Kelly Proper Runs Personal Best at European Championships

Kelly Proper (Ferrybank AC) ran a personal best in the semi-finals of the 200m on day three (14th August) of the European Athletics Championships in Zurich. Proper qualified for the semi-final after finishing fourth in this morning’s heats. Proper was drawn in lane eight for the semi-finals.

Due to the lane draw Proper had no option but to blast the first 50m with all the favourites on her inside. Proper showed real grit and determination as she battled all the way down the finishing straight to place fifth in a new personal best of 23.15 seconds.

Commenting afterwards Proper said “Of course I am happy with a PB, my fastest time ever. I really wanted that final though so yes when I look back later I’ll be disappointed I am not in the final but happy I ran a PB! I am going to look for more races as I know there is a quicker time in me. I have the relay next so time to focus on that now.”

The race was won by Myriam Soumare of France in a time of 22.56

Christine McMahon

Christine McMahon (Ballymena & Antrim AC) was also out the qualifiers for the final as she finished eighth in her 400m Hurdles semi-final.  McMahon was drawn in lane seven of the second semi-final and needed to finish in the top three positions to be sure of automatic qualification.

McMahon ran fluently over the first six hurdles as she mixed it with Europe’s best one lap hurdlers. As McMahon came around the top bend the athletes on her inside started to comeback however she didn’t panic and continued to run her own race.

Over the least 100m McMahon tied up slightly and finished in eight place in a time of 57.31. The race was won by Eilidh Child of Great Britain in a time of 54.71.

Commenting afterwards McMahon said “I am disappointed with the time; I thought after yesterday I was in shape to run a PB, especially with conditions being so good tonight. I am happy overall with my season; I have improved from 59 to 56.9 and made the semi-finals here. I have something to build on for next year now”.

The attention now moves to the 50km Race Walk taking place tomorrow morning at 8.10am (IRL time). All eyes will be on reigning world Champion Rob Heffernan as he goes for gold around the streets of Zurich.

Review

High Performance Director Kevin Ankrom said “Kelly had a good run tonight and was competitive as was Christine getting through the rounds, both will have learned from this experience in what is one of the most competitive sporting events taking place in Europe this year.”