Thomas Barr moved to number one in the European rankings list and sixth in the world rankings list when setting a new Irish 400m hurdles record of 48.90 at the EAP meet in Geneva, Switzerland today. None
Barr won the race with reigning Europe champion Rhys Williams of Britain second in 48.95.
This world-class performance by the Ferrybank AC athlete improves on the Irish record of 49.61 he set two weeks ago at the IFAM International Flanders Meet in Oordegem, Belgium.
European Qualification
At the same meet, Sarah Lavin (UCD AC) produced a personal best of 13.23 in the 100m hurdles into an extremely strong headwind of -3.3 m/s to finish third and inside the qualification standard for the European Track and Field Championships in Zurich in August. The race was won by Noemi Zbaren of Switzerland in 13.10.
There was also qualification joy for Phil Healy of Bandon AC, who ran a personal best in the 100m heats of 11.53, improving on her previous best of 11.63.
Craig Lynch was the fastest of the Irish men over the 100m running 10.64 (heat of 10.52 (+3.6m/s) ahead of Steven Colvert’s (10.66) and David Hynes (10.89).
Colvert (Crusaders AC) ran an impressive 20.90 in the 200m to finish second with Marcus Lawlor (SLOT AC) third with 21.05.
This is the second tie Colvert has run within the European standard.
In the women’s race Kelly Proper ran a personal best of 23.38 for third, agonisingly close to the European standard of 23.35. The Waterford athlete also jumped 6.45m to win the long jump.
Brian Gregan had a solid season opener of 46.06 to finish second behind Andrew Steele of Great Britain (45.82). Jessie Barr continued her return to fitness post injury with a season’s best of 58.72 for sixth.
4x100m squads
There were season’s bests for the Irish senior relay teams with the men’s senior 4x100m team winning in 39.88, while the women’s 4x100m team came second behind the Swiss team in 44.45. The junior men’s 4x100m team failed to finish due to injury.
Personal best for Britton
At the Irish Milers Club Meet in Ringsend, Fionnuala Britton showed a return to form winning the 3000m in 8.50.80, improving on her previous best of 8:55.01.
Reynolds continues form
Ben Reynolds produced more encouraging form as he clocked a wind-assisted 13.59 (+2.8) in a 110m hurdles race in Gothenburg.
The Grand Prix race was won by 2008 Olympic champion Dayron Robles of Cuba in 13.30.
Article taken from RTE.ie