In the men’s 5000m at the European U23 Championships, Nick Griggs claimed silver in a time of 13:45.80.
The Tyrone native hit the front early in the race and led convincingly, with 800m left to run, event favourite Niels Laros took up the lead with Griggs still on his shoulder before kicking home with 150m left to run.
Laros crossed the line just over a second ahead of Griggs in a time of 13:45.80, with Will Barnicoat of Great Britain taking the bronze in 13:46.11.
The 20-year-old said that the plan was to take the race out.
“I was humming and hawing all week about how I was going to take it out and I think we decided this morning that I was going to take it out,” Griggs revealed.
“It’s hard to make someone of the calibre of Niels (Laros) really hurt over the last few laps so that was kind of my intention.”
“I was kind of risking losing the medal to go and get the win, but I was willing to do that to be honest.”
“I’ve won so many silvers and here is another one.”
This is Griggs’ sixth individual European underage medal, he has a two additional team honours.
In the same event Callum Morgan secured a top ten finish with a time of 13:53.18. This is his best performance ever at a championship.
In the women’s 3000m steeplechase, Ava O’Connor finished eighth in 9:54.35.
The Tullamore Harriers athlete went with the early pace. Eventual winner Ilona Mononen only got past long-time leader Marta Serrano due to an error on the final water jump, with a battle at the front for the gold.
Mononen took the win in 9:30.49.
Anna Gavigan secured her place in the women’s discus final on Sunday, throwing 51.34m in the second round to qualify fifth in group A.
The Dublin-based athlete will compete in the final at 5:20 pm on Sunday.
In Sunday morning’s session, the relay squads will bid for final places, and 10000m champion Anika Thompson will return to the track in the evening session for the women’s 5000m final.
PHOTO CREDIT: EAST DOWN MEDIA NETWORK
