Yared Derese of Carrick Aces and Breege Connolly from City of Derry Spartans were the winners at the Frank Duffy 10 mile road race in Dublin’s Phoenix Park on Saturday (August 24).

Derese’s winning time of 49:06 was the fastest in some years, with second placed Mick Clohisey of Raheny Shamrock also running a fast time of 49:39. In third place was regular Irish visitor Josh Griffiths of Swansea AC in 50:10.

Breege Connolly was taking her second victory in the Dublin Marathon Race Series finished well clear of the opposition in 58:30. Gemma Rankin of Kilbarchan AC in Scotland was over a minute behind in 59:55 with Star of Laune AC’s Niamh Clifford third in 62.21. Major target for Connolly this year is the Dublin Marathon.

Breege Connolly, City of Derry

Just shy of 4,000 runners complted the course on a warm and humid day; well up on last year’s total of 2,700. Next race in the Dublin Marathon Series is the Dublin Half Marathon will take place on Saturday 21 September, again in the Phoenix Park. A record entry of 22,500 will take place in the 40th Dublin Marathon on Sunday 27 October; the race is sponsored by KBC Bank.

Going for half

David Mansfield of Clonmel AC made it a home win at the Boston Scientific Half Marathon in Clonmel on Sunday (August 25) leading home 824 finishers in 70:09.

Mansfield had well over a minutes to spare on second placed John Kinsella of Bilboa AC who finished in 71:42.

Finishing seventh and first woman was Siobhan O’Doherty fo Borrisokane AC in 78:33. Anegela McCann of Clonmel AC, winner of the national half marathon title a few weeks ago, was 11th and second woman in 79:48.

Also on Sunday, Brendan Conway was the winner of the Longford Half Marathon in a time of 71 mins 44 secs. Second in 72:25 was Patrick Sharkey , with John Higgins third in 73.44.

Adrianna Mulligan was first woman in 82:54, followed by Adele Walsh of St Senan’s AC in 84:09 and Isabel Oakes in 85.50.

Barry Shiel was the winner of the marathon in 2:26.27. First woman in 3:12.28 was Niamh Kieran. Winning the ultra in 4:50.19 was Jacek Latala. Jenny Mullarkey was first woman in 6:24.22

On a packed weekend for half marathon races, Joe Lillis in of United Striders in 78 mins 26 secs and Niamh Murphy in 91:18 were the winners of the Oylegate Half Marathon in Co Wexford again on Sunday (August 25)

Winning the Celbridge 5km on Thursday (August 22) was Paul Stephenson of Rathfarnham WSAF AC in 15:22; secs; second was Sean Doran of Clonliffe Harriers in 15:48. First woman was Maria Snell of Newbridge AC in 19.16.

Track and field

Thomas Barr of Ferrybank AC continued his preparations for next months’s World Championships at the Paris Diamond League meet on Saturday (August 24) where he finished seventh in the 400m hurdles with a time of 49.32. Barr’s best this season in a 49.11 run at the Bislett Games last June; he is currently lying seventh on the world rankings list, which is good news with Doha just a month away.

In action at the Brussels Grand Prix meet a day earlier on Friday (August 23) was a group of Irish sprinters with Leon Reid of Menapians AC winning 200m race in a season’s best 20. 57 secs. Marcus Lawler of St LOT also won his 200m race though in a slower time of 20.85; behind him, Stephen Gaffney of Rathfarnham WSAF AC was fourth in 21.60.

Gaffney, who tops the current 200m rankings, did better in the 100m, winning his heat in 10.58 (+0.06) – not far off the personal best 10.54 he ran at the Cork City Sports.

Over 400m, Chris O’Donnell of Sligo AC clocked a season’s best 46.54 for second place in his race. Katie Kirk of Ulster University ran 2:04.93 for 800m, another season’s best, while Kerry O’Flaherty of Newcastle AC clocked 10:03.51 in the women’s steeplechase.

Morton Games

Rain may not have stopped play at the Morton Games last Wednesday but for the first time in eight years, the weather gods did not look kindly on the meet organisers with the cold, windy and wet conditions making fast times a near impossibility.

In the men’s 800m, Mark English of UCD AC, fresh from his spectacular win at the Birmingham Diamond League meet, had be be content with fourth place in 1:49.267; race winner was the American Isaiah Harris in 1:48.20.

Over 400m Brian Gregan of Clonliffe Harriers was hoping for a return to racing in front of his home crowd after a 23 month lay-off. Despite a troublesome hamstring, he started the race but then abruptly pulled up. Everyone at Fast Running hope the injury isn’t serious and Gregan is back racing again soon.

In the women’s 200m, held into a fierce -2.2 headwind, Phil Healy of Bandon AC clocked a time of 24.02 for second place behind Kiara Parker of the USA who finished in 23.94. Ciara Mageean of City of Lisburn AC had opted for the 800m, where she finished fourth in a solid time of 2:01.94.

Feature event of the evening was the Morton Mile, and despite the challenging conditions, five men went under four minutes with Robert Domanic, winner at the Cork City Sports a week earlier, beating fellow American Sam Prakel for victory in 3:58.90. Best of the Irish was Cathal Doyle of Clonliffe Harriers who finished 10th in 4:02.65.

On the trails

Belgian athlete Max Drion who lives and trains in Switzerland, was the winner of the annual Warrior’s Run to the top of Knocknarea and back in Strandhill Co Sligo on Saturday (August 23).

Finishing in 51 mins 56 secs, Drion held off the challenge of East Cork’s Tim O’Donoghue who came home in 52:16. A distant third in 53.32 was Shaun Dixon of Phanos Amsterdam. Seamus Somers in fourth place was first Sligo athlete and first M45, with a time of 56.55.

First woman was Irish mountain running international Becky Quinn who was also first W45 in 66:34. For a fourth year, Heather Foley of Sligo AC was second in 69:59 and Sinead Fowley third in 72.07. A record total of 1,107 completed the race.

parkrun

Kirsty Foster and Rachel Gibson were joint fastest females, whilst speedy Hiko Tonosa was the quickest chap for parkrun times in Ireland this weekend. Full rankings here.

If you would like to run faster at parkrun, top tips to help runners of all abilities can be found here.

RELATED: 7 ways to run faster at parkrun

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us and become a patron. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

Lindie Naughton is a journalist and writer based in Dublin who joined the athletics club at her college many many years ago and has never quite escaped. You’ll normally find her jogging around some orienteering course somewhere – or down at the Irishtown track coaching kiddies!

