Fionnuala Britton is Ireland’s best chance of a medal at tomorrow’s (Sun) Spar European Cross-Country Championships in Velenje, Slovenia.
Only two weeks ago, Britton beat Binniz Uslu of Turkey the woman who out-sprinted her in the chase for the line and finished second last year. Uslu, a previous junior and U-23 champion, is at her best in the kind of tough conditions expected in Velenje.
However, Britton, who has already qualified for the steeplechase at London 2012, also thrives in tough, sticky conditions.
Last year’s winner, Jessica Augusto of Portugal, although expected to defend her title (she didn’t…), is still recovering after her shock exit at the New York Marathon early last month.
Augusto pulled up just after 30km of the New York Marathon, with her friend Ana Dulce Félix who had dropped out of New York a year earlier, coming home fourth in a personal best of 2:25.40. Felix was third in Albufeira last year and both women are part of a Portuguese squad aiming to win the team title for a fourth consecutive year.
In the senior men’s race, defending champion Ukraine’s Serhiy Lebid, now aged 36, is aiming for a tenth title. DSD’s Joe Sweeney leads the Irish team
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| Joe Sweeney |
The Irish U-23 men’s team caused something of a shock when they beat France to the gold last year despite not having a single top 10 finisher. They will be hard pressed tomorrow by a French team led by current European U-23 1500m champion Florian Carvalho, who won the junior men’s race in 2008.
Also looking ominous is a Spanish team that includes last year’s junior champion men’s winner Abdelaziz Merzougui and the European U-23 steeplechase champion Sebastián Martos.
Turkey’s Meryem Erdogan will defend her U-23 women’s title although troubled by an Achilles injury. Irish intercounty champion Sarah Louise Treacy of Moynalty has opted to run in this race.
Many times Irish age group champion Siofra Cleirigh Buttner makes her debut tomorrow in the women’s junior race. Also on the Irish team is World Youth 5000m walk champion Kate Veale of West Waterford.
* All six races can be watched live from the European Athletics website. Irish viewers of course can watch the action on RTE.
Mary Cullen of North Sligo made a winning return to racing at the 21st Jingle Bells 5km at the Phoenix Park.
Cullen’s time of 16 minutes 26 seconds saw her finish over half a minute ahead of Sli Cualann’s Deirdre Byrne.
Overall winner in 14 mins 24 secs was Andrew Ledwith of Fr Murphy’s, using the race as a blow-out for the European Cross Country championships. MSB’s John Coghlan was second and Brian Maher of Kilkenny a close third.
Donore’s Sinead Jennings finished first of several athletes pushing baby buggies in a respectable time of 20 mins 45 secs.
Behind came the usual Santas, Rudolfs and other Christmas themed fancy dressers. Pride of place goes to “Santa” Joe Nagle, who had taken part in every Jingle Bells race since 1991. Santa Joe rang his bell for the start of the race before joining the second of the two “wave” starts.
Club athletes take centre stage at tomorrow’s Woodie’s DIY National Novice Cross-Country Championships at the Curragh (2pm). Leading the Dublin women’s team is Leona O’Reilly of Liffey Valley who also won the Leinster inter title. Clonliffe’s Jayme Rossiter leads the Dublin men’s team. Also taking place are the National Uneven Ages Championships. (11.30).
Need a stocking filler for the runner in your life? Look no further than the Irish Runner Yearbook 2012 – in it, you’ll find listings of fixtures for the next 12 months, an extensive London 2012 preview, and interviews with marathon hopefuls Linda Byrne and Mark Kenneally, Athlete of the Year Deirdre Ryan and middle distance sensation Ciaran O Lionaird, as well as with Usain Bolt and Mo Farah.
Looking back on 2011, the yearbook reviews the 35 new Irish records set in 2011 and profiles 12 young athletes to watch out for in 2012. All for just €7.95 from your local newsgent, or direct fom Athletics Ireland!
* Worth seeking out is “In Their Bare Feet – a History of Derrydonnell AC” by Athenry ultra man Mick Rice. This beautifully produced book recalls the exploits of legendary Galway athletes Mick Molloy, Willie Morris and Tommy Madden during the 1950s and 1960s. From the Athenry Athletics Club website for €20.
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Entry is now open for the 35th Antrim International Cross Country on Saturday January 21 in CAFRE, Greenmount Campus in Antrim. A total of $15,000 is once again on offer in prize money for the senior races. More than 1,000 competitors are expected to take part in 12 races throughout the day from U13 to seniors and masters.
Leopardstown Racecourse is to host the 30th flagship GOAL Mile on Christmas morning following the closure of the Belfield track. The Leopardstown GOAL Mile will take place from 10am to 12 noon on Christmas Day. GOAL Miles will also be staged at more than 100 venues nationwide, including the Irishtown, Tallaght, Lucan and Sundrive Road parks in Dublin. Full list at www.goal.ie.
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