Quality Masters action set for Athlone
The Irish Life Health National Masters Indoor Championships take place in Athlone this Sunday (March 8) with a lot of talent on show.
The Irish masters have been blazing a trail in recent years and displaying a positive image that it’s never too late to compete and do so in style.
Anne Gilshinan (Slaney Olympic) and Shane Healy (MSB) have recently set indoor 1500m world records and look set compete in respective 800m races.
Tommy Hughes (Termoneeny Running Club) is another to have grabbed headlines over the last 12 months and he is entered in the 3,000m.
Joe Gough (West Waterford) is also no stranger to the headlines in the M65 age category and he looks set to compete over 400m and 800m. Matt Slattery (Clonliffe Harriers) will be looking to challenge him over the 400m.
Women who will look to feature in the middle distance events include Kelly Neely (City of Lisburn), Denise Toner (Clones), Annette Kealy (Raheny Shamrock A.C.) in the F50 3000m, Adrienne Atkins (Raheny Shamrock A.C.) in the F50 1500m, Anne Gilshinan (Slaney Olympic A.C.) F50 800m and 1500m, Niamh Fitzgerald (Lucan Harriers A.C.) in the F40 800m and 400m, and Joy McAleer (Lisburn AC) in the F55 800m. Anne Gormely (Donore Harriers) will look to do well in the 3,000m walk.
Those that will compete in multiple events including technical are Mary Barrett (Loughrea A.C.) in the F55, Geraldine Finegan (North East Runners A.C.) in the F50, Avril Dillon (Dundrum South Dublin A.C.) and Snezana Bechtina (Clonliffe Harriers) in the F35 age category.
Jer O'Donoghue (An Ríocht AC) will aim to be the fastest man on the day in the M35 60m while John MacDermott (Sligo A.C.) will be one of the elder statesman in the M70 age group looking to run fast over 60m.
Ger Cremin (An Ríocht AC) has been a standout performer and is entered in multiple events in the M35 age group including the 60m Hurdles and the 400m.
Denis Coughlan (St. Finbarrs A.C.) will be another looking to compete well over 800m in the M35 section.