Darragh McElhinney produced a record-breaking performance on the opening day of the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, smashing the Irish 5km record with a superb 13:22 (September 19th).
The Bantry AC athlete bettered the 13:26 set by Alistair Cragg in 2012, while also improving significantly on his own previous best of 13:33 from 2025.
McElhinney’s performance came in a high-quality men’s 5km race won by Eritrea’s Dawit Seare in a national record of 12:56.
Speaking after the race, McElhinney said: “The national record of 13:26 was one of the main aims for me today. It was a little bit difficult as it was windy out there and I think that affected all the times. I probably had to race a little more conservatively than I would have liked, but I think I was pretty much running 2:40s the whole way. With the wind in the first two-and-a-half kilometres, you were expending quite a lot of energy without having a lot to show for it on the clock, but I’m really proud of how I ran. I ran well, I was in decent company there, it is probably my best run of the summer…and happy to finish on a high note”.
Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrock AC) was the second of the Irish pair home, crossing the finish in 13:48 (38th).
The national record capped a strong opening day for the Irish team in Copenhagen, with Sarah Healy and Laura Nicholson both in action in the Women’s Mile earlier in the programme.
Healy (UCD AC) led the Irish challenge in the opening race of the championships, finishing 13th in 4:32.98.
Healy was followed home by teammate Laura Nicholson (Bandon AC), who crossed in 4:36.64 to finish 21st.
France’s Agathe Guillemot claimed the world title with a world-leading performance of 4:22.74.
Olympian Cathal Doyle (Clonliffe Harriers) was the leading Irish finisher in the Men’s Mile, crossing the line in 18th place in 3:58.40.
European 1500m bronze medallist Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea AC) finished 41st in 4:07.95.
Germany’s Robert Farken claimed the world title with a world-leading 3:51.80.
LYNCH AND TONOSA TO COMPLETE IRISH CAMPAIGN ON SUNDAY
Ireland’s involvement at the championships will conclude on Sunday morning (September 20th) when Peter Lynch (Kilkenny City Harriers) and Hiko Tonosa (Dundrum South Dublin AC) line up in the Men’s Half Marathon at 8.45am Irish time.
The Irish pair will face a world-class field in Copenhagen, with multiple Olympic and world champion Joshua Cheptegei among the leading names set to compete.
TEAM IRELAND – SATURDAY RESULTS
Women’s Mile
13th – Sarah Healy (UCD AC) – 4:32.98
21st – Laura Nicholson (Bandon AC) – 4:36.64
Men’s Mile
17th – Cathal Doyle (Clonliffe Harriers) – 3:58.40
40th – Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea AC) – 4:07.95
Men’s 5km
16th – Darragh McElhinney (Bantry AC) – 13:22 NR* (subject to ratification)
38th – Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrock AC) – 13:48
Sunday, September 20th
8.45am – Men’s Half Marathon: Peter Lynch (Kilkenny City Harriers), Hiko Tonosa (Dundrum South Dublin AC)
Full results are available via the World Athletics website.
ENDS
