Nick Griggs broke the Irish U20 1500m indoor record with a sensational run at the National Indoor Arena on Wednesday evening.
The 17-year-old from Tyrone, who runs for Mid Ulster AC, finished in 3:43:71. He took more than a second off the previous record which was set by Cian McPhillips two years ago.
Griggs took the lead from the gun, deciding to ignore the pacemaker and instead launch a solo attempt. He finished nearly four seconds ahead of senior runner John Travers in second.
Nick Griggs breaks Irish U20 1500m indoor record
💥 @nickgriggs4321 sets a new Irish 1500m Junior record 💥
⏱3:43:72
Takes over from Cian McPhillips time of 3:44:85 👏🏻👏🏻
What a night at #NIALive @sportireland 👏🏻https://t.co/8a4bs9pxks pic.twitter.com/h4DktgMV3B— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) February 16, 2022
"Excited to see what’s in store for the outdoor season now," Griggs wrote on Twitter.
It was the second Irish record which Griggs broke in recent days. At Abbotstown on Saturday - in what was his opening race of the season - Griggs broke the U20 3000m indoor record, running 7:57:38.
Griggs is one of the most exciting young talents in Irish athletics. In December, he was part of the Ireland U20 team which won silver at the European Cross County Championships. Five months earlier, as a 16-year-old, he won gold in the 3000m at the European U20 Championships.
New Irish National Junior 1500m record holder @nickgriggs4321 picking up his 💵€500 prize from Brian & @DavidMatthews2 at lastnights #NIALive. His winning time at the Pop Up Races Mens 1500m was a blistering ⏰3:43:72. pic.twitter.com/yOPrJOdHe1
— Pop Up Races (@popupraces) February 17, 2022
Featured image: 17 July 2021; Nicholas Griggs from Tyrone celebrates with his Team Ireland team-mates after winning gold in the final of the men's 3000m during day three of the European Athletics U20 Championships at the Kadriorg Stadium in Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Marko Mumm/Sportsfile
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