The Irish men’s 4 x 400 relay squad looks set for a battle royal in the Loki 400 at Friday night’s Morton Games. The battle will not only be an inter-Irish affair but also against inform Olympians who have both broken their national 400 records in the last week or two.

Speaking of inform athletes, Jack Raftery broke new ground at the European team championships on June 28th joining David Gillick as the only Irishmen to clock sub 45 seconds, an incredible 44.98. 2023 Loki 400 winner Elian Larregina (ARG) will back in town with that trademark backward baseball hat. Since his win in 2023 he made the Paris Olympic Games semi-final and only two weeks back set a new Argentine national record of 44.67. Not to be out done another Paris Olympian in the field, Oleksandr Pohorilko, last week set a Ukrainian national record of 44.84. That’s three sub 45 second men lining up!

A late addition is Paris Olympic men’s 4 x 400 and 4 x 400 mixed finalist France’s Muhammad Abdallah Kounta, a 45.17 PB man.

Sub 45 will be new ground for Morton Games, the Stadium record is 45.25, with a sizeable bonus on offer to the winner in that eventuality.

New kid on the block Conor Kelly burst onto the scene this year winning the national indoor 400 title. On Saturday June 28th he bettered his national U/20 record with 46.06, and at such tender years has already established himself on the international 4 x 400 team. Christopher O’Donnell won magnificent European 4 x 400 mixed relay gold last year. Hugo Magee, who won May’s Belfast Milers 400 in a fine 46.95 PB, is the final Irish athlete in and will relish the opportunity for a breakthrough run.

The overseas challenge is completed by 2024 World U/20 400 finalist Terrell Thorne (AUS), with a 45.54 PB to his credit.

This will be a 400 for the ages!

It’s simply unmissable – get your tickets now: https://eventmaster.ie/event/Dx4yFmAcJr