Mark English ‘excited’ for World semi-final

Mark English says he’s ‘excited’ about his chances in Thursday evening’s 800m semi-final at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

English came through Tuesday evening’s heats, advancing thanks to a season’s best 1:45.71.

In spit of a bump in the early passages of the race, the Finn Valley AC runner - appearing in his sixth World Championships, a record for an Irish athlete - shook his head clear to finish strong.

“I had to wait around 40 minutes to see if my time was quick enough so I’m very relieved,” English, who ran in the second of the seven heats, said.

“I felt really good out there. I felt quick, I have the finishing speed so I’m excited for the semi-final.

Brendan Boyce finishes 24th in 35k walk at World Championships

Finn Valley AC athlete Brendan Boyce was in action early on Thursday morning in Budapest, improving on his place from the last edition of the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

“My speed training has been going good over the last two or three weeks. That has bene key for me this season, getting my speed to where it needs to me.”

As he sat in the Q room watching the remaining heats, English’s head must’ve spun.

Through he goes and the Letterkenny native - who has taken a break from his work as a medical doctor to focus on his athletics career - will now line up in Thursday’s semi-finals at the National Athletics Centre.

He said: “My plan was to be in position. I didn’t really look at the time. I just wanted to be in contention up near the front of the pack.

“I always like to be ready for the Championships every season. I’ll take every race as it comes. I’m excited now about my chances in the semi-final.”

English was ninth at the last World Athletics Championships in Eugene Oregon in 2022 and Patsy McGonagle, the former Irish athletics team manager and the Finn Valley AC Chairperson, says the 30-year-old can deliver.

He said: “You couldn’t back agains Mark English in a Championship race. Certainly, there are guys in there who have and can run much quicker, guys who are in 1:43 territory, but this isn’t Diamond League or a paced race - this is a real foot race.

“Mark has brought the best form of the season to these Championships and he’s bound to be seriously boosted. He just continues to inspire.”

Finn Valley AC race walker Brendan Boyce goes in Thursday morning’s 35k race walk with Tir Chonaill AC’s Kelly McGrory in the mix for a place in the Irish 4x400m relay team for Saturday evening’s heats.