The staging of the 10 miles Glen Dimplex cross border road race, starting in Carlingford and ending in Newry tomorrow, is a significant development in Irish athletics. It marks the first time that BLE and the Northern Ireland Athletics Federation have co-operated in such a venture and, at a time of when reconciliation is very much on the agenda, that is important.
In keeping with the importance of the event, the organisers have assembled an impressive entry, headed by the Kenyan, Ismael Kirui in the men's race. Kirui, a double world track champion at 5000 metres will be joined on the starting line by his compatriot, Joseph Kimani, an Olympic bronze medallist, and some proven Europeans - among them Julio Ray (Spain), Bettiol Salvatore (Italy) and the Englishman, Eamonn Martin.
Seamus Power, the reigning Irish cross country champion and a winner of the 5000 metres title on the track, heads the list of local athletes and the likelihood is that he will be accompanied by another proven performer, Cormac Finnerty.
Catherina McKiernan is billed to head the women's entry but, according to the McKiernan camp, the Cavan athlete will not run so soon after her superb marathon win in Berlin. Her absence would render the task of the Italian runner, Lucilla Andrecci, considerably easier.
Protests over the naming of East German coach Ekkart Arbeit to a super post in Australia continue as the country's athletics chiefs yesterday postponed naming a panel to probe the appointment.
