A number of young Irish athletes will line out in the Morton Mile at Friday’s Clonliffe 125 Track and Field Grand Prix (7.0). For all the target is a sub-four-minute time, still the Holy Grail of middle distance running, although the distance is rarely run in these metric days.
Leading a strong group of middle distance specialists from the USA, Australia and the UK is Jack Bolas, the American with a 3:37.64 1500m time, who was runner-up last year.
Two-time Olympian Alistair Cragg had hoped to lead the Irish entry but has dropped out with a sinus infection.
Former European junior 1500m winner Colin Costello is entered along with Paul Robinson, holder of the Irish junior mile record at 4:00.93, Ciaran O Lionaird and John Coghlan.
If Coghlan can break four minutes, he will follow in the footsteps of dad Eamonn, still the second fastest Irishman ever over the distance.
Shaping up to be a thriller is the 3000m, with the entry of 30 led by Irish cross-country champion Joe Sweeney of DSD. Mark Kenneally and Sergiu Ciobanu, winner of the Cork Marathon a month ago, run for the host club.
After his winter in Florida, Derry sprinter Jason Smyth currently tops the national rankings. In both 100m and 200m, Smyth takes on Ferrybank’s Chris Russell will do battle.
Using the 400m as a warm-up for the European U-23 Championships next week is Brian Gregan, who will be pushed hard by British athlete Nick Leavey.
Ireland’s Kelly Proper takes on the American Chealsea Taylor in the women’s 100m and the long jump, while in the pole vault, Americans Jeff Coover and Dustin de Leo are expected to give an exhibition of world class vaulting.
In an Irish Milers Club 800m race, Tallaght’s Anthony Lieghio takes on Mark English of Letterkenny, whiel running the women’s 800m are Lisburn’s Ciara Mageean and Siofra Cleirigh Buttner of DSD. John Travers of Donore will run in the IMC 1500m race, while Ireland’s top Paralympians will also be chasing London 2012 qualification.
MASTERS IN CALIFORNIA
A team of 20 is competing at the World Masters Championships in Sacramento, California. Medal contenders include Evelyn McNelis from Naas in the W65 long distances events and multi-eventer Geraldine Finnegan from Newry. Gerry Deegan, ex-Clonliffe, now based in California, goes in the 5000m and cross-country. Former Irish marathon champion Christine Kennedy lines out for her adopted USA in the marathon, 10,00m and 5000m.
WORLD TRAIL RUNNERS FOR CONNEMARA
Athletes from over 20 nations will take part in Saturday’s IAU Trail World Championships in Connemara National Park.
Captain of the Irish team is Mayo man John Byrne of Mayo, the reigning national 100km champion. Also on the team are Thomas Maguire, the Irish national 100km and 24-Hour record holder, Daniel Doherty, Keith Whyte, Paul Tierney and Barry Murray. Eoin Keith and John O’Regan will run as individuals. The race takes in a 70km loop, starting at Kylemore Abbey and finishing at Letterfrack. Details www.runconnemara.com.
ENTER LIBERTIES FUN RUN NOW
Entry is open for the annual Liberties 6.5km Fun Run on Thursday July 21, which starts and finished in the beautiful surroundings of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. Appropriately for a race organised to raise funds for St James’s Hospital, the race taking in part of the St James’s grounds before looping around the historic streets of Dublin’s Liberties. Thanks to sponsorship from Diageo and Momentum Support, every cent raised by the race goes to the charity. Online entry (until July 15) costs €21. Entry on the night is €25. See www.stjames.ie/funrun or call 01-4284086.
FIELD EVENTERS IN CORK
In the field events at the Cork City Sports, Rachel Akers threw 53.37 with her final throw to finish fourth in the hammer. Tomas Houlihan, Ian Rogers and Stuart Greene all failed at 4.60 in a closely contested pole vault. Long jumpers David Quilligan were fifth and sixth, with Quilligan just 2cm ahead of Fahey on 7.08m. High jumper Kourosh Foroughi continued to impress finishing third with a height of 2.20. Barry Pender was fourth on 2.15m.
Best of the Irish in the 3000m was marathon man Sean Connolly in 8:16.26. In the men’s 1500m, Ciaran O Lionaird finished 8th in 3:44.0, beating American Jack Bolas who runs in Santry on Friday. Winning a well-supported junior 1500m was Togher’s Peter Hanrahan.
Star of the meet from an Irish point of view was Paul Hession, a fighting second in wind-affected 100m and 200m races.
LEDWITH’S WINNING STREAK CONTINUES
Andrew Ledwith of St Fr Murphy’s continued his winning streak on the roads when he set a new course record of 14 mins 49 secs at the Champion Kiely Ballyneale 5km. Last year’s winner Sergio Ciobanu of Clonliffe was second in 15.04. Siobhan O’Doherty of Borrisokane was first woman in AC 17 mins 20 secs, beating Clonmel’s Angela McCann.
O’ROURKE MAKES QUALIFYING
Derval O’Rourke of Leevale nailed down her place on the Irish team for both the World Track and Field Championships in Daegu and London 2012 when, in perfect conditions, she ran a season’s best of 12.85 at Chaux du Fonds in Switzerland. O’Rourke was second behind Swiss athlete Lisa Urech who is favorutie to win the hurdles at the European U-23 Championships.
In Uden Holland, Talaght’s Anthony Lieghio achieved the European U-23 standard when he won the 800m in 1:48.17. Sara Treacy of Moynalvy also made the U-23 standard with a time of 4:19.31 in the 1,500m.
RUN FOR CFI AT RAHENY
The newly expanded Lord Mayor Summer series (details below) kicked off last week in Raheny. The remaining race are shown below. Of special note is the Lord Mayor 2 mile race on Tuesday, July 19th which will be in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. Walkers, joggers and fun runners together with the usual participants will be welcome to compete. You can make a donation on the night or make a donation by clicking on the link printed below. It would be great for as many runners as possible to get a good time over a flat two mile course and support this worthy cause. The race entry is €7.
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