SARA TREACY
Olympian Sara Treacy continues to impress on her athletics comeback after finishing third amongst a high-quality field at the Trafford 10k, near Manchester on Sunday.
On a wet and miserable day, Treacy finished third with a notable time of 34:16. Beth Potter ran 32.03 and two-time Olympian Laura Weightman won the race with a huge PB of 31:59. Potter and Weightman ran the 2nd and 3rd fastest UK time of the year, highlighting the quality of competition on display.
Treacy is making her return to competitive running after a nightmare 24-months plagued by injury. A recurring knee injury, diagnosed as iliotibial band syndrome, has hindered the former Irish National champion’s ability to race on a consistent basis.
Earlier this year, the Meath native began 2019 with a strong cross-country performance as she finished seventh at the Cross Internaciaonal Juan Muguerza in Egoibar, Spain.
That was fun! Thanks @CrossElgoibar I hope to be back ? pic.twitter.com/jIvnjK5sID
— Sara Treacy (@sara_treacy) January 13, 2019
Since returning last July, the Dunboyne AC runner picked up where she left off, finishing second behind fellow Olympian Michelle Finn in the 3,000m steeplechase at the Irish National Athletics Championships at Morton Stadium.
Treacy followed this up with an impressive fifth at the National Cross-Country Championships in Abbotstown where she was selected to represent Ireland at the European Cross-Country Championships. Treacy secured the best placed Irish finish as she crossed over 26th, after a brilliant performance.
The 2016 Rio Olympian was followed home by the other members of the Irish team that included Ciara Mageean (43rd), Michelle Finn (51st), Ann-Marie McGlynn (57th), Fionnuala Ross (61st) and Kerry O'Flaherty (64th).
So delighted to be selected for my 9th European Cross-country! 4yrs since my last, I cant wait to get back out there & give it everything! ☘️☘️☘️ pic.twitter.com/Bo3a56pU55
— Sara Treacy (@sara_treacy) November 29, 2018
It’s still early days but Treacy is once again showing encouraging signs of reaching her full potential as she fully recovers puts her nightmare spell with injuries in the past.
SARAH HEALY
Across the pond, at the Irish Life Health Schools Cross Country Championships, two-time European U18 Championship medallist Sarah Healy, signed off her All-Ireland Schools Cross-Country Championships with yet another victory.
Racing in Clongowes Wood College, Healy made history as she became only the second athlete, after Síofra Cléirigh-Buttner, to win six consecutive titles. An incredible achievement and level of consistency for someone so young.
.@sarah_healy_ doing more Sarah Healy things, becoming the second athlete in history after @Siofrog to win six straight schools cross country titles.
Can confirm there were other athletes in the race - somewhere. pic.twitter.com/YR3m9lf34k— Cathal Dennehy (@Cathal_Dennehy) March 9, 2019
Healy finished a remarkable 29 seconds ahead of the Lucy Holmes, the runner-up. Laura Nicholson of Bandon Grammar School finished in third with a time of 9:35.
Next up on the agenda for Healy will be the European U20 Championships in July, where she will look to emulate her, 1500m and 3000m double gold at the European Under-18 Championships last year.
SENIOR GIRLS
1st 09:03 Sarah Healy (HOLY CHILD KILLINEY)
2nd 09:32 Lucy Holmes (ARD SCOIL NA NDEISE DUNGARVAN)
3rd 09:35 Laura Nicholson (BANDON GRAMMAR SCHOOL)
