Mark English wins in Belgium as Donegal athletes gear up for new season

Mark English began his season with a win in Belgium on Saturday.

English won an 800m at the IFAM indoor meeting in Ghent, recording a 1:48.66.

The Letterkenny man saw off the challenge of fellow Irish runner Zak Curran (1:49.36) and Abedin Mujezinovic (1:49.67) form Bosnia and Herzegovina.

English, the 2014 European bronze and 2014 European indoor silver medallist, who competed at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, will be in action at the Irish indoor championships at the weekend.

The UCD AC man has had injury interruptions in recent times, but will be looking to recapture his best form.

Also in Ghent, 2018 World U20 silver medallist Sommer Lecky began 2019 with a win in the women’s high jump. The Finn Valley AC woman got over at 1.84 metres, which was enough to take the win.

Letterkenny AC’s Ann Marie McGlynn recorded a new Donegal record for the half-marathon in Barcelona.

McGlynn finished in 71 minutes and 59 seconds to beat her previous best, set in Cardiff in October.

The time saw McGlynn finish in seventh spot, as she moves closer to the Ulster half marathon record, held by Catherina McKiernan (67:50).