Mark English Shatters Irish 800m Record at Gyulai István Memorial

Mark English made headlines on July 4, 2023, by setting a new Irish record in the 800 meters at the Gyulai István Memorial, a Continental Tour Gold meeting held in Budapest. The 32-year-old athlete finished the race in 1:43.37, securing second place behind Kenya’s Laban Kipkorir Chepkwony, who clocked an impressive 1:42.96. Yanis Meziane from France followed closely in third with a time of 1:43.71.

This achievement marks the third time English has broken his own national 800m record this season. Earlier, he achieved a time of 1:44.34 in Poland in May and improved it to 1:43.92 during a race in Hengelo, the Netherlands, in June. His latest performance not only demonstrates his consistent improvement but also solidifies his status as one of the top middle-distance runners in the world.

A Season of Success and Ambition

English’s remarkable form this season includes winning his tenth national outdoor title in the 800m, where he triumphed over competitor Cian McPhillips earlier in July. After the recent race, he expressed optimism about competing in more events before the upcoming World Championships next month. “I can’t wait for that because I’m in great shape at the minute,” he stated, emphasizing his eagerness to showcase his capabilities with a record time.

During the race, English strategically paced himself and unleashed a powerful finish, landing him joint-16th on the world list for 2025. This performance shaved more than half a second off his previous national record and marked the third occasion this season he has completed the 800m in under 1:44.

Facing World-Class Competition

The competition at the Gyulai István Memorial was fierce. English outperformed several notable athletes, including Spain’s Mariano Garcia, a former world indoor and European champion, who finished fourth with a time of 1:43.84. Reigning European Indoor champion Sam Chapple placed fifth at 1:43.96, while 2023 world bronze medallist Ben Pattison came in seventh, clocking 1:44.14.

In March 2023, English added to his accolades by securing his fifth European medal, earning bronze at the European Indoors in the Netherlands. Although he has yet to reach a global final, the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo present a significant opportunity for him to make his mark.

As the season progresses, English has not confirmed whether this will be his final year of competition. In June, he mentioned, “I don’t really like to put a clock on my career. If you think you’re retiring at a certain point, that might change how you come into a race; it might change your motivation.” His current drive to compete is fueled by a desire to run under 1:44 for the first time. “I knew I had a 1:43 in me,” he remarked, reflecting on his ambitions and the importance of achieving his personal best.

With his record-breaking performance and the momentum he has built this season, Mark English is positioned as a strong contender for the challenges ahead, including the World Championships. As he prepares for these pivotal events, his journey continues to inspire both fans and fellow athletes alike.