This year, 24-year-old Mitchell broke both the Northern Ireland 5000m and 10,000m records, set a number of personal bests and claimed two Irish national titles over 1500m and 5,000m.

It started in the month of May, with a 3000m personal best, which was quickly followed by a 5000m third-place finish behind Louise Small and Katrina Wootton, at the British Milers’ Club Grand Prix in Solihull. The QUB AC athlete clocked 15:50.55 that night for another PB and most impressively it took almost three seconds off Teresa Duffy’s 1996 Northern Irish record.

“Going into the 5000m I said to myself it’s just a matter of getting out there and running,” Mitchell tells Fast Running. “While breaking the Northern Irish record wasn’t the sole intention in that race, it was on my mind and when I knew I had broken the time, it that was the best thing ever. Looking back now it was a bit of a strange race, there were a few slow laps so I know there is still plenty of room to still improve.”

Next up for Mitchell was her first ever 10,000m on the track at the well renowned ‘Night of the 10,000m PB’s’. Mitchell would clock 32:51.78 smashing another of Duffy’s Northern Ireland records, this time by 42 seconds.

“The only aim for that race was the Commonwealth Games standard, and to achieve that by over 15 seconds in my first race over 10,000m, was unbelievable and an incredible night,” she says reflecting back to the race at Parliament Hill track in London. “I had sat down with my coach Eamonn [Christie] at the start of the year and we agreed the only aim was the 10,000m standard. We are both very much on the same page and knew that if I achieved that the Northern Ireland record would come as well.”

Mitchell continued her impressive year winning her first…and then a second Irish national title, over 5000m and 1500m respectively. “It was a great weekend, not fast times but good tactical races and it’s nice to finally win national titles after finishing third over 3000m indoor,” she says reflecting back to the Irish Track and Field Championships in July.

The World University Games in Taipei took centre stage in August, with the Queen’s University Belfast student and athlete finishing ninth in the 10,000m, before a seventh-place finish over 5000m.

“It was great to experience a competition like that, a first for me, and I learnt so much, I really did, and I will take that all forward with me,” says Mitchell. “But while it was a good experience, I am not an athlete who aims solely to go to championships for the experience.

“I want to win and have to admit I was slightly disappointed because my coach and I felt I was in shape to run 32:30 or a bit faster and would have liked to have challenged for a medal. Regarding the heat and humidity in Taipei, I don’t think I will ever experience conditions as extreme at another competition in the future, and as daunting as that was, it will stand by me for years to come.”

The difference this year
The Banbridge native credits her record-breaking year to solid progressive development in 2016 after an injury kept her out from running for six months.

“I was an under-23 at the European Cross Country in France at the end of 2015 and picked up an injury off the back of that. While injured I spent a lot of time aqua jogging and in the gym and it was June 2016 before I could start running again,” she explains. “However, once I got back running I found the cross-training had given me a strong foundation to build my running base on – it all played a massive part in running some track PB’s at the end of that year. At the start of this year, we decided to give cross country a miss and just train for a solid four months geared towards running some fast times indoors.

“In terms of what made the difference this year, it was just that solid block of training. There was no secret, it was just getting the head down, training and working hard. There hasn’t been any massive change to what I have been doing in previous years, but just that consistency,” she explains.

A cross country season was a regular fixture for Mitchell from a junior and right up to late 2015, but after the success of last year by solely focusing on training over the winter months, she doesn’t plan to reintroduce another cross county season into her schedule anytime soon.

“I do like cross country but I just don’t feel, and Eamonn would agree, that it fits in with the plans right now. The Commonwealth Games are in April 2018, which is early for track and seeing the difference that just training from September to December has made this season, that’s my intention again this year.

“At this stage of my athletics career I don’t feel like I could challenge for a medal at the European Cross Country Championships, so that’s another reason to leave it for now,” she adds. “Personally I don’t think there is much point going now to finish 30th or 40th, but in a few years I would like to think I could challenge for medals, so hopefully, I can make a return then.”

The future
Mitchell now looks towards the Commonwealth Games in Australia’s Gold Coast next year. The Northern Ireland nominations have been made, but it will be a couple of months before the team is officially confirmed. However, following her performances this year, questions would be asked if she wasn’t selected for the 10,000m.

“What I have accomplished this year…if that doesn’t warrant a place in the team I don’t know what does. But Eamonn and I are preparing as if I am, I think you have to prepare that way. Also on our radar is the European Championships in August, that’s another big goal,” says the double track Northern Irish record holder.

“For the Commonwealth Games, I want to go there to compete and challenge for a medal. It’s the only way to prepare. I never say to myself that I want to go and finish fifth or eighth. Maybe that might sound unrealistic right now, but you have to have that mindset, you won’t get anywhere in life without that. You have to want to compete for medals and want to win.”

