Kildare's Andrew Walker competes in Oregon
OREGON, USA & NEWBRIDGE: 29 May 2001: by Arran Hussey. Newbridge man Andrew Walker competed in the 5,000 metres last Sunday at the Pre Classic in Oregon, one of the largest and best supported track and field meetings in America.
Walker, who turned 24 this month, competes for the Dublin club Clonliffe Harriers (following a three-year spell on an athletics scholarship at University College, Dublin) and normally specialises at 1500 metres. However on Sunday he competed in the longer event at the prestigious meeting televised on the Fox network in the USA and in Europe on 'Eurosport' so as to gain strength from competing at a higher distance then normal.
In completing his 'over distance' work he acted as a pacemaker or 'hare' to lead the rest of the athletes in the international class field around, in an agreed time, and eased up and stepped of the track at around the half way stage of the race.
Walker is part of the noted sports agent Kim McDonald 's group of athletes, which includes Sonia O Sullivan, and he lives, trains and races during the year in many countries including England, Ireland, America and Australia. He receives financial assistance from An Post and Nike and is looking to build on his recent form so as to compete for Ireland in next year’s European Championship. KNN will keep you up to date with his progress throughout the year.
©2001arranhussey/knn