Running away with accolades

Running away with accolades

For someone who hasn’t even turned 17 yet, Abby Smith surely can fill a full page of achievements. Among her many this year, Abby broke the long standing Ulster Schools 1500m record and set a new championship record in the 3000m at the National Track & Field Championships.

“It’s always a privilege to compete in sports, no matter if I win of lose, my love for sport always gives me motivation to push myself to be the best version of myself,” the teenager training with Shercock Athletic Club says.

She recently received the prestigious AAI Juvenile Star Award which celebrates outstanding achievements of emerging athletes from across the country, recognising dedication, talent and sporting excellence at juvenile level. The latest honour adds to what has been an extraordinary season for the young Shercock AC star.

Abby’s success extended beyond Ireland when she represented Northern Ireland at the International U18 Mountain Running Cup in Slovakia, competing against elite international athletes on a demanding mountain course. She also earned selection for the Irish team at the European Cross Country Championships in Portugal after winning gold at Ulster level.

At the National Juvenile Championships, Abby claimed gold in the U17 3000m and bronze in the 1500m, adding further silverware to an already memorable campaign.

Throughout this journey, she has stayed humble: “There will always be obstacles to overcome if you do sports, but the things you can gain from it like friendships, confidence and memories are always worth it.”

Her coach Brian O'Reilly praised her as focused and highly motivated, predicting a bright future: “She consistently demonstrates maturity and professionalism, qualities that mark her out as one of the most promising young athletes in the country.”