By the time Ireland’s final two runners finished the half marathon in Copenhagen yesterday morning, the result that would define the team’s weekend had already been recorded: 13:22.
That was Darragh McElhinney’s time over 5km on Saturday. It put the Bantry AC athlete 16th at the World Athletics Road Running Championships and, pending ratification, at the top of Ireland’s 5km record list.
Alistair Cragg had held the Irish mark at 13:26 since 2012. McElhinney cut four seconds from it and 11 seconds from his own previous best of 13:33. Across five kilometres, the gap to Cragg’s time works out at less than a second per kilometre.
At the front, Eritrea’s Dawit Seare caught Jakob Ingebrigtsen late on and won in 12:56. Ingebrigtsen took second in 12:59. Brian Fay, Ireland’s other entrant in the race, was 38th in 13:48.
A European Record in Sunday’s Half Marathon
Peter Lynch and Hiko Tonosa ran the men’s half marathon on Sunday, September 20th. Lynch crossed in 1:02:10 for 44th place; Tonosa finished 72nd in 1:03:27.
The winning time put their race in the record books too. Sweden’s Andreas Almgren claimed the world title in 58:06, a European record.
Healy Leads the Irish Mile Entrants
Before Saturday’s 5km, Ireland had two runners in each road mile race. Sarah Healy of UCD AC was the highest placed Irish miler, finishing 13th among the women in 4:32.98. Laura Nicholson of Bandon AC followed in 21st with 4:36.64.
Cathal Doyle ran 3:58.40 in the men’s race, placing 18th. Andrew Coscoran finished 41st in 4:07.95.
Full Irish Results
Men’s 5km
Darragh McElhinney: 16th, 13:22, Irish record subject to ratification
Brian Fay: 38th, 13:48
Women’s road mile
Sarah Healy: 13th, 4:32.98
Laura Nicholson: 21st, 4:36.64
Men’s road mile
Cathal Doyle: 18th, 3:58.40
Andrew Coscoran: 41st, 4:07.95
Men’s half marathon
Peter Lynch: 44th, 1:02:10
Hiko Tonosa: 72nd, 1:03:27
Full championship results are available from World Athletics.