The post Fast times at Frank Duffy 10 miler – Irish round-up 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.

Ciara Mageean continued her flying form to win the women’s 3000m crown at the National Indoor Championships in Abbotstown over the weekend (February 16-17), while Thomas Barr was sensationally bumped out of the 400m.

On Saturday, in the women’s 3000m final, Mageean nailed down a European Indoors qualifying mark with a time of 9:02.57.

Mageean was in flying form after setting a new Irish indoor 1500m record in Athlone three days earlier. The Irish indoor record of 8:43.74 for 3000m was set by Mary Cullen in 2009.

There was drama in the men’s 400m final on the second day of the Indoor Championships. Just after the ‘break’, Barr and two other athletes, who were just behind the race leaders, attempted to get through the same small opening.

Raheny’s Brandon Arrey held on to his position on the inside, but Barr found himself shooting out to lane six and dropped out of the race. You can watch the men’s 400m final below.

Men’s 400m final at the @irishlifehealth National seniors

Cillin Greene, Galway City Harriers A.C. 47.19
Andrew Mellon Crusaders A.C.48.02
Brandon Arrey Raheny Shamrock A.C. 48.15 pic.twitter.com/11gOI8NBh9

— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) February 17, 2019

“That’s indoor running for you,” said Barr afterwards. “I didn’t get a good start and that left me in a messy position at the break. Outdoors you don’t have a break, so I’m not used to it.”

Barr, who already has a 400m qualification mark for the European Indoors in Glasgow next month, added: “I don’t think I’ll be winning any medals [in Glasgow] so I’ll just go out and enjoy it.”

Winning the 400m was Cillin Green of Galway City Harriers in 47.19. Andrew Mellon of Crusaders AC, who survived the mid-race bumping, held on for second in 48.02, with Arrey third in 48.15.

In the women’s 400m, Phil Healy’s time of 52.81 secs broke her own championships record of 53.10 set last year. The Bandon AC athlete is aiming for a place in the final at the European Championships having missed out by the narrowest of margins at the World Indoors last year.

“I’m hoping to make the final, but you also need a bit of luck when it comes to championship racing,” said Healy.

Winning his first national senior title and also heading for Glasgow is Tallaght athlete Joseph Ojewumi. He won the 60m in 6.78 secs, edging out Marcus Lawler of St L O’Toole. AC.

“I’m hoping for a good time in Glasgow – the heats, semi-finals and final are all on the same day so it’s going to be tough,” said Ojewumi.

Molly Scott of St LOT AC won the women’s 60m title in 7.32 secs, beating Ciara Neville of Emerald AC and Patience Jumbo-Gula of St Gerard’s AC. Scott later finished second in the 60m hurdles behind Kate Doherty of Dundrum South Dundrum AC.

Over the longer distances, John Travers of Donore Harriers won the men’s 3000m in 8:07.89.

“I’m just happy to have won the race,” said Travers. “At one point, I was in third place and thought I’d blown it.”

Photo: Lindie Naughton

Next up for Travers is the European Indoors, and he added: “I’m hoping maybe to make the final. For that, I’d need to run around 7.50. My best is 7:55 and so I’ll be aiming for a fast time in the heats.”

Cruising to victory in the men’s 800m was Mark English of UCD AC. English bided his time until the bell and then took off, with Zak Curran of Dundrum South Dublin AC chasing hard.

English did enough for victory finishing in 1:51.77 with Curran second in 1:51.91.

Photo: Lindie Naughton

Winning the women’s 800m in 2:04.15 was Siofra Cleirigh Buttner of Dundrum South Dublin AC, who is back in Dublin after her four-year stint at Villanova University ended last summer. She’s another athlete who will compete in Glasgow.

“It’s been a tough eight months for me I’ve been back and forth a lot from the USA looking for a better training set-up,” commented Cleirigh Buttner afterwards. ” Still, I ran 2:03.02 in my first race this year which wasn’t bad and it can be good to be under the radar.”

Second in the race was Claire Mooney of UCD AC. Mooney had hoped to run the Glasgow qualification mark of 2:04 in Athlone the previous Wednesday, but a timing malfunction robbed her of her chance. She ran 2:04.67 in Abbotstown.

A surprise winner of the 1500m was England-based Eoin Pierce of Clonliffe Harriers who out-sprinted Eoin Everard of Kilkenny City Harriers and Kieran Kelly of Raheny Shamrock for victory in 3:55.54.

The youngest winner of the day was 16-year-old Rhasidat Adeleke of Tallaght AC who took the women’s 200m title with a time of 24.13.

Photo: Lindie Naughton

In the men’s race, Leon Reid of Menapians AC was winning his fifth indoor title after finishing fourth in the 60m earlier in the afternoon – a race he had won for the previous two years.

“I’ve had a few little niggles and didn’t have the explosive speed I normally rely on,” said Reid. “But I’m happy to have won.”

Next up for Reid is a two-week training camp in Malta with a group including Phil Healy and coach Shane McCormack supervising.

He added: “My target is qualifying for the World Championships – but before that, the World Relays, where we hope to qualify an Irish team for the Olympics.”

Winning the men’s 60m hurdles for a second year was Matthew Behan of Crusaders AC in 7.96 secs.

Highlight of the field events was victory for the veteran Sean Breathnach of Galway City Harriers in the shot with 16.22.

On the opening day of the competition., Sommer Lecky of Finn Valley retained the high jump title for a third year. In an absorbing contest with Phillipa Rogan of Sli Cualann AC, the bar was set at 1.89 before both women went out.

By that stage in the competition, Lecky had succeeded at 1.86, while with one one failure at 1.86, Rogan, who had 1.83 to her credit, put the bar higher. When that height proved a step too far for both women, victory went to Lecky, who took silver at the World U20 Championships last summer with a leap of 1.90 – an Irish junior record.

Retaining the women’s shot title for a third year was Michaela Walsh of Swinford AC. Since her move to Dublin last autumn, Walsh has had well-publicised difficulties finding suitable training facilities but a 14.44m effort was enough to give her the title.

Winning the walks titles for a third year were Kate Veale of West Waterford and Alex Wright of Leevale AC. Star of the day was Ruby Millett of St Abban’s who set a new Irish junior record of 6.20m when winning the women’s long jump title.

Road racing

Danny Mooney and Nakita Burke, both Letterkenny AC, led home 1,172 finishers at the Dash for Diddler 5km in Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal on Saturday (February 16).

