Irish athletes were in action on both sides of the Atlantic this weekend, delivering strong performances at two of the biggest endurance events on the calendar. From the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in the United States to the ultra-fast streets of Valencia, Irish runners made their presence felt against world-class fields.
World Athletics Cross Country Championships
Image: John Neapolitan
Saturday saw the World Athletics Cross Country Championships take place in Tallahassee, Florida, coming just a month after Ireland’s hugely successful European Cross Country outing in Lagoa.
Ireland travelled with a much smaller squad this time, sending just four athletes Stateside. Many of the country’s leading endurance runners opted instead to focus on Sunday’s Valencia 10K, but those who did make the trip ensured Ireland still had a presence at the sharp end of the racing.
The standout Irish performance came from Raheny Shamrock athlete Brian Fay, who finished an excellent 16th in the senior men’s race. It was another strong global showing from Fay, backing up his individual tenth place finish at Euro Cross and the senior men’s team silver medal Ireland secured in Portugal last month.
There were also two very solid runs in the senior women’s race, with Cork athletes Niamh Allen of Leevale AC and Fiona Everard of Bandon AC finishing 21st and 23rd respectively in a deep international field.
Ireland’s sole underage representative was Noah Harris of Parnell AC, the Wicklow man now based in the United States, who finished 38th in the men’s U20 race.
Irish Results Summary
• Noah Harris, Parnell AC, Men’s U20, 38th, 26:03
• Niamh Allen, Leevale AC, Senior Women, 21st, 34:19
• Fiona Everard, Bandon AC, Senior Women, 23rd, 34:22
• Brian Fay, Raheny Shamrock AC, Senior Men, 16th, 29:37
Valencia 10K
Image: Valencia 10km
If Saturday was about presence, Sunday in Valencia was about depth.
The Valencia 10K once again lived up to its reputation as one of Europe’s fastest road races, with a huge Irish contingent making the trip to the Spanish coast and coming away with national records, age group records, and personal bests across the board.
The headline performance came from Efrem Gidey of Clonliffe Harriers, who lowered his own Irish 10K national record with a superb run of 27:38, finishing 12th overall. That time took four seconds off the mark he set last year and continued a strong run of form following Ireland’s European Cross Country silver medal last month.
Just three seconds back was Jack O’Leary of Mullingar Harriers, who clocked a personal best of 27:39 to finish 18th overall. Fellow Mullingar athlete Cormac Dalton, also part of Ireland’s Euro Cross silver medal team, finished 31st in 28:03, a significant personal best that took more than 40 seconds off his previous mark.
There was further history made by Callum Morgan of Candour Track Club, who finished in 28:08 to set a new Nothern Irish national record over 10 kilometres.
In the women’s race, Irish marathon champion Ava Crean, racing for Back2Boston, produced a strong run of 32:46 to set a new Irish U23 10K record.
Valencia 10K Selected Irish Results
• Efrem Gidey, Clonliffe Harriers, 12th, 27:38, National Record
• Jack O’Leary, Mullingar Harriers, 18th, 27:39, Personal Best
• Cormac Dalton, Mullingar Harriers, 31st, 28:03, Personal Best
• Callum Morgan, Candour Track Club, 48th, 28:08, Northern Irish Record
• Ava Crean, Back2Boston, 49th, 32:46, Irish U23 Record
Cover Image: Chuck Aragon