Double Gold for Masterful Fiona Gettings
Fiona Gettings enjoyed double gold medal success on Sunday last at the National Masters Track and Field Championships in Tullamore.
Her afternoon began with victory in the 3000m when crossing the line first in the breezy conditions in 10:11 just ahead of 2004 Irish Olympian Maria McCambridge. Fiona followed this up two hours later with winning age category gold in the 1500m clocking 4:48 which was another impressive time in the far from ideal conditions.
It rounded out an excellent week for Fiona who had been a member of the Irish women’s over-35 team which set a new Masters World Record for the 4 x 800m relay in Santry on Wednesday evening last. Fiona was the second runner on the team which also included Michelle Cox (Newbridge AC), Eimear English (Dunboyne AC) and Laura Frey (Lagan Valley AC) in this novel event which saw the quartet clock a time of 9:16. This was nine seconds quicker than the previous record held by the USA since 2011.
Next up for Fiona will be the World Masters Athletics Championships in Gothenburg later this month. She will line up in the women’s 5000m race in the Swedish city on Saturday 17 August.
Silver Medal Successes: Robin Óg Murphy and Yemi Talabi both achieved second place finishes at the National Under-20 / Under-23 Championships in Tullamore on Saturday.
In the U20 3000m Walk, Robin Óg took the silver medal following another strong showing in the event to close out what has been a brilliant season for her. Yemi secured silver in the U23 100m clocking 11.95 seconds. Just 0.02 off the gold, it was another National medal for Yemi who will soon return to the US to begin her Senior year at the University of Texas.
Results Round-up
Edel Nolan successfully defended her 10k title at Saturday’s Breffni Challenge in Arva. Michael O’Hara, Zoran Salopek, Tara Gately and Charlie Barone each ran well also for the distance. John Scott placed fourth in the half marathon with Stephen McDermott running strongly too on the undulating course.
Patryk Prusak took the win in the 7k event in Arva before lining up the next day at the Kilbeggan 10 mile. Both he and Ross Gannon performed well with each registering top-30 finishes. Eleanor McLoughlin headed to Meath and ran a good time at the Athboy 5k on Friday while Jacqui Mahon completed the Bóthar Na Naomh Duathlon in Leitrim the following day. Juraj Karcak placed first in his age category at the 174km KAT ultra mountain trail in the Austrian Alps last week.
