The inaugural Athletics Ireland Spring Throws Competition took place on Sunday the 21st April in Athlone.
Close to thirty of Ireland’s best throwers took part in the competition which was in its first year of being held. Mixed and windy weather made for challenging conditions for athletes yet some great performances were achieved on the day.

In the men’s 1.50kg discus, Eoin Hanrahan (Ennis Track) threw a mighty 38.38m on his first throw to place him ahead of the rest of the field. Seamus Mc Mahon (Shannon AC) and Eoin Sheridan (North Westmeath) battled it out for the second place position with McMahon’s 34.85m throw just coming out ahead of Sheridan’s 33.05m.Sophie Parkinson Brown (Gowran AC) was the clear winner in the women’s discus with a solid throw of 45.61m ahead of St Pauls AC’s Emma Owens who threw 36.68m.

The mens 1.75kg discus was won by Paul Collins (North Westmeath) with a throw of 45.45m with Shane Aston (Trim AC) placing second. The 2kg discus was won by Galway City Harriers’ Sean Breachnach who threw well clear of the field with 46.06m. Clubmate Michael Conerney placed second with Crusaders’ Sam Graine in a close third.

The women’s 3kg hammer was won by Aoife Vaughan Witts (Borrisokane AC) and the 4kg hammer by Mieke Kiernan (Raheny Shamrocks). Seamus McMahon (Shannon AC) won the men’s hammer with a throw of 43.91m with Crusaders’ James Griffin a close second in 43.10m. Ciaran Donnelly (Crusaders) won the 7.26kg hammer event.

The javelin competions were won by Michaela Walsh (Swinford AC), Laura Dolan (Ferbane AC) and Shane Aston (Trim AC) who was a clear winner with a throw of 44.32m while adding a Javelin victory to his earlier discus second place.

Many thanks to the athletes, coaches and organizers who made the day a success and best of luck to all throwers in the rest of the outdoor season.

RESULTS

Photos can be found here

There have been some excellent Youth and Junior performances early this season ahead of the European Youth Olympics, World Youths and European Junior Championships with several athletes already achieving A and B qualification standards

Athletes who have to date achieved the guideline standard for European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF)

Athletes who have to date achieved the Performance standard for World Youths

Athletes who have to date achieved the Performance standard for European Juniors

As anyone who has ever served on a committee at club, county or provincial level will know, the workload of the Secretary is a never ending one!

As part of the process to record the history of Irish Athletics since its inception in 1873, the Technical Committee are pleased to share this list of General Secretaries / CEO’s of Irish Athletics for the past 140 years. Until 2006, these great men and woman undertook this role in a voluntary capacity and Athletics Ireland salutes all of their work, passion and dedication to the cause of Irish Athletics.

Irish Athletics General Secretaries

Irish Athletics Presidents

Please find details below of some recent updates:

- Friday 26th April Sprints/Hurdles Workshop at Cork IT Track 7-9pm. It will be run by Munster Performance Squad Coach Drew Harrison and AAI Level 3 Coaches Ger Moynihan and Liz Coomey. It takes place from 7-9pm and is open to all athletes and coaches aged 9+. Cost is €5 payable on the night.

- The final Munster Performance Squad session of the year takes place at Cork IT Track on Saturday 27th April 10am-1pm for all event groups. Athletes and their personal coaches are asked to be at Cork IT Track for 9.45am sharp. Head event group coaches will be in touch with their own groups re plans for the day. lease pass on these details to any athletes in your club on the performance squad.

