Sonia just misses out on world record

SONIA O’Sullivan missed out on a world record by just two seconds when winning yesterday’s Flora Light Challenge For Women in London’s Hyde Park.

The Cobh woman ran the second fastest five-kilometre time ever 14 minutes 56 seconds as she won by three seconds from Benita Johnson of Australia.

In third place was Marta Dominguez, the Spaniard who defeated O'Sullivan for the European 5,000 metre gold medal earlier this month in Munich.

The current world best performance is held by Deena Drossin of the United States who ran 14mins 54secs at the Californian venue of Carlsbad in April.

O'Sullivan's time bettered the event record, which was set by Paula Radcliffe when the British number one triumphed in 14mins 57secs a year ago.

''I was after the record but I knew I was slowing,'' said O'Sullivan.

''The first kilometre was probably too fast. But when they caught me, just winning the race was the most important thing.''

If O'Sullivan decides to concentrate on a serious marathon, she is keeping her decision firmly to herself.

''Everyone would like to run a marathon, it's a case of finding the right time,'' said O'Sullivan, winner of the Dublin marathon two years ago.

''I'd like to experience some different sort of distances before the end of the year then decide what I will do next year.''

There were 25,000 entrants for the Flora Light Challenge for Women with millions expected to be raised for charities. The race was started by Cherie Booth QC.