Mark Kenneally of Clonliffe Harriers was the winner of the Irish Three Quarter Marathon held in Longwood, Enfield, Co Meath on Sunday (October 6) in a time of 1 hrs 32 mins 32 secs.

Just four seconds behind for second place was Thomas Hayes of Kilkenny City Harriersm, while third in 1:43.24 was Eric Keogh of Donore Harriers.

Last year’s winner Gary O’Hanlon of Clonliffe Harriers finished fourth and first M40 in 1:45.1o. First woman in 2:07.02 was Isobel Oakes. Jan Corcoran of Le Cheile AC was second and first W40 in 2:12.38 and Kealey Tideswell of Clonmel AC third in 2:17.54. A total of 1,420 completed the course, which takes place exactly three weeks before the Dublin Marathon on October 27.

Donal Mulligan of Longford AC clocked a time of 1:57.32 to finish first at the Tarmonbarry Three Quarter Marathon on Sunday. First women in 2:28.11 was Michelle Murray, also Longford AC. Longford AC members also came out on top in the half marathon, with Barry Shiel the first home in 78.58 and Adrianna Mulligan fourth and first woman in 86:18. A day earlier, Mulligan was joint woman’s winner at the Galway Bay Half marathon in 82:20.

Brennan and Colreavy victorious over 10km

Winners at the Grange 10km in Co Sligo were Patrick Brennan of Finn Valley AC in 32:55 and Audrey Colreavy of Sligo AC in 40:00.
Sergiu Ciobanu of Clonliffe Harriers was the runaway winner of the Galway Bay Half Marathon in 66 mins 29 secs on Saturday (October 5).

A distant second in 71:11 was Freddy Sittuk, with Gary Higgins a mere two seconds behind in 71:13 for third. Joint first women was the aforementioned Adrianna Mulligan who crossed the line in 82:20 along with Heather Noone. Third was Grainne Ní Uallachain of Galway City Harriers in 84:48.

Winner of the 10km race, which attracted the biggest numbers of entrants of the three races held on the day, was Eoin Everard of Kilkenny City Harriers in 31:48. Everard, better known for his track exploits, had almost four minutes to spare on the chasers.
Seventh and first woman was Sinead Whitelaw of Galway City Harriers in 38:39. Winning the marathon in 2:37.28 was Michael Canty of Moy Valley AC. First woman in 3:15.52 was Jenna Burton.

On the same days, Sean Doran of Clonliffe Harriers was the winner of the Tony Donoghue Moone 10km in Co Kildare. Doran was a clear winner of the race in 32mins 30 secs; second was Tom Lupton of Portlaoise AC in 34:12 while third in 34.20 was Paul Lynch of SBR Ferns AC.

Finishing 11th overall and first woman was Laura McDonnell of Tallaght AC in 38:34. Helen Barry of Sli Cualann AC was second in 41:36 and Elaine Cardiff third in 42:37. In the masters categories, Dwane Davey was sixth and first M40 in 36:42. First master woman was Suzanne Dunne W45 of St LOT AC in 45:22.

Corbett first to Cobh

First home at the Cork to Cobh 15 mile, held in perfect conditions and organsied by Cork BHAA on Sunday, was Michael Corbett of Musgrave’s in a time of 81 mins 50 secs. Just seven seconds behind for second was Mark Smith of Eagle AC while third was Michael Morgan of St Finbarr’s AC in 82:50. All there were over 40.

Ninth overall and first woman was Aoife Cooke of Ecooke Fitness in 87:11. Only a few weeks ago Cooke was the winner of the Charleville Half Marathon in a personal best 74 mins 41 secs. Niamh Cronin of Ronan Daly Jermyn Solicitors was second and first W40 in 1:40.46 and Katie Hickson of Glenside third and second W40 in 1:41.15.

First of the men’s A grade teams was Eli Lilly, with the Department of Education best of the women’s teams.

Road Relays

North Belfast Harriers took three of the four titles on offer at the NI and Ulster Road Relay Championships held in Victoria Park, Belfast on Sunday (October 6).

In the men’s senior race, they were chased hard by defending champions St Malachy’s were chasing hard for the first two legs but then took a strong lead on the third leg holding on to that for tthe fourth and final leg to finish in a new course record time of 38 mins 45 secs was a course record. St Malachy’s finished second in 39:16 which was also inside the old record, while third was Willowfield Harriers in 40:30.

There was another course record of 40:55 for NBH in the master men’s race where Victoria Park and Connswater AC were second in 41:52 and Acorns AC third in 42.13. In the women’s masters race over three legs, NBH were the winners in 37 mins 00 secs. Second was Lagan Valley A in 37:587 while third were North Down AC in 38:32.

Winning a closely fought senior women’s race in 34: 29 were East Down AC, with North Down second in 34:48 and City of Lisburn AC third in 36.35.

World Championships, Doha

Highlight of Ireland’s performance in the second week of the World Athletics Championships in Doha was Ciara Mageean’s time of 4:00.15 in the 1500m.

In a top quality race, Mageean’s time was enough for tenth place in the race and puts her second behind Sonia O’Sullivan on the all-time Irish list. O’Sullivan’s record of 3:58.85 dates back to July 1995. It also puts Mageean fourth on the current European rankings behind Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, Scotland’s Laura Muir and Konstanze Klosterhalfen of Germany.

Sian Hassan led from the start and it lead to such a fast race that Mageean’s time would actually have been good enough for gold in seven of the last eight World Championships. Obviously a Championship race is often tactical and slow starting, but it shows how well the Irish athlete is developing on the international stage.

In challenging conditions, although cooler than the women’s marathon, Stephen Scullion ran 2:21:31 for 43rd place in the Men’s Championship marathon.

World Athletics Championships, Doha, Qatar, 28 September – October 6

Irish results summary –

Friday September 27

Women’s 3000m steeplechase. H2, 9 Michelle Finn 9.45

Men’s 400m hurdles heats. H1, 2 Thomas Barr 49.

