If you blinked this summer, you probably missed a new Irish 800m record.
It was that kind of season.
For more than a decade, Mark English has been the heartbeat of Irish middle-distance running, the benchmark, the record-holder, the man everyone else chased.
Working under former Australian 800m great Justin Rinaldi, English produced a superb 2025 season. He broke the national record three times, claimed his tenth Irish title, and looked sharper than ever after pausing his medical career to focus fully on the track. By mid-summer he’d joined the sub-1:44 club and looked primed for a major championship breakthrough.
Then came Cian McPhillips, young and fearless. The Longford athlete had already impressed with wins at IFAM Oordegem ensuring qualification for the 2026 European Championships, but it was at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo where he truly made history. McPhillips stormed through his semi-final to win in 1:43.18, the fastest ever at that stage, before clocking a blistering 1:42.15 in the final to finish fourth in the world.
The result? The Irish record was broken five times in a single season, more than in the previous thirty years combined and suddenly, the 800 metres was Ireland’s most exciting race again.
Here’s every record-breaking run that made 2025 a golden chapter for Irish middle-distance running.
1️⃣ Mark English – Irena Szewińska Memorial (Bydgoszcz, May 30th)
English kicked off his record-breaking spree in Poland, storming to victory at the Irena Szewińska Memorial in 1:44.34. Sitting patiently for most of the race, he made his move just after turning into the home straight, pulling clear with that familiar, unflustered stride. It was a statement run, smooth, decisive, and early proof that his partnership with Justin Rinaldi was working.
2️⃣ Mark English – FBK Games (Hengelo, June 9th)
Barely ten days later, English went again and this one was even better. Sitting third coming into the final bend, he unleashed a savage kick down the home straight, surging past the leaders in the last 30 metres to take victory in 1:43.92. It was a classic English finish, measured, clinical, and another Irish record in the bag whilst joining the elite sub 1:44 club over 800m.
3️⃣ Mark English – Gyulai István Memorial (Budapest, August 12th)
English saved his best for Budapest in early August, clocking a sensational 1:43.37 to finish second at the Gyulai István Memorial, his third Irish record of the year and the fastest run of his life. It was the mark of an athlete utterly rejuvenated, mixing composure with that trademark closing speed that’s carried him through more than a decade at the top.
At the World Championships later that month, the fairytale didn’t quite continue. He ran 1:45.13 in his heat and 1:45.47 in the semi-final, strong, but not enough to reach the final. After such a remarkable season of progress, it was a tough way to finish, but nothing could take away the scale of what he’d achieved in 2025.
4️⃣ Cian McPhillips – World Athletics Championships Semi-Final (Tokyo, September 18th)
Having already looked sharp in the heats, McPhillips really showed his class in the semi-final. He held a strong position through the opening lap before timing his attack to perfection, gliding up on the back straight the second time round to reel in Britain’s Max Burgin. By the final bend he was right on his shoulder, and a fierce final push over the last 30 metres saw him surge clear to win in 1:43.18, another Irish record, and officially the fastest semi-final ever run at a World Championships.
5️⃣ Cian McPhillips – World Athletics Championships Final (Tokyo, September 20th)
McPhillips left it late, very late. Coming into the home straight at the back of the field, he unleashed a ferocious kick that tore through the field in the closing 80 metres. Roaring down the outside he surged into fourth place at the line.
His time of 1:42.15 was another Irish record and the sixth-fastest ever run by a European. He missed the podium by fractions, but his finish was breathtaking, a moment that stamped his name among the very best in the world.
What a Year for the Men's 800m
Five national records.
Two Irishmen at opposite ends of their careers pushing each other to new heights.
Mark English found a second wind under Justin Rinaldi, while Cian McPhillips proved that Irish middle-distance running has a thrilling future.