First sub-4 minute Mile run in Donegal
"While it was ‘heart in the mouth time’ over the last few hundred meters, it was the perfect ending to a great day."
By Donegal Democrat
History was created at the Danny McDaid Track at the Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny yesterday afternoon when Juan Luis Barrios became the first ever athlete to run a sub-4 minute Mile in Donegal.
A quality field had been assembled by the organisers of the track & field meet and when the leaders went through half way in just under two minutes, a sub-4 minute Mile looked on the cards. It was touch-and-go when they took the bell in 3:00 and with the wind against them down the back straight - 3:30 was on the clock with 200 meters remaining - the history-making feat looked all but gone.
But the Mexican opened up and found another gear around the last bend and down the home straight and had just over half a second to spare when the clock stopped. While the trackside clock stopped at 3:59.44, the official time was 3:59.43. Kenya’s Vincent Mutai, with a 1500 personal best of 3:35.45, also dipped under the 4 minute barrier, clocking 3:59.63.
Speaking after the race, the winner was pleased with his performance.
“Today was a great meeting and I am very happy with my win. This will serve me well in preparations for my 5K in Belgium next week,” the 31-year-old commented.
Continue reading at: www.donegaldemocrat.ie
