As his peers slow down, Mark English is only getting better

In the 800m at the Oslo Diamond League meeting on Thursday, Mark English will race five of last year's Olympic finalists.

At the FBK Games in Hengelo on Monday, Mark English became the first Irishman to break 1:44 for 800m. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

It was just after 11pm on Monday when Mark English laced up his shoes, left his hotel in the centre of Hengelo, and set off running around the dark streets of the Dutch city.

A few hours before, the Donegal man had become the first Irishman in history to break 1:44 for 800m, clocking 1:43.92 to win at the FBK Games. It was the best run of his career. But his work wasn’t done. Past bars where he got cheers from well-oiled locals, along with the odd quizzical look, English churned out a session of 10 x 3 minutes, keen to keep building a foundation for what’s coming down the track.