“Where I am right now in my development, I have to look at the fact that in my first race over 25 laps [10,000m] I ran the Commonwealth standard and a Northern Irish record and that was fantastic. And in the last couple of months I’ve felt capable of running 30 seconds faster, but unfortunately, we ran out of time to find the ‘right race’ before the track season ended.

“With the Commonwealth Games in April next year, that’s just more time I have to get fitter and stronger, there is still a lot of things I can do better and I am excited to see how quick I can run come spring,” Mitchell says.

She has also enjoyed some recent success on the road; finishing second at this year’s Northern Ireland 5K Road Championships, and as part of the QUB AC relay team won both the Irish and Northern Irish titles. In the latter, breaking another record over the final leg.

However, for the next few years her focus is on the track, but beyond that, a future on the road is a strong possibility once Mitchell has given the track all she can.

“I consider myself to be a track athlete, first and foremost, and that’s where my priorities sit. I want to win some major titles on the track and use that track speed as best I can over the coming years. However, I do love the road and I think the day will come when that’s my priority,” she says. “I think any distance runner wants to run a marathon, so I will never say never, but a competitive one will definitely have to wait a few years.”

The post Emma Mitchell reflects on a record breaking year appeared first on Fast Running.

In a stacked 1500m final, Davies ran impressively to win bronze, just missing out on a finish higher up the podium.

The 22-year-old finished right on the heels of winner Timo Benitz of Germany and France’s Alexis Miellet, clocking 3:43.99 to secure the first athletics medal for the British and Northern Irish delegation.

Davies made it through to the final after a third place finish in the earlier round, finishing behind the eventual gold medalist Benitz.

#WUGSGB: A tough 1⃣5⃣0⃣0⃣m race, but a bronze medal for Jonathan Davies! #SUTaipei2017 #TargetGREATNESS pic.twitter.com/6EuuxX80LA

— BUCS (@BUCSsport) August 25, 2017

After finishing second in her 800m semi-final yesterday, Adelle Tracey battled bravely for a fourth place finish in Friday’s final, clocking 2:03.72.

Tracey, who made it into the semi-finals at the recent World Championships, crossed the line in fifth behind Rose Mary Almanza, but the Cuban was later disqualified, promoting 24-year-old Tracey to fourth place.

Jess Turner had hopes of a podium place heading into the women’s 400m hurdles final, and give it everything, but with a long season taking its toll she had to settle for a fifth place finish in 57.45.

The 22-year-old, who represented GB at the World Championships improved on her time from the previous round, clocking 57.45.

Allan Smith was three centimetres away from a bronze medal in the high jump. The 24-year-old’s best jump of 2.23m was beaten by two season’s best and one personal best effort.

Alicia Barrett made it through to the semi-finals of the 100m hurdles, posting a time of 13.75 to qualify comfortably in third.

In the 400m hurdles semi-finals, Jacob Paul narrowly missed out on final spot, finishing third and ninth fastest overall in 50.37.

Samuel Trigg finished 12th in the triple jump final, with a 14.94m leap.

Leading into Saturday’s athletic action at the World University Games, the full timetable can be found here, with live coverage available here.

The post GB’s Jonny Davies Stars in 1500m Final to Win Bronze at World University Games appeared first on Fast Running.

Healy clocked an impressive 23.80 to finish second in the first of three semi-finals to secure one of two automatic qualification places for the final.

Before contesting the semi-final, the 22-year-old successfully negotiated her heat with an impressive win in 23.83, 0.26 seconds ahead of the nearest challenger.

The Irish national champion is back on the track on Saturday to contest the final amongst a strong a field at 12.55pm, and to watch live coverage visit livestream.com/fisu.

Lavin was first to line up for Ireland’s athletics delegation, taking to the track for round one of the women’s 100m hurdles with the first three in each securing automatic qualification.

Lavin’s posting of 13.54 in the last of five heats was good for the third automatic qualification spot.

The 23-year-old, who won an Irish national title in July contents the second of three semi-finals on Saturday (August 26th) in a field that British athlete Alicia Barrett.

Following the 200m semi-finals, Ireland’s Paul Byrne was is back in action for the 400m hurdles semi-finals.

In a tough field, the 27-year-old clocked 51.31 to finish 7th, with the top three all running sub 50 seconds.

Byrne made it through to the semi-finals with a time of 51.06 on Thursday.

Details on when Irish athletes in competition at the World University Games can found here and the full athletics timetable can be found here.

For live coverage visit livestream.com/fisu.

The post Phil Healy Clinches 200m Final Spot at the World University Games appeared first on Fast Running.

