Niall Bruton will be hoping to take another step towards regaining his best form when he faces the country's top middle-distance runners in the Morton Mile at Santry this evening.
After being billed as Ireland's next great miler, Bruton has been struggling to make his mark on the international scene in recent seasons. A chronic hip injury hasn't helped but, at 27, he believes he has a couple of good years left in him. Now coached by Sean Kyle, he ran three minutes 43.10 for 1,500 metres in a torrentially wet Oporto over the weekend and his ultimate target now is the 3:36.8 qualifying time for next month's World Championships in Seville.
This evening's mile has been organised by Clonliffe Harriers to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Billy Morton's death and with £750 for first place, Bruton has an additional incentive to produce a quality time. There is an extra £300 if the winner beats Herb Elliot's then world record of 3:54.5, set in Santry back in 1958 under the promotion of Morton himself. There will be a further £1,000 if the Irish record of 3:49.6 is bettered.
Also scheduled to run are sub-four-minute milers Ken Nason of Cork and Shane Healy of Dublin as well as last year's outstanding junior Colm McLean from Belfast. Andrew Walker of UCD is another likely candidate for the prize-money, as is current national steeplechase champion Eugene O'Neill.
The 800 metres specialist James McIlroy had originally hoped to compete but his form has dipped and he is taking a few weeks out of competition before attempting to return in time for Seville.
The mile (8.p.m.) forms the highlight of a meeting that also includes invitation 800 and 5,000 metres. Both races will also feature strong domestic fields which will race for additional cash rewards depending on time.
