Sarah Healy won the 1500m at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland on Tuesday evening. The meeting was part of World Athletics' Continental Tour Gold series.
The Dubliner won the race in 4:03.85 just ahead of Gaia Sabbatini of Italy in second and Ellie Baker of Great Britain in third.
Healy made her move with around 300m to run as she approached the back straight of the final lap. She held on to take the victory as Sabbatini and Baker closed in with metres to go.
Sarah Healy wins 1500m in Turku
A very good 4:03.85 from Sarah Healy to win the 1500 at the @paavonurmigames today. Great to see her delivering on that early potential. #ContinentalTourGold pic.twitter.com/OsUJvETUtB
— Paul Griffin (@PGriffinFC) June 13, 2023
"We went out a little bit slower than I expected," told Irish journalist Cathal Dennehy after the race.
"I wanted a nice even race. Towards the second half, I was kind of thinking about winning it at that stage. I just went for it with 300 to go. It was a bit early and I just about hung on then at the end."
The time was a second shy of her 1500m personal best which was set just over a year ago. The 22-year-old feels that she is capable of running a quick time this year.
"That's the shape I think I'm in," she said.
"This is the first year that I feel I have the confidence to say, 'Yeah, I'm in that shape'."
Sarah Healy flying higher than ever after that 1500m win in Turku, and likely much faster than 4:03 coming soon.
Her thoughts on the race and training with Keely Hodgkinson et al in recent months: pic.twitter.com/XTR3i1HbIh
— Cathal Dennehy (@Cathal_Dennehy) June 13, 2023
Great Win for Sarah Healy @paavonurmigames 4.03.85 an athlete running with confidence,made a decisive move with 200mtrs to go,to take the win @irishathletics pic.twitter.com/4iZEkVrj7M
— David Matthews (@DavidMatthews2) June 13, 2023
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