Cragg's European hopes are dented

Athletics:Alistair Cragg's hopes of successfully defending his European Indoor 3,000 metres title were somewhat dented over the weekend when he finished fourth at the Boston Games, although he did have three quality athletes ahead of him.

Cragg finished in a time of seven minutes 52.68 seconds, some ways adrift of Australia's Craig Mottram, who cruised home in 7:39.24, improving the Australian record in the process.

Next two home were Ethiopians Markos Geneti, who gave Mottram a good race before finishing second in 7:42.72, with Ali Abdosh third in 7:45.96.

Cragg, who has five weeks to get ready for Birmingham, host to the Europeans, described his race as "disgusting". Mottram made his move around four laps from home, running his last 400 metres in 54.89 seconds.

Also finishing fourth at the high-class meeting were two other Irish competitors, James Nolan in the mile, where he clocked 3:58.85, while Mary Cullen also finished fourth in the women's 3,000 metres in 8:53.81.

Nolan will have reason to be more pleased as it was only in the last 300 metres of the mile he lost ground and it was his first track race for several months. The race was won by the American, Alan Webb, in 3:55.18 with Nolan finishing ahead of the top-class Ukrainian, Ivan Heshko (3:59.14). Nolan remains in the US and runs in the Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games on Friday night.

Tirenush Dibaba of Ethiopia knocked 5.5 seconds off her two-year-old world 5,000 metres record when she produced a sensational 14:27.42, lapping the entire field, including her sister, Ejegayuchu, who was second in 15:09.48.