- Details of workshops and courses available in the South East here http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?p=31596
- Please find attached above the most up to date development calendar for the South West. Some workshop dates in Tipperary were changed so please can you pass on this calendar to all athletes/coaches in your clubs and post on relevant websites. The dates are now as follows:
Wed 15th May High Jump Workshop Clonmel 7-9pm
Tue 21st May Long Jump & Triple Jump Workshop Templemore 7-9pm
Mon 6th May Throws Workshop Templemore (10.30am-12.30pm Shot Putt & Hammer, 1pm-3pm Discus & Javelin)

For further information please contact RDO Steven Macklin at steven@athleticsireland.ie or 0876335565.

development-coaching-calendar-jan-may-20131

Much is going on “behind the scenes” in preparation for the European Team Championships 1st League . Take a look at the Event Bulletin which is published for the visiting teams. It contains useful information on the timetable, the hotels which will be used to house the teams and international media, the competing teams etc.

The European Team Championships 1st League in Dublin on June 22-23, will create history on a number of fronts:
1) It will be the highest quality Track & Field meeting EVER staged in 140 years of athletics history in Ireland.

2) It is the first time in European Athletics history that none of the teams involved in a competition of this nature require a visa to enter the country where the event will take place.

3) It is the first European T&F Championship event to take place on Irish soil this century.

4) The live TV coverage from Setanta Sports has been offered to the other 11 competing countries free of charge and many will take the TV signal and show the event live in their countries.

It is imperative that as an athletics community, we show our best side and get behind the Irish team as much as possible to support them in colour and voice and ensure the Irish team remain in the 1st League of the world’s premier Athletics team competition.

If you have any feedback we are delighted to hear it on pierce@savvysportsmgt.com

Like the European Team Championships 1st League on Facebook
Follow the European Team Championships 1st League on Twitter

It has been another weekend of sparkling performances by Irish athletes Stateside. Shane Quinn (Ferrybank AC) was fourth in the 5,000m at the Mt. SAC Relays in California in a new PB time of 13:48.90 to decimate his previous best of 14:10.66 from last year. Needless to say this is well inside the standard for the European U23 championships.

At the same meet Mary Cullen (North Sligo AC) was third in the 5,000m in a time of 15:23.12, not far off her best time of 15:19.04 achieved at the same meet in 2007.

David McCarthy (West Waterford AC) was third in the 1,500m in a time of 3:42.30.

Two steeplechase PBs came in the steeplechase. Tomas Cotter (Dunleer AC) was fifth in his race in 8:45.73, inside his previous best of 8:49.85, while Michelle Finn (Leevale AC) was second in her race in 10:06.41 to improve on her previous best of 10:12.28.

Jason Smyth (City of Derry AC) started his season with a fourth place finish in a time of 21.30 at the Tom Jones Invitational in Florida.

55th ANNUAL MT. SAC RELAYS - Walnut, California
Men 1500 Meter Run Olympic Dev. U/O
1 Ben True Saucony 3:40.07
2 Eric Harasyn Brooks 3:42.02
3 David McCarthy Unattached 3:42.30
4 Kirubel Erassa Oklahoma State 3:42.76
5 Macklin Chaffee Boulder 3:42.77
6 David Mokone Western Kentucky 3:43.51

Women 5000 Meter Run Invit. Elite
1 Abbey D’Agostino Dartmouth 15:11.35
2 Lucy Van Dalen New Zealand 15:21.08
3 Mary Cullen Ireland 15:23.12
4 Neely Spence Brooks Hansons 15:26.51
5 Marisol Guadalupe Romero Mexico-FMAA 15:29.51
6 Kate Van Buskirk Athletics Toronto 15:29.72
7 Megan Goethals Washington 15:33.63
15 Ava Hutchinson New Balance 15:51.49

Men 5000 Meter Run Olympic Dev. Elite
1 Craig Forys NYAC 13:41.90
2 Landry Christopher Mizuno 13:42.79
3 Forest Braden Bruin Bruisers 13:45.14
4 Shane Quinn Providence 13:48.90
5 Jeferson Pena Colombia 13:50.00
6 Matt Daniels Adams State 13:50.71

