ENGLISH LOWERS OWN 800M NATIONAL RECORD IN MADRID
Mark English (Finn Valley AC) has once again lowered his own Irish 800m national record.
Competing at the Meeting Madrid in the Spanish capital tonight (June 21st), the 31-year-old qualified doctor clocked a time of 1:44.53 to finish fourth in a high-quality race won by Belgium’s Elliot Crestan in 1:44.28.
It is the second time this week that the Donegal athlete has lowered his own national record and personal best, having ran a time of 1:44.69 in Turku, Finland on Tuesday night.
Both times are within the Olympic qualifying standard of 1:44.70 meaning English will represent Ireland at his third Games should he be formally selected after the qualification window closes on Sunday June 30th.
Several other Irish athletes also competed in Madrid tonight.
Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport AC) returned to action following her recent relay heroics in Rome recording the second fastest 400m time of her career, 50.82 seconds, to finish second.
Sarah Healy (UCD AC) also finished second in her 800m race, crossing the line in 2:01.30.
Nick Griggs (Candour Track Club) was sixth in the 1500m in 3:35.64, while Nicola Tuthill (UCD AC) was seventh in the Hammer Throw with a best effort of 69.33m coming in the second round.