50km Walkers Target Olympic Standard

Following on from the impressive performances from Irish athletes at last weekend's Lugano Race Walking Grand Prix in Switzerland.

Three more of Ireland's elite Race Walkers are set to go the distance this Saturday 24th of March in Dudince, Slovakia.

There is a full set of Walk races on the programme; however the men's 50km is where the Irish interest will lie. Brendan Boyce (Letterkenny AC), Jamie Costin (West Waterford AC) and Colin Griffin (Ballinamore AC) are all set to compete; a qualification time for the London Olympics will be the ultimate target for both Griffin and Costin. The qualification time stands at 3:59:00.

Boyce recorded a personal best of 3.57.58 last September, to achieve the standard for his first Olympic Games. Boyce will look to gain further racing experience on Saturday over the grueling 50km distance. Griffin was also part of the same race last September; however there was heartbreak for Griffin as he was disqualified at the 48km mark when he was comfortable on track to achieve the standard. Griffin will be aiming to put things right and post a time that reflects his undeniable talent and ability.

Costin has sufficiently recovered from a recent rib injury and with a personal best of 3:51:32 for the 50km distance. Costin will be quietly confident of making the standard for the forthcoming games.

It is an encouraging reflection on the Irish Race Walking scene to have such an abundance of talent vying for Olympic selection.