Mark English smashes his 800m PB with brilliant Diamond League run

The 33-year-old's effort makes him the second Irishman ever to break 1:43 following Cian McPhillips' Irish record of 1:42.15 in the 800m world final last year

Ireland’s Mark English produced a sensational run in London on Saturday afternoon. Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Mark English produced the performance of his career to finish second at the London Diamond League on Saturday afternoon, the Donegal athlete smashing his 800m best and clocking 1:42.97.

The 33-year-old's previous best was the 1:43.37 he ran last year and his run in London makes him the second Irishman ever to break 1:43, following Cian McPhillips' Irish record of 1:42.15 in the 800m world final last year.

The race was won by USA's Brandon Miller in 1:42.19, with English finishing fast to secure the runner-up spot. McPhillips came home seventh in 1:43.97, a season's best for the Longford native who began his outdoor season late due to injury.

Both men will have their eyes on a place in the 800m final at next month's Europeans in Birmingham, with English seeking his sixth European medal and McPhillips his first.

Sarah Healy also produced a breakthrough run in London, the Dubliner producing a flying finish to come home third in the 3000m in a personal best of 8:25.63, the race won by Australia's Jessica Hull in 8:24.69.

Healy is qualified for the Europeans in the 1500m and 5000m and looks to have the tools to contend for a medal in either event.

Sarah Healy delivered a breakthrough run in London this weekend. Pic: Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Orla Comerford produced another dominant performance to take victory in the para women's 100m, the reigning world champion clocking 11.79 (0.7m/s) to come home clear of Dutch athlete Fleur Jong (12.22).

It was a memorable afternoon at the London Stadium as Britain's Josh Kerr broke the long-standing mile world record, the 2023 world champion clocking a stunning 3:42.66 to better Hicham El Guerrouj's mark.

Elsewhere, Ireland finished fifth in the men's 4x100m relay, clocking 39.17 in a race won by Great Britain in 37.95, while the Irish women's 4x100m team was disqualified for a false start.

Meanwhile at the European U18 Championships in Rieti, Italy, Lucie Cawley of Sligo AC produced the run of her life to claim a silver medal in the women’s 2000m steeplechase, smashing her Irish U-18 record with 6:36.22.

Cawley positioned herself well throughout the race, moving into the lead with around 300m to go. She battled Germany’s Franziska Gräter in the home straight and only conceded the lead in the last 20 metres.

“It was a battle right to the end,” she said. “I’m very happy with how it played out. I’ve been wanting this all year. I had a really bad race at the European Youth Olympics last year and I’ve been working since then. My coach Dermot McDermott has really helped me to believe in myself because I have trouble doing that. I don’t think this has sunk in yet.” 

Elsewhere, Rhasidat Adeleke withdrew from a 400m race in Heusden, Belgium on Saturday. The Dubliner had been among the entries on Friday afternoon but was removed later in the day.

Adeleke has yet to secure a qualifying standard for next month’s European Championships in Birmingham, and will need to run 22.85 for 200m or 51.20 for 400m ahead of the deadline on July 27, with next weekend’s nationals in Santry likely her final chance to do so.