Team Surrey alumni Hannah Irwin executed a stunning race at the Night of the 10,000m PBs at Parliament Hill last month.
Established in 2013 with the goal of improving British racing standards, it has become a go-to event for many long distance track athletes by incorporating the British Championships and World Championship Trials. This year’s was held on 14th May 2022 and was a very memorable race for Irwin.
Finishing seventh, the Athletics alumni achieved a personal best, a Commonwealth Games qualifying time, a Northern Ireland 10,000m record and a place on the GB team for the European 10,000m Cup in Pacé, France.
Irwin spoke to Team Surrey Chair Diana Dakik about her race:
“It has been great to finally see the years of hard work start to come together. I have had the 10,000m commonwealth games standard in my sights for the past year, but only in recent months has it seemed possible. To run the qualification standard as well as a Northern Irish record was so rewarding as I felt proud that I had been able to show what I knew I was capable of. To have achieved my first GB vest on top of that has made for a pretty crazy, but exciting week. I have dreamed of running for GB my entire life so far. I am excited to represent the country at the European 10,000m cup next weekend and continue to work hard towards my goals.”
Hannah then went on to have a dream Great Britain medal-winning debut at the European 10,000m Cup. As the second Brit across the line in Pace, France she was part of a seven-strong team, and they returned home with the bronze medal.
Irwin, whose new personal best is 32min 25.34sec, will also be competing for Northern Ireland at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games this summer.
At Team Surrey, we are immensely proud of our alumnus’ achievements and we wish her all the best of luck for her exciting summer of competition.