Carroll second after valiant effort

Mark Carroll’s strong finish claimed him second place in the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run in New York on New Year’s Eve.

The top Irish distance star was no match for defending champion Christian Hersch as the American defended his title in the four-mile race in a Central Park course record of 18 minutes 28 seconds.

But Carroll managed to edge ahead of Elarbi Khattabi to finish four seconds ahead of the Moroccan in 18mins 32secs.

Amy Rudolph – a two-time Olympian, also set a new course record, slicing 33 seconds off the previous best with a time of 21mins 17secs.

Genet Gebregiorgis finished runner-up in 21mins 42secs with fellow Ethiopian Alemtsehay Misganaw third in 21mins 44secs.