Mark English smashes Irish 800m record to take victory in Hengelo

The 32-year-old from Donegal is the first Irishman to run under 1:44 for 800m. 

Mark English will race again later this week at the Oslo Diamond League meeting. Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Mark English unleashed a spectacular performance to smash his own Irish 800m record and take victory at the FBK Games in Hengelo, the Netherlands on Monday evening, the 32-year-old becoming the first Irishman to run under 1:44 when clocking 1:43.92.

“It’s a brilliant day,” he said. “I always wanted to get the win and run 1:43 – I managed those two things today.” His time brought him home well clear of France’s Yanis Meziane and Australia’s Peyton Craig, who both clocked 1:44.32, with English making up huge ground over the final 200m, having sat off the pace over the first 400m, which was covered by the pacer in 49.20 seconds.