Given its timing on the final weekend of qualifying for the upcoming World Championships in Budapest and the quality of athletes competing, it promised to be an exciting edition.
Mayo AC senior sprinter Claudia Davey was among 26 entries for the women’s 200m. There were 3 heats. First two in each + 2 fastest qualified for final.
Claudia finished 4th in heat 1 in 30:73 – there was a strong wind -3 m/s in the race. The time required to progress to the final was 27:23. Great running.
National 200 and 400m record holder Rhasidat Adeleke dropped out of the event on Friday evening. This would have been the only opportunity to see her compete on home soil this year. On advice she decided not to risk injury ahead of Budapest. She will go back to Texas base to train and prepare.
At the end of Saturday’s programme Mayo AC competed in the women’s 4×100 relay. Claudia Davey was joined by three of the club's masters: Colette Tuohy and Angela McVann both W50 plud Breege Staunton W45. There were just two club teams on the startline, so a medal was there for the taking if they got the baton round. And they duly did that brilliantly to win silver senior national medals – a wonderful unique achievement! And as Colette said afterwards ‘a great experience’.
Dundrum South Dublin AC were winners in 50:65.
Congratulations to all!
Well done also to sprints coach John Walkin who leads the Mayo AC training group.
Congratulations to Michaela Walsh Swinford AC who won her sixth National shot put title with 15:17.
In the final race of Day 2 of the Championships, Shane Bracken Swinford AC won a well deserved bronze medal in the men's 1500m in 3:42.05.