A date has been confirmed for the Armagh International Road Races and race director James Vallely has already announced a number of top class athletes for the 32nd edition of the race.
Headline performer for February 8 should be former winner and current European 3000m steeplechase champion Topi Raitanen.
The Finn produced a scintillating finish to break the tape first in 2019 and is set to return with a strong national team that also includes European U23 silver medallist Eemil Helander, an 8:39 steeplechase performer.
However, fastest man on paper is likely to be Briton Jon Davies of Reading AC with a 13:16.66 track best for the distance in the USA last May.
This year’s winner Henry McLuckie is next fastest on 13:36 and then comes Clonliffe Harrier Efrem Gidey who is tied on 13:37 with Candour TC’s Nick Griggs who took the bronze in the European U20 Cross Country Championships just last Sunday.
Vidar Johansson, with a road time of 13:46, heads up a formidable Swedish quartet while Ben Macmillan on 13:51 is the pick of the Scottish entrants so far. The women’s 3K sees the return of last February’s winner Alexandra Bell who recorded 9:02 that night.
She will have her sights set on Anna Emilia Moller’s 8:58 course record, but it willnot be easy. Sweden’s Linn Soderholm will be there as well as Kate Axford of Belgrave Harriers who share a best for the distance of 9:06.
Edinburgh AC’s Alice Goodall will be emboldened by her victory in the European U23 10,000m this year and have confidence to challenge the best of them.
The USA’s Sammy George with a 9:11 indoor best should also be in the mix along with Armagh AC’s Fionnuala Ross who was part of Ireland’s senior women’s team last Sunday in Brussels.
The event is organised by Armagh Athletic Club and has consistently attracted athletes of elite standard from all over the world with the greater majority of this year’s finishers in the men’s 5K being from outside the island of Ireland. That is only part of the meeting’s success.
The slick delivery of the 10-race programme complements the excitement and atmosphere as runners of all ages and abilities speed around the Mall, cheered on by the spectators and encouraged all the way by the echoing voice of the commentator.
The course is not only flat and fast but lends itself perfectly to the highest quality of road racing, the testament being that few runners leave Armagh without a personal best time.
Meanwhile, another local classic road race of an entirely different type is set to go ahead on its traditional St Stephen’s Day date.
The Oliver McCullagh Memorial 5 Miles will be the second since the passing of the man who put the race on the map.
Now in its 38th edition, it claims the longest consecutive run of any race in Ulster thanks to it being allowed to go ahead in modified form during the pandemic in 2020.
International triathlete James Edgar and European 23 team gold medallist Grace Carson were the respective winners last year and race director Connor McCullagh is busily trying to add equally quality athletes to this year’s line-up.
Nevertheless, the main appeal of the Greencastle race is the friendliness.
Many come for the competition, but everyone stays for the craic and arguably the best post-race hospitality anywhere. Entries for the race are currently being taken on www.greencastle5.com
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To end on a sad note, the athletics community was saddened in the last few days to learn of the death of former ANI Vice President Pat Moffitt.
A member of North Down AC, like many other officials, she got involved to support as a parent and over the years and she took great pride in following the success of daughter Alison who developed through the Junior ranks to win over 20 NI Senior titles in throws events.
Sincere condolences are offered to husband Mike, daughter Alison and the rest of the family circle.