LOCAL STARS GEAR UP FOR A BUSY WEEKEND

25 May 2018

LOCAL STARS GEAR UP FOR A BUSY WEEKEND

Northern Ireland 5,000m and 10,000m record holder Emma Mitchell (QUB AC) and decorated Paralympian Jason Smyth (Derry Track Club) will headline the annual Irish Milers Club Belfast Grand Prix this weekend (Saturday 26th May 2018).

The event will take place at the Mary Peters Track, with local clubs Beechmount Harriers and West Belfast Coolers co-hosting.

Emma will take on GB international Claire Duck in the 3,000m, which also includes local athletes Rebecca Henderson (QUB AC), Rebecca Wallace (Lagan Valley AC) and Jessica Craig (North Down AC).

Meanwhile, Jason will compete over 100m and 200m.  In the feature Men’s Mile, Dan Tanui (Project Africa), Danny Mooney (Letterkenny AC) and Conall Kirk (Annadale Striders) will all take to the start line.

UCD AC’s Alana Lally will compete against fellow Irish athlete Claire Mooney over 800m, with Northern Ireland’s Rachel Gibson (North Down AC) and Victoria Lightbody (City of Lisburn AC) both due to compete in the same event. 

Speaking ahead of the event, Race Director Eamonn Christie said, “I'm delighted with this year’s race entries considering there are several track meets this weekend.  The weather is looking good and a great day’s athletics will be had by all.  It’s free admission for all spectators.”

Elsewhere this weekend…

European Club Championships (England):

Northern Ireland athletes Leon Reid (Birchfield Harriers) and Ann-Marie McGlynn (Letterkenny AC / Thames Valley AC) will be in action at this weekend’s European Club Championships in Birmingham, England (Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May 2018).

Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Leon will compete in his favourite 200m event, while Ann-Marie, who impressed with a 33:53 finish over 10,000m last weekend, will compete in the 5,000m.  The event start lists are available HERE.

BMC Waterford Grand Prix (England):

Local stars Ciara Mageean (UCD AC – New Balance) and Kelly Neely (City of Lisburn AC) will line up in the Ladies 1500m ‘A’ race at the British Milers Club (BMC) Watford Grand Prix in England (Saturday 26th May 2018).

Start lists for the event are available HERE.

European 24-hour Championships (Romania):

Louise Smart (County Antrim Harriers) and Eddie Gallen (Finn Valley AC) will be part of a strong Ireland team competing at the European 24-hour Championships in Timisoara, Romania (Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th May 2018).

AAI Games and Combined Events Championships (Ireland):

A host of local talent will compete at the Irish Life AAI Games and Combined Events Championships at the Morton Stadium in Santry (Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May 2018).

In the AAI Games, Jonathon Carleton (Ballymena & Antrim AC), James Hamilton (Ballymena Runners), Conall Kirk (Annadale Striders), Darren McBrearty (Letterkenny AC) and Clodagh O’Reilly (Annalee AC) will be just a few of the familiar faces chasing fast times and podium places.

Up and coming athletes Finn O’Neill (City of Derry AC) and Niamh McCorry (Annalee AC) will be amongst the medal hopefuls at the Combined Events Championships.

Start lists and a provisional timetable for the event are available HERE.