Adeleke's blistering run gives Ireland 4x400 quartet new record at Euro Championships
Adeleke was handed the baton in third place before she made extraordinary ground on those ahead of her
A blistering 49.49s leg from Rhasidat Adeleke helped the Irish team run a new national record in the women's 4x400m relay and book there place in the Saturday’s final at the European Athletics Championships.
Adeleke was handed the baton in third place before she made extraordinary ground on those ahead of her, giving Sharlene Mawdsley a significant lead going into the final leg.
Mawdsley decided to conserve energy and was ultimately passed in the final metres but by then the job was done.
The previous record dated back to the 2011 World Championships.
"Last night we said we'd be disappointed if we didn't get into the final, we wanted to run a national record and we ticked both boxes. I'm so proud of us," Wexford woman Sophie Becker said.
Phil Healy who ran the second leg described the performance as "unbelievable."
"To come out and really shatter that national record, which has stood for a long time, to take over a second off that is unbelievable."
"I think it was amazing what we did," added Mawdsley.
"I slowed up towards the end of the race because I knew we were in a qualifying spot.
"I had to conserve some energy for tomorrow. Getting a big Q and a national record, we really can't complain with that."
