Efrem Gidey (Clonliffe Harriers AC) has won gold at the European 10,000m Cup in Pacé, France. The 24-year-old clocked a time of 27:40.47 to secure his maiden appearance on a senior international podium for Ireland.
Gidey ran strongly throughout the race, sitting on the pacemakers’ heels for the opening 6000m. With 700 metres to go the Clonliffe athlete made his decisive move and kicked away from French duo Valentin Gondouin and Felix Bour and Belgium’s Simon Debognies who were powerless in their attempts to respond.
Tonight’s medal success continues what has been an excellent few months for Gidey. Since September 2024 he has broken Irish senior records in the half marathon, 10km and 10,000m, as well as finishing 4th in the half marathon at the European Running Championships last month.
In the B race, Gidey’s compatriot Oisín Ó’Gailín (Finn Valley AC) finished seventh. The Donegal man, who was running his maiden 10,000m race on his Irish international debut, crossed the line in 29:02.05.
Elsewhere today two Irish U20 records were broken. Conor Kelly (Finn Valley AC) clocked a time of 46.18 seconds to obliterate the previous age-grade 400m record that had been held by Christopher O’Donnell (46.54) since 2015.
In difficult conditions the 17-year-old was a comfortable winner of his heat at the IFAM Outdoor meet in Brussels, which sees nearly 200 Irish athletes compete across the weekend.
At the Halplus Werfertage meet in Germany, Cian Crampton (Edenderry AC) broke the U20 record in the Discus Throw. The European Youth Olympic and U18 medallist threw a best of 57.34 metres to break the previous record that had been set in 2009.
At the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting in Zagreb, Croatia, Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport AC) finished second in the Women’s 400m clocking a season’s best time of 51.14 seconds.
Sophie Becker (Raheny Shamrock AC) opened her individual season in the 400m, finishing second at the IFAM Outdoor meeting in 51.69 seconds.
Hammer Throw sensation Nicola Tuthill (UCD AC) competed at the Halplus Werfertage meeting, finishing fourth in a world-class field, with a throw of 69.68 metres.
