European Masters T&F champs drew to a close on Sun 1st of Oct with terrific performances from all. Team moved up from 10th overall to finish an incredible 9th place in the medals table overhauling Austria who had a 3 Gold medal advantage at the start of the final day. With the W40 400m relay plus W55 1/2 marathon team & M45 400m relay all capturing Gold medals it capped a fantastic Champs for the Team. A grand total of 53 medals were won, 17Gold, 24Silver & 12Bronze. Full results can be viewed @ www.Pescaraemacs.2023.it
A word of thanks to Team Managers, Anne Gormley, Sean McDermott & Sean McMullin who apart from a busy daily schedule attending meetings, stadiums etc were all also competing themselves. To the many others who also stepped up and helped out, your time is greatly appreciated by all. A word of thanks also to Ian Egan who travelled out & volunteered his services, looking after tired & aching limbs and helped ensure Athletes got to the start line in best possible condition.
Attention will now focus on European Masters Indoor Champs which will be held in Toruń 2024. This has proved to be a very popular venue in the past, so we can expect a huge turn out by our Master Athletes. Keep an eye out here on the site for more details on this over the coming weeks.
On the home front, plans are now well underway for forthcoming trial race to select Athletes for British & Irish Masters CC Champs which will be hosted by Scottish Masters in Tollcross Park Glasgow, Sat 11th Nov. Having won both overall Men’s & Women’s titles for the very first time last Nov, the challenge is now on to defend both. Trial race for selection will take place on Sunday 15th Oct, run in conjunction with AAI Open CC in Abbottstown. Entries are now open via Entry (athleticsireland.ie) Please note that entry fee currently stands @ €15 up to Wed 4th Oct increasing thereafter, but closing on Sun 8th Oct. No late entries will be accepted after that date, so please ensure that you enter on time.
Selection criteria remains the same as in previous years, i.e. M35 to M50, teams of 6, with first 4 Athletes in each age group automatically selected. All other age categories, M55-M75 plus Women F35 to F70s all teams of 4, with first 3 home in trial automatically gaining selection. There are “wildcard” options available to Athletes who might not be available to run the trial, but wish to be considered for selection. If no “wildcard” application within a category then the first 4 or 6 Athletes in the trial will be automatically selected. Requests must be submitted in writing to International Sec @ internationalsec@gmail.com advising why unable to run trial plus must also submit recent race results for Sept/Oct. Applications must be lodged by Wed 11th Oct. Verbal requests will not be entertained plus all Athletes must be registered Members of IMAA.
Should also point out that any Athlete(s) who are running in one category in the trial but will be eligible for next category by 11th Nov, please advise Comm Members @ IMAA desk on Sun 15th, so they are fully aware and can select accordingly. If not brought to their attention & Athletes selected and notified, it’s not possible to adjust Teams after wards.
There are also Individual Champ medals available to top 3 in F75 & M80 categories should Athletes wish to try out for these. Any Athlete(s) in those age categories can drop down & gain selection to F70 & M75s should they finish in the top 3 within those age groups.
George Maybury
President IMAA