Lavin’s posting of posting of 13.54 in the last of five 100m hurdles heats, was good for the third automatic qualification spot.

The 23-year-old, who won an Irish national title in July, will line-up in a top field that includes Great Britain’s Alicia Barrett, in the second of three semi-finals on Saturday (August 26).

Healy, second to line up for Ireland’s athletics delegation, took to the track for round one of the women’s 200m with the first three in each securing qualification to the semi-finals later that day.

The 22-year-old sprinter clocked an impressive 23.87 to take the victory and an automatic qualification spot, finishing 0.26 seconds ahead of the nearest challenger.

Healy is back on the track at 10.15am GMT to contest the first of three semi-finals. The Irish sprinter has the third fastest time this year amongst the field in her race, with a good performance Healy has every chance of making Friday’s final.

Following the 200m semi-finals, Ireland’s Paul Byrne is back in action for the 400m hurdles semi-finals, lining up at 10.50am GMT.

Byrne made it through the earlier rounds with a time of 51.06 and will hope to run closer to his 50.03 personal best to advance to the final.

Fast Running’s daily updates on the World University Games can be found here.

The full schedule of athletics events can be found here, and for live coverage visit livestream.com/fisu.

The post Sarah Lavin and Phil Healy Advance to Semi-Finals at the World University Games appeared first on Fast Running.

Tracey, who made her first appearance at a global outdoor event in London at the World Championships, took to the track for the first of two 800m semi-finals.

After negotiating Wednesday’s heats comfortably, Tracey started in a similar fashion leading the field through the halfway point of the race.

As the race winded down to the final 300m the impressive Docus Ajok of Uganda lead a charge, with Tracey slipping down to fifth. Not to be outdone, 24-year-old Tracey battled back to clinch one of the three automatic qualification spots for Friday’s (August 25) final, crossing the line in 2:03.30.

Not wanting her Games to end prematurely, 24-year-old Tracey battled back strongly with a sprint down the inside lane to clinch one of the three automatic qualification spots for Friday’s (August 25) final, crossing the line in 2:03.30.

Corinne Humphreys was in action in the women’s 100m semi-finals after advancing through rounds one and two on Wednesday, with times of 11.48 and 11.52 respectively.

In a strong final that was won by Jamaican star Sashalee Forbes, Humphreys crossed the line in 11.49 to finish joint fourth with Viktoria Zyabkina of Kazakhstan.

First in action for the British delegation on day two of athletics was Jacob Paul in the first round of the 400m hurdles. The European U23 booked his place in Friday’s semi-finals after winning the fourth of six heats in 51.38.

Jess Turner was next up in the women’s equivalent event. The 22-year-old, who represented GB at the World Championships in London, finished second in her heat clocking 57.73, qualifying for Friday’s final as the fastest outside of the heat winners.

The decathlon events got underway with John Lane clocking 11.13 in the 100m, for 832 points. In tough conditions Lane followed this up with solid performances in the long jump, shot put, high jump and 400m, ending the day with 3832 points.

In the 100m semi-finals, Samuel Osewa finished fifth crossing the line in 10.42, missing out on a final spot by 0.11 seconds.

Yang Chun-han was the winner in the 100m final, with the hometown sprint star surprising many outside of Taiwan to clinch gold. The 20-year-old won with a time of 10.22, following up on his 10.20 personal best he set in the semi-finals, earlier on Thursday.

Fast Running’s daily updates on the World University Games can be found here.

The full schedule of athletics events can be found here, and for live coverage visit livestream.com/fisu.

The post Adelle Tracey Leads the way for GB at the World University Games appeared first on Fast Running.

Byrne took to the track for round one of the men’s 400m hurdles with the first three in each going through automatically, plus the next six fastest times to the semi-finals.

In the third of six heats the 27-year-old finished fourth missing out on automatic qualification, but his time of 51.06 was good to secure one of the remaining spots for Friday’s (August 25) semi-finals.

Byrne, the training partner of Irish Olympian Thomas Barr, was placed sixteenth out of the twenty-four advancing to the next round.

With a personal best of 50.03 clocked at the Brussels Grand Prix last month, Byrne has every chance of advancing to the final if he can find a similar performance on Friday.

Niamh Whelan was in action in the women’s 100m semi-finals after advancing through rounds one and two on Wednesday, with times of 11.71 and 11.74 respectively.

In a strong field that featured Jamaican star Sashalee Forbes, Whelan crossed the line in 11.81 to finish in seventh place.

With only the first four in each semi-final qualifying, the 27-year-old missed out a place in the final, finishing twelfth overall.

Finishing ahead of Whelan, were two athletes who placed in the top four of the final later on Thursday evening, including 21-year-old Forbes, the runaway gold medalist.

