Brian Fay set a new national 5,000m record of 13:01.40 at the Night of Athletics meeting in Belgium.
Fay’s time took two seconds off Alistar Cragg’s national record which has stood since September 2011.
The time is under the automatic qualifying standard for the World Championships in Budapest. It is also a qualifying standard for next summer’s European Championships in Rome and Olympic Games in Paris.
Fay finished in second place just behind race winner Cornelius Kemboi of Kenya who posted 13:00.68. Kemboi is currently ranked 27th in the World rankings for 5000m.
Brian Fay is currently sitting at 47 in the world rankings. On this evidence that number will undoubtedly reduce.
✨ FAY BREAKS NATIONAL 5000M RECORD ✨
Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrocks A.C.) has broken the long-standing national 5000m record this evening in Heusden, The Netherlands.
Fay clocked a time of 13.01.40 to knock two seconds off the mark Alistair Cragg set nearly twelve years ago… pic.twitter.com/1ez8w9S6I4
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) July 15, 2023
