Irish Racewalkers set for Guadix

by Perri Williams

High in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, 913m to be exact, lies the city of Guadix. This weekend the city will play host to the World Athletics Race Walking Tour – the Grand Prix of Guadix. Almost 50 Irish racewalkers will descent upon Avenue Buenos Aires this Sunday for a full programme of racewalking. From 1km u10 right up to 35km for senior athletes.

This is not the first time that an Irish contingent has raced in the Granadian city. Just two years ago in 2023 a small contingent of nine athletes rented two cars and took the two-and-a-half-hour journey to the foothills of the Sierra Navada for the event. Young rookies who were over awed by not only the pace of their Spanish counterparts – but also the sheer numbers of those competing and training in the city. In 2024 35 athletes this time took a rented bus and were a serious challenge to those that they were in awe of the previous year. There were several Irish victories and some European qualifying times too. Fast forward to 2025, on this third trip, two busses and a party of 90 will make that same trip. The athletes are strong, faster and ready to demonstrate what a force Irish-racewalking has once more become. 

Never in the history of the sport in Ireland, has there been so much depth in racewalking. This is largely due to the Robert Heffernan Racewalking Academy. A group founded by Pierce O’Callaghan and supported by several Irish racewalking Olympians. The academy has taken the sport to new heights in Ireland. And the best has yet to come.

David Kenny (Farranfore Maine Valley) a former European u23 silver medallist will race this year, over 20km. So too will u18 European representatives Matthew Newell and Savannagh O’Callaghan (Tuam AC) – both competing over 5km. Many of the Irish champions will toe the line too. Longford, Finn Valley, St Josephs AC, Kenmare, Tuam and so many more clubs, will test their ability against over 500 Spanish athletes of a similar age. 

Guadix is the home to many world class racewalkers, including double World and Olympic Champion Maria Perez. It is the city that Robert Heffernan, Brendan Boyce and so many more Irish greats trained regularly in. The pre-race programme will begin on Saturday when Perez hosts a short coaching session for the Irish and Spanish juvenile athletes.

As with 2024, several of the athletes will be hoping to achieve qualification standards for major championships being held this year. David Kenny gradually getting back to form after injury dashed his Olympic dream, will make an assault on the 20km time. Matthew Newell, Savanagh O’Callaghan (Tuam) along with Robin Og Murphy (Longford), Ciara Gilmore (Tuam) will look towards the European Youth standards. Others like the much-improved Leah O’Gara (Finn Valley), will contest 5km for the first time. Eabha de Faoite (Kenmare) will line out for the 10km in an effort to move up the Irish ranking list. Then of course there are athletes in the 3km, 2km and 1km races. So many Irish athletes, its impossible to mention them all.

At the helm, Pierce O’Callaghan will ensure the Irish walkers get the best opportunity to prove their abilities and move forward to the 2025 season confident that this often-forgotten event will be the niche that carves their path through their juvenile sporting years. Avenue Buenos Aires we await you.