A: Grange, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland | E: info@mullingarharriers.com

Murray Lambden Open Meeting 2023 – Race Walks (25th Feb)

 

Glennon Brothers secure European Team Qualifications

The Murray Lambden Open Meeting walking events held in the Isle of Man on Saturday morning 25th February proved to be a golden competitive opportunity for the Mullingar Harriers racewalkers. On a surprisingly good morning for the time of year, the combined 5k, 10k and 20k race walk starts meant plenty of company for all, as everyone faced the challenge of the ticking stopwatch. With each athlete having their own target times to aim for, leading the way was Andrew Glennon who set out to achieve the qualifying standard of 46 minutes 45 seconds set by Athletics Ireland for the European Team Championship Junior 10k. With plenty of early company from fellow junior and senior athletes, Andrew walked a strong and composed pace close to 7 minute 30 second per mile pace to reach the half way mark in 23 minutes 21 seconds, precisely on schedule. Then, over the second 5k, he increased the tempo to do his second 5k in 23 minutes 4 seconds, finishing with a particularly strong last mile and a qualification standard of 46 minutes 25 seconds achieved.

Next home was young Aisling Lane, who as a junior was still taking on both the junior and senior walkers. With plenty of support in the race, she finished in 53 minutes 40 seconds and a comfortable lead of one minute and 45 second over the second placed female finisher. This was a good solid performance on which she can build for the future. While the juniors faced a challenge over 10k, the true test for all developing walkers is in making the jump from 10k to 20k when they move into the senior ranks. This is a challenge which many fear to take, but not young Matthew Glennon. Having completed one 20km at the end of last year while coming to the end of his junior career, he faced his first 20k as a Senior with a focused determination. With astute pacing Matthew walked 5ks of 22:16, 22:17 and 22:17. Then, when the real race pressure came on, he fought bravely to cover the last 5k in 22:40 and a final time of 89 minutes 30 seconds for a comfortable race victory and more importantly half a minute inside the qualifying standard for the European Team Racewalking Championships to be held in May. This was a very happy day for the Glennon family and Andrew and Matthew can assist and encourage each other in anticipation of a probable unique double family Major International representation in the months ahead.