Sonia struggles with the early pace as she melts in Madrid

SONIA O’SULLIVAN disappointed in the IAAF grand prix meeting in Madrid on Saturday night, coming home fifteenth of sixteen finishers in a bruising 1500m.

The Irish record holder (3:58.85, 1995) struggled with the early pace set by front running 35-year-old American Suzy Favor Hamilton, the eventual race winner.

O'Sullivan recently ran 4:09.86 but seems to be off the pace at the moment, fading over the final 200m of the third lap in humid conditions. The 33-year-old Cobh athlete finished in 4:19.44, just 0.13 seconds ahead of last placed Rocio Rodriguez from Spain.