Michael Rimmer is seven times British 800M Champion and a European Championship silver medallist. He has been confirmed in the mens 800m on Tuesday at the Cork City Sports.

 

Rimmer has run 1.43.89 at his best and has been a fixture on the British teams to major championships for many years. His form this year has been mixed as he has been recovering from low iron levels in the blood. However he has run 1.46.72 in Hengelo in June which puts him in with a real chance of taking the Cork title.

 

He will take on defending champion Luke Matthews AUS who has run 1.46.44 this year an is really up for a fight to defend his title against all comers.

 

There are a  number of Americans in the field including Russell Dinkins and Charles Jock 1.46.40 and 1.46.54 this season respectively. As most of the field have similar seasons best there should be a really tight race with a close tactical finish. One to Watch!!

 

In the womens race the outstanding favourite will be Laura Roesler USA. World Junior Champion and two times NCAA champion. Laura is one of only a handful of women who has run under the 2 mins barrier this year. She will be taking on Hannah England GBR, World Championship silver medallist over 1500m. Hannah was also NCAA champion in her own right.

 

There will be a strong Irish opposition in the form of Siofra Cleirigh-Buttner, the defending Irish title holder over 800M. Siofra is a student at Villanova University where she has become three times all American and three-time Penn Relays champion as well as seventh on the all time list at Villanova. Other Irish competitors in the race are Ellie Hartnett and Louise Shanahan.