Three Irish middle distance athletes compete in Saturday’s Hunter Track Classic in Glendale, near Newcastle, a key event in the Australian summer season.
Paul Robinson of St Coca’s goes in the 3000m after winning the 1500m last year in an impressive time of 3:42.54. For the past couple of years, Robinson, now aged 22, has spent the Irish winter training and racing in Australia with Melbourne Track Club, where Nic Bideau is coach.
Last season, Robinson improved his times for the 800m, 1000m, 1500m and mile as well as representing Ireland at the World Track and Field Championships in Moscow.
Laura Crowe
Joining Robinson on the 3000m start line is Leevale’s Mark Hanrahan, who is making his first winter visit to Australia after he quit his job to become a full-time athlete last year. His target this season is qualification in the 1500m and 5000m for the European Championships in Zurich.
Hanrahan’s partner, Laura Crowe of Riocht, goes in the women’s 1500m. Crowe, the current Irish 1500m champion, ran a huge PB of 2:00.93 for 800m in Italy last September. That came after she ran a time of 4:12.06 for 1500m a few days earlier. She takes on a field that includes Kaila McKnight who has a 4:05.61 PB. Keeping an eye on the trio will be Irish running legend Sonia O’Sullivan, who headlines a new 2-mile community run the day before the meet.
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