Olympic hopefuls headline National Athletics Championships

The countdown to the 152nd edition of the 123.ie National Senior Track and Field Championships has begun. They are due to take place at Morton Stadium this weekend (June 29 and 30). This year’s championships are being viewed by many as one of the most anticipated in recent memory given the success enjoyed by Irish athletes at European Championships in Rome earlier this month.

The longest consecutive running national senior track championships in the world promises to deliver a superb weekend of athletics action with many of Ireland’s leading athletes set to take their place in front of the largest crowd in recent years.

A host of stars are set to return to national championship action, including some of the medallists from that record-breaking six days in Rome. Among the entries are Rhasidat Adeleke (100m), Thomas Barr (400mH), Christopher O’Donnell (400m), Sharlene Mawdsley (200m), Sophie Becker (400m), Phil Healy (200m & 400m), and Lauren Cadden (400m).

European champion Ciara Mageean is disappointed to miss out on nationals as she continues to focus on recovery from her gold-medal-winning exertions in Rome earlier this month.

The action gets underway from 11am on Saturday, with a second helping taking place on Sunday from 10am.

Both days of competition will be streamed on the Athletics Ireland YouTube Channel, with live RTE 2 coverage from 12.45pm – 2.30pm on Sunday.

Day tickets are only €11 with a special two-day ticket available for €17. U16s go free and are encouraged to come along and see the stars of Irish athletics live and in person.