ATHLETICS Morton Memorial in July at Morton Stadium
In 1958, three world records were broken over 1, 2 and 3 miles in the stadium in meetings organised by the legendary promoter and Clonliffe Harrier, Billy Morton. Morton was also instrumental in the construction of the stadium which is now given his name.
This inaugural meeting will commemorate the most famous of these records, when Herb Elliot smashed Derek Ibbotson’s mile record leading three other athletes, including Ireland’s own Olympic Champion Ronnie Delany, went under the old mark in front of 20,000 capacity crowd in Santry Stadium. This race was billed the 'Greatest Mile Race of All Time' by Time Magazine in 1958.
The meeting will also serve as a send off for the Beijing bound Irish track and field athletes one week prior to their departure for the Beijing Games with the event program focussed on these athletes.
Dublin is one of the few European cities that do not have an international athletics meeting and this event will serve as a foundation for future meetings in years to come, bringing world class athletics back to the capital.
The title sponsor of the meeting is Brother Ireland based in Santry who are celebrating 50 years in business in the Ireland this year. The Irish Sports Council and Athletics Ireland are also sponsoring the event in association with Clonliffe Harriers.
The meeting website (www.mortonmemorial.com) is now live and keep track of it over the next few months for updates on athletes and events. Tickets go on sale in early May.
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