25th August 2003 - Paris - special to Irish Runner.com by Dave Mervyn

St Malachy's Gareth Turnbull ran 3:42.01 in the first semifinal placing ten of eleven in a race won by World Record Holder Hicham El Guerrouj in 3:38.25.

Qualification for Wednesday's 400m final proved beyond Dublin City Harrier Karen Shinkins as she failed to advance from the third semi-final tonight in Paris, won as expected by Mexican Ana Guevara in 50.68.

Shinkins had a poor lane draw and looked hindered in the first lane. She did have a solid start, posting a reaction time of 0.166, the second quickest of the race.

The seven-times Irish outdoor champion never got into stride and eighth of eight athletes.

Her finishing time of 52.74 was well down on her heat time, a season's best of 52.07. She would have had to better her 1999 national record of 51.07 to progress.

IAAF Paris World Championships