Athletics action from the World University Games resumes tomorrow (Friday 25), with a full day of track races for Irish athletes.

Sarah Lavin begins Friday’s athletics for Ireland in the first round of the women’s 100m hurdles, followed by Philomena Healy in the 200m first round, with Marcus Lawler next in the men’s equivalent.

Paul Byrne is then back on the track to contest the second of three 400m hurdles semi-finals.

Emma Mitchell and Shona Heaslip were scheduled to conclude the Irish involvement in Friday’s athletics in the first round of the 5000m, but at the moment it is unclear if they are going ahead, in which case it will be straight final on Sunday.

Details on when Irish athletes in competition at the World University Games can found here and the full athletics timetable can be found here.

For live coverage visit livestream.com/fisu.

The post Ireland’s Paul Byrne Seals Semi-Final Place at World University Games appeared first on Fast Running.

Whelan, second to line up for Ireland’s athletics delegation, took to the track for round one of the women’s 100m with the first three in each securing qualification.

The 27-year-old’s posting of 11.71 in the sixth of eight heats was good for the third and automatic qualification spot through to round two later in the day.

In the final heat of round two, Whelan finished fourth with a time of 11.74, fast enough to book a place in Thursday’s (August 24) semi-finals.

In the men’s 100m, a time of 10.64 and third place finish saw Lawler advance to the second round.

Running in the final heat of round two, the 22-year-old clocked 10.70 to finish fourth, unfortunately missing out on a semi-final spot by 0.15 seconds.

Afterwards, Lawler said: “Reaching the quarter final stage was the best I could manage today at the World University Games. I’m thankful to come off the track injury free and disappointed I couldn’t progress further in the competition. On the day it was all I had. Looking forward to cheering on the rest of the Irish team”

Following a delay due to torrential rain, and with the humid conditions clearly a contributor, Emma Mitchell had to settle for a ninth place finish in the 10,000m final.

The 23-year-old’s time of 34:51.62 is almost two minutes outside of her personal best time of 32:51.78, set in May of this year, with Daria Maslova of Kyrgyzstan clinching the first track gold of the Games.

In the middle-distance 1500m, Kevin Kelly finished 9th clocking 3:53.77 in the third of three heats.

Athletics action from the World University Games resumes tomorrow (Thursday 24), with Paul Byrne first up for Ireland competing in the 400m hurdles heats.

Niamh Whelan rounds up Thursday contesting the 100m semi-finals.

Details on when Irish athletes in competition at the World University Games can found here and the full athletics timetable can be found here.

For live coverage visit livestream.com/fisu.

The post Niamh Whelan Clinches 100m Semi-Finals Spot at World University Games appeared first on Fast Running.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For live coverage visit livestream.com/fisu.

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

The multi-discipline sporting Games began last Saturday (August 19), with track and field competition getting underway on Wednesday (August 22). The Games come to a close on August 30th.

British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) has selected a 20-strong delegation to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including Jess Judd, Adelle Tracey, Zak Seddon, Alicia Barrett and Jess Turner, who all competed at the recent World Championships in London.

Judd heads to the Games on a high after making the 1500m semi-finals in London, stepping up to contest the 5000m at the Games.

Tracey, who ran two consecutive lifetime bests in London will compete in the 800m, hoping to come close to her 2:00.26 best, while 23-year-old Seddon who bestowed first senior British vest at the World Championships goes in the 3000m steeplechase.

In the 100m hurdles Alicia Barrett who won European Junior silver, the British outdoor senior title and a senior call-up for the World Championships, will hope to continue her impressive season with a medal in Taipei. Barrett competes on Friday (Aug 25).

Going over the 400m hurdles, Jess Turner, a silver medalist at this year’s European Athletics U23 Championships in Poland, will look to recreate the 56.08 personal best form that saw her gain selection for the World Championships.

The complete Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s athletics delegation, plus links to the Games schedule and live coverage can be found below.

Men:
100m: Samuel Osewa
800m: James Bowness
1500m: Jonathan Davies
3000m Steeplechase: Zak Seddon
400m Hurdles: Jacob Pau
High Jump: Allan Smith
Pole Vault: Charlie Myers
Long Jump: Daniel Gardiner
Triple Jump: Sam Trigg
Discus: Gregory Thompson
Decathlon: John Lane

Women:
100m: Corinne Humphreys
800m: Adelle Tracey
1500m: Melissa Courtney
5000m: Jess Judd
10,000m: Jenny Nesbitt and Louise Small
100m Hurdles: Alicia Barrett
400m Hurdles: Jessica Turner
Shot Put: Amelia Stickler

The full athletics timetable for the World University Games can be found here, with live coverage available here.

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