Men 10000 Meter Run Open-B U/O
1 Mauricio Matute Eastern New Mexico 30:06.83
2 Dillon Shije Colorado 30:11.65
3 Charlie Paul Iowa State 30:12.92
4 Joshua Mirth Hillsdale 30:13.43
5 Shayne Collins UCLA 30:15.55
6 Jacob Morgan Colorado St. 30:15.79
7 Alejandro Montano Northern Arizona 30:16.03
8 Ethan Clary Albany 30:17.28
9 Sharles Simon Grand Canyon 30:17.33
10 Michael Johnson Cal Poly 30:19.25
11 Nathan Davis Bradley 30:20.35
12 Ryan Creech Lamar 30:21.24

Men 3000 Meter Steeplechase Invit Elite
1 Jose Peña Unattached 8:27.66
2 Haron Lagat Kenya 8:36.21
3 Anthony Rotich Texas El Paso 8:37.47
4 Ryan Brockerville Point Grey 8:45.01
5 Tomas Cotter Wichita State 8:45.73
6 Ieuan Thomas Western State 8:46.20

Women 3000 Meter Steeplechase Olympic Dev. Elite
1 Alicia Nelson Adams State 10:03.70
2 Michelle Finn Unattached 10:06.41
3 Leslie Boozer Georgia 10:08.27

Larry Ellis Invitational Princeton, N.J.
Men Hammer Throw
Flight 2
1 Winkler, Rudy Unattached 72.72m
2 Freeman, Thomas Jacob Nike / Nyac 72.19m
3 Keogh, Robert Greater Phil 65.26m
8 Barry, Killian Manhattan 53.83m
53.73m 53.83m 53.14m FOUL 52.37m 52.45m

Men 5000 Meter Run
Section 1
1 Biwott, Michael American Int’l 14:04.72
2 Murphy, Mike Columbia 14:08.04
3 Rop, Glarius American Int’l 14:09.67
23 Dooney, Kevin Yale 15:05.50

Men 1500 Meter Run Elite
Section 5
1 Shirvell, James Yale 3:47.63
2 McGowan, John Yale 3:49.07
3 Fitzgerald, Kevin Fordham 3:49.32
10 Cooper, Kevin Brown 4:00.60

Mississippi Open Oxford, MS
Men 1500 Meter Run
1 Sanchez, Juan Miss State 3:49.10
2 Monaghan, Patrick Miss State 3:53.91
3 Vernier, Cameron Miss State 3:56.02
4 Walker, Tyrone Unattached X3:58.25
5 Monaghan, Andrew Miss State 3:58.83

The Wolfie Outdoor Invitational Stony Brook, N.Y.
Women 800 M
1 Mara Lieberman SO Fordham 2:15.00 2:14.18
2 Mary O Connor SR Stony Brook 2:12.00 2:15.05
3 Titilayo Vanriel JR So. Conn. St 2:11.00 2:16.22
4 Danielle Rowe FR Fordham 2:17.50 2:16.45

Auburn War Eagle Invitiational - Auburn, AL
Women 1500 Meter Run INVITATIONAL
1 Kearney, Niamh SO Georgia State 4:29.16
2 Christoforou, Stella JR Georgia 4:31.91
3 Lingley, Louisa SR Memphis 4:36.96

OREGON RELAYS - Hayward Field
Men 3000 Meter Steeplechase Dual
1 Kebenei, Stanley JR Arkansas 8:43.67
2 Flynn, David SR Arkansas 9:00.69
3 Watson, Cole JR Oregon 9:12.30

Tom Jones Memorial Invitational - U. of Florida
Men 200 Meter Dash 0.4
1 TALBOT, DANNY GBTC 20.67
2 MCKENZIE, RAMONE PURE ATHLETICS 20.94
3 SMITH, CALVIN ADIDAS 20.97
4 SMYTH, JASON PURE ATHLETICS 21.30
5 WALKER-KHAN, DANNISH GBR 21.39

The 13th annual Leevale Sports was held at Cork IT Athletics Stadium yesterday in bright but breezy conditions. Organisers expressed themselves satisfied at the number of athletes competing.

