One of the many Irish athletes touted to leave a mark on this year's European Athletics U18 Championships in Hungary, Sarah Healy has won the gold medal in the 3000 m final in some style this evening.
Having won an opening heat of the 1500 m earlier today successfully, Healy ran the 3000 m final this evening in spectacular fashion. Looking in complete control throughout, Healy set a championship record as she raced to a convincing finish.
You can watch her final lap below.
It's gold for Ireland in the 3000m!
Sarah Healy produced a final kilometre of 2:57 to win the 3000m title at the European U18 Championships in a championship record of 9:18.05. pic.twitter.com/KvbJX22X4E— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) July 6, 2018
You can watch fuller coverage of the race below.
A member of Dublin's Blackrock Athletic Club, Healy has already enjoyed tremendous success this year. In June, the 17-year-old Healy finished second in the 800 m behind Claire Mooney at the Belfast International. Remarkably, Healy's run of 2:02.76 broke two records held by Ireland's 2016 Euroopean 1500 m bronze medalist, Ciara Mageean: the Irish U18 and U20 800m records of 2:03.07.
This came ten days after Healy became the second fastest European U18 ever over 1500 m. She ran 4:09.25 in Germany earlier this month, placing her just behind Romania's Ana Padurean who ran 4:06.02 in 1986.
With so much expectation surrounding Healy's run this evening, the young Irish athlete has duly delivered.
You can watch the medal ceremony and the playing of Amhrán na bhFiann below.
Fuller coverage of the 3000 m race
You can watch Healy speak below after qualifying for the 1500 m final this morning.
"I wasn't always planning on doing it but I decided: why not?"
Sarah Healy qualified for the 1500m final this morning and she will return to the track this evening for the 3000m final.
Did you know Healy leads the European U18 lists in the 800m, 1500m and 3000m? pic.twitter.com/F6LztWHJ8Z— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) July 6, 2018
