Kenyan ace Rotich reigns, but outside four-minute mark

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.

For the second successive year, the magic margin remained intact with James Nolan, who was competing in Athens last night, failing by a whisker in his bid last September.

But, this time, a sub four was on the cards as Liam Reale from Limerick set the early pace but the three Kenyans, with Martin Fagan from Mullingar providing the meat in the sandwich, allowed Reale to slip away, and when he dropped out it was always going to be a dust up over the final lap.