Mooney was a clear winner of the race in 16 mins 14 secs, followed by his clubmate Eoin Hughes in 16:35 and MattMcLough of Foyle Valley in 16.37. Burke finished in 18:25.

England-based Matt Bergin of Dundrum South Dublin AC clocked 19:59 to finish twelfth in the men’s 5km at the Armagh International Road Races on Thursday (February 14).

The race was won by won by Topi Raitanen in a sprint from Adam Craig of Inverclyde AC. Times were 13.43 and 13:45.

Kevin Dooney of Raheny Shamrock was 16th in 14:08, David Flynn and Colm Rooney, both Clonliffe Harriers, were given the same time of 14:23 for 30th and 31st position. Elsewhere, Shane Healy clocked 15:20 in Armagh to set a new Irish over-50 record.

Clonliffe Harriers was second of the club teams behind Leeds City AC with all four team members breaking 15 minutes. England proved best of the seven international teams entered, with Scotland second and Finland third. Ireland was fourth and Northern Ireland/Ulster sixth.

Emma Mitchell was best of the Irish in the women’s 3km in Armagh, where English athlete Steph Twell equalled the course record of 8:59.

In a race dominated by British visitors, Mitchell of Team Nike finished eighth in 9:25.

Fionnuala Ross of Armagh AC was 15th in 9:29, Letterkenny’s Nakita Burke 20th in 9:33. Emma O’Brien of Inbhear Dee AC 21st in 9:35, and Breege Connolly of City of Derry Spartans 38th and first W40 in 9:45.

Scotland was the winning team ahead of England, Ireland and Northern Ireland/Ulster.

A full report from Armagh can be found here.

Cross Country

Hiko Tonosa of Dundrum South Dublin AC finished second behind American athlete Matt McClintock in the men’s 6000m at the 50th Rás na hEireann, held in Oldbridge, near Drogheda, Co Louth, on Sunday.

McClintock won the race in 17:52 with Tonosa six seconds adrift for second and Yared Deresa of Carrick Aces AC third in 18:09.

Winning club team was North East Runners followed by Dunboyne AC and Glenmore AC.

In an American double, Joanna Thompson won the women’s 4000m in 13 minutes exactly. Nessa Reilly of Dunleer AC just beat Holly Brennan of Cilles AC for second place with the pair, both juniors, timed at 13:39 and 13:50.

Dunleer AC was first of the teams followed by Dundrum South Dublin AC and Drogheda and District AC.

parkrun

Laura Graham and Colin Griffin ran the quickest times at parkrun events across Ireland on Saturday.

Graham ran 17:28 at the Castlewellan event, while Griffin posted the fastest men’s time after running 16:19 at the St Anne’s parkrun in Dublin.

The Irish parkrun top 10 can be found here.

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us and become a patron. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The post Ciara Mageean and Phil Healy among winners at Irish indoors appeared first on Fast Running.

Stephen Scullion warmed up for 25 laps in Berlin with a commanding win in the men’s 10,000m on day one of the Irish national track and field championships in Santry, Dublin on Saturday (July 28).

Mick Clohisey and Kevin Maunsell set the pace in the early laps and led for most of the race with Scullion sitting comfortably behind. The 29 year-old Clonliffe Harriers athlete made his move to the front with an injection of pace on the final two laps and powered home to win in 29:25.30.

It was the Belfast man’s first national 10,000m title with Raheny Shamrock’s Clohisey taking silver and Clonmel AC’s Maunsell bronze.

Leon Reid edged Marcus Lawler in a thrilling 200m race in 20.74 to 20.79. Living up to its billing Lawler ran a brilliant bend to put himself into the lead but it was Reid who was still full of running with 10m to go who came through to take the win on the line into a -1.1m/s headwind. Galway City Harriers’ Cillin Greene took bronze in 21.74.

Irish record holder Phil Healy was the runaway winner of the women’s 200m in 23.64 ahead of Ciara Neville who was second in 24.27 for her first national outdoor medal. Catherine McManus and Niamh Whelan were given joint third in 24.63.

200m N A T I O N A L. C H A M P I O N
Me and @phil_healy also national champion.
100m tomorrow then hopefully all systems go for Berlin @europeanathletics
Trust me is been a stressful week but happy with the result today #Doubledouble @irishathletics pic.twitter.com/K9yCTaoqUq

— Leon Reid. (@LeonReid_Woody) July 28, 2018

In the women’s 5000m final defending champion Emma Mitchell kicked past a brave front-running performance by Shona Heaslip to claim gold in 15:59.34 to 16:03.91.

Mitchell, who also won 1500m gold last year, looked in control throughout the race and should take confidence from the win ahead of the European Championships.

Other distance winners on day one were Adam Kirk-Smith in the men’s 3000m steeplechase in 9:02.09, while Kate Veale was the first track champion of the day winning the women’s 5000m race walk in 22:19.22.

There was plenty of depth and exciting heats ahead of Sunday’s finals, including Ciara Mageean in women’s 800m heats and an impressive win in the men’s 5000m heats from Hiko Tonosa.

In the field events, Saragh Buggy took the women’s triple jump title once again in 12.24m. Elizabeth Morland won the women’s javelin with a best of 43.41m and Niamh Fogarty won the women’s discus with 44.56m and a seventh win in the triple jump for Denis Finnegan.

Owen Russell beat Adam King in a good battle in the men’s hammer with a best of 65.91m to 63.05m. Stephen Rice won the men’s javelin with a best throw of 66.95m while Denis Finnegan won the men’s triple jump with 14.33m.

Day one rounded out with the 4x100m relays with Mullingar Harriers winning the women’s title in 50.38 while Tallaght took the men’s crown in 41.83.

Day two (July 29) of the Irish track and field championships will be broadcast live on RTE from 5.30pm.

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The post Stephen Scullion cruises to Irish 10,000m gold appeared first on Fast Running.

Phil Healy of Bandon AC can do nothing wrong at the moment and on Saturday (June 9), she improved her 400m best to 52.19 at the AtletiCA Geneve meet in Switzerland, where she finished just one hundredth of a second behind Maria Benedicta Chigbou of Italy, who clocked 52.18.

In the 200m, Healy ran a personal best 23.17, finishing second in her race behind Ashleigh Nelson of Great Britain who ran 22.94.

