IAAF World Indoor Championships 2018:
Northern Ireland runners Amy Foster (City of Lisburn AC / Ireland), Megan Marrs (City of Lisburn AC / Great Britain & NI) and Ciara Mageean (UCD AC / Ireland) were in action on Day 2 of the ongoing IAAF World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, England (Friday 2nd March 2018).
Amy was the first of the familiar faces onto the track, with her 60m heats taking place during the morning session. The Irish record holder clocked 7.35secs for 5th place. Despite being just 0.08 away from her own Irish record, it unfortunately wasn’t enough to see Amy progress to the next round.
Speaking to Athletics NI after the race, the 29-year-old said, “My start was good but I didn’t run off it well,” she said. “It’s not a bad run but it’s not what I was looking for. It’s not easy to sprint at this level. I’ve had good races this year and this was probably the worst one but that’s just how it goes.”
Megan Marrs was the next local athlete in action, making her senior debut for Great Britain & Northern Ireland. In her 60 hurdles heat, the fast improving Loughborough based athlete recorded 8.28secs to take 6th place. Unfortunately this wasn’t enough to see Megan progress to the next stage, but takes nothing away from an excellent start to the year for recently crowned British Athletics 60m hurdles Champion.
Megan told Athletics NI, “I know it wasn’t a PB which is a bit disappointing,” she said. “But I am so pleased to be a part of that race at the World Indoor Championships. It’s been a fantastic experience. I achieved my goals by being here; the staff were reminding me to enjoy the experience.
The 20-year-old added, “To run in this arena under that pressure and with that atmosphere was a very different experience for me. I think I coped with it quite well.”
European 1500m medallist Ciara Mageean was part of a strong 1500m field. Unfortunately, like fellow Northern Ireland athletes Amy and Megan, Ciara was forced to bow out of the competition in the opening stages. Lining up in the third 1500m heat, Ciara claimed 7th place in a time of 4:11.81.
After the race, the New Balance Manchester Team athlete spoke to Athletics Ireland, saying “I’m disappointed but I know I’m running better than that.”
Still to come… Ben Reynolds in the 60m hurdles!
The final local based athlete to compete at the prestigious competition will be Ben Reynolds (North Down AC / Ireland). Ben will be in action in the 60m hurdles heats later today (Saturday 3rd March 2018) at approximately 6:30pm.