Phil Healy (Bandon AC) recorded a memorable win in the senior women’s 100m, with her sister Joan making it the perfect race for the Healy family by chasing her home in second. Their 1-2 was all the more impressive considering they showed some of the leading Irish sprinters a clean pair of spikes. Phil received the Female Athlete of the Meet award.

Kelly McGrory (Tir Chonaill AC) made the long journey from Donegal a productive one when she finished second in the 400m hurdles in a time of 63.04 which is inside the guideline standard for the European Youth Olympic Festival to be held in Utrecht in July.

Siobhra O’Flaherty (St. L. O’Toole AC) was also inside the standard when she turned the senior 3,000m into a procession, finishing well clear in a time of 10:06.17 which is also well inside the EYOF Guideline standard.

Her clubmate Marcus Lawler was again in top form to complete a 100m/200m sprint double. The 100m produced one of the closest finishes of the day when Lawler had to pull out all the stops to win in a time of 11.07, just two hundredths ahead of David Hynes (Menapians AC). He added the 200m in a time of 21.85 from Craig Lynch (Shercock AC) in 22.41.

Sean Tobin (Clonmel AC) was another junior to record double wins. He won a closely fought 800m in a time of 1:51.67, a new PB for him, and completed the double with a fluent win in the mile. His efforts won him the Male Athlete of the meet award.

While David Quilligan (Leevale AC) won the long jump as expected, the attention was on the next four placings, David Cussen (Old Abbey AC), Colm Burke (Sligo AC), Shane Howard (Bandon AC) and Keith Smith (Menapians AC) who are all juniors and who all recorded new PBs.

Sarah Lavin (Emerald AC) achieved a European B standard when she won the 100m hurdles in 14.08, ahead of Kelly Proper (Ferrybank AC) who also won the long jump with 5.91m. She also shared victory in the high jump with her clubmate Neasa Murphy after clearing 1.65m. Proper competed in seven events overall, but wouldn’t hear of taking her place in the 800m to complete the heptathlon!

Ben Kiely (Ferrybank AC) had to overcome the strong challenge of Barry Upton (Menapians AC) to win the 400m hurdles in 54.21 to Upton’s 54.57.

Results

Day 2 of the Sports brought a huge number of young athletes from all over Ireland.

Sarah Collins (Finn Valley AC) has lowered her Irish junior 5,000m record for the second time this season. Competing in the annual Mt. SAC Relays in California she finished 24th in a time of 16:19.80 to improve on her time of 16:20.44 achieved just two weeks ago. Her time is inside the 16:45.00 standard for the European junior championships in Italy in July.

55th ANNUAL MT. SAC RELAYS - Walnut, California
Women 5000 Meter Run Olympic Dev. Elite
1 Natasha LaBeaud Brooks 15:50.34
2 Jessica O’Connell UCAC 15:50.65
3 Laura Hollander Cal Poly 15:53.73
24 Sarah Collins Providence 16:19.80

Due to the unavailability of the Waterford Track there has been a number of changes to the schools timetable, please see the below information:

24th April Waterford Schools’ T&F KilkennyTrack 1pm
1st May East Munster Schools’ T&F TemplemoreTrack 12noon
8th May East Munster Schools’ T&F Templemore Track 11.30am

Amended Fixture List

Athletics Ireland has appointed John Sheehan as the (men and women) 4 x 100m Relay Coordinator for the 2013 European Team Championships. Athletes (men/women) interested in being selected for the relay teams in the first instance should contact (email: John Sheehan sprintcoachsheehan@yahoo.com). Further information and around selection and the relay programme and the team will be released in due course.

