Thornton heads for Berlin in Olympic qualification bid

Galway’s top distance runner, Gary Thornton of Galway City Harriers, heads to Berlin this weekend, as he takes on the task of securing a qualification time for the Olympic Games marathon which will be held in Rio Di Janeiro Brazil next August.

Thornton will compete in the Berlin Marathon on Sunday along with a number of other top Irish athletes, all aiming to make the Irish marathon squad for Rio.

The city native is looking to run under the time standard set by Athletics Ireland of 2 hours 17 minutes for the 26.2 mile distance, in order to qualify, and is well capable of doing so. Training has been going well for him over the past number of months, and he has clocked up regular weeks of well over 100 miles a week in training.

Many of Galway’s running community are travelling to Berlin in support of the hugely talented and committed Thornton and all involved in athletics wish him well next Sunday.

Half-marathons

There were several very good performances by Galway athletes at the half marathon distance last weekend as many local club runners prepare earnestly for the Dublin Marathon. GCH athletes John Cronin and Joanne O’Boyle both ran well in Charleville Half, clocking PBs of 1hr 19 and 1hr  37 minutes respectively.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.