Ireland’s Sarah Lavin delivered the performance of the meet in the Davy 100 hurdles at last night Morton Games. Lavin took her 1st Morton games win setting a new Stadium record of 12.79. An extremely impressive performance in the wet and windy conditions getting the international track programme off to a superb start. Lavin’s new Stadium record performance in a -0.7 wind also earned her the Irish athlete of the meet award sponsored by the Jerry Kiernan Foundation.
The iconic Morton mile, the meet finale, once again produced an excellent race. Ryan Mphahlele (RSA) letting his intentions known from the start as he jumped on the shoulders of the pacemakers, indeed at one stage he was shouting at the pacemakers to go faster, all of this despite pretty nasty wind as he streaked clear of the field, and although the gap closed off the final bend he came out a clear winner in 3.54.41, a PB. There was also a PB for Adam Spencer (AUS) of 3.55.12 in placing 2nd and in 3rd , Nick Griggs (IRL) clocking 3.55.73 which was also a PB and a new Irish U/20 record.
In between an excellent night's entertainment featuring an extremely exciting Albie Thomas 5000. Tom Mortimer (GBR) bravely made the running however with 600 to go Darragh McElhinney (IRL) caught and passed the tiring Mortimer to open what looked like an unassailable gap, only to suffer the same fate on the final lap as Scott Beattie (GBR) took a brilliant win in 13.25.53.
The 800s produce brilliant races, Olivia Baker (USA) winning the women's race in a very pacey, particularly in the light of the conditions, 2.00.53 with John Fitzsimons (IRL) winning a very exciting men's in 1.46.55.
Micaiah Harris (USA) took the men's 100 (10.54), Lorene Bazolo (POR) the women's 200 (23.49). Argentina’s Elian Larrengia won the 400 in 45.72. US visitor Emily Mackey was victorious in the women's 1500 (4.07.02).
The 2 High Jump Competitions took place simultaneously with Urte Baiskstyle (LTH) winning the women's competition with a best of 1.84 whilst the men's competition was won by Stefano Sottile (ITA) 2.16. Jo-Ane Van Dyk won the javelin competition with an impressive 61.06 and Scott Lincoln the plaudits in the shot (20.29).
The night’s U/20 miles were very exciting races, the men's race saw Sean Cronin, of the promoting club Clonliffe Harriers, play a waiting game in their pack until he sprung in a tactical race to take a 'home win’in 4.20.46 whilst Catherine Martin beat the Foster sisters to win the women's race 4.56.18.
The pre-programme featured very exciting Dublin Athletics mixed juvenile relays which provided great excitement and then of course the rumble and tumble of the Fingal 16 x 100 (mile) interclub juvenile relay.
In all it was an excellent nights entertainment, particularly in the light of the exceptionally challenging weather conditions faced by the organisers and officials throughout the course of the day, thankfully the weather conditions improved considerably just as the meet was about to start.
Morton Games would like to thank all the partners in the meet, our loyal sponsors and supporters, the fans that turned out to add to that special Morton Games atmosphere and of course the athletes for their performances. We will see you all again in July 2024