Saturday September 28

Men’s 800m h4, 7 Mark English 1:47.96; 32nd

Men’s 400m H sf2, 4 Thomas Barr 49.02 (SB) 10th fastest.

Men’s 50km walk, 6 Brendan Boyce 4:07.46 (PB)

Monday September 30

Women’s 200m, h1, 5 Phil Healy 23.56; 37th

Wednesday October 2

Women’s 1500m, h1, 5 Ciara Mageean 4:04.18(Q)

Thursday October 3

Women’s 1500m sf1, 5 Ciara Mageean 4:15.49 (Q)

Friday October 4

Men’s 20km walk, 31Alex Wright 1:37:33

Saturday October 5

Women’s 1500m final, 10 Ciara Mageean 4:00.15 (PB)

Men’s marathon, 43 Stephen Scullion 2:21.31.

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 Mageean 10th with PB in World Champs 1500m – Irish round-up appeared first on Fast Running.

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.

Mark English of UCD won the 800m in sensational style at the Birmingham Diamond League meeting on Sunday (August 18).

Only last Wednesday, English had dropped out of the 800m at the Cork City Sports and his chances of qualifying for next month’s World Championships were starting to look shaky.

But English came back with a bang in Birmingham going from eighth to first in the final 100m of the race and clocking a season’s best time of 1:45.94. That puts him 39th on the current rankings and with 48 places on offer for the World Championships, that should see him through safely. Second in the race was the Kenyan Alfred Kipketer in 1:46.10.

[Editor – If you have the time it’s well worth watching English’s finish on Youtube. Miles from contention until the last 100m and it’s almost like he just decides he’ll go win it. The looks of disbelief on Webb & Kipketer’s faces are brilliant and English commandingly takes the victory. A real joy to watch.]

Next up for English is the Morton Games in Santry on Wednesday evening (August 21). Also competing in Santry is Ciara Mageean, who has already qualified for Doha.

In the 400m hurdles, Thomas Barr of Ferrybank AC finished fourth in 50.16 secs, while in the Millicent Fawcett Mile, Sarah Healy of Blackrock AC, making her Diamond League debut, clocked 4:40.72 for 12th place. Three Diamond League meets remain.

Elsewhere on the track

A night earlier, at the Flanders Cup meet in Belgium, Nadia Power, who is soon to transfer to Dublin City Harriers AC, won the women’s 800m in a personal best time of 2 mins 2.39 secs. In the 200m series, Leon Reid of Menapians AC finished second in his heat in 20.93 secs, while in the 400m hurdles, Jason Harvey of Crusaders AC was third in 52.09 secs.

Phil Healy of Bantry AC finished fourth in the women’s 100m at the 58th Cork City Sports held at the CIT track on Wednesday (August 14) with an encouraging time of 11.49 secs.The race was won by the American Candace Hill in 11.37; Healy later finished fourth in the 200, also behind Hill, with their times 23.07 and 23.40 respectively. In the men’s 200m, Leon Reid of Menapians AC, was third in 20.89 secs.

In the women’s 800m, Nadia Power of Templeogue AC finished fifth in 2:03.19 in the women’s 800m. Luvo Manyonga, the current world champion, won the long jump with a stadium record of 8.20; his lifetime best is 8.65 m. Pippa Rogan finished fourth and Sommer Lecky fifth in the high jump both getting over 1.80.

Photo: Lindie Naughton

Masters Athletics

Tommy Hughes of Termoneeny in Co Derry, who has transferred to Dublin club Rathfarnham WSAF AC, was the winner of the men’s over 50 5000m race at the National Masters Track and Field Championships in rain-sodden Tullamore on Sunday (August 18). Hughes, who turns 60 next January, headed the race from the start and finished ahead of Tommy Payne of Tinryland AC and Ian O’Leary of Leevale AC.

Moving down from his favoured 800m distance was many times world champion Joe Gough of West Waterford AC, who won the M65 200m in 29.23 secs.

There should be more results available on the Athletics Ireland website.

Road running

Clonliffe’s Ian Guiden proved the class of the field at the Fr Mulligan 5km in Dundalk on Saturday (August 18) winning in 15 mins 5 secs. A distant second in 17:54 was Shane Larkin of Drogheda and District. First woman was Josephine Killeen in 21:24.

At the Rathkenny 5km in Co Meath on Friday evening (August 16) , Ben Brunton of St Brigid’s AC was the winner in 16 minutes exactly with Shauna Moran of Dunshaughlin AN first woman in 19 mins 47 secs. Star of the Sea AC was first of the women’s club teams, with Dunshaughlin AC best of the men.

Hiko Tonosa of Dundrum South Dublin AC was the clear winner of the Castlepollard 5km on Wednesday (August 16) in a time of 14 mins 49 secs. Second and first M35 was Brian O’Kelly of Crusaders AC in 15:06 while third was Ronan Maguire of OMG AC in 15:27.

First woman as Leevale’s Sinead O’Connor in 16:50. Siobhan O’Doherty of Borrisokane AC was second in 17:11 and Mary Mulhare of Portlaoise AC third in 17:21. The race was the eighth round of the KIA Series, with only the Lakes 10km in Blessington on September 7 to come.

Overall rankings

With the five best results counting, Mary Mulhare currently tops the women’s rankings with three wins , a second and a third for eight points. Also on eight points with two wins and three seconds is Sinead O’Connor.

With five wins from six races, Tonosa is uncatchable in the men’s competition; as indeed he was last year when the fact that he didn’t have a driver’s license meant he could not take on the 12-month lease of a car that went to the overall winner.

Winners at the Musgrave S& BHAA 5km in Cork on Tuesday (August 13) were Alan O’Shea of Mercy Hospital and Carol Finn of Finn Physiotherapy.

O’Shea finished in 15 mins 10 secs, with Alan O’Brien of McCarthy Insurance Group four seconds behind for second and Joe Cunningham of Eli Lilly third and first M45 in 15:18. Finn clocked 18 mins 1 sec; Clare O’Brien of Department of Education was second in 18:30 and with Niamh Roe third in 18.49.

