News

Ciara Mageean (City of Lisburn AC) produced the run of her life on this biggest stage this evening, breaking her own Irish record with a stunning 3:56.61 NR to finish in 4th place in this evening’s 1500m final at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest (Aug 22nd).

The Portaferry athlete, who was ranked ninth on her season’s best, ran a tactically superb race to put herself right in contention for a medal at the bell in what arguably can be classed as one of the greatest 1500m fields ever to take to a world final.

Mageean went with the leading athletes in the race-defining move with 300m to go but ultimately could not reel in the front three of Faith Kipyegon (KEN) 3:54.87, Diribe Welteji (ETH), 3:55.69, and Sifan Hassan (NED) 3:56.00.

Speaking after the race, Mageean said, “To be honest, to be disappointed with 4th is probably a good thing. I came in with the aim of a medal because it’s the best I’ve ever felt coming into a championships. To come away with 4th is bittersweet but I’ve had the season of my life.

“Many years ago I wouldn’t have dreamt of 4th at a global senior final and I’m standing her disappointed with 4th and a national record so I know I can do it. It’s another year to the Olympics, and I’m putting myself in with a fighting chance with the best 1500m athletes in the world.

“I ran the race perfectly and did the best I could so I’ll walk away with my head held high. The dream lives on and I’ve many races ahead of me next year and the year after.”

Today’s performance continues a remarkable period for the Irish record holder who has also picked up Commonwealth Games and European silver medals in the last 12 months.

Coming on the 30 year anniversary (to the day) of Sonia O’Sullivan’s silver at the World Championships in Stuttgart in 1993, Mageean has cemented her place as one of the all time greats of Irish athletics.

Away from the 1500m final, Limerick’s Sarah Lavin (Emerald AC) safely secured her passage to tomorrow’s 100m hurdles semi-final with a blistering 12.69 Q to finish third in her heat.

Lavin will return to the track tomorrow evening at 7.40pm Irish time.

Mark English was hampered badly over the opening 400m of his 800m heat. The Finn Valley athlete ran a huge race to get back up for 4th place in a season’s best of 1:45:71 which secured his place in Thursday’s semi-final as one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers.

John Fitzsimons (Kildare AC) went in the third of the 800m heats and while a brave run saw him close on the leaders over the final 50 metres, his 5th place finish in 1:48:20 was not enough to see the 2023 national champion progress.

Day 4 Results Summary

• Sarah Lavin – Women’s 100m Hurdles – Round One (H1) – 12.69 Q
• Mark English – Men’s 800m – Round One (H2) – 1:45.71 SB q
• John Fitzsimons – Men’s 800m – Round One (H3) – 1:48.20 (44th)
• Ciara Mageean – Women’s 1500m – Final – 3:56.61 NR (4th)