European Youth Olympics
Robert McDonnell of Galway City Harriers competed in two events at the European Youth Olympics in Baku, Azerbaijan, on the Irish team last week. McDonnell excelled in the the 400m placing ninth overall and clocking a superb new best of 48.42, and also starred on the 4 x 400m relay team, which placed sixth in the final, to top a great week’s competition for him.
National senior track and field championships
There was more glory for Galway athletes at the national senior track and field championships held last weekend in the Morton Stadium in Santry, Dublin. Galway City Harriers thrower Sean Breathnach continued his national title winning streak, as he won double gold in the throws. On Saturday Breathnach claimed the weight for height throw with a best of 4.40 metres, and on Sunday he won the weight for distance throw with 8.27 metres. Breathnach also placed third in the shot put to take bronze behind Eric Favors.
Nicole Walsh of GCH won a bronze medal in a in a top-class ladies' 400m, finishing very fast to set a personal best of 54.74 in taking third. Sinead Treacy of Craughwell placed seventh in the same race.
NUI Galway and St Colman’s athlete Sarah Quinn secured a silver medal with another blazing run over 100m hurdles, clocking a new best of 13.47 behind Sarah Lavin.
Cillin Greene of GCH made the men’s 400m final and finished in seventh spot behind Chris O Donnell.
Sprinters Jonah Erugo, Alex O Laoi and Robert Meagher, all GCH, Jack Miskella of Craughwell over 800m (clocking 1.57 ) and John Moroney of GCH in the 5,000m (with 15.54 ) all competed in the heats on Saturday.
Streets of Galway 8k
There is now just over a week to go to the 34th edition of the famous Streets of Galway 8k road race, which will be held Saturday August 10, at 7pm, the race, backed by Galway Clinic, runs from the start line at Fr Griffin Road through the city, and onto Salthill and the Claddagh into the finish at South Park.
The streets is one of the most prestigious and high profile in the Irish running calendar. This year a record field of 3,400 will race the event, some of Ireland’s top athletes, club runners, many visitors, along with thousands of locals will take on the 8km challenge.
Limited registration is still available on Active.com until next Monday or on race organizers Galway City Harriers’ website.