NI RECORD HOLDER EMMA MITCHELL HITS EURO STANDARD IN LONDON
21 May 2018
Northern Ireland record holder Emma Mitchell (QUB AC / Eamonn Christie) hit another European Athletics Championship standard as local athletes impressed at the prestigious Highgate Harriers Night of 10,000m PB’s in London (Saturday 19th May 2018).
The prestigious event also incorporated the European Athletics 10,000m Cup and the British Athletics 10,000m Championships.
Representing Ireland, Emma ran 32:55.26 for 16th place in the classy ladies ‘A’ race. This was an Athletics Ireland European Championships ‘B’ standard, which along with the required accompanying sub 16:03 5,000m (in 2018), which Emma ran at the Commonwealth Games (16:02.80) and more importantly, her ‘A’ standards of 32:49.91 (2018) and 32:51.70 (2017) adds further weight to her case for selection.
In the same race, Letterkenny AC’s Ann-Marie McGlynn, also representing Ireland, clocked 33:53.29 for 29th place. Scotland based NI athlete Fionnuala Ross (Armagh AC / Dermot Kerr) was also in the Irish team and crossed the line in a new personal best of 33:49.92 for 9th place in the ladies ‘B’ race.
Current Northern Ireland & Ulster 10k and 10,000m Champions Scott Rankin (Foyle Valley AC) and Eoghan Totten (Newcastle AC / Richard Rodgers) were also in competition at the event. Scott ran 31:02.04 for 9th place in the ‘D’ race. In the ‘C’ race, Eoghan showed guts to finish in 33:46.36 (28th place) despite picking up a back injury.
Fast improving City of Derry AC man Mark Long recorded 32:00.54 for 10th place in the ‘E’ race, while Newcastle AC’s Patrick McNiff (Richard Rodgers) crossed the line in 32:18.91 (28th place) on his 10,000m debut (‘D’ race).
Full results for the event are available HERE.
Elsewhere this weekend…
Leon Reid and Jason Smyth win at Great City Games in Manchester (England):
Northern Ireland men Leon Reid (Birchfield Harriers) and Jason Smyth (Derry Track Club) impressed with wins at the prestigious Great City Games in Manchester, England (Friday 18th May 2018).
Competing in separate 150m races at the unique City Centre event, Leon won in 15.52 (1st place), while Jason broke the beam in 15.82 (1st place).
Full results for the event are available HERE.
NI ladies claim team bronze at Inter-Counties Mountain Running Championships 2018:
Northern Ireland's ladies team secured a podium place at the Inter-Counties Mountain Running Championships, at Lads Leap, Derbyshire(England) today (Saturday 19th May 2018).
Esther Dickson (Newry AC), Shileen O'Kane (Lagan Valley AC), Martsje Hell (North Belfast Harriers) and Sarah Graham (Mourne Runners) produced excellent performances in soaring heat to claim 3rd place in the team competition.
Competing over a 9.5km course, with 518m of ascent, all of the ladies finished within the top 26 of a classy international field. In-form Esther Dickson led the team home in 59:36, for an excellent 15th place. Shileen O'Kane, winner of last weekend's Slieve Donard Mountain Race, followed in 1:01:01 (18th place), with the always impressive Martsje Hell crossing the line 1:02:13 for 21st place. Sarah Graham impressed on her international debut, completing the team in 1:03:42 (26th place). In the men's race, Under 23 competitor Zak Hanna (Newcastle AC) was the first familiar face home in 49:42 for 23rd place - this was enough to see Zak take 2nd place in the Under 23 competition.
Mourne Runners star Timothy Johnston ran well to finish in 50:30 (30th place), before Gavin Mulholland (Calder Valley FR) completed the tough course in 50:51 (34th place) - Gavin picked up 1st place in the Vet45 category. Team Captain David Hicks (Newcastle AC) crossed the line in 51:52 for 43rd place. Newcastle AC team mate Luke McMullan completed the team in 54:01 (57th place).
Northern Ireland men claimed a top ten finish in the team competition, taking 8th place.
Adam Kirk-Smith and Sally Brown win at Loughborough International (England):
Commonwealth Games star Adam Kirk-Smith (Derry Track Club) and GB & NI international Sally Brown (Charnwood) claimed top honours in their respective events at the Loughborough International Track & Field Meeting this weekend (Sunday 20th May 2018).
In the 3,000m Steeplechase, Adam crossed the line in 8:48.09 for 1st place. In the T25 100m, Sally broke the beam first in 13.64 (1st place).
Representing Loughborough Megan Marrs finished 3rd in the women's 100mH in 13.50. This was a marginal PB for the British Indoor Champion who will be looking to challenge the 13.28 NI record of Mary Peters this year.
In the Javelin competition, Jack Magee (Ballymena & Antrim AC - Ulster University / Laura Kerr) represented the British Universities team and landed a best effort of 60.80m for 9th place.
Full results for the event are available HERE.
Ellen McCartney better Irish Under 20 record at Ulster Schools Championships:
Pole Vault star Ellen McCartney (City of Lisburn AC / Jim Alexander) bettered her own Irish National Under 20 Pole Vault record at the Ulster Schools Track & Field Championships at Antrim Forum (Friday 18th May 2018).
After clearing 3.80m in Portugal two weeks ago, Ellen better that with a 3.85m clearance on home soil.
This was the highlight of an excellent Championships, which saw a high number of quality performances and personal bests by up and coming athletes.
Full results from the event will be added to our website in due course.