Sinead Diver finished in a very impressive fifth place in the New York City Marathon.
Diver, who was born in Mayo but now represents Australia, completed the New York Marathon in a time of two hours, 26 minutes and 23 seconds on Sunday.
Belmullet’s Diver was the first non-African female to cross the line after 26.2 miles of gruelling running.
The 42-year-old was unlucky not to finish fourth, however, as a wrong turn cost her some crucial seconds.
Sinead Diver and Ellie Pashley take a brief detour at the NYC Marathon but quickly get back on track by ducking under the tape. pic.twitter.com/xTtKYH4NhA
— Jon Mulkeen (@Statman_Jon) November 3, 2019
Diver led the race after six miles and remained a threat throughout but her fifth-placed finish is nothing to be disappointed about as she became the oldest woman to finish in the top five since 1987.
Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei took top spot when she finished in a remarkable 2:22:38 and she was closely followed by fellow countrywoman, Mary Keitany.
Next came Ethiopia’s Ruti Aga before another Kenyan runner, Nancy Kiprop, finished in fourth.
Just two seconds later, Mayo-born Diver crossed the finish line and while her time was two minutes over her personal best, few manage to break records in New York.
Diver, who only took up running in her early thirties, finished in seventh at the London Marathon back in April, a result which looks to have secured her place in the 2020 Olympics, where she will represent Australia.
