Hopes for Hendricken to run in all-star field

IF Geraldine Hendricken is ready to run, she will be at The Mardyke on July 2.

That was the message from Dick Hodgins, chairman of the BUPA Cork City Sports, as he put the field together for the women’s 1,500m.

Double Olympic champion Kelly Holmes will be the star attraction and the field is going from strength to strength.

“Obviously we would welcome Geraldine if she is ready to race again,” Hodgins said.

Amy Rudolph from the US, who steps down in distance after her spectacular 10,000m run in Stanford and, of course, her win in the Great BUPA Ireland Run in the Phoenix Park, has confirmed her participation and so has the Australian, Georgie Clarke.

Yesterday a Kenyan, Naomi Mugo, who ran 3:58.12 for 1,500m in 1998 was added to the list which also includes Yuliya Chizhenko from Russia and Joanna Kaczor, a two-minute 800m runner from Poland.

Roisin McGhettigan, who has always run well at The Mardyke, will reinforce the Irish challenge and the organisers are hoping that last year’s winner, Freda Davoren, who has been out of action for some time, will be back in form to defend her title.

Karen Shinkins, one of those controversially dropped from the ISC grants this year, will have a point to prove when she lines up for the women’s 400m.

The national record holder got her season off to a flying start with a 52 sec 400m last weekend and if she builds on that she will certainly make the team for the world championships in Helsinki.

And if she is looking for a fast time come early July then The Mardyke could well be the place to get it for an all-star field will assemble for her event.

With two Olympic champions, Dwight Philips and Kelly Holmes, among the stars in action on the day, Ronetta Smith from Jamaica, who won a bronze medal with the 4 x 400m squad at last year’s Olympics, has confirmed her participation. She has already run 51.7 secs this year.

And two of the stars from the European indoor championships in Madrid have also confirmed. They are the Usovich sisters, Svetlana, silver medallist in the 400m in Mardid, and her sister, Ilola, who finished fourth.

Estie Wittstock from South Africa, who has run 51.71 (52.48 this year) will pay her first visit to Ireland, while Helen Karagounis who has run 51.78 and is a regular member of the British relay squads, completes the field.

“It’s a pretty packed field all right,” Dick Hodgins admitted. “And one would have to predict fast times if the conditions are right.”

Karen Shinkins has been a big favourite with fans in Cork over the years and she will have all the support she needs to make her point.