Fionnuala McCormack (Kilcoole AC) has finished ninth in the Women’s Marathon on Day Two of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
Competing in searing heat and humidity, the Wicklow woman who turns 41 later this month gradually pushed up through the field to cross the line in 2:30.16. The finishing position is the highest McCormack has ever achieved at a global major championship.
“I’m pleasantly surprised,” McCormack told Athletics Ireland afterwards. “I didn’t realise until David Gillick told me that I had came ninth, it’s nice to get into the top ten…I picked off as many people as I could and everyone who I could see in front of me I think I caught. There wasn’t a whole lot more I could do out there.”
There was a breakthrough performance in the Women’s Hammer Throw for Nicola Tuthill (UCD AC) who qualified for her first global final. The 21-year-old Cork native threw a best of 70.70 metres to finish sixth in Qualification Group A, leaving her with a nervous two hour wait before her place in the top twelve was confirmed.
It was a good morning also for Sarah Lavin (Emerald AC), the Limerick woman sealing her place in the semi-finals of the Women’s 100m Hurdles by finishing third in her heat in 12.94 seconds.
“That was less than perfect,” Lavin admitted. “I’m surprised that time automatically qualifies, but if you look at everyone’s times, they’re all a bit down. You can bring whatever to a championship, but you’ve got to deliver in the moment, it’s like the Leaving Cert!”
“My strength is the second half of my race and that’s my main positive to take from today. I didn’t panic and I came through, I’m grateful that’s there. Now I need to get the first half right,” she added.
Elsewhere, Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea AC) advanced to the semi-finals of the Men’s 1500m by finishing sixth in his heat in 3:37.32.
“I’m happy out,” he said. “I cut it fine going through in sixth, but I suppose you just have to come in the top six and no higher. I’m through to the semi-finals and I’m happy with my performance.”
There was disappointment for Cathal Doyle (Clonliffe Harriers) who failed to advance in the same event, the Dubliner running out of steam in the closing lap to finish 12th in 3:42.60.
Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport AC) and Sophie Becker (Raheny Shamrock AC) lead out the Irish team in this evening’s session, racing in the Women’s 400m heats. Afterwards all eyes will be on Sophie O’Sullivan (Ballymore Cobh AC) and Sarah Healy (UCD AC) in the Women’s 1500m semi-finals, before Efrem Gidey (Clonliffe Harriers) makes his World Championships debut in the Men’s 10,000m final.
Team Ireland Results Summary
Day Two – Morning Session – Sunday September 14th
- Fionnuala McCormack – Women’s Marathon – Final – 2:30:16 (9th)
- Nicola Tuthill – Women’s Hammer Throw – Qualification Group A – 70.70m q (6th, 12th overall)
- Cathal Doyle – Men’s 1500m – Heat 2/4 – 3:42.60 (12th, fails to advance)
- Andrew Coscoran – Men’s 1500m – Heat 4/4 – 3:37.32 Q (6th)
- Sarah Lavin – Women’s 100m Hurdles – Heat 1/6 – 12.94 Q (3rd)
Team Ireland Schedule: Irish Time (Local time in brackets)
Day Two – Evening Session – Sunday September 14th
- Sharlene Mawdsley – Women’s 400m – Heat 3/6– 11:41 (19:41)
- Sophie Becker – Women’s 400m – Heat 6/6 – 12:05 (20:05)
- Sophie O’Sullivan – Women’s 1500m – SF 1/2 – 13:07 (21:07)
- Sarah Healy – Women’s 1500m – SF 2/2 – 13:17 (21:17)
- Efrem Gidey – Men’s 10,000m – Final – 13:30 (21:30)
Where to watch
RTÉ Sport will bring you comprehensive live coverage across the 4 days. See RTÉ listings for details.
- Results are HERE
- Interviews available on Athletics Ireland social media channels
