Sharlene Mawdsley Set for 2026 Indoor Return in France Tomorrow Evening

Sharlene Mawdsley makes her return to the track tomorrow evening as she opens her 2026 indoor season at the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais in France, lining up in the women’s 400m for her first competitive outing of the year.

The Tipperary sprinter is among Ireland’s most decorated track talents and a genuine medal contender on her day. In 2024 she was part of Ireland’s relay teams that delivered at major championships, anchoring Ireland’s mixed 4x400 relay to European outdoor gold in 2024 and starring in the women’s squad too, and clocked a lifetime best of 50.71 that moved her second on the Irish all-time list over the 400m.

Last season brought both highs and challenges. Mawdsley produced solid championship form, reaching the semi-finals at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo and placing 20th overall on the global stage in a competitive 400m field. She also retained her national indoor title early in the year, showing she remains a pillar of Irish sprinting.

However injury interrupted parts of her outdoor campaign last season and also had to take time away from training after the death of her father in June of last year. Mawdsley handled that period with composure and dignity, returning to competition with quiet determination. Tomorrow’s race marks the beginning of another chapter.

The Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais is a serious test. It is a World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold level event that regularly attracts deep fields and fast times, making it an ideal early-season marker.

Mawdsley’s presence will draw eyes, but she isn’t the only Irish athlete worth watching at this World Indoor Tour meeting. In the men’s 1500 metres, Andrew Coscoran is listed to compete after a strong winter of racing. Having run Irish indoor records over both the 1500 and mile during last year's indoor season, Coscoran has continued his sharp form with fast performances in Boston and New York, including an indoor 3000m run of 7:30.97 and a near-PB mile in Millrose Games action.

Joining Coscoran in the same race is Luke McCann, making his third indoor appearance in as many weeks as he continues his comeback from an extended lay-off due to injury. After missing the 2025 season through injury, McCann re-entered competition in Dortmund earlier in the month and has been building momentum since, posting competitive times as he regains race sharpness.

With Mawdsley leading the billing and two proven milers on the start list, there is strong Irish representation in France tomorrow evening. For Mawdsley in particular, it feels significant, the first step of a new indoor campaign and another chance to remind Europe exactly what she brings to the 400m.

As always, we will have full coverage here on Run Republic, including confirmed streaming links and live results as soon as they become available. Stay tuned tomorrow evening for updates from France as Mawdsley, Coscoran and McCann take to the track.