The Woodie’s DIY National 20k Walk Championships take place this Saturday, 29th of September in Raheny, Dublin. With many of the Irish Olympic Race Walkers on a well deserved break from competition. This championship offers the next generation of Irish race walkers a chance to showcase their abilities.

Michael Doyle (Tara AC) has the fastest personal best in the field with a time of 1.26.00 for the 20k distance. Doyle showed good form earlier in the year, when he placed third in the National 30k championships. At that event, Doyle finished behind Olympians Colin Griffin (Ballinamore AC) and Brendan Boyce (Letterkenny AC), both of which are not in the field on Saturday.

Cian McManamon (Westport AC) and Niall Prendiville (Farrenfore AC) competed in the open 20k race held in Claremorris in February. On that occasion McManamon won the race in a time of 1.30.58 ahead of second place Prendiville on 1.39.35. Both these young, upcoming athletes will relish the opportunity to race against Doyle on Saturday.

Other athletes to watch out for include promising junior athlete James Treanor (Shercock AC). In March, Treanor set a personal best at the Lugano Racewalking Grand Prix over 10k with a time of 45.08. He gained more International experience by competing at the IAAF World Cup of Race Walking in Saransk, Russia in early May, finishing in 59th position.

David Kidd (St Laurence O’Toole AC) placed fourth at the national track and field championships held in the summer. On that occasion the athletes competed over 10,000m on the track. Kidd recorded a time of 47.48.79 for the distance with rival Treanor just ahead in second place.

There will be a mini squad session for juvenile and junior athletes held in conjunction with the championships on Saturday. The athletes will take part in a number of time trials, for further information on this contact Michael Lane, National Events Co-ordinator, Email: walks@athleticsireland.ie or Mob: 087 3724150