Mayo athletes in the medals at national championships

MAYO athletes enjoyed success at the Athletics Ireland National Championships at the newly refurbished Morton Stadium in Dublin at the weekend.

Michaela Walsh, Swinford AC, won her sixth national shot putt title with a throw of 15:17.

The men’s javelin title was won by Oisin Joyce of Lake District AC, 70.56.

In the final race of day two of the championships, Shane Bracken, Swinford AC, won a well deserved bronze medal in the men's 1,500m in a time of 3:42.05.

Mayo AC’s sprinters group were also in action, with senior sprinter Claudia Davey among 26 entries for the women’s 200m, with three heats - first two in each plus the two fastest qualified for the final. Claudia finished fourth in heat one in 30:73 - there was a strong wind -3 m/s in the race. The time required to progress to the final was 27:23. Great running.

At the end of Saturday’s programme Mayo AC competed in the women’s 4×100 relay. Claudia Davey was joined by three of the club's masters, Colette Tuohy and Angela McVann, both W50, plus Breege Staunton, W45. There were just two club teams on the start line, so a medal was there for the taking if they got the baton round. And they duly did, winning silver senior national medals - a wonderful unique achievement! And, as Colette said afterwards, ‘a great experience’.

Well done also to sprints coach John Walkin who leads the Mayo AC training group.

National 200m and 400m record holder Rhasidat Adeleke dropped out of the event on Friday evening, which would have been the only opportunity to see her compete on home soil this year. On advice she decided not to risk injury ahead of Budapest and will now go back to her Texas base to train and prepare.