Only last Wednesday in Santry, Healy had not only set a new Irish 100m record of 11.28, but an hour later, ran 52.63 for 400m at a Dublin Graded Meet. She now has European Championships A standard times for the100m, 200m and 400m and faces the dilemma of which to chose.

Doubling up over 200m and 400m is out of the question since the finals of both these events are scheduled for the same evening, along with the 4 x 400m final.

Also in the 400m series of races, Cliodhna Manning of Kilkenny City Harriers ran a personal best 53.15, which is inside the European Championships B standard of 53.40, while in the 800m, Alanna Lally of UCD finished second in 2:04.79.

UCD’s Sarah Lavin won her 100m hurdles in 13.63, with Lily An O’Hora of Dooneen AC sixth in 14.01, while Nessa Millet of St Abban’s won her 400m hurdles race in 59.22. In the long jump, Sarah McCarthy of Mid-Sutton was fourth with 5.84m; Saragh Buggy of St Abban’s was third in the triple jump with 13.29m.

In the men’s 400m series, Grange’s Chris O’Donnell, representing Loughborough Students, ran a time of 46.99, putting him top of the current Irish rankings and not too far off the European Championships B standard of 46.70. In the same race, Luke Lennon Ford of Clonliffe Harriers finished fifth in 47.68; O’Donnell had finished second.

At the Mary Peters Track in Belfast on Saturday (June 9), Aaron Sexton of North Down won the 100m in 10.69 at the Northern Ireland and Ulster Open Senior Championships. Paralympic superstar Jason Smyth of Derry Track Cub was second in 10.69 and Israel Olatunde of Dundealgan AC third in 10.83.

In the women’s 100m final, Lauren Roy from City of Lisburn was an emphatic winner in 12.04. Second was Leah Moore of Clonliffe Harriers in 12.31.

Winning the women’s 200m in 24.75 was Davicia Patterson of Beechmount Harriers.

Emma Mitchell of Queen’s AC raced away with women’s 1500m in 4:17.93; Rachel Gibson of North Down was second in 4:28.03. Winning the men’s 1500m in 3:57.90 was Neil Johnston of Springwell AC.

Photo: Athletics NI

Winning the men’s 400m in 47.03 was Theo Campbell of Birchfield Harriers. Craig Newell of Ballymena and Antrim was second in a season’s best 47.36 and Andrew Mellon of Queens AC third in 47.59, also a season’s best.

Over 5000m, Conor Bradley of City of Derry Spartans just made it home first in 14:57.59 with Conor Duffy of Glaslough Harriers a fraction behind for second in 14:57.85 and Christopher Madden of City of Lisburn third in 15:58.77.

Winning the women’s race was Jessica Craig of North Down in 17:12.84, with Irish marathon champion Laura Graham of Mourne Runners second in 17:16.13.

Over 800m, Conall Kirk of Annadale Striders won the men’s race in 1:50.72 with City of Lisburn’s Kelly Neely first in the women’s race in 2:13.15.

Photo: Athletics NI

Ben Reynolds of North Down won the men’s 100m hurdles in 14.19, while in the field, Adam McMullen of Crusaders AC won the long jump with 7.79m, Barry Pender of St Abban’s was a clear winner of the high jump with 2.10m and Brendan O’Donnell of Lifford Strabane AC won the U20 hammer with a throw of 65.19m.

Stephen Scullion was comfortably inside the European Championships A standard of 28:45 when finishing fifth in the 10,000m in personal-best 28:36.05 at the Portland Track Festival in the USA. The race was won by Kevin Lewis of Team USA in 28:32.06.

Siofra Cleirigh Buttner finished fourth in the 800m in a time of 2:05.73 at the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday (June 9).

It was a tactical race and the Dundrum South Dublin athlete had a marginal lead at 400m, which she went through in 1:00.99. The winner was Sammy Watson of Texas A&M in 2:04.21. Cleirigh Buttner had qualified as a fastest loser from the heats in 2:03.11.

Siofra Cleirigh Buttner finishes 4th in the final of the 800m at #NCAATF in 2:05.73! It's our best outdoor finish in the 800 meters in 23 years!! #NovaNation https://t.co/FDOAghcEt2 pic.twitter.com/0XDYpjCaQ4

— Villanova Track & XC (@NovaTrackXC) June 9, 2018

A small group of Irish athletes were competing in the Flanders Cup meet in Belgium on Saturday. In the men’s 3000m, Conor Dooney of Raheny Shamrock finished second in 8:20.25.

Winning a separate 3000m race was DSD’s Patrick MacGabhann in 8:26.85. Sarah Murray of Fingallians was second in the women’s 100m in 11.83 after running 11.81 in her heat.

In the supporting programme at the Bislett Games Diamond League in Oslo on Thursday evening (June 7), Zak Curran finished second in the 800m in 1:45.75. Race winner was Thomas Arne Roth of Norway in 1:45.77.

A last minute dash to Oslo for the Bislett Games when a lane in the Diamond League 400m hurdles opened up proved worthwhile for Thomas Barr when he ran a season’s best 49.53. Race winner was Abderrahman Samba of Qatar in 47.60.

Barr will run the 200m and the 4 x 400m in Berne on Saturday (June 16) with his next 400m hurdles race scheduled for Slovakia on June 29.

Roads

Tom and Dena Hogan made it a family double at the Wexford Marathon on Sunday (June 10). Tom was first home in 2:41:10 while Dena was first woman in 3:13.17.

Peter Somba of Dunboyne AC returned to winning ways with victory in the Patrick Bell 5km hosted by Bohermeen AC in Co Meath on Friday evening (June 8).

Only five days earlier he had finished seventh in the Cork City Marathon in 2:33:00, but he still managed a time of 15:16 in Bohermeen. Paddy Hamilton of Slieve Gullion Runners was second in 15:21, and Darragh Rennicks of the host club third in 15:29.

The first woman was Maria McCambridge of DSD in 17:12. Jane Bandila of Dunboyne AC was second in 17.44 and Aine O’Reilly of Mullingar Harriers third in 18.08.

Winners of the Glenmore 10-Mile in Co Louth were Declan Power of Clonliffe Harriers in 57:29 and Nicola Flanagan of Blayney Rockets in 68:19.

The post Irish athletes star on the track – weekend round-up appeared first on Fast Running.

The Kinetica Sports ambassador continued her fine form setting a 200m and 400m Personal Best (PB) today at an International meet in Geneva, Switzerland.

In the 400m she finished second in the 400m in 52.19, improving on her best outdoor time of 52.63 set on Wednesday night at the Dublin Graded meet. On the same evening she set a blistering new Irish record of 11.28 for the 100m.

