Cathal Dennehy

2 days ago | irishexaminer.com | Cathal Dennehy

At one stage, running was a form of therapy for Nichola Sheridan. It still is, in many ways, only these days it’s also much more – the rapidly progressing Meath native hoping to win a national medal at this year’s Irish Life Dublin Marathon. On her debut marathon in Dublin last October, she finished fifth in the national championship, 14th in the women’s race overall, clocking 2:42:57, a personal best she lowered to 2:42:31 in Valencia last December.

3 days ago | independent.ie | Cathal Dennehy

‘We’ve solidified ourselves as one of the best relays in the world’ – Adeleke helps book another Irish ticket to TokyoSophie Becker hands the baton over to Rhasidat Adeleke of Team Ireland in the Women's 4x400metres relay qualifying round two in Guangzhou, China. Photo: GettyThe Irish might not have walked away from this year’s World Relays in Guangzhou, China with any medals, but in terms of their stated goal, this was mission accomplished.

3 days ago | independent.ie | Cathal Dennehy

Mawdsley produced another foot-perfect anchor leg to carry them to victory in 3:24.69 ahead of Australia (3:27.31) and Switzerland (3:32.37), leaving them with an overall 12th-place finish. “The girls put me in a great position and I love to chase,” said Mawdsley.

5 days ago | independent.ie | Cathal Dennehy

Another superb last leg from Mawdsley carried them into the automatic qualification spots for the final, and with that ensuring their place in Tokyo, as they hit the line second in 3:12.56, with USA taking a comfortable victory in 3:11.37 and Poland third with 3:12.70. “I’m so happy with that,” said Mawdsley, who showed no ill effects from the hamstring injury she sustained at the European Indoors in March. “I was actually quite happy I got the baton in third, I had something to work towards.

5 days ago | irishexaminer.com | Cathal Dennehy

For the Irish at this weekend’s World Relays in Guangzhou, China, the question is how exactly to use their vast firepower. In Rhasidat Adeleke and Sharlene Mawdsley, they possess two of the best female athletes in the world at 4x400m relays, and where they are deployed on day one will determine much about the Irish chances.