by Perri Williams
It has been another nonstop weekend of athletics. A weekend where Irish athletes once again showcased their ever-improving abilities. At the helm was yet another record-breaking performance from Sarah Healy. This time over 1,500m where she finished second to Georgia Bell at the Keely Klassic. Her 4.01.62 was two seconds faster than her previous best, a sizable chick to chip off. This time secures her an automatic qualification for the World Indoors, in Nanjing next month. Healy has now secured an automatic qualification for all major this year. The action continued with more athletes competing in Boston, France, Arkansas, Adelaide, Seattle and Barcelona. Across the globe there were more personal bests.
Meeting Haut-de-France at Lievin
The weekend’s action kick started with the World Indoor Gold Tour at Lievin, France on Thursday where three Irish athletes were in action. Cathal Doyle finished third in a new seasonal best of 3.53.18 in the one-mile race. The Clonliffe Harriers athlete has been having his best ever indoor season with a succession of personal bests in the last few races. The race was won by 𝙅𝙤𝙠𝙤𝙗 𝙄𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙩𝙨𝙚𝙣 who not only broke the World Record but also surpassed the 1,500m mark in the process. Two world records in one race. His time of 3:45.14 was faster than the recent world record performance by Yared Nuguse (3.46.63), set five days ago at the Wannamaker Mile in New York. Ingebrigtsen recorded 3.29.63 at the 1,500m mark.
Mark English competed in the 800m, running 1.45.82 (his second fastest ever 800m indoors) - getting a little boxed in with 150m to go - but finding the way through on the inside lane. American Bryce Hopple was a late entry to the field but suffered a defeat at the hands of Belgian Eliott Crestan. At the same meeting, Sarah Lavin qualified for the final of the 60m hurdles, finishing 7th in 8.11 seconds.
David Hemery Valentine Invitational at Boston University
Cian McPhillips headed the Irish performance at the David Hemry Valentine Invitational in Boston. Competing in the 800m McPhillips put in a tremendous final 200m to finish second in a new personal best of 1.45.33. This places McPhillips second on the Irish all-time indoor list behind the recent national record of 1:45.15 set by Mark English at the Millrose Games. This time give McPhillips an automatic qualification for the European Indoors along with a B standard for the World Indoors. Conor Murphy competing for the University of Virginia recorded 1.48.85.
Competing over 800m were Meave O’Neill and Eimear McCarroll. O’Neill finished 13th overall with a time of 2.04.66, a new personal best. While McCarroll (Bradley University) recorded 4.31.26. In the one-mile race Laura Nicholson (Toledo) continued her recent good form with a 4.31.26 performance, another new personal best.
The 5,000m produced another new world record. Grant Fischer (USA) recorded 12:44.09 as he crossed the line in first place. Behind him taking the runner-up spot was Jimmy Gressier (France) with a new European record of 12:54.92. Seven Irish athletes took part in the 5,000m, with six of them securing personal bests. Cormac Dalton (Mullingar Harriers) finished 3rd in Heat 1 and 13th overall with a new personal best of 13:28.29. Abdel Laadjel (Donore Harriers and Oregon) was 19th overall with a time of 13:34.35. There were five more personal best from the Irish athletes; 26th Dean Casey (Ennis Track) 13:37.14, 28th Shane Brosnan (An Riocht) 13:37.65, 29th Sean Tobin (Clonmel) 13:38.37, 71st Callum Morgan (CN/DR) 13:54.35 and 133rd Liam McKay (Finn Valley) 14:16.15.
Cormac Dixon produced yet another indoor personal best, this time over one mile. The Providence based Tallaght AC athlete clocked 4:01.87 with Sean Donoghue clocking 4.05. Other Irish results from the meeting include:
5000m Ladies: Anika Thompson, 17th 15.36.58
3000m Men: James Gormely 9th in 7.40.72 Darragh McElhinney 11th in 7.43.95, Charlie O'Donovan 15th in 7.48.94 James Dunne 7.52.62, The winner was Roman Legendre (Adams State) with 7.36.28
3000m Ladies: Ava O’Connor 47th 9.16.64
