Galway’s top distance runner, Gary Thornton of Galway City Harriers, heads to Berlin this weekend in a bid to secure Olympic qualification.
Thornton will run in Sunday's Berlin Marathon, along with a number of other top Irish athletes, all aiming to make the Irish marathon squad for the Oympic Games in Rio De Janeiro Brazil next August.
To qualify Thornton is looking to run under the time standard of two hours 17 minutes for the 26.2 mile distance, set by Athletics Ireland.
Training has been going well for the city man over the past number of months, and he has clocked up regularly more than 100 miles a week.
Many of Galway’s running community are travelling to Berlin in support of this hugely talented and committed athlete.
On the home front there were several strong performances by Galway athletes at the half marathon distance last weekend with many local club runners preparing for the Dublin Marathon. GCH athletes John Cronin and Joanne O'Boyle both ran well in the Charleville Half, clocking personal bests of 1hr 19, and 1hr 37 minutes respectively
Oranmore Club Vitae 5km Road Race
Matt Bidwell of GCH won the annual Oranmore Club Vitae 5km Road Race which attracted more than 100 athletes for this fast and flat course. Bidwell clocked a race time of 15.51, with Fergal Walsh of Athenry AC just over a minute behind in second, crossing the line in 16.57. Michael Flanagan of Galway Triathlon was third home in a good 17.21.
In the ladies' section, GCH athlete Barbara Dunne took the honours, clocking 18.50. Athenry's Deirdre Brophy completed the distance in 19.35 taking second place, while Edel Kelly took third place in 19.43.
Fixtures Loughrea 8k
The 2015 Grey Lake 8K Road Race takes place Sunday around the streets of Loughrea and is organised by Loughrea Athletic Club . The club has devised a new flat and fast course for this year’s event which takes place at 2.30pm, preceded by a children's fun run at 1.30pm. Entries in advance are €20 and on the day €25, with a free Technical t-shirt for first 200 Entries
Craughwell AC world record attempt
Craughwell AC hosts a Guinness World Record 12-hour relay attempt on Saturday in Dangan at the RSC track.
The event will be held between 9am and 9pm and the club is looking for athletes and families from all codes of sport and all ages to get involved and help the club set a world record.
The club needs 2406 runners to run 100m with a baton in an average of less than 17.95 seconds in order to break the record.
All proceeds go towards the club’s major new facility development fund for its grounds in Craughwell near the national school.
