Mark Christie qualifies for European Championships

Just two weeks ago, Mullingar Harriers' Mark Christie set a new personal best for 5,000m of 13:41.79 in Alabama, which was just outside the qualifying time of 13:40 for the European Championships in Barcelona in August and in doing so set down a clear marker that he was coming into serious early season form.Last Saturday (1st May) at the Payton Jordan Cardinal meeting in Stanford, California, for the second time in the space of two weeks he broke his best time for 5,000m but more importantly his finishing time of 13:37.36 was well inside the qualifying standard for the European Championships. Recognising that the early pace was too slow, Mark moved into the leading three at 3km and was clearly in confident mood as he took over the lead shortly after. This move was enough to prompt the field into picking up and maintaining a faster pace and though Mark suffered a bit over the last 800m he kept his momentum going to finish strongly. This result is an outstanding one for Mark and with the qualifying time now secured for his first Major Championships, he can relax and focus on his training and getting in some more quality races to hone his race tactics in advance of the Europeans.Great Edinburgh RunA hilly 10km course and top class opposition faced Martin Fagan at the BUPA Great Edinburgh Run last Sunday (2nd May), where he finished 7th in 30:24, behind some of the best distance runners in the World, rising star Titus Mbishei, Edwin Soi the Olympic 5,000m bronze medallist, and Vincent Yator, all from Kenya, and Tsegezeab Woldemichael and Tsegai Tewelde from Eritrea, with Ukraine's Sergey Lebid, the eight time European cross country champion, in 4th splitting the Kenyan and Eritrean athletes. Martin was second European to finish, just ahead of Britain's top marathon runner Dan Robinson. This is the kind of race and opposition that Martin came home from the USA for and will sharpen him up for the season ahead and the European Championships in August.Busy week ahead for Mullingar HarriersClub members face a very busy week ahead, with both young and old in action. The first round of the Road League over 5km in Belvedere takes place on Wednesday, starting at 8pm sharp on continuing on each of the four Wednesdays in May. Having had an entry of 430 taking part last year, including many, many walkers, this year's event should attract another huge turnout. We will require a large number of stewards and volunteers also, so if you can spare an hour each Wednesday, it would be much appreciated.This coming Saturday (8th May), the Croghan 10km is being held for the first time in many years. As the race is only a few miles out the road, several of our seniors and masters will be in action. All are reminded that the race starts at 12 noon.Then on Sunday (9th May), the recommended date for all Counties to hold their Championships, the Westmeath Track and Field Championships takes place at the new tartan track in Athlone IT, with events for boys and girls from under 9 years up to under 19, and senior and master events for men and women. The competition is open to all schools and clubs in Westmeath. Based on next Sunday's results, only athletes who take part will be entered for the forthcoming Leinster Championships. First event starts 2pm. Only 5mm spikes are allowed or flat running shoes. Also, help will be required for the smooth running of the Championships and we expect many parents to help out if available.Schools track and fieldAt the recent Regional Schools T&F Championships, all our underage Club members performed superbly with almost every one of them qualifying for the finals. The recent blocks of hard training certainly paid off.Finally, the Executive and members of the Club wish to extend sincere sympathy to Breda McDonnell on the recent death of her brother in Tralee, Co. Kerry. May he rest in peace.Fixtures3rd St. Abban's AC Open T&F Sports, Monavea, Crettyard, Co. Laois5th Mullingar Road League, Round 1, Belvedere House & Gardens 8pm5th Dublin Graded T&F, Irishtown Stadium5th North Leinster Schools T&F day 2, Santry8th Le Chéile AC Leixlip 5km Road Race9th Westmeath T&F, Athlone IT 2pmTraining continues each Tuesday and Thursday from the Clubhouse in Grange at 7pm and at Belvedere on Sunday mornings at 11am. For results, news and details of all upcoming fixtures check the Club's website <>at www.mullingarharriers.com.