Impressive Performances at Non-Stadia Championships

There were some tremendous performances from the small party of 10 athletes who travelled out to the Non Stadia Championships held in Grosseto, Italy last weekend returning home with a very impressive haul of 3 Individual Gold, 3 Individual Silver & 3 Team Bronze medals.

Pride of place went to Mick Traynor (M50) who was not daunted by the humid conditions for the 10K finishing 2nd overall behind Gerry Ryan. Traynor then went on to anchor the relay team to bronze on Saturday, followed by securing Individual Gold over the ½ marathon on Sunday, despite temperatures rising to 35c by the end of the race. Credit is also due to Pat O’Shea (M65), who matched Mick in the Individual stakes with Gold over the ½ marathon & Silver in the 10k. Paul Elliott (M60) completed the Individual medal haul achieving silver and led the team comprising of Pat O’Shea & Michael Bowler, (both M65s), to Bronze in the M60 category.

Michael Cornyn & Mick Fennell had a tough battle throughout the 10k, each passing the other on a number of occasions, before Mick Fennell finally prevailed with a few seconds to spare. They then combined with Mick Traynor on the Cross Country relay Team to capture Team Bronze.

Good performances were also had by Stuart Kennedy (M45) & Pat Bonass (M70) in the 10k. The team of Stuart, plus Paul Elliott & Pat O’Shea, both having to drop down to the younger age group to make up a team, just missed out by 9 seconds for M45 Cross Country relay. The ½ marathon team were also denied Bronze, finishing a very creditable 4th overall.

Sean McMullin M65, was the sole representative in the walks, performing well in the 10k but was one of the many causalities who was forced to withdraw in the 30k, as the temperatures took it’s toll in the mid afternoon sunshine on the Sunday.

With the re-alignment of Championships by the European & World Masters, the Non Stadia will take place again in 2016 from the 20th -22nd May in Monte Gordo, Portugal. This is an event where Irish teams can perform exceptionally well, so hopefully athletes will give consideration to this Championship next year.

The World Masters T&F Champs are scheduled for 4th–16th Aug in Lyon, France and will close on 2nd June 2015. Please see www.lyon2015.com for online entries plus further information.