Friday evening saw the World Athletics Continental Silver Tour stop off at Madrid as five Irish athletes took to the track, with Euro gold medalist Sharlene Mawdsley competing for the first time since the European Championships in Rome earlier this month.
Mawdsley kicked off Irish participation by competing in the Women’s 400m race. She ran with great energy, securing a strong 2nd place finish with a time of 50.82 seconds. This impressive performance was only slightly off her season’s best of 50.72 seconds, which she recorded at the Chorzów meet back in May. Mawdsley's consistent performances this season highlight her as a force to be reckoned with coming up to the Paris Olympics.
Next up was Sarah Healy in the Women’s 800m B race, running a solid race to finish 2nd in a time of 2:01.30.
Nicola Tuthill also returned to action after a very respectable showing in Rome. Nicola Tuthill delivered a commendable performance, with attempts of 68.78, 69.33, 65.55, 68.92, 67.54, and 65.47 metres. Her best throw of 69.33 metres secured her a 7th place finish in a competitive field of ten athletes. Although slightly short of her season's and personal best of 70.32 meters, Tuthill's performance demonstrates her consistent form.
Ulsterman Nick Griggs was another athlete competing tonight who represented Ireland at the Euros in Rome earlier in June. Competing in the Men’s 1500m race, he finished in 6th place with a time of 3:35.64, just slightly off his season’s best of 3:35.40, recorded in Nice less than a week ago.
The final Irish athlete in action for the day was Mark English, racing for the second time since his national record-breaking run in Finland on Tuesday. English delivered another impressive performance and quite remarkably broke his national record again, for the second time in four days, finishing in 4th place with a time of 1:44.53. Mark will go into Paris with a renewed degree of confidence after a disappointing showing in Rome.
Meet Madrid Results
Sharlene Mawdsley - 400m – 2nd – 50.82
Sarah Healy - 800m – 2nd - 2:01.30
Nicola Tuthill - Hammer Throw – 7th – Best attempt 69.33
Nick Griggs - 1500m – 6th – 3:35.64
Mark English - 800m – 4th - 1:44.53 NR
📷 Perri Williams