TEXAS -Athletics along with much else is returning to action as vacinations help to qwell the covid virus. Our US students were at the regional conference championships at the Bryan-College Station in Texas for the four days of the extended event. Peter Lynch, Tulsa, went in the 10,000m on Wednesday 26th with hopes of qualifying for the nationals in Oregon in June. With twelve top places qualifying his hopes were dashed as a couple of slow laps pushed him down to 30th in the placings. Finishing with a fast lap of 1.06.50 he clocked 30.24.54 – impressive enough considering the heat (29C) and humidity. Aoife Richardson was competing in the 10,100m on Thursday 27th and set what would have been a qualifying pace. This she maintained up to the 8000m when the humidity hit her and unable to finish the race she had to be helped off the track and ended up in hospital. Taking 48 hours to recovder she was back on the track on Saturday 29th for the 5000m. Humidity or not she once again set a good pace and was rewarded with 11th place in 16.02.99 and most importantly a place in thefinals in Oregon. A Class A performance.
BELFAST – Six of our athletes headed to Belfast for the Irish Milers event at the Mary Peters track on Saturday 29th. The first run since the pandemic started. And they all ran well. Cathal O’Reilly and Grace Richardson completed their 5000m races in 15.45 and 18.31 respectively. Cliodhna Manning placed third in the 400m in a very good time – 53.16. There were PBs for Tom Lodge 4.07 in the 1500m; Eoin Deely 2.06 in 800m and Ciara Deely 2.10 also in 800m.
MANCHESTER – Eoin Everard set a new record while competing in the British Milers club at the Sportcity Regional Arena in Manchester. Competing in the 5000m he placed second to Hugo Milner of Derby. But his time of 13.58.47 is a PB for him and establishes his position as the first Kilkenny athlete to run under 14 minutes for the distance. Well done Eoin.