For more information or questions around Team Ireland please contact Team Manager Patsy McGonagle patsymcgonagle@hotmail.com or Team Leader Jim Kidd jim.kidd@ymail.com

The Woodies DIY National 10k Championship 10k Results are compiled from Individual results received from the Great Ireland Run and information to hand from declarations. Please let competitions@athleticsireland.ie know of any omissions etc - providing the athletes were declared in the championships prior to the event – before Monday 22nd. Results can then be amended prior to sending out the medals.

Results

Functional Screening for the Young Athlete.
Date: Friday 26th April
Time: 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Cost: €5 per person
Who: Thomas French of French Vanoli Fitness.
Venue: FrenchVanoli Fitness, Oranmore Business Park, Oranmore, Co. Galway
To book your place: Email or text Paul McNamara at paul@athleticsireland.ie or 0872693675

This is an opportunity for coaches of young athletes to upskill. Give your Athletes the best chance possible to succeed by addressing issues that could be holding them back. Learn how to perform some simple tests with your athletes to detect functional issues and learn simple specific conditioning and flexibility exercises to help fix each area.

Directions: Enter Business Park with the Maldron Hotel on your left and the Cinema on the right. Drive past those and take first left turn, continue to end of road and turn right. As you turn we are the second building on the right next door to right price tiles.

Powerade recently announced its partnership with Athletics Ireland as Official Sports Drink. Olympian Jessica Ennis is one of many Powerade Ambassadors Tweeted early about her latest video - be one of the first to see it!

Click here to see Jessica as you’ve never seen her before, going undercover to surprise a lucky jogger with the training session of his life. The 27-year-old was able to offer this unique opportunity as part of Powerade’s ‘You Have More Power Than You Think’ campaign.

You Have More Power Than You Think Campaign - Jessica Ennis

Make sure to keep a close eye on the Athletics Ireland Facebook for exciting competitions coming soon!

Check out some of Powerade’s other ‘You Have More Power Than You Think’ videos here:
Juventus FC Take The Powerade Challenge
World Champ and Olympian Judoka Teddy Riner Goes Under Cover

The death has occurred unexpectedly of Michael Leydon of Dunmore, Co Galway.

Michael was a teacher at St Jarlath’s College, Tuam, up until his retirement eight years ago. Deeply involved in the organisation and coaching of Athletics at the College he also held the position of Chairman of Connacht Schools Athletics Association from 1976 to 1979, Secretary from 1979 to 1983 and Treasurer from 1990 to 1992. Following his retirement from provincial administration he continued to coach athletics at school and club level for a number of years with a particular emphasis on his favourite event which was the pole vault.

Michael’s remains will be taken to the Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas, Dunmore, on Wednesday evening at 7.30 p.m. with burial in the adjoining cemetery following Requiem Mass on Thursday at 11.00 a.m. May he rest in peace!

Athletics Ireland are pleased to announce that the Woodie’s DIY 2013 National Half Marathon Championships will be incorporated in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dublin Half Marathon, benefiting SeriousFun Children’s Network, taking place on the 5th of August, 2013 in Dublin’s City Centre.

Register for the Woodie’s DIY 2013 National Half Marathon Championship here!

Up to 8,000 athletes are expected to take to the streets of Dublin and run the 13.1 mile (21km) route with bands located at every mile to keep both runners and spectators entertained. Starting out at St Stephen’s Green, the route takes in some of Dublin’s most iconic landmarks and finishes up on Earlsfort Terrace.

The Woodie’s DIY National Half Marathon Championship is open to all athletes registered with Athletics Ireland. This event will see up to 60 Irish teams enter, with over 500 individuals taking part. Team results will be based on aggregate times. Last year’s Individual winners were Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders A.C) and Maria Mc Cambridge (Letterkenny A.C). In the team events, Clonliffe Harriers A.C. took the honours in the male event and Donore Harriers A.C. won the ladies team event.

