Ciara Mageean (City of Lisburn AC) has produced the run of her life on the biggest stage Tuesday evening, breaking her own Irish record with a stunning 3:56.61 to finish in 4th place in this evening’s 1500m final at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest (Aug 22nd).
The Portaferry athlete, who was ranked ninth on her season’s best, ran a tactically superb race to put herself right in contention for a medal at the bell in what arguably can be classed as one of the greatest 1500m fields ever to take on a world final.
Mageean went with the leading athletes in the race-defining move with 300m to go but ultimately could not reel in the front three of world record holder Faith Kipyegon (KEN) 3:54.87, Diribe Welteji (ETH), 3:55.69, and Sifan Hassan (NED) 3:56.00.
Speaking after the race, Mageean said: “To be honest, to be disappointed with 4th is probably a good thing. I came in with the aim of a medal because it’s the best I’ve ever felt coming into a championships. To come away with 4th is bittersweet but I’ve had the season of my life.”
Mageean continued: “Many years ago I wouldn’t have dreamt of 4th at a global senior final, and I’m standing her disappointed with 4th and a national record, so I know I can do it. It’s another year to the Olympics, and I’m putting myself in with a fighting chance with the best 1500m athletes in the world.”
“I ran the race perfectly and did the best I could so I’ll walk away with my head held high. The dream lives on and I’ve many races ahead of me next year and the year after,” said Mageean.
Today’s performance continues a remarkable period for the Irish record holder who has also picked up Commonwealth Games and European silver medals in the last 12 months.
Away from the 1500m final, Limerick’s Sarah Lavin (Emerald AC) safely secured her passage to tomorrow’s 100m hurdles semi-final with a blistering 12.69 to finish third in her heat.
Lavin will return to the track tomorrow evening at 7.40pm Irish time.
