Mark English Breaks Irish 800m Record

Mark English has once again made history by becoming the first Irishman to break the one minute 44 seconds barrier in the 800m. His remarkable performance at the FBK Games in the Netherlands on Monday saw him set a new national record with a time of 1:43.92. This achievement surpasses his previous record of 1:44.34, which he had set just 10 days earlier in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Earlier in June 2024, English had set a record of 1:44.53 in Madrid, making this his third consecutive improvement.

A Season of Triumphs

This victory marks English's third outdoor win of the season, following his success at the Sound Running Track Fest meet in Los Angeles last month. His consistent performance this year has solidified his reputation as one of Ireland's top middle-distance runners. In March, English added to his accolades by winning a European 800m bronze medal, bringing his total European medal count to five.

Orla Comerford's Season Best

In addition to English's record-breaking run, Orla Comerford also made headlines at the FBK Games. She won the Para-athletics women's 100m with a season's best time of 11.96 seconds, just 0.06 seconds off her personal best. Comerford, a Paralympic bronze medallist, continues to demonstrate her prowess on the track.

Looking Ahead

Both athletes' performances at the FBK Games have set high expectations for the upcoming season. As they continue to push their limits, fans eagerly anticipate more record-breaking moments from these exceptional athletes.