The Cork woman followed this up today with a personal best in the 200m of 23.17 also finishing second and moving her to third fastest overall in the Irish All-Time list.

While the 400m is her main event focus, she now has the European Athletics Championships standards for the 100m, 200m and 400m which takes place in Berlin in August.

Healy said on twitter: A Great day in Geneva rounds off what has been a super few days.  A new 200m and 400m pb today with 23.17 and 52.19, and 2x European A standards. Thanks to everyone for their support over the last week.

The post More PBs for Ireland’s fastest woman appeared first on Fast Running.

Phil Healy broke the Irish women’s 100m record at a graded meeting in Santry’s Morton Stadium, Dublin on Wednesday evening (June 6).

The Bandon athlete, who was a 400m semi-finalist at the World Indoor Championships earlier this year in Birmingham, posted a time of 11.28, bettering the previous fastest time in Ireland by .12, which was jointly held by Ailis McSweeney and Amy Foster.

Healy has been edging ever closer to the record this year, and last month, ran wind assisted times of 11.24 (+2.5) and 11.16 (+3.0) at the Ton le Gaoithe Wind Sprints Meet in Waterford.

100m Irish Record for Phil Healy 11.28 (Wind 2.0) pic.twitter.com/Uct0Au3yED

— Jumping-The-Gun.com (@Jumping_The_Gun) June 6, 2018

Shortly after setting the new 100m record Healy raced over one lap of the track and clocked a 400m personal best of 52.63.

Next up for the fastest women in Ireland is 200m and 400m races in Geneva this weekend.

Thrilled to break the @irishathletics National Record tonight In Dublin with 11.28 Topped off with a 400m outdoor pb of 52.63, straight after. Onto @atleticageneve this weekend. All thanks to the man with the plan, Coach @mcwexford pic.twitter.com/ZUgEw7CnYF

— Phil Healy (@philhealy2) June 6, 2018

The post Phil Healy breaks Irish 100m record appeared first on Fast Running.

Thomas Barr of Ferrybank AC eased into the outdoor season with a comfortable win over the 400m hurdles at the AAI Games in Santry on Sunday (May 27).

“I was hoping to go a little faster but the first race of the season is always tricky and overall I’m pleased,” said Barr, who clocked 51.23. With his focus firmly on the European Championships next August, Barr’s next race is in Turku, Finland in 10 days time.

Over 200m, Phil Healy ran an eye-catching time of 23.09, helped by a +3.2m following wind; it was her second wind assisted time of close to 22 seconds this season.

Making a spectacular comeback to finish second in 24.43 was many times Irish 200m, long jump and combined events champion Kelly Proper of Ferrybank.

Proper, who gave birth to her first child just over a year ago, hasn’t competed for three years. “I wanted to put down a marker, but I was incredibly nervous before the race,” she said after crossing the line. Proper, who has won 17 Irish national titles, still holds the Irish long jump record at 6.62m and her time of 23.165 for 200m from 2016 is the second fastest Irish time ever.

Phil Healy went on to win the 100m in a wind-assisted 11.36, with sister Joan second in 11.72.

Clocking a World junior A qualifying time when winning the women’s 400m in 53.64 was Davicia Patterson of Beechmount Harriers. Second was Ciara Deely of Kilkenny City Harriers; her time of 54.68 was inside the B standard.

Winning the men’s 200m in a wind-assisted 20.93 was David McDonald of Menapians, who also won the 400m in 48.58. Fastest time in the 100m came from Reality Osuoha of Fingallians AC who clocked a wind-legal 10.81.

Taking a stylish 800m victory in 1:51.65 was Conall Kirk of Annadale Striders, who had run a 1500m in Belfast a day earlier. Second was Leevale junior Charlie O’Donovan in 1:53.11.

Also taking place were the National Combined Events Championships, but the Irish record holder Elizabeth Morland of Cushinstown AC opted out, preferring to compete in two individual events. In the 100m hurdles, she beat UCD’s Sarah Lavin in 13.58. She also won long jump with a slightly wind-assisted 5.95m.

Retaining their senior combined events titles were Shane Aston of Trim AC and Amy McTeggart of Boyne AC, who both improved their career best scores. Aston had hoped to make 7000m in the men’s decathlon and, despite the changeable weather, got close with 6776 points, while McTeggart scored 4706 in the senior women’s heptathlon.

Olympic steeplechaser Kerry O’Flaherty of Newcastle AC booked her place a next August ‘s European Championships with a time of 9:53 for third in the women’s steeplechase at the IFAM International Flanders Meet in Oordegem, Belgium.

Despite the attractions of major meets in both Dublin and Belfast, a large group of Irish had travelled to Belgium for what is effectively one of the largest graded track meets in Europe. In the 5000m series of races, Darragh McElhinney went under the World Junior qualifying mark with a time of 14:11.80.

Just ahead of him in 12th place was Conor Dooney of Raheny Shamrock in 14:10.59, while winning a different race in 13:43 was John Travers of Donore Harriers.

In the men’s steeplechase, Adam Kirk-Smith of Derry Track Club clocked a season’s best 8 mins 44.98 for 15th.

Over 1500m, Sarah Healy of Blackrock AC ran a personal best and new Irish Under 18 (youth) record of 4:13.32 when finishing eighth in her race. Her time beats Ciara Mageean’s record of 4:15.46 and is comfortably inside the World Junior qualifying mark of 4:19.75. Winning the “after programme” 1500m was Raheny’s Brian Fay in 3:45. Second was Luke McCann of DSD in 3:45.80.

Two junior 4 x 100m relay teams were competing, with the girls running 44.1, a time that puts them third on the Irish all-time list. Making up the team were Molly Scott, Gina Akpe-Moses, Rhasidat Adeleke and Ciara Neville. The men also finished second in 41.32.

44.15 and a national junior record for the women’s 4×1 relay. Number 3 all-time to boot! #IFAM #oordegem pic.twitter.com/jf8tAF2oU4

— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) May 26, 2018

Individually, Neville with a time of 11.63 and Akpe Moses who ran 11.68 both made the 100m A standard for the World Junior Championships. Akpe Moses has already run 11.46 this season.

In the 200m, Rhasidat Adeleke’s time of 23.94 was inside the European U18 standard and is also a B qualifier for the World Juniors.

