McGlynn runs a new personal best in Cardiff

IN the inaugural Commonwealth Games Half Marathon in Cardiff NI’s Anne Marie McGlynn ran a superb race to finish ninth in a PB time of 73 minutes 47 seconds which took a huge 41 seconds off her previous best.

The race was won by Uganda’s Juliet Chekwel in 69.45.

Annadale’s Paul Pollock was the first NI male finisher in a useful 20th place in 64.05.

He was followed by Conor Bradley (33rd in 67.31) and Andrew Annett (46th in 69.29).

Australia’s Jack Raynor took gold in 60.59.

Meanwhile, Commonwealth Games runner Emma Mitchell continued her recent excellent form with another record-breaking performance at the weekend’s NI Relays in Victoria Park.

The 25-year-old QUB student took another second off her record from last year to record a new fastest lap time of 10 minutes 30 seconds for victory in the Women’s Senior Race.

Her club’s figures of 33.19 sliced a massive 35 seconds off the old record.

Such was the dominance of the university team that they also took the first three fastest times.

Mitchell was supported by Sinead Sweeney (11.23) and Rebecca Henderson (11.27) with North Down’s Rachel Gibson fourth fastest in 11.33. Rachel helped her club take the runner-up spot a long way behind Queens with a time of 35.02. East Down were third in 36.48.

In the Men’s Senior Relay there was a similar domination by St Malachy’s who took the honours in 40.12 ahead of Derry Track Club (40.38) and North Belfast (41.10).

St Malachy’s Ben Brannagh was fastest on the first leg with a time of 9.31 ensuring his club never lost the lead.