Multiple qualifiers for European Indoor Championships at Sportcity Manchester
At the Bryggen Sports Elite Indoor Meeting in Manchester on Saturday 2nd January, two small elite fields were assembled for a 3000m race on the indoor track at Sportcity. With four of the top athletes bettering the qualifying times for the next international indoor championships and numerous PBs, Manchester was the place to be for a happy new year!
The men’s race at the Bryggen Sports Elite Indoor Meeting in Manchester saw Mark Pearce (handicap -5.3) make a huge breakthrough and run a European Indoor Championship qualifying time of 7:52.36. In second place, Jack Rowe (handicap -5.8) was also ahead of the 7:55 qualifier..
Emile Cairess (handicap -6.2) took third with 8:02.78 and edged out Ross Millington (handicap -5.7) who was fourth.
Northern Ireland athlete, Ciara Mageean (handicap -2.4) started her 2021 in Manchester by winning the 3000m in her second fastest time of 8:54.66.
Her New Balance teammate, Jip Vastenburg (handicap -0.1) finished in a close second place in a time of 8:55.36. Both times qualify for the upcoming European Indoor Championships in March. Steeplechaser Aimee Pratt (handicap -1.0) was impressive with a 9:03.70 PB in third place.
Team New Balance coach, Steve Vernon was delighted and added:
“A New Year’s Eve 5km was in the plan but travel restrictions prevented Ciara from travelling to Spain. The 3000m in Manchester was a great alternative opportunity and now sets Ciara up nicely for some more specific track work in preparation for the European indoors”
Photo Credit: Pete Brown @thatsagoodoneofme
Read more at Athletics NI
UK runbritain rankings for endurance events and age groups
Other results from the weekend are on the following links: