Almost 500 athletes descended on Morton Stadium, Santry, for the 123.ie National Masters Track & Field Championships on Friday and Saturday (August 7–8), with national titles decided across a packed programme of track and field action.
Hot conditions greeted competitors across the weekend, with athletes from the over-35 age category through to over-80 showcasing the continued strength and depth of Masters athletics in Ireland.
Friday evening opened the championships with the 1500m races among the highlights. Rachel Gibson (North Down A.C.) produced an impressive 4:41.67 to take the W35 title, while Eddie O’Connor (Brothers Pearse A.C.) clocked 4:06.62 in the M35 race.
There were also strong performances in the throws, with John Dwyer (Templemore A.C.) recording 50.19m in the M40 hammer and Rachel Akers (Ennis Track A.C.) reaching 44.81m in the W40 competition. Alan O’Connor (Tralee Harriers A.C.) enjoyed a successful championships, recording 12.80m in the M35 shot put before adding a 38.31m discus performance.
Saturday delivered a full day of action, with Snezana Bechtina (Clonliffe Harriers A.C.) completing an impressive sprint double in the W40 category, winning the 100m in 13.13 before clocking 26.48 in the 200m.
David Miller (Strabane A.C.) took the M40 100m in 11.96, while Peter Condron (St. Abbans A.C.) produced a 24.32 performance in the M40 200m.
Over one lap, Suzie Cave (Lagan Valley A.C.) clocked 1:03.25 in the W40 400m, with Keith Pollard (St. Laurence O’Toole A.C.) recording 54.10 in the M45 event.
The middle and long-distance programme also produced a number of standout performances. Deirdre Doyle (St. Laurence O’Toole A.C.) ran 2:18.50 in the W35 800m, while Ernesto Saborío Córdoba (Drogheda and District A.C.) recorded 2:02.08 in the M35 race.
Mary Leech (Drogheda and District A.C.) impressed with 10:46.68 in the W50 3000m, while Rory Chesser (Ennis Track A.C.) completed the M35 5000m in 15:46.29.
In the field, Anna Sudergath (St. Laurence O’Toole A.C.) produced a 4.48m effort in the W55 long jump, while Robert Cervi (Crusaders A.C.) saved his best for last with a final-round 5.36m in the M45 competition.
Olga Nedvede (Dooneen A.C.) recorded 35.78m in the W40 discus to round out another busy programme of national championship action at Morton Stadium.
The championships once again highlighted the impressive standard and enduring popularity of Masters athletics in Ireland, with athletes from across the country competing for national honours over two action-packed days.
Full results:live.athleticsireland.ie
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