Department of Education was first team in women’s grade A, with HSE best in B and Musgrave in C. UCC was first team in men’s grade A ahead of Eli Lilly; Stryker were clear winners of B while PM Group won C. A total of 478 completed the race. Next Cork BHAA race is the Cork to Cobh 15 mile on Sunday October 9 for which online registration is opening soon.

parkrun

Kirsti Foster and Tom Aldred ran the fastest 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 Mark English gives an 800m masterclass – Irish round-up appeared first on Fast Running.

In a tight finish to the women’s race, Ireland just held off the challenge of Romania and the Slovak Republic to win the A final in a season’s best 3:35.77. Making up the team were Nessa Millett, Nicoale Walsh, Jenna Bromell and Sharlene Mawdsley.

Minutes later the men’s quartet of Chris O’Donnell, Andrew Mellon, Cathal Crosbie and Harry Purcell ended Ireland’s campaign in Sandnes to win their A final in 3:08.77 – another season’s best. It left Ireland third overall in the 4 x 400m rankings behind Turkey and the Netherlands.

Just enough to survive

Overall, Ireland did just enough to survive in the first league for 2021, finishing seventh on the points table with a total of 227 points. Romania, just behind Ireland on 225.50 points, is relegated along with Hungary, Slovakia and Lithuania. Winning promotion to the Super League is Portugal with an impressive total of 302 points. Belarus finished second, and hosts Norway third.

While Ireland had no individual wins in a high class competition held over three days in cold and windy conditions, there were some notable performances. Mark English finished second in the men’s 800m in 1:50.06, with Balazs Vindiscs of Hungary the winner in 1:49.62. “I lost to a strong athlete today. I am not in my best shape, I was a bit rusty,” he said.

A day earlier, Christopher O’Donnell had produced the best Irish performance of the session when he finished second in the 400m in a season’s best 46.70. “I’m really pleased with my race today and running a season’s best in these conditions was great,” said the Sligo athlete after his run.

In the women’s 5000m, Fionnuala McCormack finished a close third in 16:02.78. “Being from Ireland the weather isn’t a problem for me. I took nine points for Ireland and I’m happy for that, although the distance is not my favourite, it’s too short,” said McCormack after her race.

An excellent team effort

A fighting third in the women’s 200m on Saturday was Ciara Neville who clocked a time of 11.83 despite a -1.8 headwind. She has run marginally faster in the heats a dayearlier.

Finishing fourth in the men’s 200m with a time of 21.29 sec was Marcus Lawler, while also fourth was Jayme Rossiter in the men’s steeplechase, and Andrew Coscoran in a 1500m race won by Jacon Ingebrigtsen of Norway in 3:43.43.

Thomas Barr was another Irish athletes just outside the top three, with in 400m hurdles final taking place in particularly windy conditions. Winner in 49.23 was Yasmani Capello, the Cuban who runs in Turkish colours; Barr’s time for fourth was 51.12.

On Saturday, the mens’ 4 x 100m also ran a season’s best clocking 40.31 secs for third in their heat and fifth overall.

Other track performances

Clocking a personal best time of 4:13.93 for second place in the A 1500m at the BMC Meet at Trafford on Saturday (August 10) was Nadia Power of Templeogue AC. The time was a big improvement on the 4:16.15 Power ran last June in Loughborough on her way to bronze in the 800m at the European U23 Championships.

Other Irish in action included Conal Kirk of Annadale Striders, 1:51.82 in his 15^th 800m race this season, Iseult O’Donnell of Raheny Shamrock winner of the women’s B 800m in 2:08.91, and Kieran Kelly, also Raheny Shamrock, 3:46.22 in the men’s A 1500m.

In Loughborough on Tuesday (August 6) Jason Smith of Derry Track Club ran 10.51 for 100m – a fastest time in some years for the Paralympian superstar. .

On the roads

Yared Derese of Carrick Aces proved the class of the field in the National Half Marathon Championships on Sunday (August 11) winning the men’s title in 64 mins 58 secs – a superb time on a tricky course from Dublin’s city centre into the Phoenix Park.

Second was national marathon champion Mick Clohisey of Raheny Shamrock in 65:36 while third was Hugh Armstrong of Ballina AC in 66.10. In a quality men’s race, Sergiu Ciobanu of Clonliffe Harriers finished fourth in 67:18 and David Mansfield of Clonmel AC fifth in 67.53.

More low key was the women’s race won by Katherine Wood of Sale Harriers in Manchester in 77:21, with Angela McCann of Clonmel AC second and first W45 in 80:14. McCann is having a good summer; last June, she was the first woman at the Cork Marathon.

Among the notable veteran men finishers was Tommy Hughes of Termoneeny AC 18^th overall and first M55 in 74:01.

The  championships were held in conjunction with the American Rock ’n’ Roll franchise races. Some 5,495 completed the half marathon.

A day earlier, Eoin Flynn of Rathfarnham WSAF AC won the Rock ’n’ Roll 5km in the Phoenix Park with almost a minute to spare in 15:57.

Damien Landers not only won the Streets of Galway 8km in fine style on Saturday evening (August 10), he helped his club Ennis TTC to its first team victory in the race.

Landers crossed the line in 24 mins 7secs beating Sean Hehir, a fellow Clare man, by six seconds. Kenny Rodgers of St John’s AC was third in 24.17, with prolific racer Alan O’Shea of Bantry AC fourth in 24:46.

Finishing 16^th overall and first woman in 26:41 was Anne Marie McGlynn of Letterkenny AC.

Siobhan O’Doherty of Borrisokane AC, wearing No 1 as last year’s winner , was second in 28: 1, with Regina Casey of host club Galway City Harriers third in 28.50. A total of 2,533 completed the race.

And more road action

Winning the Route to Crook 5-Mile from Goleen to Crookhaven in Co Cork on Sunday (August 11) was Eoghan McElhinney of Bantry AC in 28 mins 5 secs. Jonathhn Hughes of Rathfarnham WSAF AC was second in 28.51. Eighth overall and first woman was Una English in 32:23.

On a busy day for the East Cork Harbour Marathon, Half Marathon and 10km in Cork, Thomas Baker, an M50 athlete from Navan AC, won the Marathon in 2 hrs 49 mins 50 mins. Kevin O’Leary of East Cork AC in 73:36 and Liz Nylan of West Waterford Ac won the winners of the half marathon, while in the 10km the winners were Gary Walsh of Bweeng Trail Blazers in 36:05 and Jennifer Goggin Walsh of Carraig na bhFear AC in 42:43.

Colm Rooney of Clonliffe Harriers was the winner of the Streets of Athboy 5km on Friday evening (August 9). His time of 14 mins 45 secs put him well clear of second placed Stephen Conroy of Celbridge AC who finished in 15:26. Finishing third was Ben Brunton of St Brigid’s AC in 15:38. First woman was Michelle Cox of Newbridge AC in 18:12. Karen Costello of Dunleer AC was second in 18.16 and Rose Finnegan of UCD AC third in 18:25.

Winning the GR8km in Mitchelstown on a wet Friday evening (August 9) were Niall Shanahan of An Bru AC in 24:35 and Niamh Moore of Leevale AC in 28:48. Angela McCann of Clonmel AC warmed up for the National Half Marathon by finishing second woman.

Catch-up: Winning the Sunshine Half Marathon in Queensland, Australia (Sunday August 4th) in 64 mins 12 secs was Kevin Batt of Dundrum South Dublin AC. It puts him second on the current Irish rankings behind Kevin Seaward who ran 63:39 in Barcelona last February. Batt was given the victory after defending champion Jack Rayner ran off the course while in the lead and was disqualified.

Batt will make his marathon debut in Dublin later in the year.

In the same race, Lisa Weightman broke her own Australian all-comer’s record when she finished in 68 mins 48 secs. Mayo woman Sinead Diver, who runs for Australia, was second in 69:08 – not far her personal best of 68:55. Both Weightman and Diver are in their forties.

Sierre Zinal records go

Irish mountain running international Sarah McCormack clocked a time of 3 hours 12 mins 45.9 secs for 12^th at the Sierre Zinal classic mountain race in Switzerland’s Val d’Anniviers on Sunday (August 11).

McCormack, winner at the Snowdon International Race a fortnight ago, currently heads WMRA’s World Cup rankings with two races to go and her 12^thposition in this tough 32km race has consolidated her lead. She also finished 12^th in the Sierre Zinal last year in 3 hrs 13 mins 6 secs.

At the head of the race, five times winner Kilian Jornet from Spain smashed Jonathan Wyatt’s long standing course record with a time of 2:25.35. First woman was European champion Maude Mathys of Switzerland in 2:49.21, also smashing Czech star Anna Pichrtová’s record.

Award winning Father and Son, Tommy and Eoin Hughes, from Maghera are gearing up for breaking a Guinness World Record at the 7th Deep RiverRock Belfast City Half Marathon on Sunday 22nd September 2019

parkrun

Eoin Hughes and Elaine McGuckin ran the fastest parkrun times in Ireland this weekend, whilst Eoin’s father Tommy was third overall in a busy weekend of fast running for the pair who are targeting a world record performance later this year. Full parkrun 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 Barr leads team effort to avoid athletics relegation – Irish weekend round-up appeared first on Fast Running.

Future Ulster rugby player Aaron Sexton put a memorable end to his domestic athletics career when he won both the senior 100m and 200m titles in record times at the Irish Life Health All Ireland Schools Track and Field Championships in Tullamore on Saturday (June 1)

First up was the 100m, where Bangor Grammar’s Sexton powered his way to victory in a time of 10.46 secs. A fighting second was Conor Morey of PBC Cork who equalled Marcus Lawler’s 2013 record when finishing in 10.59.

Just over an hour later, Sexton settled into his blocks for the 200m and completely dominated the race, with his time of 20.69 secs breaking Lawler’s 20.87 record, also from 2013 and putting him top of the current European U20 listings. If he can hold that form, he may well pick up a medal at the European U20 Championships taking place in Boras, Sweden next month where he will end his athletics career.

Rhasidat Adeleke (Presentation Terenure) was another double winner in the sprints, taking the inter girls 100m in 11.69 secs and the 200m in 24.29. Her Irish teammate Patience Jumbo Gula (St Vincent’s Dundalk) won the senior girls’ 100m in 11.81.

In the senior girls 400m, Davicia Patterson (Hunterhouse) improved her 2018 record with a time of 53.23. Dominating the girls’ 4x100m relays was Dublin school Mount Anville with victories at minor, inter and senior level.

Going the distance

Early in the day, European U18 champion Sarah Healy was a class apart in the senior girls 3000m, which she won in 9:24.5, knocking over eight seconds off the previous record. Equally dominant in the senior boys’ 5000m later on was defending champion Efrem Gidey (Le Cheile, Tyrrellstown) who, despite increasingly blustery conditions, managed a time of 14:45.25.

In winning the senior 1500m, Darragh McElhinney (CP Bantrai) made it a clean sweep of schools titles at all levels from minor to senior just a week after becoming the first under 18 athlete to go under 14 minutes for 5000m. McElhinney ran a smart race, pulling away from Shay McEvoy (St Kieran’s Kilkenny) at the bell and crossing the line in 3:52.40.

Aimee Hayde (St Mary’s Newport) made it a middle distance double, though she had to fight hard for her victory in the intermediate girls’ 800m and was rewarded with a time of 2:09.80, which broke Siofra Cleirigh Buttner’s time of 2:10.27 from 2012. Also inside that time was Victorias Lighbody (Wallace HS) who finished in 2:10.20. Hayde went on to win the 1500m in 4:37.31.

Race of the day was a dramatic senior boys 800m, where Leinster champion Louis O’Loughlin (Moyle Park) after finding himself boxed in on the back straight chased down Cian McPhillips (Moyne CS). The two were elbow to elbow in the chase for the line, when McPhillips’ legs buckled allowing O’Loughlin to take a fighting victory in 1:52.47

Field events

Irish heptathlon record holder Kate O’Connor (St Vincent’s Dundalk) started her day early by finishing joint winner of the senior high jump with a modest 1.65 effort. She later added over two metres to the senior javelin record with a throw of 48.17m.

