Sonia O'Sullivan came one step closer to her first track victory of the season with a highly respectable second place in the 1,500 metres at the Slovnaft meeting in Bratislava yesterday evening.
O'Sullivan was just edged out by Jackline Marange of Kenya in what was easily the fastest time for three years for the Cork athlete.
After running an almost perfect tactical race, Marange sprinted past O'Sullivan in the home straight to snatch the victory in four minutes 00.81 seconds, the fastest time in the world this year and a personal best. But O'Sullivan held on for a close second in 4:01.05 that will no doubt be most satisfying at this stage of the year.
Both athletes followed the pacesetters for the early laps and reached the half-way in a quick 2:08.16 after a fast opening lap of 61.8. At this stage it was Violeta Szekely of Romania who took up the running, with O'Sullivan tucked right on her shoulder. Szekely led until 200 metres to go when O'Sullivan made her move with only Marange able to go with her.
Unfortunately Marange had a little more left in reserve and O'Sullivan was unable to hold off the challenge. Marange's winning time was nearly two seconds inside her best of 4:02.35 from last year. Szekely also recorded a personal best of 4:04.57 in third place.
The result is more impressive considering this was only O'Sullivan's second race this season. Last year, she had a best of 4:05.31 over the distance, so at this stage of the season it represents an encouraging run. Her Irish record of 3:58.85, which goes back to 1995, could yet be under serious threat in the coming months.
Almost a week ago in Paris, O'Sullivan was a distant third over 5,000 metres, but last night she demonstrated more determination to go for the victory. Her finishing kick may have let her slightly down on this occasion, although having stated her preference for the longer distance at the European Championships in August, it was a useful exercise.
In what was a perfect evening for athletics, Daniel Komen failed in his effort to break the world record over 2,000 metres. With some more than ambitious pace-setting to help him on his way, Komen reached the bell in 3:52.81 and the record looked to be well within reach. But the Kenyan faded badly and eventually crossed the line in 4:52.23, nearly five seconds outside the world best.
Men
110 metres hurdles: 1. M Crear (US) 13.13 seconds. 2. T Jarret (Britain) 13.32. 3. K Mehlich (Poland) 13.57. 400 metres: 1. R Black (Britain) 45.36. 2. T Czubak (Poland) 45.46. 3. I Thomas (Britain) 45.70. One mile: 1. J Kibowen (Kenya) 3:53.43. 2. J Mayock (Britain) 3:53.81. 3. W Tanui (Kenya) 3:54.18. 2,000 metres: 1. D Komen (Kenya) 4:52.23. 2. L Kipkosgei (Kenya) 4:52.82. 3. T Nyariki (Kenya) 4:57.12.
Women
400 metres: 1. I Tirlea (Romania) 50.72 seconds. 2. H Fuchsova (Czech Republic) 51.32. 3. P Davis (Indonesia) 51.42. 1,500 metres: 1. J Martanga (Kenya) 4:00.81. 2. S O'Sullivan (Ire) 4:01.05. 3 V Szekely (Romania) 4:04.57.
