Sophie O’Sullivan (produced a stunning performance last night (September 6th) to break the Irish U23 3000m record in Italy.
O’Sullivan was racing over the distance at the Palio Città della Quercia in Rovereto, Italy finishing second in the race in an impressive time of 8.44.72.
The 21-year-old delivered a gutsy effort, moving into her finishing position with just over 100m to go and challenging strongly for victory.
The previous record had stood at 8.46.14 and had been held by Sarah Healy since July last year.
Breakthrough year for Sophie O’Sullivan continues
It continues what has been a breakthrough year for O’Sullivan who in 2023 has made the NCAA 1500m final, won European U23 1500m gold and also run a personal best at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest securing qualification for next year’s Olympic Games in the process.
O’Sullivan now sits third on the Irish senior all-time list for the event behind her mother Sonia and Mary Cullen.
Several other Irish athletes were also competing in Rovereto.
Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrocks A.C.) continued his strong season with a 7.36.89 clocking over 3000m to like O’Sullivan finish in second.
Fay powered home strongly running a lightning final lap. The time, a sizeable seven second personal best, moves the Dubliner to third on the Irish All-Time list, moving ahead of the likes of Eamonn Coghlan, Marcus O’Sullivan and Frank O’Mara. Only Mark Carroll and Alistair Cragg have ever ran faster over the distance.
Sarah Lavin (Emerald A.C.) rounded out an excellent season by taking victory in the Women’s 100m Hurdles. The national record holder broke the meeting record, crossing the line in 12.76.
Louise Shanahan (Leevale A.C.) and Mark English (Finn Valley A.C.) both finished eighth in their respective 800m races.
Meanwhile in Poland, Christopher O’Donnell (North Sligo A.C.) was in action in the Men’s 400m at the Memoriał Wiesława Maniaka, finishing second in a time of 46.38.
Ciara Mageean (City of Lisburn A.C.) returns to Diamond League action tomorrow at the Memorial van Damme in Brussels. The Down native takes to the track in the Women’s 1500m just before 7:15pm.
The 31-year-old won the race at the meet last year and will be hoping for similar fortunes this time round.
