Athletics Ireland have made the decision to award medals and placings in all categories for the National 10k Championship held at the Phoenix Park on April 16. They say that "this decision was made following robust discussion and consultation. Note the race result will be recorded with an asterisk next to all references to highlight the shorter distance of the event."
Additionally, the 465 registered starters from the National 10k Championship will also be offered a complimentary place in any one of the upcoming 2023 National 5k, 5-mile, or 10-mile road race Championships. All 10k National Championship participants have been personally contacted by email to advise of this action.
Athletes who competed in the National 10k last Sunday have received a letter from Athletics Ireland.
Part of their letter states :
“Athletics Ireland and event organisers Dublin City Harriers wish to apologise for the unforeseen circumstances that led to last Sunday’s Great Ireland Run which incorporated the National championships being less than the specified distance”.
They now say that medals and placings will now be awarded for all categories.
In advance of confirmation by Athletics Ireland of official results seven Mayo AC runners who completed the 8.5k shorter distance finished as follows in their categories
Pauline Moran 1st F65
Colette Tuohy 2nd F50
Placings:
F55 Angela O’Connor 4th
F55 Breege Blehein 8th
M50 Tony O’Malley 20th
F40 Paula Donnellan 12th
M40 Andrew Hayes 33rd.
In addition Mayo women's F50 team category placings based on combined times of Colette Tuohy, Pauline Moran and Angela O’Connor are well placed for medals in contention with Mullingar Harriers AC and Raheny Shamrock AC.
Despite the event fiasco, it’s good to see the efforts of club athletes being rewarded.
It may be a compromise following the Athletics Ireland ‘null and void declaration’ that the governing body have made this decision rather than hold the event again.
