The World Athletics Cross Country 8k race took place today in Albufeira., Portugal attracting an International entry including our own Sean Tobin. Sean is currently training in Portugal and this race will have given him a great guide as to how his training is going.
Sean’s last race was at the European indoor Championships in Poland on the 7th of March where he finished 11th in the 3000m final having set a PB over that distance in the semi-final.
Today’s race was over a different terrain with Sean trading the Indoors smooth track to a tough course on a hilly wooded grass course with lots of twists and turns on what look like a dirt track. Still, this didn’t deter Sean as he was determined to give it his best shot.
As the race unfolded Sean was always at the business end of the race, either dictating the pace or sharing it. Midway through the three laps race the leading group was down to three athletes with Sean at the forefront ensuring that the pace was strong.
Sean was still setting the pace as they went out on the last lap, with Thierry Ndikumwenayo of Burundi and Hosea Kiplanget of Uganda in close attention. Then midway through the final lap Thierry and Hosea increased the tempo and had moved clear of Sean as they came back into view as they emerged out of the wooded area. With Thierry going on to win in 25 mins 21 secs, Hosea was 2nd in 25 mins 30 secs and Sean finishing 3rd in 25 mins 38 secs.
This was a very good performance by Sean and shows that his training is going well as he heads into a busy Track season which will hopefully see him qualify for the Olympics. That would be a fantastic achievement by Sean and richly deserved as he epitomises all that is good in the Sport.
This would be a fitting achievement for the Club as it celebrates 50 years of activity, to see one of their own members who has come up through the Juvenile ranks and emerge onto the Senior International stage and go on to compete on the greatest stage of all, the Olympics.
