A star-studded entry list will offer a fitting tribute to the 150th Anniversary of the 123.ie National Senior Track and Field Championships which take place at Morton Stadium this weekend (July 29th and 30th).
The first national athletics championships were organised in College Park (Trinity College Dublin) on July 7th, 1873, and have been held every year since then, making the Irish national championships the longest running consecutive national senior championships in the world.
The more than 600 athletes entered include sprint stars Rhasidat Adeleke (200m) and Israel Olatunde (100m) who will both be looking to make it three national senior outdoor titles in a row when they take to the starting blocks on the recently upgraded track at Morton Stadium.
The in-form quartet of Andrew Coscoran (1500m), Ciara Mageean (1500m/800m), Sarah Lavin (100mH/100m), and Brian Fay (5000m) will also have eyes on their respective national titles this weekend as they continue preparations for the upcoming World Championships in Budapest (Aug 19th – 27th).
An athlete coming into this weekend is Carlow’s Molly Scott, who makes her return to national competition following a long-term injury. Scott, who broke the Irish 60m record back in 2022 recently graduated from Kings Inn as a barrister and is looking forward to getting back into the blocks for the 100m this weekend.
She said: “I’m excited to be returning to national competition this weekend. I had hoped to get in a competition ahead of nationals, but I feel like I’m returning to myself now following my injury so I’m eager to see where I am. I had a great season last year so I’m hoping this weekend can be the next step in my comeback”.
This weekend will also mark the first National Senior Track and Field Championships (outdoor) sponsored by Athletics Ireland’s Official Partner, 123.ie.
“At 123.ie, we are trying for better every day – for our colleagues, our customers, and our communities. And this weekend’s 123.ie National Track and Field Championships is fostering that ambition to be successful,’ said Managing Director Elaine Robinson.
“These Championships give us the chance to see the best of our international and club athletes in action as they compete for National Titles and individual honours.”
Fans of Irish athletics will be treated to a bumper weekend with action getting underway from 12.00pm on Saturday, with a second helping taking place on Sunday from 1.00pm.
Both days of the competition will be streamed on the Athletics Ireland YouTube Channel.
Live RTE coverage will be available on RTE 2 from 6:05pm – 8:30pm on Sunday, after coverage of the All Ireland Football Final from Croke Park.
