Record run gives Barr eighth straight national title
THOMAS Barr enjoyed the perfect send-off to next week’s European Championships in Berlin by setting a championship record of 49.56 to take his eighth straight 400m hurdles title at the Irish Life Health National Championships yesterday.
That brought him home well clear of training partner Paul Byrne (51.37) and raised hopes that Barr can get on the medal rostrum in Berlin next week.
“I’m really, really happy with that,” said the 26-year-old. “I didn’t expect it to be as fast as it was but it bodes really well for next week.”
Barr will travel to Berlin ranked joint-third of those in the 400m hurdles. “Every championships I’ve gone to I’ve nearly always brought my best, I thrive on rounds and I felt so much more relaxed out there,” said Barr. “I was ready to race fast and I feel like I’m only coming into form now.”
Ciara Mageean had a busy but productive weekend, winning double gold in the 800m and 1500m. After a slow opening to the 800m final, Mageean seized command and kicked clear to win in 2:07.93, with Mary-Ann O’Sullivan second in 2:09.18. Just 70 minutes later, she was back on track facing a stiffer challenge in the 1500m, but she again won with room to spare in 4:22.47.
EMPHASIS
“It couldn’t have been better,” said Mageean. “I was doing two races so it was key to use it as a training stimulus. I wanted to practise different parts of my race and finishing races strong has been a key emphasis this year.
“I’m feeling very strong this year and to come off the confidence of these recent wins, it’s hopefully coming up to the crest of the peak now.”
Mark English got back to winning ways with his sixth national title in the men’s 800m, the UCD athlete erasing fitness doubts to win in 1:50.82. “I’m very excited going to Europeans and I’m confident I can go out there and make it a good race,” said English.
“John (Fitzsimons) gave me a great race and it was good practice going to Europeans.”
On the final day of qualification, Michelle Finn defied midweek injury to hit the required European standard in winning the 3000m steeplechase in 9:46.19. “I wasn’t going to do it at all, I was told I probably wouldn’t even make it through warm-up,” said Finn. “I felt it when running but it didn’t slow me down. Once I stopped stressing about it, it was fine.”
Gina Akpe-Moses edged a tight women’s 100m final, the European U-20 champion clocking 11.86 to beat Joan Healy in a photo finish by just two thousandths of a second, while after his 200m success on Saturday, Leon Reid added the 100m title yesterday in 10.42.