Fionnuala Britton is the Star Attraction at National 10k

Fionnuala Britton (Kilcoole AC) is the star attraction at this weekend’s National 10k Championships which is once again being run in conjunction with the SPAR Great Ireland Run. The event takes place in the stunning surroundings of the Phoenix Park on Saturday, 11th of April.

Britton Favourite

Britton returns to the roads and the Wicklow native will start as the favourite to win the senior women’s national title. She will also challenge for the overall victory in the women’s race which includes rival and reigning European Cross Country Champion Gemma Steel of Great Britain.  

On the domestic front Britton can expect strong opposition from the likes of Lizzie Lee (Leevale AC), Sarah Mulligan (DSD AC), Ava Hutchinson (DSD AC) and Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle & District AC).  DSD are the defending senior women’s team champions and are once again fielding a strong team to challenge for the title.

Senior Men

Mark Hanrahan (Leevale AC) enjoyed double success last year as he won the senior men’s title and also led his club to victory in the team event. Hanrahan is back to defend his title on Saturday where he will come up against many of Ireland’s top domestic athletes.

A close competition is expected in the men’s race with Mark Christie (Mullingar Harriers AC), Sergiu Ciobanu (Clonliffe Harriers AC) and Brandon Hargreaves (Clonliffe Harriers AC) all in the line-up.

Elite Mile

European Indoor 800m silver medallist Mark English (UCD AC) steps up in distance to compete in the road mile which is now part of the festival of running incorporated into the Great Ireland Run. English will put his endurance to the test as he takes on a number of elite metric milers along Chesterfield Avenue.  Danny Mooney (Letterkenny AC) who represented Ireland in the 1,500m at the Europeans will toe the line along with up and coming athletes Shane Fitzsimons (Mullingar Harriers AC) and Andrew Corscoran (Star of the Sea AC).

Timetable

The mile race begins at 12.20 with the women’s elite and national championship athletes getting underway at 13.10. The elite men along with the masses are the final competitors to get underway at 13.30.