Athletes from as far as Guernsey Island, Britain and Spain are entered The Woodie’s Masters Track & Field Championships will be held next Saturday, 18th August, in the centrally located Tullamore Harriers Stadium in Co. Offaly starting at 11 am and finishing at 6 pm. The championships have been run for more than 30 years and the event is growing with hundreds entered. This strong mixture of age categories we will have competing will consist of people from all denominations and social backgrounds competing in a friendly rivalry. Athletes from as far as Guernsey Island, Britain and Spain are entered and this fact in itself shows the popularity of this event. The event consists of athletes from over 35 years (O-35) to beyond 80 (O-80). However, it will not be age that determines the winners on Saturday but rather their preparation and fitness. Over the previous months, many athletes have been training hard to prepare for these championships and there have been some noted performances in each of the provincial championships. As usual we can look forward to a great day of competition with defending champions returning for more glory. In the sprints, we will have local boy Ger Hensey (Tullamore Harriers A.C.) looking to defend his 100m and 200m titles in the O-35 category with current Munster champion John Corr (Leevale A.C.) looking to steal the limelight. There should be strong competition in the Men’s O-60 100m and 200m with Con O’Donovan (Rising Sun A.C.) and Patsy Forbes (Mid-Ulster A.C.) returning to fight it out again. On the women’s side we will have defending champions Marisa Smith (Drogheda & District A.C.) in the O-35 100m and 200m, Geraldine Finnegan (Dunleer A.C.) in the O-40 100m and 200m and local girl Mary Walsh (Tullamore Harriers A.C.) in the O-55 200m and 400m. In the Men’s O-50 400m, look out for the spectacular Joe Gough of West Waterford A.C. also competing in the 800m. Martin Dorgan of Liffey Valley A.C. is in flying form fresh from his Leinster title so watch out for him in the O-35 800m. Flor O’Leary of St. Finbarr’s A.C. will be back to defend his O-70 800m title after recently winning the Munster titles over 800m and 1500m. In the women’s, we will see local girl Pauline Curley (Tullamore Harriers) compete in the O-35 3000m. Mary Jennings (Waterford A.C.) Mary Delany (Blackrock A.C.) will attempt to each win three titles in the O-50 and O-60 800m and 1500m and 3000m respectively. The Men’s 5000m will see famous names such as Mick Traynor (Raheny Shamrock A.C.) in the O-40’s , Niall Coppinger (Tallaght A.C.) stepping up to the O-45 category and Tom O’Connor (Liffey Valley A.C.) in the O-50’s. In the Walks, we will see the formidable Bobby King of Dunboyne A.C. in the O-60’s, Pam Reynolds (St. Andrew’s A.C.) in the Women’s O-60 3k walk and the multi-eventer Sheila champion in the O-70 walk. In the field events we will see past Olympian John Menton (Donore Harriers A.C.) compete in the O-35 Shot Putt and Discus with some excellent competition as usual. Liz Mc Carthy-Coomey (Bandon A.C.) from the People’s Republic hopes to defend her three national titles in the O-35 High Jump, Long Jump and Hammer Throw. There will be strong participation in the men’s O-80 category with Denis Howard of Risin Sun A.C. back to defend his Shot Putt and Discus titles from last year after winning four Munster titles this year. Hugh Gallagher of Milford A.C. defends his Long Jump and Javelin titles as well as Patrick Doyle (Crookstown-Millview A.C.) in the 100m and 200m. Others to watch out for include AAI staff member Moira Aston who is hungry for glory and is in fine form after her five Leinster titles in the O-40 category, committee members Mary Barrett (Loughrea A.C.) in the field events and Ann Mc Hugh (Sligo A.C.) in the sprints . No matter where you look there will be great competition and surprises often from the most unexpected sources. This is what makes this Woodie’s Masters Track & Field Championships such a popular event. Timetable of Events For more information on this or other events contact AAI by: Ph: 01-8869933 or Email: admin1@athleticsireland.ie