John Foley, CEO, Athletics Ireland said:
“We are delighted to announce that this year’s Woodie’s DIY National Half Marathon Championship will be hosted by the Rock ‘n Roll Dublin Half Marathon. This type of race is definitely welcomed within the athletics calendar in Ireland; as it will it provide a unique running experience for all of our athletes. As well as this, Competitor Group has a vast international presence which will help to bring runners from around the world to Dublin in the year of the Gathering. With a fast flat course designed for the event, there are sure to be some sizzling times put down.”

Tom Godfrey, General Manager, Competitor Group Europe added
“Teaming up with Athletics Ireland to host the Irish National Half Marathon Championship will be great for the event. Of course we welcome athletes of all levels to take part but it’s great to know that there will be such a high level of competition featured at our event in Dublin. Hopefully a few of the visiting international athletes will give the Irish participants a run for their money!”

The race starts at 8.30am on Bank Holiday Monday the 5th of August and registration for all athletes, including those entering the National Half Marathon Championship, is NOW Open! To register for the National Half Marathon Championships simply visit www.rocknrolldublin.com . Entry fees are as follows:

• €25.00 per individual until 1st July 2013
• €49.00 from 2nd July - 28th July 2013

The will be no entry on Race Day. All participants receive a Brooks Technical T-shirt and finisher’s medal. Athletes must be registered online for the 2013 event.

On the lead up to the race, participants will be invited to attend a two-day Health & Fitness Expo at the Burlington Hotel to pick up their race number. The expo will feature several running and fitness retailers, exhibits with free nutritional samples and a series of interactive clinics.

Visit www.rocknrolldublin.com for more information, and follow frequent updates on Twitter (@RnRDublinHalf) and Facebook

Letterkenny Athletic Club are pleased to announce that to mark the official opening of the Danny McDaid Athletics Track at the Aura Leisure Centre, Letterkenny, Ireland, they are staging an international track and field event on Saturday 18th May 2013. All hope to witness Donegal’s first sub 4 minute mile, in addition to a host of top class performances across a range of events.

There is currently a high quality line up of athletes to compete.

Letterkenny AC Sub 4 Minute Mile Challenge Event

The following is a list of events and prize structure:

Events (minor changes are possible)

MEN

Category

WOMEN

Category

100m

B

200m

B

400m

A

800m

A

800m

A

Mile

A

3000m

B

3000m

A

1 hour track race

B

1 hour track race

B

4 x 400m

B

High jump

B

Long jump

B

Shot putt

B

Shot putt

B

Javelin

B

Category A

Category B

1st

€300

€ 150

2nd

€200

€ 100

3rd

€100

€  50

Bonuses for Irish Records

Bonuses for exceptional performances

Bonuses for Irish Records
Bonuses for exceptional performances

Athletes interested in competing, please e-mail daraghmcdaid@yahoo.com with their personal bests and recent best performances.

Below are the April/May Workshops & Courses being held in Wicklow and the South East.

April 18th – Javelin/Turbo Javelin + Long Jump Workshop – Craanford, Co. Wexford 6.00 – 8.00pm
Open to all Coaches and athletes over 9 years.
Venue: Craanford GAA Field, Craanford, Co. Wexford. Cost: €5 per Athlete/Coach

April 19th – High Jump Workshop – Kilkenny 7.00pm
Open to all Coaches and athletes over 12 years.
Venue: Scanlon Park/ The Watershed, Kilkenny City. Cost: €5 per Athlete/Coach

April 24th – Javelin/Turbo Javelin + High Jump Workshop – Wexford 6.00 – 8.00pm
Open to all Coaches and athletes over 9 years.
Venue: The Presentation School, Wexford Town. Cost: €5 per Athlete/Coach

April 25th – Long Jump + Triple Jump Workshop – Greystones 7.00 – 9.00pm
Open to all Coaches and athletes over 12 years.
Venue: Shoreline Sports Complex, Greystones. Cost: €5 per Athlete/Coach