At the British Milers’ Club Watford GP, Ciara Mageean of Team New Balance was a clear winner of the A 1500m race in a time of 4:09.10, not too far of the 4:07.41 she ran at the Commonwealth Games last month.

A win for @ciaramageean tonight in the @BritishMilers #watfordbmcgp 1500m – 4:09.10 pic.twitter.com/IjPVGXOzQj

— TeamNBMCR (@TeamNBMCR) May 26, 2018

Running a personal best 3:43.24 to finish sixth in the men’s A 1500m was Kieran Kelly of Raheny Shamrock.

Winning the A 800m was Zak Curran of Dundrum South Dublin in a season’s best 1:47.86, which sees him top the current Irish rankings. In the women’s A race, Ciara Everard of UCD finished sixth in 2:05.39.

Letterkenny’s Danny Mooney missed out on a sub-four minute time for the men’s mile at the Irish Milers’ Club meet in Belfast on Saturday (May 26).

In windy conditions, Mooney pulled clear over the final two laps to finish in 4:06.88. Dan Tanui of Derry TC faded over the last lap letting Lagan Valley’s Conall Kirk though for second in 4:14.65.

In the women’s 3000m, Emma Mitchell of Queen’s came out on top with her time of 9:16.27 just four seconds off her best. Only a week earlier, Mitchell had run a tough 10,000m at the Highgate Night of 10,000m PBs in London.

Fantastic Day at the Belfast Irish Milers Meet. Well Done to Everyone Involved! Great to Win the 3000m Sponsored by @kaffeobelfast pic.twitter.com/NLWghJWwva

— Emma Mitchell (@EmmaMitchell05) May 26, 2018

Dubliner Eric Keogh of Donore Harriers was a clear winner of the men’s 3,000m in 8:22.68 beating Raheny’s Kevin Moriarty who finished in 8:31.18. First home in the women’s 1500m was Ellie Hartnett of UCD in 4:28.82.

Longford AC’s Cian McPhillips, aged just 15, upset older rivals to win the men’s 800m in a personal best 1:52.06. Clare Mooney proved best of the 800m women, holding off her UCD team mate Alana Lally of Galway to finish in 2:06.09.

In the USA, Aoibhe Richardson went under 34 minutes for the 10.000m with a personal best 33:59 at the NCAA Westerns in Sacramento, California.

Clonliffe Harriers finished ninth in the men’s A division of the European Clubs Track and Field Championships in Birmingham. Best performer for the team was Jeremy Philips who finished fourth in the 100m and helped Clonliffe to fifth in the 4×100m.

In Tampere, Finland, where the B competition was held, St Abban’s from Carlow, finished fourth. Ruby Millet not only won the long jump but improved her best personal best to 6.08m, while Maisy O’Sullivan won the 1500m and was second in the 800m.

Nessa Cooper Millett was second in the 400m hurdles and the 400m flat and Saragh Buggy was second in the triple jump, with a wind-assisted 13.07m.

Ultra running

Eoin Keith proved best of the Irish at the European 24 Hour Championships in Timisoara, Romania. 26-27 May. Keith notched up a total of 232.65km for 19th place.

Photo: Team Ireland Ultra Running

Aidan Hogan finished 31st with 218.02km, Eddie Gallen 36th with 213.13km and Alexander O’Shea 60th with 175.53km. The team finished eighth behind France. Race winner was Andrzej Radzikowski of Poland with a distance of 265..41km.

Amy Masner finished tenth woman with 220.85km, putting her second best overall of the Irish. Louise Smart was 22nd with 204.57km while Susan McCarthy dropped out after 39.12 km. The team finished 13th.

Roads

Road result of the weekend came from Olympian Breege Connolly of Derry Spartans AC who won the Edinburgh Marathon Festival Half Marathon in a new personal best time of 76:07 on Saturday (May 26).

Connolly, who will run the marathon at the European Championships in August, only caught early leader Annabel Simpson of Fife AC at the 12-mile mark on a tough course. Simpson finished second in 76:28.

Irish national marathon champion Gary O’Hanlon of Clonliffe Harriers won the Clogherhead Seaside 10km on Sunday (May 27) in 31 minutes exactly. Darragh Greene of Dunleer AC was second in 32.41 and Catherina McKiernan of MSB AC ninth overall and first woman in 37:18.

Midweek action

Hiko Tonosa of Dundrum South Dublin AC continued his winning streak in the KIA Race Series when he won the Bob Heffernan 5km in Enfield, Co Meath on Tuesday (May 22).

Tonosa was a clear winner of the race in 14:20 with Peter Somba of Dunboyne AC second in 14:52 and Donore’s Eric Keogh a close third in 14: 54. Una Britton of Kilcoole Ac was first woman in 17:20, followed by Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill of Donore Harriers in 17:41 and Charlotte Kearney of Donadea RC in 17:49.

Sean McGrath and Claire McCarthy were the winners at the John Buckley BHAA 5km in Cork on Tuesday (May 22). McGrath was first home in 14:58 with Niall Shanahan second in 15:00. McCarthy, who will compete for Ireland in the marathon at the European Championships in August, finished in 16:31, followed by Aoife Cooke in 16.57.

The post Thomas Barr, Phil Healy and Ciara Mageean among Irish winners appeared first on Fast Running.

Irish 10k and cross-country champion Shona Heaslip produced the road performance of the weekend when she finished a close second at the Great Birmingham 10km on Sunday (May 6).

The An Riocht AC athlete’s time of 34:19 knocked over half a minute off her 10k road debut time of 34:52 and saw her finish five seconds behind Aleksandra Lisowska from Poland who clocked a time of 34:14 for victory.

Heaslip only ran her first competitive 10k road race at last month’s Great Ireland Run where she was crowned the Irish national champion.

Photo: The Great Run Company

In a closely fought race, the Italian 10km champion Fatna Maraqui was third in 34:26 and Lucy Crookes of Leeds City AC fourth in 34.50.

Best of the Irish men was James Doran of An Riocht who was 14th in 32:49.

In the Leinster area, Hiko Tonusa of Dundrum South Dublin and Ciara Hickey of Brothers Pearse were the winners of the Tallaght 5km held on Sunday morning (May 6).

The race was the third round of the KIA Series and also the Dublin Novice Championships.

In hot sunny conditions, Tonosa, who had won the previous two races in the KIA Series, finished in 14:34 despite having raced on the track at Greystones a day earlier.

