An annual highlight of Morton Games is the Albie Thomas Memorial 5000. The race honours the memory of the legendary Australian athlete who set two world records in Santry back in 1958, the 3 mile and 2 mile and for good measure was also part of that original dream mile on August 5, 1958 won by Herb Elliott in which Albie Thomas finished 5th going sub 4. Last year’s Albie Thomas 5000 produced a Stadium record of 13.12.44 following a pulsating battle between Kenyan winner Amos Langat and Ireland’s Nick Griggs who set an Irish U/23 record on the night.

Thanks to the support of Dublin Athletics and the Albie Thomas Family a stellar field will toe the line on Friday night headed by Efrem Gidey, the European 10,000 cup champion 2025 of the host club Clonliffe Harriers. He has been in superb form this season, setting Irish records on the track at 10,000 and on the road over 10K and half marathon. Gidey will have the home support, will 2025 be his Morton Games year?

Other notable Irish athletes include national 3000 indoor champion Sean Tobin, who set a recent PB of 13.32.52 and 2023 national cross country champion Cormac Dalton, who placed 2nd in the 2023 Albie Thomas.

Fastest in the field are the 2023 South American Champion Valentin Soca (URU), 13.13.10, who finished 4th in this Summer’s NCAA 5,000 final and 3rd place finisher Margo Langon (USA) who has run 13.14.11.

The South African 5000 champion Maxime Chaumeton last competed in Morton Games on a rainy night in 2023, he has a 13.19.66 pb and is the South African 5 K Road record holder.

There’s a very strong looking British contingent spear headed by Charlie Wheeler (GBR) who put in a superb performance in last year’s race to take 4th place and will look to go better still this time out. He will be joined on the start line by his brother George, Tomer Tarrango and Paris Marathon Olympian Phil Sesemann.

Norwegian multi-distance national record holder Sondre Moen, he holds his country’s records over 10,000, the half marathon and marathon (2: 05.48), comes down and distance looking to run a fast 5000. Others to look out for include Matt Strangio (USA) 13.23.28, Jack Bruce (AUS) 13.23.48 and 2024 Balkan Champion Sebastian Frey (AUT).13.20.65.

Once again there will be a big field to provide an enthralling Albie Thomas 5000. In fact it’s going to be epic!

Don’t miss out, buy your ticket on line today: https://eventmaster.ie/event/Dx4yFmAcJr