Marathon trio book places on Irish team for Rio Olympics
Breege Connolly, Paul Pollock and Kevin Seaward have all been selected on the Irish team for the Marathon in the Rio Olympics.
Connolly from North Belfast has a best for the 26 miles of 2:37:24 set in London last year.
She smashed the record for the Larne Half Marathon and also took victories at Bangor, Bundoran and Dundrum. She is a really consistent performer.
Annadale’s Pollock has already competed at European, World and Commonwealth level. He was the second European finisher in the World Marathon in Moscow 2013.
Pollock has a marathon best of 2:15:38 set in Berlin and has clocked 62 minutes 09 for the Half Marathon at which distance he came 14th in the Worlds at Cardiff.
Seaward of St Malachy’s has a best of 2:14:52 also in Berlin. He is a double Northern Ireland 5,000m champion and competed in the World Half Marathon.
Pollock and Seaward will be joined on the team by Mick Clohisey of Raheny while Connolly goes along with Lizzie Lee of Leevale and Fionnuala McCormack from Kilcoole. Gladys Ganiel of North Belfast is first reserve.
Selections were also made for the European Half Marathon teams.
Pollock and Seaward are joined by former Irish champion Gary Murray formerly St Malachy’s while Connolly and Ganiel are both named again on the ladies.