LABAN ROTICH failed by a fraction in his bid to become the first athlete to break four minutes for the mile in Kerry at last night’s Lee Strand international meeting on Castleisland’s resplendent track when he outsprinted fellow Kenyan, Paul Korir, to win in 4:00.63.

ALISTAIR CRAGG — who made a late switch from the 3,000m to 1,500m at Saturday’s BUPA Ireland Cork City Sports — had to be content with third place, behind the Kenyan pair of Laban Rotich and Paul Korrir.

Europe's leading 5,000m runner, Ireland’s Alistair Cragg was beaten into third place by two Kenyans in the men’s 1,500m today at the Bupa Ireland Cork City Sports.