A World Championship qualifying time will be on the mind of Mark Carroll when he races the 5,000 metres in tomorrow's Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon. The target of 13 minutes 25 seconds, which would guarantee selection for the world tests in Edmonton in August, should be within Carroll's range even at this stage of the season.
The Cork athlete opened his outdoor campaign with a low-key 3,000 metres in Massachusetts last Saturday, winning in 7:58.93. Carroll will have nine Kenyans to contend with in the 5,000 metres, starting with last year's winner Luke Kipkosgei. The men's mile will also contain some Irish interest, where Andrew Walker hopes to build on the good form he showed in Australia over the winter. Included in that field is Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco in his first race since winning the World Indoor title in Lisbon last March.
Elsewhere, the AAI National Marathon takes place on a flat and fast course around Dungarvan tomorrow, starting at 11.0. Raheny's Mick Traynor appears to be the man in form as he seeks his first title but Pauric McKinney of Civil Service, runner-up last year, should also take some beating.
Defending women's champion Mary Ryan, who won in Tallaght last year, will be looking to give Waterford some local success.
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