by Perri Williams
David Kenny made his 2025 debut at the XXXVI Gran Premio de Marcha Atlética in Guadix, Spain today. Competing at 913m altitude, the Farranfore Maine AC athlete was the winner of the World Athletics Racewalking Tour 20km race. Kenny set off at a steady pace, each kilometer almost identical to the last. Splitting 20.27 for 5km he recorded a 20.20 for his next 5km, all the time pulling away from his competitors. His final time of 1.22.41 was just ten seconds slower than his winning time in St Annes Park, Raheny seven weeks ago. The former u23 European Silver Medallist missed the 2024 Paris Olympics due to injury and is aiming to qualify for the Race-Walking Team Championships in Czechia in May, and the World Championships in Tokyo in September. Kenny has a best of 1.19.44 from 2021 and will be hoping to regain some of that form over the coming months.
A team of over 90 athletes and supporters descended upon the Grenadian town set in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada on Friday. This is the third consecutive outing to this event, making it somewhat of a familiar course for the Irish athletes. There was some outstanding performances from the junior, youth and juvenile athletes.
The Irish athletes secured a double Irish victory in the u18 5,000m. Tuam AC athletes and u18 European participants, Savanagh O’Callaghan and Matthew Newell claimed convincing victories in both races. Newell faced tough opposition from Spaniard Marc Saurez with whom he battled for almost the entire race. Pulling away from the peloton after just 1km, Newell and Saurez impressed both the judges and spectators. The final 1km turned into an exciting affair as Saurez tried several times to over-take the Tuam man. Serving the best for the last 200m, Newell injected the pace and crossed the line over two seconds clear of Saurez. Evan Walsh (St Josephs AC) finished 5th. Luke Fitzmaurice (North Leitrim) won the open 5km event.
O’Callaghan on the other hand had an easier victory. Conscious of the reputation of Ana Guzman and the improvements made by Finn Valley’s Leah O’Gara, O’Callaghan was not going to wait around. After settling into the group for the first 500m, she steadily increased the pace and was at the 1km mark some 10m clear of the rest of the field. From this point onwards it was a solo effort for the Tuam AC athlete as she crossed the line in 25.31over 30 seconds to spare over Guzman and 40 over O’Gara. 26.11 was a personal best for O’Gara and testimony to her meticulous winter work. Robin Og Murphy (Longford) finished 5th in 26.49 with Aoife Martin (Carriag na Bhfearr) in 6th.
