Renée shows promise at major championships debut
ATHLETICS Annalee runner in Irish relay team that came seventh in U20 European Championships
A Cavan Town athlete made her debut for Ireland at the U20 European Championships in Jerusalem putting in a memorable performance that promises much more in the future.
Despite having only turned 18, Renée Crotty qualified to run for Team Ireland in the 4x400m relay, and they progressed through to European final courtesy of a fabulous performance in a thrilling semi-final.
In that semi-final Renée ran a blistering third leg, keeping pace with French, British and Czech rivals.
Team Ireland ultimately came seventh in Europe, an achievement that exceeded all expectations.
“The whole day was very nerve wrecking - it was my first major championship.
“Usually when you are racing you are obviously on your own in the call room but it was good to have the other three girls with me. We formed such good friendships on the trip.”
Despite the nerves, and being jostled by her British competitor at the line in the semis, she ran superbly and helped the team secure a scarcely believable place the final.
“Before we went in we didn’t think we had a chance at all. We just said - it’s great to be here and we’ll do whatever we can - but it was great we were able to stick so close to the other countries and then especially to come third.”
Due to her youth it was in hope rather than expectation that Renée had targeted the qualifying standards during the season.
“I was very shocked when I got the email [announcing she made the Irish team] because I wasn’t expecting to get picked this year, because I had just done my Leaving Cert.”
Remarkable
What makes it more remarkable is that the Cavan teenager qualified for the 400m is that she only competed at that distance twice this year, and yet set a time that was quick enough to make the team.
Given Renee is way below the age bar for the U20s, and wasn’t running her preferred distance in Jerusalem, it is hard not to get excited about her future.
“I focussed on 800 all year, and only did two 400s this year. I did two 400s before they selected the team and ran a really fast 400 up in Santry one day and got picked from that race, so it was literally very last minute. “
Let’s put “really fast” in context: up to that race she had been hitting 57 seconds for 400m - that’s sprinting 100m on average 14.25 seconds, and then doing it again, and again, and again.
“It’s the worst,” she agrees of how this notorious sprint distance is so gruelling.
“I couldn’t break 57 seconds for two years and then I ran a 56.33 seconds which was a big shock to run that.”
Annalee
Success for Renée at this level has been built on dedication to the sport from a very young age running with her club Annalee AC.
“I started running when I was six under Rob Murphy, Edel Kellegher and Mark McNamara,” she recalls proudly of her home club.
Renée has attended a boarding school in Dublin and was invited to train with UCD’s athletes under coaches James Nolan and Damian Lawlor.
She got a scholarship to study in UCD where she hopes to study architecture, if all goes well in the Leaving Cert result-wise this Friday.
Despite the welcome 400m success, she intends to retain her focus on 800m. Her PB at the distance is 2mins 8.7 seconds, which is just a second shy of the qualifying time for the U20 World Championships in Peru next year.
“I only need to run one second faster, which is very doable. That ‘s in Peru so if I qualify for that I will have my whole family going over. That’s the goal for this year.”
With a taste of major championships, Renée can’t help but look to the future.
“It’s so good - it’s such an honour to represent Ireland as well as my county and my club Annalee. I’ve always dreamed of this since I was younger so it’s great to be at the major championships stage now, and hopefully keep aiming towards the Olympics in a few years.”