Colin Griffin has put the heartache of recent qualification bids to rest, by achieving the Olympic Standardfor the 50k Walk at the IAAF World Cup of Race Walking in Saransk, Russia this morning. Griffin, was on two warnings after 10km but he maintained his composure and form to move up the field to finish 15th in 3:52.55. This was well inside the required 3:59 on what was his last opportunity to achieve the time.
Jamie Costin’s hopes of making his fourth Olympics were dashed when he was unable to finish in what were described as challenging hot conditions.
Olive Loughnane put in a confidence boosting performance in the Women’s 20k race following on from some earlier season disappointments. The former World Medallist set off at a conservative pace but in her usual race strategy moved well through the field to finish eighth in a season’s best of 1:31:32 . The race was won by Elena Lashmanova in 1:27:38. Laura Reynolds was on the target for the Olympic Standard for three quarters of the race however she faded in the latter stages finishing in 1:37:06 outside her best of 1:34:42 that she set earlier in the year in Naumburg.
Robert Heffernan was in training for the 50k walk was action yesterday in the 20k walk produced another solid performance to place 12th in 1:21.51. In the same race Brendan Boyce, who has dipped inside the Olympic qualification standard for the 50k walk on two occasions finished 65th in 1:27.