In the senior boys pole vault, Matthew O’Callan O Cianain (GC Cheatharlach) set a new championships best of 4.51, adding a single centimetre to the previous best. Orla Coffey (St Angela’s Cork) was also in record breaking form with a winning 3.61 in the inter girls competition, while at junior level Conor Callinan (Col an Chriost Naomh) improved the boys’ record to 3.85m and Jodie McGrath (St Mary’s Nenagh) added eight centimetres to the girls’ record with a 3m vault.

In the senior high jump, Nelvin Appiah (Moyne CS Longford) went soaring over 2.10 to put him top of the current Irish rankings. At junior level, Geoffrey Joy O’Regan (John the Baptist) recorded a personal best of 1.96 to break a record going back to 1976.

Senior Track and Field

Internationally, Thomas Barr (Ferrybank AC) finished third in the 400m hurdles on a windy and cold night at the Stockholm Diamond League on Thursday evening (May 30).

Norway’s world champion Karsten Warholm ran away with the race in 47.85 secs; the American TJ Holmes was second in 49.25 and Barr third in 50.28.

Barr had recorded a time of 49.41 when opening his season at the Shanghai Diamond League on May 18. His next outing is at Thursday’s Rome Diamond League.

Sean Hehir of Rathfarnham WSAF returned to the track last Wednesday (May 29) where he won the 10,000m at the third Dublin Graded Track and Field meet held at Irishtown Stadium– the race gave athletes a rare opportunity to race over the distance. Hehir finished in 31:40.43 with Lee van Haeften of Donore Harriers second in 31:42.60 and Barry Shiel from Longford AC third in 32:44.71.

In other races, Joe Warne of Doheny AC and Niamh Allen of Crusaders AC were festest over 800m with times of 1:56.72 and 2:16.17 respectively, while over 400m, Eamonn Wallace of Ratoath AC in 50.85 and Grainne Moynihan of West Muskerry AC in 57.63 were qucikest over 400.

In the field, Claire Fitzgerald of Tralee Harriers continued her return to competition in the women’s discus with a best throw of 47.92.

Next Dublin Graded Meet, incorporating the Dublin Championships, takes place in Santry on Wednesday June 12, with 100m, 400m and 1500m races. Full results and calendar at www.dublinathletics.com

One the roads

Gary O’Hanlon from Clonliffe Harriers was king of Cork again when winning the Cork Marathon on Sunday (June 2) for a second year in 2:21.43.

O’Hanlon broker away early with Tim O’Donoghue (East Cork AC) and former winner Sergiu Ciobanu (Clonliffe Harriers), but broke away coming up to the ten mile mark. O’Donoghue then left Ciobanu behind to come home second in 2:25.53, with Ciobanu third in 2:28.26.

First woman was Angela McCann (Clonmel AC) in 3:02.47, with Nollaig O’Neill (Leevale AC) second in 3:07.52 and Magan Armitage third in 3:08.31.. First relay team was Leevale AC.

Winners of the half marathon were Gavin Sweeney (Togher AC) in 69:04, who was followed home by Cillian O’Leary in 69:29 and Freddy Sittuk in 71:03. First Woman was Fiona Santry (East Cork AC) in 83:17, with Sorcha Kearney (St Finbarr’sAC) 2nd in 85:26 and Andrea Bickerdike (Leevale AC) third in 86:26.

Completing his 450 marathon was 70-year-old wheelchair master Jerry Forde (Blarney Inniscarra AC); the wheelchair winner was Paralympian John McCarthy, a well known figure on the Dublin roads.

Aoibhe Richardson of Kilkenny City Harriers, who is currently based in the USA where she runs with Portland AC, was the winner of the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon 10km in Dublin on Sunday (June 2).

Richardson passed early leader Catherina Mullen (MSB AC) about halfway through the race and went on to win in 34 mins 35 secs. Mullen was second in 35:01 and Olympic marathon runner Breege Connolly (City of Derry) third and first W40 in 35:13.

Others in contention included twice previous winner Siobhan O’Doherty (Borrisokane AC), Mary Mulhare (Portlaoise AC), Una Britton (Kilcoole AC) and Nora Newcombe (Mayo AC); full results are not yet available.

Leading home the 28,000 or so finishers for a second year was 15-year-old Shauna Bouquet from Craughwell AC who was first wheelchair athletes. Sinead Kane, better known as an ultra runner, was first visually impaired athlete to finish.

Walled City Marathon

Eric Koech (Project Africa) was put under no pressure at the Derry Walled City Marathon on Sunday (June 2) which he won in 2 hrs 34 mins 19 secs. A distant second in 2:40.20 was Chris McGuinness (Foyle Valley AC), with Shane O’Donnell (Rosses AC) third in 2:42.54.

First woman was Natalie Hall (Armagh AC) in 3:03.35. Grace Kennedy (Donore Harriers) was second in 3:04.32 and Aisling Murray (Scrabo Striders) third in 3:05.20. Over 800 completed the race.

Peter Somba of Dunboyne AC was the winner of the Michelle McKiernan Star of the Sea 5km held in Stamullan, Co Meath on Tuesday (May 28) evening.

Somba finished fives seconds clear of second place Aaron Hanlon of Clonliffe Harriers in 15 mins 15 secs. Third was Eoin Callaghan of the host club in 15:54. First woman was Niamh Devlin of Dundrum South Dublin in 18:12. Mary Leech of Drogheda and District was second woman and first W40 in 18.27 and Laura Mathews of North East Runners third in 18.37. Full result

Mick Clohisey made a welcome return to BHAA running last week winning the Government Services BHAA 5-Mile, in Dunboyneon Tuesday (May 28) in 23 mins 35 secs. Second was Sean Doran in 25.40, with Brian Conroy a close third in 25:46.