Valdas Dopolskas, the Lithuanian Olympian marathoner that recently transferred to Clonliffe Harriers, was second in 14:51 and Eric Keogh of Donore Harriers third in 14:54. Previous winner Tomas Fitzpatrick of host club Tallaght AC was fourth in 15:09.

Tonusa, who lives in the city, was also named the Dublin novice champion in possibly the fastest time ever for a novice athlete.

Ciara Hickey, making a steady comeback after a break from the sport, finished in a solid time of 16:52.

Ashley Pia Ryan of Civil Service Harriers, winner of novice and inter Dublin cross-country races over the winter, was second in 17: 24 and Linda Byrne of DSD third in 17:35. Full result can be found here.

Leading home almost 1,500 finishers at the Drogheda 10km on Sunday afternoon (May 6) was Darragh Green of Dunleer AC who finished in 32:56.

Second was his Dunleer clubmate Tomas Cotter in 33:31. while third was Simon Ryan of Boyne AC in 33.56.

The first woman was Ruth Fitzgerald of Trinity Track Racers in 37:53. Michelle Cox of Newbridge was second in 38:24 and Karen Costello of Dunleer AC third in 39:05.

North East Runners beat Drogheda and District for the men’s team title, while Drogheda and District proved best of the women’s teams, finishing comfortably clear of Portmarnock AC. Results can be found here.

In Limerick, Peter Somba of Dunboyne AC and Claire McCarthy of Leevale were the winners of the Great Limerick Run half marathon on Sunday (May 6).

Somba, who finished in 68:59, was followed home by Alan O’Brien in 69:18 and Kenneth Rodgers in 69.58. McCarthy finished 12th overall in 77:22 with Sorcha Kearney second woman in 84:40.

In the 6-mile race, John Travers of Donore Harriers just held off Kevin Maunsell of Clonmel AC to win in 29:40. Maunsell was given a time of 29:43, while Jake O’Regan of St John’s AC was third in 31:38.

Siobhan O’Doherty of Borrisokane was first woman in 35:33. Donore sisters Ide and Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill were second and third in 36:37 and 37:16 respectively.

Peter Mooney won the marathon race in 2:29:22; first woman was Grace Kennedy in 3:09:01. Full results here.

Track and field

A visit to the Irish Miler Club’s Greystones Meet in Co Wicklow on Saturday (May 5) proved worthwhile for Lewis Moses of Darlington Harriers when he won the 5000m race in 14:02.88.

Ethiopian-born Hiko Tonusa of Dundrum South Dublin was second in 14:09.89 and Raheny’s Conor Dooney third in 14:10.61

Kilmore’s Fiona Kehoe won the women’s A 1500m in 4:26.19, beating Maisie O’Sullivan of St Abban’s 4:27.34 and Jodie McCann of DSD who finished in 4: 29.50.

McCann’s brother Luke, also DSD, won a competitive men’s A 1500m in 3:48.15, holding off Conor Duncan of Ratoath second in 3:48.35, Brian Fay of Raheny third in 3:48.87 and Darragh McElhinney of Bantry AC fourth in 3:49.45. There was also the notable performance by Longford AC’s U17 athlete Cian McPhilip who clocked 3:49.85 to finish fifth.

Great start to the season at yesterday’s @IrishMilersClub meet. Standout performance U17 athlete Cian McPhilips Longford AC running 3.49 1500m! Thanks to Michael & Susan for continuing to provide valuable race opportunities to Irish endurance athletes! @irishathletics pic.twitter.com/2BH7hvxQp4

— Steven Macklin (@coach_SM) May 6, 2018

Over 800m, Jo Keane of Ennis TC came out on top in another closely contested women’s race finishing in 2:09.59. Nadia Power of Templeogue was second in 2:09.80 and Alex O’Neill of St Cronan’s third in 2:10.80.

Winning the men’s A 800m race in some style was Conall Hayes of Le Cheile AC in 1:51.77. Full results can be found here.

Phil Healy of Bandon AC proved the star of the day at the Ton le Gaoithe Wind Sprints Meet in Waterford on Saturday (May 5), clocking times of 11.24 secs (+2.5) and 11.16 secs (+3.0) for the 100m.

Photo: Paddy Donovan

In the opening race, Healy’s sister Joan finished second in 11.62 secs and Sarah Murray of Fingallians AC third in 11.70 secs. In the second race, Joan was second in 11.62 secs and Niamh Whelan of Ferrybank AC third in 11.64 secs.

Both of Phil Healy’s times were inside the Irish record of 11.40 secs but won’t count because of the strong following wind. Still, Healy displaces Anna Boyle on the all-time wind-assisted time list; Boyle ran 11.30 secs helped by a +4.2 wind.

Healy also proved fastest over 200m winning in 23.04 secs (+3.9), with sister Joan second in 23.74 secs.

“Nice to have fun again over the shorter distance,” she tweeted afterwards.

Winning the men’s A 100m is 10.59 secs (+2.8) was Joseph Ojewumi of Tallaght AC. Leo Morgan of Clonliffe Harriers was second in 10.74 secs and Mark Smyth of Raheny Shamrock third in 10.77 secs.

Israel Olatunde of Dundealgan AC, who earlier in the week had won a thrilling North Leinster Schools 100m at Santry, clocked 10.74 secs (+2.7) to win the B 100m – well under the European U18 Championships standard of 10.90 secs.

Ojewumi also won the second A 100m, clocking 10.53 secs with the benefit of a +3.9 wind. Cillin Green of Galway City Harriers was second in 10.65 secs, and Leo Morgan third in 10.73 secs. Green won the A 200m in 21.78 secs (+3.8).

Matthew Behan of Crusaders continues to make steady progress in the high hurdles and his time of 13.91 secs (+2.1) was not far off the 13.85 secs he needs to make the European Championships next August in Berlin. It won him the Athlete of the Meet award, presented by Phil Healy.

A frantic chase off the last hurdle saw four women breaking 14 seconds in the 100m hurdles; no wind speed time was given.

Sarah Lavin of UCD was first in 13.59 secs, followed by Dooneen’s Lily Ann O’Hora in 13.67 secs, Elizabeth Morland of Cushinstown AC third in 13.74 secs and Molly Scott of St LO’T AC fourth in 13.96 secs – a second time inside the 14.10 secs B standard for the World Junior Championships.

In the second race (wind +1.7), Lavin was again the winner this time in 13.62 secs, with O’Hora second in 13.69 secs and Scott third in 14.03 secs.

