 |
| Maria McCambridge |
Marathon runners Ava Hutchinson and Linda Byrne may have run the A standard for the London Olympics but, as yet, neither is sure of an Olympic place.
In the past, with three places on offer, the National Championships acted as an Olympic trial, with the winner guaranteed a place, providing they made the qualifying time. If several athletes came home under the qualifying mark, then the fastest two got picked.
Under those guidelines, Linda Byrne, winner of the national title last October in Dublin, would have been sure of her place.
Byrne’s time of 2 hours 36 minutes 20 seconds in her first ever marathon was achieved through hard work and impressive discipline on the day. With 190 days to go until London 2012, Byrne will not run another marathon; she feels her time in Dublin should be enough.
One woman learning a hard lesson in Dublin was Ava Hutchinson, who finished in a disappointing time of 2:42.50; a calf injury hampered her progress after eight miles.
All was forgotten last Saturday when Hutchinson emulated Byrne’s Dublin tactics in Houston. She started slow and then stuck to an even pace until she reached the finish. Her time of 2:35.33 puts her comfortably inside the Olympics A standard of 2:37.
All was forgotten last Saturday when Hutchinson emulated Byrne’s Dublin tactics in Houston. She started slow and then stuck to an even pace until she reached the finish. Her time of 2:35.33 puts her comfortably inside the Olympics A standard of 2:37.
While Hutchinson and Byrne are likely to make the London 2012 team, all could change radically over the next few weeks. Maria McCambridge ran 2:35.29 in Paris two years ago, but could manage only 2:40.26 in Dublin last October – only months after the birth of son Dylan.
At the age of 36, McCambridge knows time is running out. She will run a marathon in the next few weeks – Seville on February 19 or Barcelona a month later on March 17 are two options – and if she gets her pacing right, could nail down the third place.
There are others who fancy their chances. The 2010 national marathon champion Barbara Sanchez ran her first race after a long break last week, and could join Caitriona Jennings, Lorraine Manning, Annette Kealy, Lizzie Lee, Breege Connolly, and Rosemary Ryan at the Rotterdam Marathon on April 15. Then there’s Gladys Ganiel, who may line out in London after clocking 2:40.56 in Houston.
Interesting times!
ULTRA RECORD SMASHED
Ultra specialist Eoin Keith smashed his own course record when he completed the Art O’Neill Ultra from Dublin Castle to Glenmalure in 5 hours 26 minute 5 seconds. The previous record of 6 hours 45 minutes was set in 2009 over a slightly shorter course with the top ten all inside that time this year. In second place was Paul Tierney, who finished in 5:35.40, with Greg Byrne third in 5:38.36. Taryn McCoy was 19th overall and first woman in 7:51.51. A record total of 435 completed the challenge, most of them walkers.
FIONNUALA FOR BELFAST
European champion Fionnuala Britton leads the women’s entry at Saturday’s
Antrim International Cross-Country in Greenmount. She will take on a large field that includes Gemma Steel of the UK.
Mike Kigen, winner of the men’s race for the past two years, takes on a tough field that includes five fellow Kenyans. Leading the Northern Ireland team are Joe McAllister, Eddie McGinley and Steve Scullion.
60TH TITLE FOR MASTER JOE
At the Woodie’s DIY Masters’ Indoor Championships in Nenagh, Joe Gough of West Waterford won his 60th national gold when taking the M55 400m while Liffey Valley’s Tom O’Connor added to his large collection of masters titles when he won the M50 1500m and 3000m.
In the younger age groups, Antoinette Stafford of DMP set a championship best of 5.85 when taking the W35 long jump title and also won the 200m. Kevin Cogley of Menapians won the M35 60m in 7.32, just beating Michael Downey from West Waterford.
For a second year, Raheny’s Liam Mulready won the M65 400m, 800m and 1500m, setting a new record of 2:36.6 in the 800m.
Jim O’Neill, a former Irish masters record holder, made a comeback in the M70 class, winning the 200m, 400m and 800m. Also back in action after a break was Rathfarnham’s Joe Reville, winner of the M60 400m title.
ENTER AXA RAHENY 5 NOW!
Just ten days remain until the AXA Raheny 5 on January 29 – the first major road race of the New Year. Up front, top club runners will uses the race as a welcome break from the slog of cross-country, while behind them ordinary runners of all standards will be testing their fitness after the holiday break. To ensure the smooth running of the race online entries close at 11pm the night before the race with NO entries on the day for the bgi race. Entries for the children’s 800m and mile, however, will be taken. Details www.rahenyshamrock.ie.
LEINTER HAT TRICK FOR RAHENY SHAMROCK
Mick Clohisey and Fiona Roche made it a Raheny senior double at the Leinster Cross-Country Championships in Kilmacow, both beating rivals from Dundrum South Dublin. In the men’s race Clohisey got the better of veteran Peter Matthews, while in the women’s race, Roche outsprinted Sarah Mulligan. With Cillian O’Leary, Simon Ryan and Kevin Moriarty finishing 3rd, 4th and 5th, Raheny were comfortable winners of the team title.
In the junior men’s race, Raheny made it another double, with Jake McDonald the individual winner and the team beating Mullingar Harriers. Sportworld, led by Jean Wilson in fourth place won the senior women’s team title. Mary Mulhare of North Laois won the junior women’s race, with Millingar the top team.
No comments yet.