Irish International Marathon Runner Paul Pollock Achieves European Standard in the 10 000m

Irish International Marathon Runner Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders AC) achieved the qualifying standard * (see note to editor) in the 10,000m for the European Track and Field Championships in Zurich in August. Pollock competing in the Payton Jordon Invitational Meeting in California on Monday, May 5th recorded a time of 28.32.18 to dip inside the required standard of 28.35 for the European Championships.

The time was only .03 outside Dermot Donnelly's Northern Ireland record set in 1999. Pollock now has the qualifying times in both the 10,000m and marathon for August's European Championships in Zurich.

Also in action in California was Mark Hanrahan (Leevale AC) and Shane Quinn (Ferrybank AC) as they competed in section two of the 10,000m. Hanrahan recorded a new personal best of 29.33.80 with Quinn just behind with a time of 29.36.24 to finish in 18th and 19th place respectively. Kerry Harty (Newcastle AC) finished eighth in the 3,000m steeplechase in a time of 10.10.28 and Tomas Cotter (Dunleer AC) finished seventh in the men's equivalent in a time of 8.44.15.

The ever improving Sean Tobin (Clonmel AC) notched up another impressive victory over 800m at the LSU Invitational. Tobin won the race in a time of 1.48.79 which was less than a second outside his personal best for the distance (1.47.99) set on the 11th of April.

*Note To Editor*

Qualification Standards for the European Track and Field Championships

The selection policy for the European Track and Field Championships looks to raise performance standards for Irish Athletes.
This selection philosophy is in-line with High Performance Vision of 'More athletes winning on the World Stage'.
A Standards
- The A standards were determined by reviewing previous performances at European Championships combined with the progression standards outlined in the Athlete Carding Scheme.
- The qualifications standards set provide an opportunity for an athlete selected to achieve a top 8 -12 placing at the championships.
- An athlete will be considered for selection if they have achieved an A standard within the qualification period.
B Standards
- The B standards apply to carded development athletes only.
- Development athletes are defined in the Athlete Carding Scheme as aged 24 and under and as having Olympic potential in 2016/2020 and as having hit specific performance targets twice and placed at major championships . Full details available on http://hp.athleticsireland.ie/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper…
- The Selectors may however, in their sole discretion, identify individuals who are not carded as 'Development Athletes' and consider them for selection based on the B standards
- A development athlete must achieve the standard twice within the qualification period to be considered for selection.
- The B standards are the European Athletics qualifications standards

Qualification Period
- 1 January 2013 to 5 May 2014: Marathon
- 1 January 2013 to 19 May 2014: 50k Walk
- 1 January 2014 to 21 July 2014: All Others

Eligibility
- Must compete in the Senior Track and Field Championships
- Be a member of Athletics Ireland
- Fill out National Declaration form

Full Selection Policy https://athleticsireland.app.box.com/14-ecpolicy