Chasing a 400m qualifying time of 55 secs for the World Juniors was Ciara Deely from Kilkenny City Harriers. She won the women’s 400m in 55.14 secs beating old rival Sophie Becker of St Joseph’s who finished in 55.80 secs.

David McDonald of Menapians won the men’s 400 in 49.63 secs. Second was Eoghan Buggy of St Abban’s in 49.89 secs.

Winning the women’s javelin with a throw of 42.15m was Grace Casey of Eire Og Chorra Cill AC. Best of the men was Stephen Rise of Clonliffe Harriers with 64.71m.

James Trainor of North Belfast Harriers and Jessica Craig of North Down recorded the fastest times at the NI Running Mile held on Friday evening (May 4) at the Mary Peters track in Belfast.

In the men’s elite mile, Trainor clocked 4:35.79, with Glen Taylor of Ballydrain Harriers second in 4:36.67 and Darrell McKee of Acorns AC third in 4:38.56.

Craig proved the class of the field in the women’s race, finished just outside the five-minute barrier with a time of 5:00.10.

Laura Bickerstaff of Dromore with 5:10.78 and Catherine Diver with 5:16.67 recorded the next fastest times of the night. Over 200 athletes lined out in the series of races.

Mountain running

Seamus Lynch of Newcastle AC and Martsje Hell of North Belfast Harriers were the winners at the Annalong Horseshoe 13.1 mile mountain race in the Mournes on Saturday (May 5).

Seamus Lynch (@NewcastleAC) and Martsje Hell (@nbharriers) win Annalong Horseshoe Mountain Race!

More ASAP! pic.twitter.com/XAAQ75SbOH

— Ryan Maxwell (@NiRunning) May 5, 2018

Lynch came home first in 2:06:09; Jonny Steede of Glen Runners was second in 2:08.07 and Timothy Johnston of Mourne Runners third in 2:12:59.

Hell finished first woman in 2:50:22 after early leader Esther Dickson of Newry AC strayed off course. Dickson recovered to finished third behind Gillian Wasson of Ballymena Runners.

Earlier in the week

On Wednesday night (May 2) at the Pat Finnerty Memorial 5km in Mullingar Emma Mitchell of Queen’s University AC was the first woman and fourth overall in an eye-catching time of 16:23.

A big THANK YOU to everybody who took part in our Pat Finnerty Memorial 5K on Wednesday night.
Here's @EmmaMitchell05 winning the ladies race in a fantastic 16.23. pic.twitter.com/LEAkfoXTlO

— Mullingar Harriers AC (@MullingarHAC) May 4, 2018

A runaway winner of the race was Peter Somba of Dunboyne AC, with his time of 14:56 putting him almost a minute ahead of Shane Healy, MSB ‘s veteran Olympian, who clocked 15:50.

Third was Mick Fogarty of Ferbane AC in 16:07. The second woman in 18:12 was Aine O’Reilly of host club Mullingar Harriers.

The post Shona Heaslip and Phil Healy impress on busy Irish weekend appeared first on Fast Running.

Scottish 200m indoor record holder Clark was the first to qualify after winning the third of six heats to the delight of the home crowd inside the Arena Birmingham.

The world relay silver medalist was comfortable throughout the race and came through 200m in 24.44 before crossing the line in 52.75, 0.30 seconds ahead of Poland’s Justyna Święty.

Fellow Scottish record holder and hurdles specialist Doyle lined up in the penultimate heat alongside Ireland’s Healy and world 400m bronze medallist, Stephenie Ann McPherson.

Healy who has recently converted to the 400m from the shorter sprints used her speed for a fast start out in front as the lanes merged running the fastest 200m split 24.03 in all the heats.

Going into the final lap the experience and quality of Doyle and Jamaica’s McPherson came to the fore as the pair moved into first and second, with Healy holding on for third. With the top two automatically advancing, 23-year-old Healy secured one the remaining fastest spots to create a bit of history as the first Irish woman to advance to the semi-final of a 400m at a world indoor championships.

Doyle, who retained her British indoor 400m title last month, said afterwards: “It was a good race although it was tactically a bit different to what I’ve had this year. I would have liked to have won the break and controlled the race but unfortunately I didn’t do that.

“It meant I could just relax that second lap and I knew I could catch them on the home straight. I need to be a bit more aggressive over that first 200m. I’m going to have to be tonight, because tonight is my final I’m going to have to really run my heart out to try and be here tomorrow again.”

Meanwhile, GB debutant Lee Thompson enjoyed a great run in the men’s 400m heats finishing second in 46.81 and qualifying automatically.

The women’s semi-finals take place later tonight at 8:32pm with the men’s afterwards at 9:06pm.

In second men’s 3000m heat Jonny Davies finished 10th in 8:21.73, however after four men, including USA’s Paul Chelmno were disqualified, moved up to sixth. An appeal could yet seem some athletes reinstated.

Davies who clocked a 7:50.18 personal best in Boston this year was obviously disappointed with his showing in Birmingham.

“Obviously disappointing end to a great season,” said Davies afterwards. “Very frustrated and wasn’t myself today but lessons learnt. Onto the summer.”

Ethiopia’s 18-year-old Selemon Barega won the heat in 7:48.14, with compatriot Yomif Kejelcha taking the first heat.

60m heats

Earlier on in the morning session, GB’s Asha Philip ran a very strong opening round in the 60m to advance to the semi-finals on Friday evening. The reigning European gold medalist clocked 7.18 for second to automatically qualify behind Ivory Coast’s Murielle Ahouré.

Bianca Williams, a late call-up to the British team booked her place in the semi-finals as one of the remaining fastest outside the automatic spots, posting 7.31 in the first of six heats.

In the green of Ireland, Amy Foster finished fifth in heat two in 7.35 missing out on a spot in the semi-finals. “It’s not a bad run,” the recent Irish 60m record holder said afterwards. “It’s just not what I was looking for.”

Fellow Irish athlete Ciara Neville ran in the first heat where clocked 7.47 seconds for seventh.

Elsewhere, after three events in the pentathlon, Katarina Johnson-Thompson is in second place, with the 800m and the long jump later this evening.

Johnson-Thompson, competing in the pentathlon for the first time since winning European indoor gold in 2015, opened her campaign with an equal season’s best of 8.36 seconds in the 60m hurdles, before moving into the high jump and a 1.91m best moved her first place. After the shot put, she dropped just one place to second thereafter.

The post Doyle, Clark and Healy advance to 400m semi-finals in Birmingham appeared first on Fast Running.