. Not far behind was Ciobanu’s training partner David Mansfield fo Clonmel AC who finished 28th in 2:22:06.

Raheny’s Cillian O’Leary finished in 2:25.03 and former international race walker Colin Griffin in 2:26.48.

Of the Irish women, Breege Connolly of City of Derry Spartans ran 2:37:50 for 13th place – just 50 seconds off the qualifying time for the World Championships.

In her debut marathon, Letterkenny’s Ann Marie McGlynn ran a time of 2:39:22, one place behind Caitriona Jennings who finished 16th in 2:38:42.

Gary O’Hanlon of Clonliffe Harriers was a solid winner of the Omagh Half Marathon on Saturday (April 6) in a time of 67:41.

That put him exactly one minute ahead of Mark McKinstry from North Belfast Harriers, with Eoin Hughes of Acorns AC third in 79:47.

First woman was Laura Graham of Mourne Runners in 76:31. Martina McGee of Tir Chonaill AC was second in 81:13 and Karen Alexander third in 81:30.

A total of 2,297 completed the race along with a further 76 walkers, and 907 finishers in a 5km where Martin Cox of Carmen Runners in 15:49 and Catherina McKiernan of Annalee AC in 17:53 were the winners.

Rory O’Connell and Linda Byrne were the winners of the 10th Rás UCD 5km held on a cold, but bright spring day on the Belfield campus in Dublin on Saturday.

O’Connell made his move on the second of two laps passing early leader Daire Finn of Dublin City Harriers to finish in 15:00 on a course which was fractionally shy of 5km. Finn finished second in 15:12, with Karol Cronin of Sportsworld AC third and first M40 in 15:27.

Byrne of of Dundrum South Dublin AC was 17th overall in 17:03; on a good day for the family Byrne’s brother Brian was just ahead of her in 10th place, with their parents also running.

Bronagh Kearns of St Senan’s a former UCD women’s captain, was second in 17:12 and Niamh Devlin of DSD AC third in 17:59.

Neil Johnston was the winner of a well-supported Queen’s 5km in Belfast on Wednesday (April 3). Johnson finished in 14:51, with Declan Reed of City of Derry Spartans second in 14:58 and Nakita Burke of Letterkenny AC first woman in 16:50.

Track and field

Phil Healy, representing Waterford IT was only five-hundredths outside her Irish record when she won the women’s 200m in a championships record time of 23.04 at the second day of the Irish Universities Track and Field Championships in Athlone on Saturday.

@philhealy2 back to her less lactic happy events with a 23.04 and 11.51 openers in the @IreUniAthletics #no400 #fastwoman #recordsx2 pic.twitter.com/5LjUZEIxjK

— Shane McCormack (@mcwexford) April 6, 2019

Coming second was Sharlene Mawdsley of University of Limerick in 24.21 with Aoife Lynch of DCU third in 24.40.

“Yes – I was just shy of the national record of 22.99 – in my fourth race this weekend. I’m absolutely delighted,” Healy said after the race. She’s going warm weather training next week for a fortnight. “Then I come home and sit my exams and then I go off again and race.”

Earlier Healy had comfortably won the 100m in 11.51 an IUAA record.

In the men’s 200m, Marcus Lawler, representing Carlow IT, showed that he was right back in form when he smashed the championships record with a time of 20.83.

Lawler’s time was under the A standard for the World University Games. “Hopefully that will secure my spot on the team I think I’ve done enough today to do that,” he said. Lawler struggled with injury last summer although he did make the Irish team for the European team championships.

“Hopefully I’ll have another go at the European team championships this year. I’m going to need to be in a position to be picked and then obviously Doha is on later in the summer as well and please god I’ll run the qualifying standard for that too.”

Finishing second was Craig Newall of University of Ulster in 21.62 with DCU’s Paul McDermott in 21.80.

In the 200m, Travane Morrison of IT Tralee was the winner with a time of 10.75. Craig Newall of UU was second in 10.93.

DCU students dominated the men’s 5000m, with Cathal Doyle winning in 14:39.25 and Sean O’Leary second in 14:44.34. Damien Landers of NUIG was third in 14:51.22.

Andrew Coscoran of DCU won the men’s 1500m in 3:53.90, with his DCU tema mate Gary Cambell proving best in the 10,000m with a time of 30:13.39.

