Paul Pollock Selected for IAAF World Championships
26 April 2017
Annadale Striders athlete Paul Pollock (Coach: Andrew Hobdell) has been selected to represent Ireland in the marathon at this Summer’s IAAF World Championships in London (England).
Athletics Ireland announced their initial selections of race walk and marathon athletes yesterday (Tuesday 25th April 2017). Paul, who recorded 2:15:30 at the Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon in Japan earlier this year, is the only athlete from Northern Ireland to have bettered the required standard of 2:17:00 for men and 2:38:00 for women – his training partner Kevin Seaward (Coach: Andrew Hobdell), missed out by just eight seconds with his 2:17:08 finish at the London Marathon on Sunday.
Paul took to social media to express his delight at gaining selection, posting “Four years and thousands of miles since my first World Champs, I'm absolutely delighted to have been picked for this year's London World Championships!”
The Holywood man also showed gratitude to those who have assisted him along the way, “A massive thank you (again) to everyone for all the help over the years, especially Jim Aughney and the Marathon Mission and their continued support for Irish distance runners. Looking forward to running with some of my NN Running Team teammates, this time wearing each of our country's colours!”
A full list of athletes selected for the race walk and marathon events can be found here: www.athleticsireland.ie/news/walks-and-marathon-selections-for-london-2017
The IAAF World Athletics Championships will take place in London between the 4th and 13th August 2017. The final Ireland squad which will be confirmed after the 23rd July 2017 qualification deadline for all other events.
Source: NiRunning