International athletics will be returning to Letterkenny again this year, with the Letterkenny AC Sub 4 Minute Mile Challenge Event set for Friday 10th July at 7:00pm. This event follows on from last year’s success where we witnessed exceptional performances from a host of world class athletes at the Danny McDaid Athletics Track.
The fields already assembled for the track and field programme are showing signs that this will be one of the highlights on the Irish and international athletics calendar for 2015, and the organisers will be hoping for meeting records, sub 4 minute miles, and qualification standards for both the World Championships and Olympic Games.
Headlining Events
The men’s feature event on the programme will be the iconic distance of 1609m, the Mile. Last year’s race produced the first ever sub 4 minute mile on Donegal soil with Mexico’s Juan Luis Barrios marking his place in history by stopping the clock at 3:59.43.
The mens javelin is another event that will be sure to impress the crowd in Letterkenny. It is shaping up to be one of the most competitive fields ever assembled in Ireland with Jamie Doran of Wales (PB 79.72m), Joe Dunderdale of England (PB 76.13m) and Julian Lehmann of Switzerland (PB 68.93m). Interestingly, Lehmann is coached by Irish javelin record holder and five time Olympian Terry McHugh who is now Swiss National coach for the javelin event. The track and field programme will also feature a mens 100m, 400m, 800m, 3000m and high jump, and a womens 200m, 800m, and long jump event.
Hometown Strenght
Ireland’s challenge will be led by Letterkenny’s own Danny Mooney, who will be looking to upset the odds with a hometown victory. Mooney has been edging closer to a sub 4 minute mile after competing at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2015 European Indoor championships.
The women’s feature event this year will be the 3000m steeplechase. This event will be aimed at producing qualification standards for the World Championships in Beijing (9:44) and Olympic Games (9:45) in Rio.
Letterkenny A.C. athlete Ann-Marie Mc Glynn will be hoping that the quality field assembled for the steeplechase will help achieve the standard and her goal to compete in another major championship. The womens steeplechase is a relatively new event in international athletics, with it only being introduced to the Olympic Games in 2008. But in that short period of time, it has emerged as one of the most competitive events on the track, and will be sure to provide some added splash to the Letterkenny meeting.
Race Details
The competition is growing in strength from year to year, and it is exciting to look forward to this year’s event on Friday 10th July. The action gets underway at the Danny McDaid track at 7pm, and it will be an evening of world class athletics not to be missed. Any Irish athletes who wish to declare their interest in competing please email letterkennysub4mile@gmail.com
Further Information
For more event information and updates, visit:
