special to Irish Runner.com by IMC's Paul Cummins

Local favourite, James Nolan ran the fastest ever 1500m in Tullamore in the Nike Irish Milers Club race of champions at the Irish Schools Championships meeting. His first 1500m of the season ended in a smooth victory in a time of 3.40.74. Nolan settled into third place in the early stages behind pacemaker, Eoin Cummins and his training partner Colm Mc Lean. Mc Lean took it on from 800m with Nolan tracking and the British U 23 Champion, Angus Maclean close behind. Nolan upped the pace with 500m remaining and he pulled clear of the others, stretching his lead all the way to the finish. The British Maclean passed the Irish Mc Lean in the final straight, with Mark Kenneally running on well in 4th for a new PB.

Nike Irish Milers Club Race of Champions 1,500m:
1) James Nolan, University College Dublin, 3.4074; 2) Angus Maclean, Great Britain, 3.42.93; 3) Colm McClean, St Malachy's - Crusaders AC, 3.44.08; 4) Mark Kenneally, Raheny Shamrocks, 3.48.62; 5) Cormac Smith, Dundrum South Dublin, 3.53.04; 6) Colm Rothery, Metro/St. Brigid's A.C (Vet 40) 3.56.94; 7) Martin Fagan, Mullingar Harriers, 4.01.27; 8) Gearoid O'Connor, Rathfarnham/WSAF, 4.01.80; 9) Paul Fleming, Rathfarnham/WSAF, 4.05.25; Eoin Cummins, UCD, pace

Geraldine Hendricken reduced her Personal Best by a massive 3 seconds in becoming the first winner of the Nike IMC 800 at the Irish Schools Athletics Championships in Tullamore. It was the first ever-senior race at this meeting and it featured many past Schools Champions.

The favourite going into the race was Niamh Beirne after her fine 2.06 in Kilkenny a couple of weeks ago. It was Hendricken, however who took everyone by surprise. Better known for her exploits over longer distances, Hendricken has now posted the fastest 800m time by an Irish athlete this season.

Hendricken was the first to follow the pacemaker, followed by Niamh Beirne and Maria Lynch. Going through the bell in 60 seconds in that order it stayed like that to the end. The winning time was 2.04.06. Geraldine now has the fastest 800m and 1500m times, this season. Both of these times were achieved in IMC races. Indeed it could be a unique double for Geraldine this week as she is scheduled to run the Women's Mini Marathon on Monday. Niamh Beirne just pipped her PB from last season with her time of 2.05.95 and Maria Lynch was within 0.5 of her best. Both Niamh and Maria will renew rivalry in the 1500m at BMC Grand Prix Wythenshawe on Monday.

Nike IMC Race of Champions Women's 800m:
1) Geraldine Hendricken, St Laurence O'Toole, 2.04.06; 2 Niamh Beirne, Lucan Harriers, 2.05.95; 3) Maria Lynch, Dundrum South Dublin, 2.06.96; 4) Ann Marie Larkin, Tullamore Harriers, 2.09.65; 5) Deirdre Byrne, Wicklow, 2.11.24; 6) Catriona McGranaghan, Finn Valley AC, 2.11.83; 7) Regina Murphy, Galway, 2.13.71; 8) Michelle Harvey, St. John Bosco A.C 2.15.90; 9) Sinead Peoples, Tir Conaill, 2.17.08; Fiona Norwood, Kilkenny, Pace