April 29th – Long Jump + Turbo Javelin Workshop – Adamstown, Co. Wexford 6.30pm
Open to all Coaches and athletes over 9.
Venue: Adamstown Community Centre, Adamstown, Co. Wexford. Cost: €5 per Athlete/Coach

May 2nd – Javelin + Turbo Javelin Workshop – Greystones 7.00 – 9.00pm
Open to all Coaches and athletes over 9.
Venue: Shoreline Sports Complex, Greystones. Cost: €5 per Athlete/Coach

May 3rd – Sprints + Hurdles Workshop – Kilkenny 7.00 – 9.00pm
Open to all Coaches and athletes over 12.
Venue: Scanlon Park/ The Watershed, Kilkenny City. Cost: €5 per Athlete/Coach

May 8th – Sprints + Hurdles Workshop – Adamstown, Co. Wexford 6.30pm
Open to all Coaches and athletes over 12.
Venue: Adamstown Community Centre, Adamstown, Co. Wexford. Cost: €5 per Athlete/Coach

May 9th – Shot + Discus Workshop – Greystones 7.00 – 9.00pm
Open to all Coaches and athletes over 12.
Venue: Shoreline Sports Complex, Greystones. Cost: €5 per Athlete/Coach

May 10th – Javelin + Turbo Javelin Workshop – Kilkenny 7.00 – 9.00pm
Open to all Coaches and athletes over 9.
Venue: Scanlon Park/The Watershed, Kilkenny City. Cost: €5 per Athlete/Coach

May 16th – Hurdles + High Jump Workshop – Greystones 7.00 – 9.00pm
Open to all Coaches and athletes over 12.
Venue: Shoreline Sports Complex, Greystones. Cost: €5 per Athlete/Coach

May 17th – Shot + Discus Workshop – Kilkenny 7.00 – 9.00pm
Open to all Coaches and athletes over 12.
Venue: Scanlon Park/The Watershed, Kilkenny City. Cost: €5 per Athlete/Coach

April 15th – Sprints Workshop – Greystones 7.30pm
Open to all Coaches and athletes over 18 years.
Venue: Shoreline Sports Complex, Greystones. Cost: €5 per Athlete/Coach

Assistant Coach Course, Roundwood, Co. Wicklow
Saturday May 25th. 10am. Register Online
Price is €60.00
Contact: Colin Byrne colinbyrne@athleticsireland.ie or 087-0632326 for further details.
Location – Roundwood GAA Centre, Roundwood, Co. Wicklow.

For Further information please send email to: colinbyrne@athleticsireland.ie

Huge congratulations are due to Galway based Gary Thornton who battled some of the most extreme conditions on the planet to place first in the North Pole Marathon.

The Galway City Harriers athlete, who is also a school teacher, beat a number of other international competitors to win the race Marathon in an impressive time of 3:49:29 hrs

The -30C temperatures coupled with difficult underfoot conditions for the race made for and extremely challenging event. Thornton said it was the “most surreal running experience of his life”. Holding a marathon PB of 2:17 hrs, he said it was “very tough after the first third of the race” and a “mental battle to get to the finish”. (npmarathon.com)

Gary’s wife Elaine Barrett took part in the half marathon on the same grueling course and finished in a time of 4.54.16 hrs. Tuam AC’s Ian Egan also made the trip to the North Pole to and placed 19th in the men’s marathon in a time of 6.42.10 hrs.

Athletics Ireland’s President, Board, CEO and members’ thoughts and prayers are with the organisers, participants and volunteers in the Boston marathon following the tragic events which unfolded during yesterday’s race.

“The Athletics community in Ireland is thinking of all those involved in the marathon in Boston and especially those who are suffering the loss of loved ones, colleagues or friends” Athletics Ireland President Ciaran O’Catháin said “Our thoughts and prayers are also with those injured or suffering as a result of the terrible tragedy.”

Annual Open Track and Field Meeting

Wednesday 24th April 2013

*****Electronic Timing *****

track-and-field-24-apr-finn-valley-details