Jamie Costin has put in a tremendous performance to set a new Irish record of 3.50.52, in the 50k Walk at the European Athletics Walking meeting in Dudince, southern Slovakia.
Costin, who placed third in the race, also achieved the A qualification for the World Championships in Berlin (A-3:58, B-4:09). This race is part of the official permitted IAAF list of events where the athletes can achieve the qualification standard.
The Waterford man has overcome difficult and challenging times to regain this level of form. In 2004, just nine days before he was due to compete in the Athens Olympics, he was involved in a car crash that left him with two broken vertebrae as well as fractures in his back. There were concerns whether he would ever walk again, let alone compete.
Former Irish record holder Colin Griffin (3.51.32) and winner of this event in 2007 finished fifth with a time of 3.53.52 and also achieved the A qualification standard.
Around 50 walkers competed in this the 50k race, which also served as national championships for four countries; Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.
