Albie Thomas is a legend around these parts. He set two world distance records, 2 mile and 3 mile back in the summer of 1958. Albie’s feats and life are celebrated by Morton Games each year with the Albie Thomas 5000. The race is very generously supported by Dublin Athletics and by Albie’s family, indeed Albie’s grandson Liam Whitaker will be our guest on July 12 .

Fittingly there will be an attack on the Morton Stadium 5000 record in Albie’s race. The current record of 13.19.98 was set in the Albie Thomas 5000 by fellow Aussie Stewy McSweyn on 12 July 2017 which will be exactly 7 years ago on Morton Games night.

A truly stellar field has been gathered. Dave McNeil (AUS) has quality and experience to burn, he has a 13.12.82 PB and is a former NCAA outdoor and indoor champion. Fellow Aussie Jude Thomas is the 2022 Australian 3000 champion who has a 13.33.60 5000 PB but undoubtedly has the wheels to go much faster – 7.47.26 over 3000 and a 3.56.87 miler.

There a couple of quality Kenyans entered, Amos Langat who has a 5K Road PB of 13.24 and Matthew Kipkoech who is even faster on the roads, 13.18.

From Japan there are two 13.23 men: Nagiya Mori and Ayumu Kobayaghi.

Also confirmed is Zak Mahamed (GBR) who took silver in the 2022 U/23 European cross-country and has a 13.24.83 PB.

Ireland’s Cormac Dalton (Mullingar Harriers) had a breakthrough performance in last year’s Albie Thomas 5000 as he took an excellent 2nd place in 13.27.81. The reigning national cross country champion will certainly be in the mix.

Speaking of in the mix , the performance of Nick Griggs will be watched with huge interest, Griggs goes up in distance to the 5000, although he already has a 13.36.47 to his credit. Also on the start line, Sean Tobin (Clonmel AC), seasoned campaigner John Travers (Donore Harriers) and Irish National Marathon champion and Olympian Stephen Scullion (Clonliffe Harriers).

Wouldn’t it be magnificent if once again it is the legacy of the legendary Albie Thomas that delivers another record in Santry!