In fifth place, Ian McGarth was not only first master home, but was also leading Bank of Ireland to team victory in the A grade, with Cathal McHale and Joe Walsh making up the team. The bank’s B team was second ahead of ESB. Winning grade B was Eir , with Ervia second. Dublin Bus was first in grade C and Gardai in D, with the Garda team led by current Dublin Marathon committee chairman Paul Moran.

First woman in 31:16 was Jill Horan, followed by Alma Hanevy, who was also first master, and local athlete Claire Ni Fhaircheallaigh. Best of the women’s teams was Revenue. Over 400 completed the race. www.bhaa.ie

Winners of the Balbriggan Summerfest 5km on Thursday (May 30) were Stephen Kelly 9Drogheda and District AC) in 16 mins 17 secs and Aoife Parrella (Star of the Sea AC) in 19:11.

Up and down the hills

Seamus Lynch (Newcastle AC) was a clear winner of the annual Carrauntoohil mountain race in Co Kerry. Lynch completed the 12.5 km course with 1157 climb in 1:25:34. Second was Bernard Fortune (Sliabh Bhui Rovers AC) in 1:30:19, with Tom Blackburn (Moreabbey Milers AC) third in 1:33:41. First woman was Becky Quinn in 1:50:48.

Coming up this week is an interview with new Wicklow Round record holder Gavin Bryne so keep your eyes peeled for that one.

parkrun Ireland

Daire Bermingham and Catherina McKiernan are your quickest parkrunners in Ireland this weekend (June 1). For full top tens check them out here.

RELATED: 7 ways to run faster at parkrun

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! 

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 Sexton ends domestic career with impressive double – Irish weekend round-up appeared first on Fast Running.

Thomas Barr was named as the Athlete of the Year at the Irish Life Health National Athletics Awards in Blanchardstown on Thursday (November 29).

Barr got the top honour with his superb bronze medal in the 400m hurdles at the European Championships in Berlin over the summer.

The Ferrybank athlete also collected the Track and Field Athlete of the Year award holding off Phil Healy, who was named inspirational performance for her 100m and 200m record exploits, and European finalists Leon Reid and Ciara Mageean.

Sommer Lecky was named Junior Athlete of Year after her high jump silver medal winning performance – and an Irish U20 record – at the IAAF World U20 Athletics Championships in Tampere, Finland.

The relay squad of Molly Scott Gina Akpe-Moses, Ciara Neville and Patience Jumbo-Gula and Rhasidat Adeleke, who also won silver in Tampere, were named the team of the year.

Mary Purcell was inducted into the Hall of Fame for 2018. She was the dominant figure in women’s athletics in Ireland throughout the 1970s.

While the Irish Life Health National Athletics Awards is a celebration of the many successes of our international and national it also commemorates the association’s exceptional volunteer base. Paddy Marley was named as the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient – the pinnacle volunteer award while Sean Callan won the Outstanding Official of the Year.

Both stalwarts of Clonliffe Harriers, they are very popular people on the athletics scene. Frank Greally, editor of the Irish Runner magazine for over 30 years was a very worthy recipient of a Special Recognition Award.

“The awards not only allow us to celebrate the great performances of our athletes over the course of the year, but it also gives Athletics Ireland the opportunity to formally acknowledge our coaches, officials and clubs for their enormous contribution to the success of our sport,” said CEO of Athletics Ireland, Hamish Adams.

“We wish all our athletes success at the forthcoming European Cross Country Championships, and we look forward to ensuring that we too deliver a world class experience for both athletes and spectators when we play host to the event in 2020.”

Irish Athletics Awards winners

Hall of Fame: Mary Purcell
Lifetime Services to Athletics: Paddy Marley
Athlete of the Year: Thomas Barr (Ferrybank)
Endurance Athlete of the Year: Alex Wright (Leevale)
U20 Athlete of the Year: Sommer Lecky (Finn Valley)
U23 Athlete of the Year: Matthew Behan (Crusaders)

Track & Field Athlete of the Year: Thomas Barr (Ferrybank)
Performance Club of the Year: Clonliffe Harriers
Services to Coaching: Eamon Harvey
Official of the Year: Sean Callan
Team of the Year: Women’s U20 4x100m Relay Team
Inspirational Performance of the Year on Irish Soil: Phil Healy

Development Club of the Year: West Waterford A.C.
Mountain Runner of the Year: Sarah McCormack (Clonliffe Harriers)
Master Athlete of the Year: Joe Gough (West Waterford)
Ultra-Athlete of the Year: Aidan Hogan (Rising Sun)
Schools Athlete of the Year: Sarah Healy (Holy Child Killiney/Blackrock), Aaron Sexton (Bangor Grammar/North Down)
University Athlete of the Year: Elizabeth Morland (DCU/Cushinstown)
Special Recognition Award: Frank Greally

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Thomas Barr created history by winning a brilliant bronze medal in the 400m hurdles in 48.31 seconds at the European Athletics Championships in Berlin on Thursday (August 9).

Barr became the first Irish male sprinter to win an outdoor European medal in the 84 year history of the event.

It was a truly world class race with favourite Karsten Warholm of Norway setting a national record of 47.64 as did Turkey’s Yasmani Copello who ran 47.81.

“It was really reminiscent of Rio with all the Irish flags and fans out there. It all came together and I was raring to go from the afternoon to get out there,” said Barr afterwards.

“I really wanted that hardware to join Ciara (Mageean) and Mark (English) with medals along with the greats like Sonia (O’Sullivan) and Derval (O’Rourke). I’m just so happy it came together and I’m really thankful to all my team.”

"Earlier in the day I felt nervous but as time went on I felt more relaxed" – @TomBarr247 reflects on becoming the first Irishman in the 84-year history of the European Athletics Championships to win a medal in a sprint event #rtesport pic.twitter.com/zgaq3BLpmb

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 9, 2018

It made Thomas Barr the tenth Irish athlete to win a medal at the European Championships.

Leon Reid was a little disappointed with seventh in the 200m final with 20.37 but, like the 400m hurdles final, it was arguably the highest quality in the history of the championship.

It was won by Turkey’s Ramil Guliyev in a championship record of 19.76.

