Lane crowned champion as national 20k walk goes on tour

Ballymore’s Oisin Lane was crowned as Ireland’s 20km Race Walk champion last Saturday and, interestingly, he did so in the Czech Republic

In line with the elite trend of combining national championships with major international events in order to raise the overall competitive standards, this year’s National 20k Race Walk Championships was held in conjunction with the World Tour Gold event held in Podebrady, Czech Republic last Saturday.

The best of the current crop of Irish senior racewalkers toed the line with the elite of 37 countries from five continents in unusually warm conditions for the venue. The heat took its toll as almost a third of the field failed to finish, an incredible drop-out rate.

With two recent Irish Olympians entered, on paper, Oisin Lane would have been considered a reasonable prospect for a bronze medal in the Irish championships, but needing to be on top form to achieve that. Walking to his own plan, Oisin set about his task with focus and soon moved into the silver medal position, but with three other Irish athletes in close contention.

While the heat began to curtail his pacing around 8k, he reached 10k in 41 minutes 50 seconds and chasing the leading Irish walker. By 12k the Mullingar Harriers athlete moved into first place but had to hold off strong challenges all the way to the finish line, which he reached in 84 minutes 12 seconds, a new personal best by a mere one second.

While Oisín had hoped for a faster finishing time, his overall position was 27th, which was satisfying for an athlete who was one of the youngest in this global event.

Also representing Mullingar Harriers in the championships was young Matthew Glennon. He was initially moving at a pace well inside his personal best but as the heat affected his form, it also had an adverse impact on his technique. With the world level judges present showing no mercy, he had to endure the hardship of being one of those to face the red disc and disqualification.

With youth on his side, however, especially as he is still eligible for European U23 Championships next year, he has the time to build for further challenges in the future.