Westmeath athlete set for World Race Walking Team Championships

Five Irish athletes are set to compete at the World Race Walking Team Championships in Turkey this coming Sunday, April 21.

Joining the 400 athletes taking to the start line in Antalya will be Ireland’s Brendan Boyce, Kate Veale, Ballymore's Oisin Lane - who is a member of Mullingar Harriers AC - Joe Mooney, and Seamus Clarke.

All races will take place on a 2km loop course close to the Antalya Expo Centre; the start and finish area is in front of the Expo 2016 Botanical Park.

This competition is given added significance in 2024 as it will be the first championships to stage the Marathon Race Walk Mixed Relay and will serve as the primary qualification opportunity in that event ahead of this summer’s Paris Olympics.

The first 22 teams at the World Race Walk Team Championships Antalya 2024 will automatically qualify for the Marathon Race Walk Mixed Relay event at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Up to five of the first 22 teams can be a second team of the same country.

Finn Valley’s Brendan Boyce and West Waterford’s Kate Veale will spearhead Ireland’s challenge for qualification in this event, having partnered to achieve a 3:11:48 performance in Raheny on December 17th last.

Oisin Lane will race the Men’s 20km and will be looking to further his reputation at senior international level as he bids to improve on his 1:24:13 personal best set late last year.

Joe Mooney will also compete in Men’s 20km on the back of his impressive PB of 1:24:38 in Podebrady earlier this month.

Seamus Clarke competes in the U20 10km having recently set a personal best of 45:03 in Dudince on March 16 and will have one eye on qualification for this summer’s World U20 Championships which take place in Lima, Peru in August.

• Key event information: Here

• How to follow Here

• Entry Lists: Here

• World Race Walking Team Championships Official Website and Timetable: Here