Double Olympian Wins Armagh International Road Race

Morpeth's Laura Weightman who has competed in the last two Olympics defeated the usual top class opposition to take victory by 3 seconds in the Brooks International 3k Road Race in Armagh.

The 25-year-old 1,500 metres specialist who was always in the leading group took full advantage of the ideal conditions to set a record-breaking pace and become the first woman to break 9 minutes. She crossed the line in a time of 8 mins 59secs ahead Rosie Clarke of Epsom (9 mins 2 secs)

Former World Junior 800 metres silver medallist Jessica Judd just snatched 3rd in 9.11. She was one second ahead of Scotland's Sarah Inglis who just lost last year's race to Ireland's Sarah Treacy. Newcastle's Kerry O'Flaherty was timed at 9 mins 19 secs.

The Mens 5k event was not decided until the line where Derby's Ben Connor just took the verdict in 13 mins 55 secs. Connor was a member of the GB European Cross Country team which took gold in Italy in December.

Surprise runner up in Armagh in the same time was unknown US athlete Brendan Dougherty. Swansea's Dewi Griffith who won the Cardiff Cross Country Challenge was 3rd in 13.58.