IRELAND’S DARRAGH MCELHINNEY has set a new national record over 5km at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen.
McElhinney clocked 13:22 to take 16th place in a high-quality men’s race which was won by Eritrea’s Dawit Seare, who also ran a new national record time of 12:56.
The Bantry AC athlete surpassed Alistair Cragg’s previous record of 13:26 from 2012, while also improving significantly on his own previous best of 13:33 from 2025.
“The national record of 13:26 was one of the main aims for me today,” a delighted McElhinney told Athletics Ireland after the race.
“It was a little bit difficult as it was windy out there, and I think that affected all the times. I probably had to race a little more conservatively than I would have liked, but I think I was pretty much running 2:40s the whole way.
“With the wind in the first two-and-a-half kilometres, you were expending quite a lot of energy without having a lot to show for it on the clock, but I’m really proud of how I ran. I ran well, I was in decent company there, it is probably my best run of the summer…and happy to finish on a high note.”
Advertisement
Brian Fay was also competing in the men’s 5km race, crossing the line in 13:48 to take 38th place.
Ireland's Sarah Healy after finishing thirteenth in the Women's Road Mile. Thomas Windestam / INPHO
Thomas Windestam / INPHO / INPHO
Meanwhile, Sarah Healy and Laura Nicholson competed in the women’s mile earlier in the programme in Copenhagen. Healy registered a personal best time of 4:32.98 to finish in 13th place, while Nicholson was 21st in a personal best time of 4:36.64.
Cathal Doyle and Andrew Coscoran represented Ireland in the men’s mile. Doyle took 18th in a time of 3:58.40 with Coscoran setting a new personal best time of 4:07.95 in 41st place.
There will be more Irish athletes in action on Sunday as Peter Lynch and Hiko Tonosa line up in the Men’s Half Marathon at 8.45am Irish time.
The Irish pair will face a world-class field in Copenhagen, with multiple Olympic and world champion Joshua Cheptegei among the leading names set to compete.
****
Team Ireland Results World Athletics Road Running Championships
Women’s Mile
Sarah Healy (UCD AC) – 13th, 4:32.98
Laura Nicholson (Bandon AC) – 21st, 4:36.64
Men’s Mile
Cathal Doyle (Clonliffe Harriers) – 18th, 3:58.40
Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea AC) – 41st, 4:07.95
Men’s 5km
Darragh McElhinney (Bantry AC) – 16th, 13:22 NR*
Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrock AC) – 38th, 13:48
Sunday, 20 September
Men’s Half Marathon – 8.45am, Peter Lynch (Kilkenny City Harriers) and Hiko Tonosa (Dundrum South Dublin AC)
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
McElhinney breaks 5km national record at World Road Running Championships
IRELAND’S DARRAGH MCELHINNEY has set a new national record over 5km at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen.
McElhinney clocked 13:22 to take 16th place in a high-quality men’s race which was won by Eritrea’s Dawit Seare, who also ran a new national record time of 12:56.
The Bantry AC athlete surpassed Alistair Cragg’s previous record of 13:26 from 2012, while also improving significantly on his own previous best of 13:33 from 2025.
“The national record of 13:26 was one of the main aims for me today,” a delighted McElhinney told Athletics Ireland after the race.
“It was a little bit difficult as it was windy out there, and I think that affected all the times. I probably had to race a little more conservatively than I would have liked, but I think I was pretty much running 2:40s the whole way.
“With the wind in the first two-and-a-half kilometres, you were expending quite a lot of energy without having a lot to show for it on the clock, but I’m really proud of how I ran. I ran well, I was in decent company there, it is probably my best run of the summer…and happy to finish on a high note.”
Brian Fay was also competing in the men’s 5km race, crossing the line in 13:48 to take 38th place.
Meanwhile, Sarah Healy and Laura Nicholson competed in the women’s mile earlier in the programme in Copenhagen. Healy registered a personal best time of 4:32.98 to finish in 13th place, while Nicholson was 21st in a personal best time of 4:36.64.
Cathal Doyle and Andrew Coscoran represented Ireland in the men’s mile. Doyle took 18th in a time of 3:58.40 with Coscoran setting a new personal best time of 4:07.95 in 41st place.
There will be more Irish athletes in action on Sunday as Peter Lynch and Hiko Tonosa line up in the Men’s Half Marathon at 8.45am Irish time.
The Irish pair will face a world-class field in Copenhagen, with multiple Olympic and world champion Joshua Cheptegei among the leading names set to compete.
****
Team Ireland Results World Athletics Road Running Championships
Women’s Mile
Men’s Mile
Men’s 5km
Sunday, 20 September
Men’s Half Marathon – 8.45am, Peter Lynch (Kilkenny City Harriers) and Hiko Tonosa (Dundrum South Dublin AC)
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Andrew Coscoran Athletics Brian fay Cathal Doyle Darragh McElhinney Laura Nicholson sarah healy World Athletics Road Running Championships