Lindie Naughton brings you details of PBs for all the Irish athletes at the World Half Marathon Championships

All three Irish athletes competing at the World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia, Poland on Saturday (October 17) ran personal best times.

First up was Ann Marie McGlynn of Letterkenny AC whose time of 71 mins 40 secs for 40th place knocked 20 seconds off her previous best and saw her finish ahead of the three British women. Her time is an Northern Irish record. McGlynn’s previous best of 72:12 was run at the Barcelona Half Marathon in February 2020.

Race winner was Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya in a new world best time of 65 mins 16 secs; nine women finished in under 67 minutes.

In the men’s race, Kevin Seaward of St Malachy’s AC finished 58th in 62 mins 58 mins, which took fives seconds off the 63:05 he had run at the Larne Half Marathon last month. Clocking a time of 64:37 for 70th place in his first half marathon was Hugh Armstrong of Ballina AC.

Ten men broke the hour in the race with the inevitable discussion online about shoe technology and the impact it is having on times.

Photo: Athletics Ireland

In the USA, Kevin Mulcaire of Ennis TC lined out in the men’s 8000m at the Oklahoma State Invitational Cross Country on Saturday (October 17) – his first cross-country race in over four years. He finished 71st in 26 mins 24 secs.

In 2015, Mulcaire ran a time of 14:02.30 for 5000m in 2015, then an Irish record, but his career since then has been punctuated by serious injury. Mulcaire, from Co Clare, is studying veterinary science.

Meanwhile Zak Hanna has seen more success in the mountains, check out this article from Richard Rogers with full details on Hanna’s latest race in Chiavenna.

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