McKee pipped to post at Dortmund

Irish record holder Paul McKee led up until the last two strides of a brilliant 400m race before being pipped at the post by Ingo Schultz in today's EAA Dortmund International meeting.

Going off at a flying pace, McKee held a lead of almost two metres going into the home straight ahead of European champion Schultz.

But, reacting to home support, the tall German gradually hauled in the tiring McKee to win in a time of 46.08secs, with his team-mate Bastian Swillims a distant third in 46.50secs.

McKee, who clocked 46.14secs, said: “I was almost there, then with his last two strides Schultz got by. But I knew he was coming.

“I wanted to run very hard early in the race, but down the back straight the swirling wind was quite strong.”

The world indoor bronze medallist added: “I was hoping to get close to my Irish record of 45.58, which I ran last July, but it was never on.

“After a tough schedule overseas in the last fortnight, I probably went off too quick. Now I’m going home to recharge my batteries.”

Schultz, a favourite to score maximum points for Germany in next week’s Spar European Cup final, admitted: “I started too slow.

“But the most important thing for me today before next week in Florence was to win the race.”