12-year-old Emer McKee, has broken her own age-group world best, running the 5K in an astonishing time of 16:27.
McKee, a member of Willowfield Harriers in Belfast, broke her own age-group record by 13 seconds competing at the Lisburn Festival of Running this weekend.
It wasn’t the first time the pupil from Our Lady and St Patrick’s College has made the headlines in jaw-dropping fashion. Earlier in April, McKee smashed Annabella Veltcheva’s record by 36 seconds which was set in 2017, producing a time of 16 minutes and 40 seconds in the 5km road race.
I’m incredibly proud of 12-year-old Willowfield Harrier Emer McKee from Belfast, who recorded an amazing time of 16:40 (that's a blistering 5:22 min/ per mile. She has set a new world record for her age ??
Future World Champion ?? pic.twitter.com/oy4JIanJWB— ?????? ????? ?? ?? (@Resilient_Vet) May 28, 2021
Speaking to BBC Breakfast after her first recording breaking time, McKee was quick to play down expectations.
“By all means, I would love to go to the Olympics or run you know in the future.
“But at the minute I’m not really sure. I’m just focusing on running now. I’m just running for enjoyment not really for competitiveness.”
12-year-old Emer McKee breaks world record for a 5k race & her idol @ciaramageean sent a personal message to encourage Emer to join her in the Olympics someday soon ?♀️
The @LynetteFay Show on @BBCSounds ?https://t.co/CmSE3u3j5G pic.twitter.com/55xTWcJOuZ— BBC Radio Ulster (@bbcradioulster) April 28, 2021
To add to her magnificent record breaking run this weekend, McKee won the U13 1500M event at the Mary Peters track on Thursday.
Emer McKee does it again! After running the top time in the UK this year for U13 1500m on Thursday night she has only just gone and smashed her own age-group world best!
16.25 for 5k!! Amazing Emer - we are so proud of you! ⭐ https://t.co/eWbrkYr1Sn— Willowfield Harriers (@Willowfield_TH) June 27, 2021