Winning the women’s 400m in 54.47 was Cliodhna Manning of Carlow IT. DCU’s Sophie Becker was second in 54.60. Winning the men’s 400m was Cathal Crosbie of UL in 48.76.

Taking the women’s discus title with a throw of 48:39 was Niamh Fogarty of Athlone IT. Eoin Sheridan of DCU proved best in the men’s discus with a 53.72m effort. In the men’s hammer, a throw of 60.60 gave Adam King of DCU the title.

Continuing her long winning streak in the triple jump was national champion Saragh Buggy of DCU with a leap of 12.40m. Taking the men’s combined events title with 2904 points was David Dagg of UCD.

A day earlier, John Kelly of Letterkenny IT won the men’s shot with 17.12, with Michaela Walsh of DCU winning the women’s shot with 13.93m. Walsh also won the hammer with a throw of 59.57m. Winning the women’s 1500m in 4:33.00 was Avril Deegan of DCU. Matthew Behan of DCU won the 110m hurdles in 14.38. Running as a guest, Kate Doherty won the women’s 100m hurdles in 14.10.

A DCU quartet led by Cillin Greene set a new championships record of 41.59 when winning the men’s 4 x 100m. Winning a dramatic women’s 4 x 100m after NUIG’s Nicole Walsh pulled up with an injury within sight of the line was University of Ulster. Walsh held on for second ahead of host college Athlone IT.

Drama for Aisling Forkan of @nuigalway in the women's 4x100m relay at #IUAAtf19 Irish Universities Track & Field Championships as @_UUathletics grab a last-gasp win. pic.twitter.com/hyh0cqelIS

— IUAA (@IreUniAthletics) April 6, 2019

At the final day of the All Ireland Juvenile Indoor Championships in Athlone, Wymin Sivakumar of Leevale was a worthy winner of the U18 boys tripled jump with a fourth-round effort of 13.31m. Pushing him all the way was Adam Turner of Belgooly AC who threw 13.25 in the sixth and final round.

In the 4 x 200m relays, Galway City Harriers won the girls’ U18 title in 1:44.56, with Dundrum South Dublin second and St L O’Toole third. Dundrum South Dublin went one better in the boys’s U18 4 x 200m, winning in 1:32.72, with Brothers Pearse AC a close second and Orangegrove ASC third.

In the U19 age groups, St L O’Toole AC won the girls’ 4 x 200m title in 1:45.93 with GCH second and DSD third. St LOT also won the U17 title.

Metro St Brigid’s AC , with Leinster schools cross country champion Scott Fagan leading them off, won a thrilling boys U17 4 x 200m in 1:35.76; GCH just held off St LOT for second.

Dooneen A set a championships best time of 1:42.86 when winning the boys’ U14 race.

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The post Sean Tobin and Laura Graham among Irish weekend winners appeared first on Fast Running.

Paul Moloney of Mallow AC led home a record 740 finishers at the Togher 5k in Co Cork on Sunday (December 30). With a time of 15:33, he just made it to the line ahead of Eric Curran of Leevale AC who finished in 15:36. Third was Gavin Sweeney of host club Togher AC in 15:49.

Leevale’s Michelle Finn was the class of the women’s field winning in 16:58, Her Leevale clubmate Niamh Moore was second in 18:05 with Teresa Murphy of Kent AC third in 18:14.

Photo: Damien O’Sullivan

Efrem Gidey made it a home win at the ERP Christmas Cracker 5k, organised by Clonliffe Harriers at Santry, also on Sunday (December 30).

Gidey led the race back into the Morton Stadium after a tour of the Northwood business park and finished in an unofficial time of 14:47. His clubmates, Ian Guiden and Sean O’Leary, finished second and third.

First woman was Irish U/23 international Siofra O’Flaherty of St LOT AC, followed by Donore’s Sinead Lamb and Mary Leech of Drogheda and District. Best of the juniors in personal best times were Ben Guiden and Sarah Bateson both Clonliffe Harriers.

Zak Hanna and Seamus Lynch from host club Newcastle and District AC paired up to win the annual Castlewellan Christmas Cracker relay in a combined time of 53:24 for the 8.5 mile course on Saturday (December 29).

