Peter Lynch (Kilkenny City Harriers) has finished 24th in the Men’s Marathon on Day Three of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
The 27-year-old ran a well measured race to cross the line in a time of 2:14:12 in his debut on this stage. The Kilkenny athlete went through 10k in 61st position and was 55th at the halfway stage (1:07:03).
He began to move up through the field in the second half, moving up to 40th through 30km and continued to pick off other athletes as the finish line drew near. Entering the Japan National Stadium, Lynch’s finishing position was cemented, and he was able to enjoy the closing 300m, despite suffering tightness in his hamstring.
“It was tough but that’s how we knew it was going to be,” Lynch told Athletics Ireland afterwards. “Today was all about running my own race and getting the best out of myself. I wanted to beat as many bodies as possible.”
“I had a time in mind, around 2:14, with the temperature and having seen how the women’s race went yesterday. That was the aim. Alistair [Cragg, coach] told me not to be worried if I was well back at the start, lads will blow up left, right and centre. I held myself together really well.”
It has been a hugely successful year for Lynch, who in April broke the national record for the event running 2:09:36 in Düsseldorf, Germany.
“It’s been class,” he said. “I joined Alistair’s group a year ago and decided this was my chance and I’d go all in. I have the Irish record for now, but I don’t think it’s going to last for too long. Distance running in Ireland is going very well at the moment.”
There was disappointment for Hiko Tonosa (Dundrum South Dublin AC) who did not finish the race. Tonosa passed through halfway in 62nd (1:07:26) but dropped out of the race just after the 35k mark.
Nicola Tuthill (UCD AC) returns to action this evening in the Women’s Hammer Throw final having advanced from qualification yesterday. Sarah Lavin (Emerald AC) and Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea AC) will be in semi-final action in the Women’s 100m Hurdles and Men’s 1500m respectively.
Team Ireland Results Summary
Day Three – Morning Session – Monday September 15th
- Peter Lynch – Men’s Marathon – Final – 24th (2:14:12)
- Hiko Tonosa – Men’s Marathon – Final – DNF
Team Ireland Schedule: Irish Time (Local time in brackets)
Day Three – Evening Session – Monday September 15th
- Nicola Tuthill – Women’s Hammer Throw – Final – 13:00 (21:00)
- Sarah Lavin – Women’s 100m Hurdles – SF 1/3 – 13:06 (21:06)
- Andrew Coscoran – Men’s 1500m – SF 1/2 – 13:30 (21:30)
- Sarah Lavin – Women’s 100m Hurdles – Final – 14:20 (22:20) *
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
