Google+ Running in Cork, Ireland: Mixed results at the European Cup of Race Walking competition in Portugal

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Mixed results at the European Cup of Race Walking competition in Portugal

The European Cup of Race Walking competition took place in Portugal on Saturday the 21st of May 2011. With several Irish competitors taking part, it produced a mixed bag of results.

Robert Heffernan started the Senior Mens 20k race well staying with the leaders at the 5km and 10km splits although the overall pace was slow. However by the 15km mark, the pace had picked up and Rob was back in 8th place, 16 seconds off the leader. In the end, he finished in 10th position.

In the Senior Womens 20k race, Olive Loughnane found herself in 7th position and 30 seconds behind the leader at the 5k mark. At 10k, the gap had opened to 1:24 and dropped one position to 8th. In the 3rd quarter, Olive maintained the time difference to the leader but moved up to 3rd position as others faded. In the final stages of the race, she was unfortunately disqualified due to lifting.

The big sucess of the day was in the Junior Womens 10k race with West Waterfords Kate Veale (17) going from strength to strength to finish 3rd in a time of 46:32. More info on the Running in Munster site.

1 comment:

John Quigley said...

Great going from Katie!
At the rate she's progressing she is going to be a major force on the International arena at senior level very soon.

Tough going on Rob and Olive, both great ambassadors for Irish athletics. I'm guessing that weather conditions, which have been pretty 'rough' in Portugal all week, may have had a bearing.