Morton Games, the hugely popular international track and field meet, takes place at Morton Stadium, Santry, Dublin this Wednesday (July 12).
The meet is of the best athletics events in the Irish calendar and sees stars from around the world coming together with Irish and British athletes.
In the Women’s 800m, Irish star Ciara Mageen, will go head to head once again with Great Britian’s Alex Bell.
In last year’s race, the pair finished first and second, with both athletes recording PBs, Bell 2.00.53 and Mageean 2.00.79.
Both athletes featured strongly at the last weekend’s Anniversary Games in London. In the 800m Alex Bell finished 8th in 2.00.62, while Ciara Mageen finished 7th over the mile, recording a new PB and Northern Irish record in the process.
Great Britian’s Adelle Tracey, Ce’Aira Brown from the US, and New Zeland Olympian Angie Petty, will also be in contention for a podium place in this year’s 800m race.
Ireland’s Claire Mooney and Great Britian’s Emily Dudgeon will also feature in the race.
In the Morton Games Men’s 800m, Ireland’s Mark English has unfortunately withdrawn. English, who ran in last weekend’s Anniversary Games, will instead focus on his preparation for next month’s World Championships in London.
However, following English’s withdrawal, Morton Games organisers revealed that one of the world’s top middle distance runners, Charlie Grice would feature in the race. The British athlete, a finalist in the 1500m at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, has a 800m personal best of 1.45.53.
Ireland’s Eoin Everard and Shane Fitzsimons, will join Great Britian’s Kyle Langford, in going up against the US quintet of Charles Jock, Harun Abda, Chris Giesting, Jesse Garn and Brannon Kidder.
Probably the most famous race in Irish athletics, the Morton Mile, will bring Wednesday night’s athletics to a close in Morton Stadium.
In 2016, the race had an astounding 11 athletes running under 4 minutes, setting a new record for the most sub 4 minute miles, in the one race, on Irish soil.
Last year’s winner Johnny Gregorek from the US will not feature this year as he focus on the World Championships. However, last year’s 2nd and 3rd, USA’s Kyle Merber and Colby Alexander will return and fancy their chances of taking the top podium place.
Also challenging for a podium place will be Australia’s Sam McEntee, and the Mexican record holder Daniel Herrera.
Also confirmed for the Morton Mile is Great Britian’s Tom Marshall who is going for his first his sub 4 mile outdoor. The Cardiff runner has broke 4 minutes indoor, running 3:59.84 at the Athlone Grand Prix earlier this year.
Looking to run sub 4 for the first time are Irish trio of Sean Tobin, Danny Mooney and Kieran Kelly.
In the Women’s 200m, Great Britain Olympic sprinter Margaret Adoye will face favourite Sada Williams of Barbados.
GB’s Adoye, a major championships silver and bronze medalist has a 200m personal best of 22.88, and Williams has a 22.61 PB.
An Irish quartet that includes four times national champion, Amy Foster and 2017 national indoor champion Sharlene Mawdsley, will also feature in the race alongside Great Britian’s Fabby Alade.