The Newcastle pair finished close to two minutes ahead of Timothy Johnston and Jonathan Scott of Mourne Runners who finished in 55:03. Third in 55:37 were Luke McMullan and Mark Stephens of Newcastle AC.

Winning the masters race were Russell Hughes and Duncan Bell of Willowfield Harriers who were sixth overall in 57:38.

First mixed pair was Jessica Craig of North Down and Wesley McDonnell of Dromore AC in 61:33, while first female pair were Gerrie Short and Catherine Diver of Beechmount Harriers in 64:24. A total of 750 teams had entered the race with 677 finishing.

Fastest at the Mooreabbey Milers Mile in Galbally, Co Limerick, on Saturday (December 29) was Rory O’Connor with a time of 4:32. Paddy Cummins clocked 4:43 for second and John Fitzgibbon 4:45 for third.

Fastest woman and first W40 was Susan Murnane with a time of 5:30. Dymphna Ryan was second with 5:35 and Aine McGrath third with 6:07.

At the Shandrum 5k in Newtownshandrum on Saturday (December 29), Niall Shanahan of An Bru AC clocked 15:21 to win the men’s race and break the previous course record by 34 seconds.

Junior athlete Aisling Dunne was the first woman home in 19:06 over the hilly course.

Darragh Rennicks of Bohermeen AC was the winner of the annual Rita and Robbie 5k held in Navan, Co Meath, on Thursday (December 27).

Rennicks’ time of 15:28 saw him finish over 40 secs clear of second placed Donal Mulligan of Longford AC who finished in 16:14. Shercock’s Niall Smith was third in 16:37. Fourth and first junior was Jake Cullen of Tara AC in 16:54.

International athlete Sara Treacy of Dunboyne AC was first woman in 18:14; Emma Donlon of MSB was second in 18:41 and Tara Kennedy of Raheny Shamrock third and first W40.

Photo: Stephen Lee

In the team competition, Dunboyne with 34 points proved best of the men ahead of Navan AC and Na Fianna AC. First women’s team was Bohermeen AC with Tara AC second and Dunshaughlin AC second and third.

Mountain running international Ian Conroy of Raheny Shamrock clocked a time of 34.21 to win the Fat Turkey Run 10k in Sutton, Co Dublin organised by Suttonians RFC on Thursday (December 27). Raheny’s Zoe Quinn was first woman in 39:35.

Ciaran McCarthy was second of the men in 34:35 and Samuel Allen third in 35:18. Blaithin Shiel was second woman in 41:02 and Jacquie Dunphy third in 42.04.

St Stephen’s Day/Boxing Day, December 26

Irish marathon champion Mick Clohisey of Raheny Shamrock won the annual Fields of Athenry 10k in Co Galway for a seventh consecutive year on Wednesday (December 26).

Photo: Gary Lee

Clohisey’s time of 29:46 was a new course record and saw him finish well over a minute ahead of Hugh Armstrong from Ballina AC, who came home in 31:07.

Brian O’Kelly of Crusaders AC was third in 31:55. In eighth place overall and first woman was Laura Shaughnessy of Dundrum South Dublin AC whose time of 34:55 was also a course record.

Jane Anne Meehan of Galway City Harriers was second woman in 37:12 and Colette Tuohy of Mayo AC third and first W45. The race attracted a record entry of close to 1,200.

A competitive field turned out for the Streets of Wicklow 5k where Hiko Tonosa of Dundrum South Dublin AC continued his comeback with a comfortable victory over Tallaght’s Tomas Fitzpatrick. Tonosa finished in 14:53 with Fitzpatrick twenty seconds behind in 15:03.

Third was Emmett Dunleavy in 15.07; Rathfarnham’s Sean Hehir was fourth in 15:27.

Best of the junior men was Joseph O’Shea who was 13th overall in 16:41. An impressive 12th overall and first M55 was Mick Byrne of Parnell AC.

First woman and first junior woman was Emma O’Brien of Inbhear Dee AC in 16:56. DSD’s Linda Byrne was second in 17:03 and Kilcoole’s Una Britton third in 17:28.

Biggest race in the north was the 33rd annual Greencastle 5 mile where British and Irish Masters champion Mark McKinstry of North Belfast Harriers ended a remarkable year with a runaway win in 24:42.

Second in 25:07 was Conor Duffy of Glaslough Harriers while third was Paddy Robb of St Malachy’s. Finishing 13th and first woman was track specialist Emma Mitchell of Team Nike in 28:29.