“Disappointing with the result because we always come here to win or be on the mix,” said Reid afterwards. “I hit that bend hard but they must have just piggy backed on me because they came around on me.

“If I want to be up there with those guys I need to be able to hit that straight coming off the bend.

“It’s something I’m going to have to work on. It’s not a bad debut finishing 7th in a European final. I want to push on now. It was great to have friends and family over and finally run for Ireland.”

Friday will be a busy morning of action for Irish athletes with Phil Healy in the heats of the 200m at 10:25, Ciara Mageean in the heats of the 1500m, while Kerry O’Flaherty and Michelle Finn are in the heats of the 3000m steeplechase at 11:25.

There is also relay action with the heats of the men’s and women’s 4x400m relays at 12:05 and 12:40. Thomas Barr has a quick turnaround competing in the 4x400m relay.

RELATED: Barr-ing bad luck a European medal is within his grasp

The post Thomas Barr wins historic 400m hurdles bronze in Berlin appeared first on Fast Running.

Ireland has named a strong team of 41 athletes for the European Championships, which take place from August 6-12 in Berlin.

The majority of the athletes selected were in action over the weekend at the National Track and Field Championships, including Ciara Mageean, who won double gold in the 800m / 1500m events.

Leon Reid also won two golds in the 100m and 200m, and the Commonwealth Games bronze medalist is provisionally selected pending the outcome of the IAAF transfer process from Great Britain. Reid’s confirmed selection will bring the team total to 42.

RELATED: Leon Reid faces wait to compete for Ireland

Thomas Barr, who won his eighth consecutive Irish title on Sunday, is selected for the 400m hurdles and the 4x400m relay team.

Photo: Sportsfile

Stephen Scullion and Emma Mitchell are selected for the 10,000m, while Irish 100m and 200m record holder Phil Healy will double up in both distances, as well as the 4x100m relay.

Mick Clohisey, Paul Pollock and Commonwealth Games fourth-place finisher Kevin Seaward are among the five men selected for the marathon, while Lizzie Lee and Laura Graham are among the four women selected.

Mark English and Zak Curran will contest the 800m, with Siofra Cleirigh Buttner and Claire Mooney also selected for the two-lap race.

Men (confirmed selections)

200m: Marcus Lawler
400m: Chris O’Donnell
800m: Zak Curran, Mark English
10,000m: Stephen Scullion
110mH: Ben Reynolds
400mH: Thomas Barr
Long Jump: Adam McMullen
20km Walk: Cian McManamon, Alex Wright
50km Walk: Brendan Boyce
Marathon: Sergiu Ciobanu, Mick Clohisey, Sean Hehir, Paul Pollock, Kevin Seaward
4x400m Relay: Chris O’Donnell, Brandon Arrey, Thomas Barr, Craig Newell, Andrew Mellon, Dara Kervick

Women

100m & 200m: Phil Healy
100m: Gina Akpe Moses
800m: Siofra Cleirigh Buttner, Claire Mooney
1500m: Ciara Mageean
10,000m: Emma Mitchell
3000m SC: Kerry O’Flaherty, Michelle Finn
Marathon: Breege Connolly, Gladys Ganiel, Laura Graham, Lizzie Lee
4x100m Relay: Phil Healy, Gina Akpe Moses, Ciara Neville, Joan Healy, Niamh Whelan, Molly Scott
4x400m Relay: Davicia Patterson, Claire Mooney, Sophie Becker, Sinead Denny, Ciara Deely, Catherine McManus

The post Ireland names team for European Championships appeared first on Fast Running.

It was business as usual for Ciara Mageean Thomas Barr, Mark English and Adam McMullen with commanding performances at the Irish National Track and Field Championships in Santry, Dublin over the weekend (July 28-29).

UCD’s Mageean not only took a third 800m title at Morton Stadium on Sunday, but just over an hour later won 1500m gold for a fourth time since 2011.

Mageean beat Amy O’Donoghue of Emerald and defending champion Emma Mitchell of Queen’s who had won the 5000m a day earlier.

In the 400m hurdles, Barr won an eighth consecutive title and he did so in a new championship record of 49.56 seconds beating the time of 49.68 that he ran in 2015. Finishing second was his training partner Paul Byrne of St Abban’s.

Photo: Lindie Naughton

Mark English of UCD AD won a fifth consecutive 800m and a sixth overall although he had to draw on all his experience to hold off the challenge of young pretender John Fitzsimons from Kildare AC Their times were 1:50.82 and 1:51.05.

Adding the 100m title to the 200m gold he won a day earlier was Leon Reid of Menapians. Reid’s time of 10.42 gave him a solid victory over Travane Morrison of Tralee Harriers who clocked 10.54. Morrison is Jamaican studying a masters degree at IT Tralee on the effects of exercise and medication for patients following a kidney transplant.

Defending champion Jeremey Phillips of Clonliffe Harriers was third in 10.55.

Photo: Lindie Naughton

Long jumper Adam McMullan of Crusaders AC claimed won a sixth title, four of them consecutive, although his best of 7.68 was well off his best of 7.99m recorded indoors earlier this year. On Saturday, triple jumper Denis Finnegan of An Riocht AC had won a ninth national title in twelve years, seven of them consecutive.

Taking her fourth women’s steeplechase title was Michelle Finn of Leevale, whose time of n 9:46.81 was inside the B standard for the European Championships.

Also taking a fourth national title was Sarah Lavin of UCD in the women’s 100m hurdles, with Kate Doherty of DSD second and Elizabeth Morland of Cushinstown AC third. Morland, the Irish heptathlon record holder, had earlier won the women’s long jump with a 6.10m leap; a day earlier, she had won the javelin.

There was also a ninth title for Galway’s Sean Breathnach in the shot, whose 17.53m effort showed him to be right back in form after missing last season. Breathnach also won the 56lb for distance.

In the 1500m, John Travers regained a title he won in 2016, beating Darren McBrearty of Letterkenny and Raheny’s Kieran Kelly.

