A young Laois athlete set a new a new Person Best over the weekend as they prepare to compete at the World U-20 Athletics Championships this summer.
Jack Fenlon, from St Abban’s Athletics Club ran a PB of 14:01 at the Belfast Harriers Meet, held in Mary Peter’s Track in Belfast.
The race marked Jack’s return from Font-Romeu in the Pyrénées mountains on the Spanish border in southern France, where he was altitude training at the world-renowned facility.
On a perfect day for racing in Belfast, a small group developed in the early stages.
As they progressed through the 5k, it was clear from the pace that Jack was in line to break his PB.
The closing stages saw Jack and a Tallaght athlete, Cormac Dixon continue to battle the whole way to the line.
Jack ultimately crossed the line as the winner in a staggering time of 14:01.
The time saw Jack smash his Pb by of 14.25 by an enormous 24 seconds.
It also sees him is inside the World U-20 qualifying time of 14:04.
The World U-20 Athletics Championships are set to take place in Lima, Peru from August, 27 to 31.
The young athlete, while delighted with the improvement will now want to move sub 14 and with this his first race on the track this season, he will be hopeful of doing that in the near future.
“A huge congratulations to Jack and his family and also to his coach Ned Kelly,” St Abban’s AC said.
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