Lizzie Lee ran the Olympic standard with a 2:32:51 in the Berlin Marathon this morning. She smashed the Olympic standard (2:42:00) and her personal best (2:38:09) from Berlin in 2013. This is a fantastic achievement for Lizzie who has surely booked her place on the plane to Rio. This time also places Lizzie 5th in the Irish all-time marathon standings. Lizzie now joins fellow Leevale athletes Alex Wright and Michelle Finn who already have the Olympic standards for race walking and 3000m steeplechase.
“I’m absolutely blown out of the park,” said an emotional Lee afterwards. “The last two miles were the hardest thing I’ve ever done; my goal was 2:33:00. Fingers crossed now for selection for Rio.”
Congratulations to Lizzie from all at Leevale. A special mention for Brian Hegarty who helped pace Lizzie for the race, and finished in an excellent 2:32:55 himself.
Competing in his first marathon, Mark Hanrahan ran a very creditable 2:21:13. This experience will really stand to Mark as he moves up to the longer distances.
Donal Coffey wasn’t far behind Lizzie and Brian as he finished in 2:33:44, a new PB for him.
Post-race interview with Lizzie Lee
Lizzie’s split times.
Unbelievable Lizzie, incredible running. Well deserved. Looks like Brian H was bang on the pace too. No mention of Mark Hanrahan running 2.21 for his first crack at the distance? Great time Mark. Experience in the bag.