Ger O’Donnell of Carrick-on-Shannon again came good at the right time to beat Ben Reynolds of North Down and Matthew Behan of Crusaders in the 110m hurdles and won himself a third senior title.

Marco Pons of DMP AC took a third senior title in the discus with his winning throw of 53.67m, just seeing off Eoin Sheridan of North Westmeath whose best was 53.45m.

The men’s 5000m gave a glimpse of the future with US-based Mark Forsythe, whose family comes from Comber, Co Down, beating Hiko Tonusa of DSD, originally from Ethiopia, who has found refuge in Ireland. Both are planning to live in Ireland long-term.

A fighting third in this race was defending champion Conor Dooney of Raheny Shamrock, who had pushed the pace from the start.

Photo: Lindie Naughton

Winning her first national senior title in the 100m was Gina Akpe Moses of Blackrock (Louth) AC. In a close-fought race, she beat Joan Healy of Bandon AC by the narrowest of margins with both women given a time of 10.68 and both Niamh Whelan of Ferrybank and Molly Scott of SLOT times at 11.88 for third and fourth.

A clear winner of the women’s 400m was Claire Mooney of UCD who will compete in the 800m at the European Championships next month. She proved her fitness with a time of 53.85.

Taking the men’s pole vault title with a 4.50m effort was multi-eventer Michael Bowler of Enniscorthy AC.

Stephen Scullion in the 10,000m was among the winners on the first day of the Irish National Track and Field Championships. A full report can be found here.

Roads

Freddy Sittuk was a comfortable winner of the Mullingar 10-Mile on Saturday (July 27) winning in a time of 54:49. His Raheny Shamrock club mate Michael McMahon was second in 54:52, while third and first master was Paddy O’Toole of Westport AC in 55:15.

Jane-Anne Meehan of Athenry AC was first woman in 61:09, followed by Aine O’Reilly of Mullingar Harriers and Alma Hanevey of Crusaders AC.

Trail

Eoin Durkan of Donore Harriers led home 530 finishers at the Carton House 6km trail race in Co Kildare on Thursday evening (July 26).

Durkan’s time of 19:57 saw him finish almost half a minute ahead of second placed Rory Kavanagh of host club Dunboyne AC with Rathfarnham’s Barry Minnock a close third. First of the women was former Irish mountain running international Jane Bandila of Dunboyne AC. Aoife Coffey of Lucan Harriers was second and Ellen Vitting of Trim AC third.

Best of the teams were the Dunboyne men and the Sportsworld women.

Winning the Kerry 40-Mile Ultra was Alex O’Shea in 4 hrs 29 mins 30 secs. Fellow Irish international Keith Whyte was second in 4:34:58. Catherine Guthrie was the first woman in 6:42.34.

parkrun

Under-17 athlete Conall McClean ran the fastest time at parkruns across the island of Ireland this weekend with a 16:27 run at the Waterworks in Belfast.

Maria McCarthy was the quickest woman on Saturday running 18:44 at the Killarney parkrun. The top 10 times at Irish parkruns can be found here.

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us and become a patreon. 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 claims golden double in Santry appeared first on Fast Running.

Thomas Barr, Phil Healy and Ciara Mageean are among the headline athletes who will compete for national honours over two days at the Irish Life Health National Track and Field Championships in Santry, Dublin this weekend (July 27/28).

Fresh from his season’s best at the Anniversary Games in London and Ferrybank’s Barr will be looking to win his eighth 400m hurdles national title ahead of next month’s European Championships. St Abban’s Paul Byrne will Barr’s main rival with hopes of an upset.

Fellow Olympian Mageean, is set double in the women’s 800m and 1500m. The Portaferry athlete is coming into fine form ahead of the Europeans and this weekend should provide an excellent test ahead of Berlin. Claire Mooney will be a main contender in the 800m while Siofra Cleirigh Buttner is due to step up in the 1500m.

Bandon’s Healy, who broke the Irish 100m record in June and the 200m record this month in Cork, will be focusing on the longer sprint at the championships and will be aiming for another national title to continue a sizzling summer season. Ciara Neville and Lauren Cadden will be amongst those looking to get in amongst the medals.

There will be a host of other stars including Marcus Lawler and Leon Reid in the sprints, while Emma Mitchell and Shona Heaslip will go head to head in a top women’s 5000m race.

Photo: Sportsfile

The men’s 200m promises to be an exciting duel between SLOT’s Lawler and Menapians’ Reid. Lawler has been in excellent form recently clocking 20.40 seconds but will have to be on form to edge Reid who won Commonwealth bronze and boasts a faster PB of 20.27 run this season. On Friday (July 27) the Nothern Ireland international hopes to get the green light from IAAF to compete for Ireland at the European Championships.

Reid aims to double up in 100m as well, while Gina Akpe-Moses has her sights on winning her first national senior title in the women’s event.

Nothern Ireland record holder Mitchell is out to defend her 5000m title but will have to hold off An Riocht’s Heaslip, who won the Irish cross country and road 10k titles this season.

Mark English is entered in the men’s 800m, while Michelle Finn is the leading entry in the women’s 3000m steeplechase but looks unlikely to run at the moment having sustained an ankle injury midweek when winning in Karlstadt.

Elsewhere in distance action, Adam Kirk-Smith will be on to watch in the men’s 3000m steeplechase with Kevin Maunsell, Hugh Armstrong and Mick Clohisey among those racing over 25 laps of the track in the men’s 10,000m.

Meanwhile, among those hoping for honours in the field events are Adam McMullen, who is just shy of the magical 8m mark in the long jump, while in the high jump, junior athletes Sommer Lecky, who made the headlines winning world u20 silver, and Ryan Carthy Walsh are the leading names.

The championships should provide a wonderful spectacle on what has been a brilliant season internationally to date and also domestically with the Cork City Sports and the Morton Games.

A number of athletes will be looking to seal selection for the European Athletics Championships next month – particularly in the sprints where places are up for grabs in the women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay, and the men’s 4x400m relay.

The first day of action will be live streamed on the Athletics Ireland Facebook with live television coverage on RTE 2 on Sunday.

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

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