Murphy records superb time at Valencia 10K race

Kilbeggan native Michael Murphy clocked a superb time of 28:54 at the renowned Valencia 10K race on Sunday last.

The Tullamore Harriers athlete joined thousands of runners in the 17th edition of this event in the Spanish city, widely regarded as one of Europe’s fastest 10K races, attracting an elite field from over 25 different nationalities.

The race was of high class quality, with the top 35 men all breaking the 28-minute barrier with many athletes chasing qualification for the European Championships in Birmingham in August.

Among this world-class line-up were several of Ireland’s top athletes, and Michael, competing in just his second-ever 10K, finished as the sixth Irish runner home, an outstanding achievement in such a high-quality field.

Efrem Gidey broke his own national 10km road race record by clocking a time of 27:39 in Valencia. The Clonliffe Harriers runner came home in 12th spot, beating his Irish record by four seconds, which was set in the same race last year.

Mullingar athlete Jack O'Leary was only three seconds behind him, finishing in 18th spot with a time of 27:42. The race was won by 10,000m world bronze medallist in Tokyo, Sweden's Andreas Almgren, who set a new European record of 26.46.

In the women's race, Limerick's Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill's was the first Irish woman home, finishing 42nd in a time of 32:24. The women's race was won by Scot Eilish McColgan, who regained her European women's 10km record in the process, with the 35-year-old clocking a time of 30.08.