Athlone runner Eileen wins trio of medals at World Masters event in Finland

Athlone masters athlete Eileen Kenny is having an outstanding year in international competition and she added to her medals collection last weekend by winning two silvers and a bronze at the World Masters Championships in Tampere, Finland.

The 72-year-old ran superbly to earn the hat-trick of podium finishes in conditions that presented a challenge due to the heat.

The achievement adds to Eileen's double gold medal success at the European Masters Non-Stadia Championships in Italy in May, and her gold in the 6.4km cross country event at the European Masters Athletics Championships in Portugal in February.

In Finland last weekend, Eileen won a silver in the 6k cross-country race, despite finishing with the exact same time as the gold medal winner, Finland's Hellevi Mankki.

The pair led the 13-entrant field in the W70 race, both clocking a time of 25 minutes and 10 seconds.

"There wasn't a second between us, but she must have had her head stuck out!" said Eileen. "My aim was to do my best in the cross country race and aim for a medal. With the sun shining, in 22 degree heat, it was tough, so to come away with silver was the icing on the cake."

Eileen also won a bronze in the 5k track race. "I'm used to 5k on the roads, but I never did 5k on a track before," she said. "Going around for 12 and a half laps is tough when you're not used to it. But I had a good run, and I came in third."

Finally, she was delighted to win another silver medal in the 10k road race, which again took place in hot conditions.

Eileen put her accomplishments this year down to her training, as she had been out training seven days. "I have trained hard, but I enjoy it," she said.

She travelled to Finland with her daughter, Michelle, who is based in Cork and runs with the Leevale Athletics Club.

Michelle also enjoyed a memorable success in Finland last weekend, winning an individual gold medal in the over-40s 8K cross country race.