There is a growing sense that it is no longer a question of if Sharlene Mawdsley will break the 50 second barrier for 400 metres, but when.
The Irish international gets another opportunity tomorrow evening when she lines up at the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Meeting Madrid, one of the strongest one day meetings on the European circuit. Mawdsley is entered for the women's 400m at the Estadio Vallehermoso as she continues what has already been the finest season of her career.
The Newport AC athlete has transformed herself into one of Europe's leading one lap runners over the past few months. After consistently chipping away at her personal best throughout the season, she will go to Madrid witha stunning PB of 50.06, within touching distance of becoming only the second Irish woman ever to dip under 50 seconds.
Her improvement this season has been remarkable. She opened her individual outdoor campaign by lowering her personal best to 50.52 in Savona before producing another breakthrough of 50.17 just three days later in Brussels. She then edged even closer to the barrier with 50.14 at the FBK Games in Hengelo, before confirming that form with an outstanding 50.06 and fifth place on her Diamond League debut in Paris against a world class field.
