Morton Games update: 2009 World Championship bronze medallist Renny Quow, competing for Trinidad & Tobago has been confirmed for the Morton Games 400 metres. Quow is the fastest man in the field with a PB of 44.51, he was the world junior champion in 2006 and placed 7th in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games final. The 400m field for the Morton Games has been further enhanced by the addition of Steven Solomon (AUS). Solomon with a PB of 44.97 was a finalist in the London 2012 Olympic Games. The previous year he was a bronze medallist at the World Junior Championships in Barcelona running a time of 45.52. He is currently a student at Stanford University and is two time Australian 400m champion. Brian Gregan will once again mount the home challenge.
The 400 A Race for next weeks Meet is now complete: Renny Quow (TT) – PB 44.53, Manteo Mitchel (USA) – PB 44.96, Steve Solomon (AUS) – PB 44.97, Brian Gregan (IRL) – PB 45.53, Mark Ujakpor (ESP) – PB 46.25, Rory Evans (GBR) – PB 46.47, Brian Murphy (IRL) – PB 46.71, Tim Burn (GBR) – PB 46.76
With the disappointing news that Gen Lacaze (AUS) has had to pull out of the SSC Mile due to an injury sustained in Belgium at the weekend, Morton Games is pleased to confirm that Canadian Olympian Hilary Stellingwerff will compete in the Mile on July 17th. Hilary competed for Canada in the 1500m at the London Olympics. She is a seasoned international athlete having also competed for her country at the World Championships in both 2007 and 2008 and at the world cross country (short course) back in 2005. With a 1500 PB of 4.05.57 she will go in to next Wednesdays race as one of the favourites. Another world class athlete has been confirmed for the SSC Women’s International Mile. Ashley Higginson (USA) who is renowned as a 3000m steeplechaser will use the mile as part of her preparations for the world championships in Moscow where she goes in the 3000 SC. At last years US Olympic Trials she placed in that unlucky 4th position in a time of 9.38.06 narrowly missing out on the Olympic team, a time which she lowered to 9.37.47 at the London Grand Prix.
Two time Olympic 5000m finalist of Mexico is a confirmed starter for the Albie Thomas Men’s 3000. Barrios was a finalist in both the 2008 Beijing Olympics where he finished 7th in a time of 13.19.79 and at last years London Games where he placed 8th. He has also competed for Mexico in the World Championships over both 5000 and 10,000 and won silver medals at the Pan Am Games in 2007 at 1500m and 5000m and in 2011 was a gold medallist at the Pan Am Games over 5000 metres. Barrios has an impressive CV of PBs: 1500 3.37.71, Mile 3.58.18, 3000 7.37.64, 5000 13.09.81 and 10,000 27.27.82. On the roads he is equally impressive and at this years New York City Half Marathon on the 17th of March ran a time of 61.21. With this impressive range of PBs Barrios will start the Albie Thomas 3000 as favourite but he will face stiff opposition from amongst others Jonny Taylor, 11th in the 2012 European Cross Country, Andy Vernon (GBR) with a 5000 PB of 13.23, Bobby Curtis (USA) 3rd in last years Morton 3000 in a PB, time which he subsequently lowered in September to 7.43.68 and with a 5000 PB of 13.13.97, Nick McCormick (GBR) who has a Mile PB of 3.52.02, Poland’s Bartocz Mazerski, winner of this years Cork City Marathon, Scottish International athlete Alistair Hay, who has a road mile PB of 3.56 with a 1500 PB on the track of 3.38. The Irish challenge will be headed by West Waterford’s David McCarthy, member of the Irish European U/23 gold medal winning team in 2010 and an athlete who has shown very good form of late and ran a 3.57.75 Mile at the Cork City Sports last week, Clonliffe’s London Marathon Olympian Mark Kenneally, John Travers (Donore) and Joe Sweeney (DSD)
The Albie Thomas 3000 will undoubtedly be one of the events of the night as it commemorates the 55th anniversary of Albie Thomas’ world 3 Mile record being set in Santry Stadium, the Morton Games will be attended by Robyn Whitaker (Thomas) the great Australian’s daughter as well as his two grandchildren.
Wednesday`s Morton Games will start with a pre program, and move into the International events from 7.10pm. Admission is €10 (U/16s free) please note that admission is payable by all addendees at the meet. The admission charge is used to help defray the cost of the event. With some 75 overseas athletes to be hosted it is a costly event Clonliffe appeals to all to come along to Santry and enjoy this superb event.