Mark English runs 1:45.83 in Hengelo. Foroughi wins National Decathlon

In his outdoor season debut, UCD’s Mark English finished fifth with a time of 1:45.83 in a closely fought men’s 800m  at the FBK Games in Hengelo.   Winning in the dive for the line was Poland’s Marcin Lewandowski in a time of 1:45.56; Robin Schembera of Germany was second in 1:45.48, with South Africa’s Andre Oliver third in 1:45.73, Patrick Ronoh of Kenya fourth  in 1:45.74 and then English on his own. His time is inside the World Championships qualification mark of 1:46.00.

In the 1500m, Ciaran O Lionard of Leevale  suffered a recurrence of his Achilles problems and trailed home 15th in 3:53.47. He will return to the USA for treatment. Winner was Robert Keptoo Biwot of Kenya in a world-leading 3:33.64.  In the women’s 1000m, Laura Crowe of Riocht finished 9th in 2:39.86. Winner was Sifan Hassan  of the Netherlands in 2:34.68.

KOROUSH FOROUGHI OF Star of the Sea won the the men’s decathlon with  6,227 points at the Glo Health National Combined Events Championships in Templemore. Second was Michael Bowler of KCH, while third was Trim’s Shane Aston.  Foroughi’s 2.03m high jump proved critical winning him 831 points, compared to 449  points for a 1.58m effort from Bowler. In three solo efforts, Bohermeen’s Karen Dunne won the women’s senior heptathlon with 3,913 points, while Amy McTeggart of Boyne took the junior women’s title with 4,039 points and Donore’s Rolous Olusa  won the junior men’s decathlon with 5,130 points.

In the better supported youth competitions, Laura Quigley  of Celbridge  won the girls’ title with 3,255 points, while in the boys competition,  Thomas Connolly  of Le Cheile with  4,850 points beat DSD’s David Dagg on 4,423 points.

CATCH-UP: Sarah McCormack, Ireland’s top mountain runner, finished third at the British Intercounty Fell Running Championships on Saturday May 16. The championships were held at Betws-y-Coed in Wales, the venue for the World Championships (and Junior Home International) on September 19. McCormack, who is living and working in Cumbria, is using every opportunity she can to run the course. The British trial will also be held in Betws-y-Coed on August 22, in conjunction with the Senior Home International. Just a ferry ride away folks!