Jul 31, 2006 [N. Guiden ] The 2006 Morton Mile was held in the Morton Stadium, Santry as the feature event of the Woodies Dublin International Games on Saturday, July 29th. There was a top class field including the winner of last years race, Youcef Abdie of Austrailia, Ireland’s Colin Costello, South Africa’s Johan Cronjie and Anthony Famiglietti, Steve Slattery and Luke Watson from the U.S.
Unfortunately, however, by the time the Morton Mile started, the weather had turned somewhat and there was a very strong wind blowing into the athletes faces down the home straight. As the gun went for the start there seemed to a reluctance from the Athletes to take the pace out and the first lap was covered in a very pedestrian, by international standards, 64 seconds, the prospects of a sub four minute mile looked extremely remote at this early stage. As they headed into the second lap Famiglietti took up the pace and drove the field on steadily winding things up as the field was strung out. Famiglietti remained in the lead as they hit the 200 metre mark, however, he was overhauled in a tremendous finish as pre-race favourite Cronjie took the victory in a time of 4:00.79 with Youcef Abdie finishing second (4:01.4) and Famiglietti relegated to third in a time of 4:01.91. Fastest Irishman was Colin Costello who placed tenth in a time of 4:10.69. Gary O’Hanlon won the Clonliffe battle in a time of 4:15.65 from Colm Rooney in a time of 4:17.69.
The full result of the 2006 Morton Mile sponsored by Commercial Hygiene Services 2006 was:
1. J. Cronjie (South Africa) 4:00.79
2. Y. Abdie (Austrailia) 4:01.4
3. A. Famiglietti (USA) 4:01.91
4. G. Robinson (USA) 4:04.2
5. C. Morris (England) 4:04.74
6. L. Watson (USA) 4:05.04
7. T. Morgan (USA) 4:05.7
8. J. Thie (Wales) 4:06.17
9. S. Slattery (USA) 4:07.68
10. C. Costello (Star of the Sea A.C.) 4:10.69
11. G. Murray (St. Malachi’s) 4:11.09
12. G. O’Hanlon (Clonliffe) 4:15.65
13. C. Rooney (Clonliffe) 4:17.69
14. M. Conroy (Sligo A.C) 4:18.88
The presentation was made on track by the presentation party of club president Paddy Marley, Noel Daly, Club Treasurer and Director of Commercial Hygiene Services, his son Conor and Billie Morton, the great Billy Morton’s daughter.
In the international 100 metres, Danny Kavanagh placed 7th in a time of 11.77 whilst in the B race John Laffey ran a time of 11.48 to take victory in that race. John Laffey also lined up in the International 200 metres where he placed 8th in a time of 22.68.
In the 800 metres International Conor Healy was fifth in a time of 1:55.77 and in the final race of the day, the 3000 metres development race, Clonliffe had two youngsters who both ran well, David Flynn recording a time of 9:13.89 with David Fitzmaurice just behind him in a time of 9:14.81.
Unfortunately there was only one entrant in the discus competition, Clonliffe’s Christophe Enjolras who had the best throw of 38.45m.
Full results of the AAI Dublin International games can be found on www.athleticsireland.ie.
Meanwhile Alistair Cragg continued his build-up to the European Championships by running the 1500 metres in the London Grand Prix which took place in Crystal Palace on Friday night. Cragg was well in contention as the leaders took the bell, indeed he had followed the early pacemaker covering the first two laps in sub 60 a lap pace, however, at the bell he was relegated to third and ultimately finished the race in 7th place in a time of 3:41.64.