McCambridge hits the heights in Madrid

Dubliner Maria McCambridge knocked over six seconds off her 3000 metres personal best when claiming the notable scalp of 2004 World Cross Country champion Benita Johnson in Madrid tonight.

McCambridge, 30, a 5000m qualifier for next month's World Championships, finished third at the Meeting de Madrid, in a heartening time of 8 minutes, 50.40 seconds.

Only Kenyan duo Prisca Jepleting Ngetich (8:48.65) and Ines Chenonge (8:49.00) went quicker, with Australia's Johnson, Sonia O'Sullivan's training partner, back in fourth (8:52.16).

Irish Cross Country champion Jolene Byrne finished 13th of the fifteen finishers in 9:20.13 - eighteen seconds down on her best.