Ciara Mageean produced one of her finest performances to date, against a world-class 1000m field, which saw her claim a new Irish National record and third place behind Faith Kipyegon (2:30.82) and Laura Muir (2:30.82).
The Portaferry runner shattered Sonia O’Sullivan’s 27-year old record of 2:34.66, set in Lille, by more than three-and-a-half seconds.
Mageean’s 2:31.06 time is also ninth-fastest ever by a woman, over 1000m. Prior to this, her previous 1000m best was 2:38.89.
To put Mageean’s performance into perspective, the field assembled in Monaco was top-class, containing the likes of World 800m champion Halimah Nakaayi, Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon, European 1500m champion Laura Muir and World 800m silver medallist Raevyn Rogers.
Halimah Nakaayi finished fifth, one second behind Mageean whilst Rogers placed ninth.
Mageean has been in sensational form post-lockdown.
Last month, the New Balance athlete became the first Irish woman to run sub-two minutes for 800m as she triumphed in Switzerland. In doing so, the Rio 2016 Olympian broke Rose-Ann Galligan’s record of 2:00.58 set at the London Anniversary Games in July 2013.
Thanks Sonia, basically my life time ????
— Ciara Mageean (@ciaramageean) August 14, 2020
Sonia O’Sullivan tweeted her congratulations to Magean on her historic achievement. “It lasted 27-years a lifetime for some. Well done on smashing the Irish Athletics 1000m record”
A delighted Mageean responded to the Cork woman’s congratulations.
“Thanks Sonia, basically my lifetime.”
https://youtu.be/1YjQ9EJ-tc0
