Stunning show of class by Kenny

POSTED:

Olympic qualification points were at stake today Saturday in St Anne's park Raheny in the National 20kms championships Men and Women. Young Kerry walker David Kenny grabbed the opportunity with a stunning show of class to win the championship in great style to take a huge junk off his personal best time and olympic qualification points. His time of 2:23.07 secs was 98 seconds ahead of silver medallist Brendan Boyce who in turn was 40 secs ahead of bronze medallist Alex Wright who unfortunately suffered a 2 minute penalty.

The race was won by South African Wayne Snyman who like Kenny and Boyce are coached by Robert Heffernan. Indeed Synman was only one of many foreign Athletes who were guests at these championships with athletes from Poland Guatemala Spain and England coming to race on this flat fast coarse in Raheny although the strong cross wind made life difficult for the athletes in this particular race. 

Kate Veale also increased her chances of Olympic qualification although her winning time today was well off her best due to a troubling hip injury curtailing her training since Christmas. Maggie Helan O Connor came through to win silver and is a good advertisement for Masters Athletics. The Women's race was won in stylish fashion by Mirna Flores of Guatemala another Tokyo bound athlete who finished Ahead of katarzyna Zdzieblo of Poland. 

Juvenile Junior and Master Race walkers were also racing in this impressive show of walking at this festival of Walking. The juveniles could not but be impressed and inspired by Champion David Kenny who was the story of the day a young man of just 21 who on today's display has the world at his feet!

Great credit is due to official's, timekeepers and judges who made the day such a success. Special word of Thanks to local organisers Raheny Shamrocks led by Pat Hooper.

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