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Great way to spend Boxing Day up in Greencastle at the very popular 5mile road race proud coach day @emmamitchell05 taking the title with a impressive front running display and @sineady94 taking 4th lady home in a new 5mile pb picture credit @malcolmmccausland1921

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Marathon woman Breege Connolly of City of Derry Spartans was second and Caitriona Jennings of Letterkenny AC third. Almost 900 completed the race.

In Kilbeggan, Co Tim Murphy of Mullingar Harriers was the winner of the St Stephen’s Day 6k. Finishing fourth at first woman was Anne Marie McGlynn of Letterkenny AC in a course record time of 19:59. Second woman and 14th overall was the ageless Pauline Curley of Tullamore Harriers, back racing after a long lay-off.

Brian Maher led home a trio of athletes from Kilkenny City Harriers at the annual MSD Clonmel 4 Mile, winning the race in 19:01. Behind him came clubmates Toss Hayes and Eoin Everard. First woman was Siobhan O’Doherty of Borrisokane AC, with Sorcha Moloney of Ballyroan Abbeyleix and District AC second and Sally Forristal of St Joseph’s AC third.

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The post From Togher to Castlewellan to Athenry – Irish round-up appeared first on Fast Running.

The multi-sport Games began last Saturday (August 19), with over 10,000 athletes competing in 300 medal events, across 21 sports.

64 athletes from third level colleges and universities are representing  Ireland across athletics, diving, football (men and women) and swimming events.

The 11-strong Irish track and field delegation is headed by Olympian Michelle Finn, who represented Ireland at the Rio Games in 2016.

Finn, 27, competes in the 3000m steeplechase heats in the early hours of Thursday (August 24) morning.

Emma Mitchell, the recently crowned Irish national champion in both 1500m and 5000m, will hope to continue this year’s impressive form in 10,000m final on Wednesday (August 23). Mitchell is also entered for the 5000m but is not expected to compete in both races.

Fellow national champion Phil Healy contest the women’s 200m, while Paul Byrne, will aim to replicate this year’s personal best form of 50.03 in the 400m hurdles.

Speaking to Fast Running ahead of his first taste of a global championships, Byrne said: “The build up to these championships has gone brilliantly and I can’t wait to get out on the track on Thursday to perform like I know I can. My 50.03 in July was a long time coming after a batch of disappointing 50 high/51 low second runs in the middle part of the season.

“Training had been going so well but my racing this year hadn’t reflected that, but it all just clicked on the day at the Brussels Grand Prix when I clocked 50.03. Athletics is a funny business, all you need is one good race to change your outlook on things! To back that up at Nationals then with a 50.2 was exactly what I wanted.”

“I had my last session today (Tuesday 22) and I felt as fast as I have been feeling all year. I know I can go sub 50 seconds and that’s what it will take to make the final here. That’s the aim and I have come here with that mentality and outlook. There are some guys from the World Championships in London and Olympians from 2016 here so I’ll be in good company, but this is what it’s all about… mixing it with the best on the big stage in (hopefully) good conditions on a fast track. Everything is teed up for me, all I need to do is go out and run fast and perform to the best of my ability,” he added.

Also representing Ireland is 22-year-old Marcus Lawler, who will double up in the 100m and 200m, with the sprint heats taking place on Wednesday (August 23) and Friday (August 25) respectively.

Sport Ireland Chief Executive, John Treacy said: “The number of athletes reaching the Games shows the calibre of athletes we have in our third level institutions.”

The complete Irish athletics delegation, plus details on the Games schedule and live coverage can be found below.

Men:
100m & 200m – Marcus Lawler
400m Hurdles – Paul Byrne
1,500m – Kevin Kelly
5000m – Matthew Bergin
20km race walk – Cian McManamon

Women:
100m – Niamh Whelan
100m hurdles – Sarah Lavin
200m – Phil Healy
3000m steeplechase – Michelle Finn
5000m – Shona Heaslip
5000m & 10,000m – Emma Mitchell

Details on when Irish athletes are competing at the World University Games can found here, and the full athletics timetable can be found here.

For live coverage visit livestream.com/fisu.

The post Strong Irish Delegation Set for the Track at World University Games in Taipei appeared first on Fast Running.