European 800m silver medallist and Rio 2016 hopeful, Mark English has launched the six week countdown to the GloHealth Senior Track and Field Championships 2015.
On Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th of August, Morton Stadium at Santry in Dublin, will become home to some of Ireland’s brightest and most dedicated athletes as they battle it out to claim one of 40 national titles up for grabs in both track and field sports.
The Championships will feature over 500 athletes from all over Ireland and will also be the last opportunity for international athletes to achieve the coveted qualification standard for the International World Track and Field Championships taking place in Beijing this August.
There will be a chance to meet and greet some of the biggest names in Irish sport and children will be encouraged to try out the GloHealth Fitzone, which will be packed with mini track and field activities.
European 800m Medallist English, who won his first national title at 18 years of age in 2011 and a second in 2014, will be vying to pick up a third title before he heads East for the World Championships in Beijing.
“The GloHealth Senior Track and Field Championships are a really important and exciting event,” he said at the launch.
“Ireland’s top athletes all come together to battle it out and while tensions are high, nothing can beat that level of competition and hopefully seeing all the hard work and training pay off.”
“The event itself has an infectious atmosphere which can’t be matched and it’s great to have that level of support”.
Reigning European number one 400m Hurdler Thomas Barr will be hoping to make it five in a row at these Championships.
Sprinter/jumper Kelly Proper will endeavour to increase her medal tally and further solidify her status as one of the most prolific Irish champions of all-time, having won 15 outdoor titles to date.
“This is GloHealth’s second year as sponsor of Athletics Ireland’s and we are really looking forward to seeing our top athletes compete at the GloHealth Senior Track and Field Championships,” said Jim Dowdall, CEO GloHealth.
“Last year the competition was intense but with the Worlds and Olympics on the horizon we expect everything to move up a notch this year.”
“This is also a wonderful event for spectators and I’d encourage everyone, young and old, to come along to witness wonderful sporting moments and soak up the fantastic atmosphere.”
“Our national championships are an incredible weekend of top class athletics – we are encouraging all our Athletics Ireland members and fans to come along and see the action unfold and support the athletes who are competing,” added John Foley, CEO of Athletics Ireland.
“The GloHealth Senior Track and Field Championships are guaranteed to be a weekend full of excitement and adrenaline, with the highs and lows of top end competition, as Ireland’s best look to become a National Champion.”
“For the athletes, this is their one shot. Their opportunity to show that every hour of training, every bead of sweat, and every aching muscle has been worth the sacrifice. You can track their progress using the hashtag #OneShot.”
Image Credit: Ramsey Cardy / Sportsfile
