McCormack forced to pull out as Vainio storms to record-breaking marathon victory

Fionnuala McCormack of Ireland competes in the women's marathon. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

The morning after the medaled night before was an unforgiving one for the Irish.

With the Alexander Stadium swapped for a 5km loop around Birmingham City centre, the men’s and women’s marathon took centre stage on this the final day of European Championship action.

Such is Fionnuala McCormack’s proven competitive pedigree on the continent - three individual medals and seven 4th place finishes - there was curiosity and excitement over what the 41-year-old could produce on this her 47th Irish cap.

That curiosity and excitement dissipated early, though, as McCormack, who went through 5km in 17:14 and hit 10km in 35:28, pulled off the road shortly after owing to suspected illness.

The 42.2km event was won by Finland’s Alisa Vainio in a championship-record breaking 2:22.26.

On the men’s side, a minor medical issue prevented Ryan Creech from getting to the start line. The 34-year-old Leevale athlete, back in February, ran a lifetime best 2:09.39 to go fourth on the Irish all-time list.

Paul O’Donnell, who was 20 seconds ahead of Creech in Seville last February to engrave himself third on that same all-time list, came home 43rd here in 2:20.41.

David McGlynn, same as McCormack, was a DNF. Gold went to Germany’s Amanal Petros in another championship record of 2:09.11.

Irish involvement in Birmingham concludes with tonight’s 1,500m final (9.13pm) where Sarah Healy and Sophie O’Sullivan are among the 12-strong field. Both are bidding to join Ciara Mageean as only the second ever Irish woman to medal at this distance in a European Championships.

Andrew Coscoran’s 1,500m surprise bronze on Saturday saw him increase to seven the number of medals Ireland have claimed over the metric mile in the history of these championships.