Day 2 of the AAI games took place on Sunday out in Santry incorporating some national masters and U20 events. The weather was much better with a mostly sunny day but interspersed with a few short showers.
Four of our MSBers made it to the line with Nkem Onwumereh back in action in the 100m and the Woodger family trio in the AAI games 800m, U20 3000m and M50 400mH.
Nkem had the opportunity to do two 100m races in the AAI games which is great preparation for championship racing. In the first race he took 6th place in 10.95 and, in the second, he made a massive improvement to take second place in 10.76s
Mark Woodger was up next, on tired legs after the combined events the day before, to try a new event; namely the masters 400mH. This event is a tough one and getting round in one piece was the order of the day.
The first 7 hurdles were easy enough but the remaining three seemed to get higher and higher but he managed to get round in a respectable 80.69s and, being the only competitor in the M50 category, claimed the Gold medal.
Louie Woodger took to the line for the U20 3000m and, after a slow first few laps, four of the competitors took to the front as the pace picked up. Louie tucked into this group and made his move with 600m to go but, with the Junior Mile race still in his legs from Friday evening, he didn’t have his usual kick and was overhauled in the finishing straight and just outside the medals in 4th place in a good time of 8:35.56.
But Louie should be very proud, as we all are, of his weekend achievements having finished in a brilliant 2nd place in the Junior Mile as part of the Morton Games on Friday. Great experience will have been gained from these races.
Finn Woodger was last up in the AAI games 800m and he tucked in behind the pacemaker and went through the first lap in around 54 seconds and kept the pace up into the final straight and outsprinted his rivals to take a brilliant second place in a new PB of 1:51.33
It was another great day of athletics so thanks to all the coaches and, especially this weekend all the officials, in particular Jackie Mulhall from our own club, who was there the whole weekend in the constantly changing four seasons of weather we seemed to have.
Editor: What an achievement by the talented trio of Woodger men this weekend in Morton Stadium. Taking an incredible 4 medals (1 Gold and 3 silver medals!) between Mark, Finn and Louie!
Report: Mark Woodger