Ciara Everard (UCD) put in a scintillating performance last Saturday, February 4th at the IUAA Irish Inter-Varsity Championships held in Nenagh to break the Irish under 23 800m indoor record held by none other than the great Sonia O Sullivan.

Sonia’s record of 2.05.90 set in Boston in 1991 stood until Saturday when the UCD physiotherapy student knocked .14 of a second off the mark running 2.05.76

In a thrilling race led out by Laura Crow also an international 800m runner, Ciara tucked in behind running a tactically perfect race to come out with 40 meters to go to take the title.

Ciara commented
“I have been working hard to develop my endurance without losing touch with my speed since November. I went on a 4 week altitude training camp in South Africa In January which has contributed greatly to my current form”
 
What is even more remarkable is that this was the UCD student’s first race of the year, she will run in the National Championships in Belfast this weekend coming February 12^th.