For the final Dublin Graded meet held in Morton Stadium on Wed night 31st July, spectators, competing Athletes & Officials had the unique pleasure of witnessing an attempt on 3 Women’s World Masters 4 x 800m relay records. Following trojan work over the past few weeks by Ronan Gately, who had managed to secure the services of some of the best Athletes in the F35, F45 & F70 categories, these three 3 teams attempted to break the existing records of F35 9:25.27, F45 9:36. 94 & F70 14:45.88. The teams comprised of F35s, Michelle Cox, Fiona Gettings, Eimear English & Laura Frey, F45s Maria Dunne, Maria McCambridge, Denise Egan & Denise Toner and F70s Eileen Kenny, Margaret Glavey, Mary Lynch, Brigid McCabe & Reserve Carmel Ni Dhomhnail. Thankfully conditions were perfect on the night , with just a slight headwind down the back straight. All 3 teams put in sterling performances, with the F35s crossing the line 1st in a new WR of 9:16.18, F45s 2nd WR of 9:26.49 & F70s 3rd smashing the current best, posting a time of 13:26.49. All 3 are now subject to ratification by World Masters.

Irish Masters Ladies now hold 4 of the age group World Records for the 4 x 800 metres relay over F35s, F45s, F65s & F70s, (all subject to ratification by World Masters) Interesting to note that both Maria Dunne & Denise Toner were part of the F45s relay Team who had broken prev WR of 9:43.13 at the start of the Dublin Graded meets back in May when setting a time of 9:40.76, which was subsequently broken short time later. Brigid McCabe was also a member of the F65s Team also back in May when they set a WR (subject to ratification by World Masters) of 12:59.94.

Also earlier in the day, Avril Dillon F40 of DSD was presented with her certificate acknowledging her World Record of 7.67 secs. for the 60m Hurdles set in Feb 2023 in Abbottstown. Avril was presented with her certificate from World Masters Athletics by IMAA President George Maybury together with AAI CEO Hamish Adams in the AAI offices in Santry. Avril was also in attendance in Morton Stadium to cheer on her Athletic colleagues.

A word of thanks to Dermot Nagle & all the Officials from Dublin Athletics Board who facilitated & officiated on both nights.

Wish all Master Athletes best wishes as they head to Tullamore  for the AAI Masters T&F Champs on Sunday 4th Aug.

Michael Fennell,

IMAA Comm