McGettigan fails to cope with the pace

Ireland's Roisin McGettigan fell disappointingly short of her personal best when finishing 14th in the 3,000m Steeplechase final…

Ireland's Roisin McGettigan fell disappointingly short of her personal best when finishing 14th in the 3,000m Steeplechase final at the Bird's Nest this afternoon.

McGettigan struggled with the world record breaking pace set by Russian Gulnara Galkina-Samitova who eventually smashed the nine minute barrier.

Eunice Jepkorir of Kenya won the silver and Russia's Ekaterina Volkova the bronze.

McGettigan was only spared the ignominy of finishing last when Spain's Marta Dominguez dropped out in the last lap.

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Her time of 9:55.89 minutes fell well short of her best (9:33.76) and, after second place in her semi-final, brings a promising position to a disappointing end.

Galkina-Samitova, who held the previous record of 9:01.59, led from the start and soon shook off the pack to take a commanding 50-metre lead going into the last lap.

Russian women have dominated the event since it was introduced to the international programme.