It was another weekend of competitive action for athletes with the Belfast Milers meet and the second day of the county track and field championships took place. In Belfast there was much to celebrate as records tumbled, qualifying standards were achieved and new personal best performances were clocked. Former St Joseph’s athlete Sophie Becker delivered a powerful win in the 400m, crossing the line in a time of 51.
13 which is inside the European qualifying standard for the 400m. Kilkenny City Harriers (KCH) once more dominated the county championships, stretching their lead in both the juvenile and senior shields even further. One of the biggest turnouts of the day was for the under-13 race-walking competition where close to 30 athletes took part.
Irish Milers The Belfast Irish Milers meet is a competition that is favoured by many athletes. Famed for its fast times and amid the beautiful setting that is the Mary Peters track, entries are always filled within 15 minutes of opening. It is the second of two Irish milers meets held in Ireland, following hot on the heels of the Dublin IMC event in Santry.
This year’s event produced plenty of excitement, none more so than the victory of 17-year-old Phoebe Gill in the international 800m race. Gill not only recorded a new European under-18 record of 1.57.
86 but also set the second fastest time in the world this year for 800m, achieving the qualifying time for Paris. Closer to home, former St Joseph’s athlete Sophie Becker, now .