Brian Fay (born 9 November 1998) is an Irish long-distance runner. He has been the Irish national champion at 3000m steeplechase, and the Irish national record holder over 5000m.[1]

Brian Fay
Personal information
NationalityIrish
Born (1998-11-09) 9 November 1998 (age 26)
Dublin
EducationBelvedere College
Alma materDublin City University
University of Washington
Sport
CountryIreland
SportAthletics
Event(s)5000m
3000m steeplechase
ClubRaheny Shamrock Athletic Club
Achievements and titles
Personal bests3000m: 7:34.48 (London, 2024)
5000m: 13:01.40 (Heusden, 2023) (NR)
3000m steeplechase: 8:29.75 (Budapest, 2021)
10,000m: 27:43.45 (California, 2024)

Early life

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Fay grew up in Glasnevin, as one of quadruplets, and attended Belvedere College where he was coached by Ronan Duggan and where former Olympian Phil Conway was also involved in coaching.[2] He was then coached by Feidhlim Kelly at Dublin City University. He then attended the University of Washington in 2021, where he was coached by Andy Powell. In 2023, he returned to Dublin and the coaching of Feidhlim Kelly at the Dublin Track Club.[3][4]

Career

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2021

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Competing in Manchester in May 2021, Fay ran the fastest 3000m steeplechase by an Irishman for 36 years. He ran a time of 8:33.93, placing him fourth on the all-time Irish list.[5] He lowered his personal best time to 8:29.75 competing in Tatabanya, Hungary in June 2021.[6] That month he also won the Irish national title in the discipline at the Morton Track in Dublin.[7]

2022

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Fay finished eighth at the 2022 European Athletics Championships 5000 metres race.[8][9]

2023

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In July 2023, Fay broke the Irish 5000m record, running 13:01.40 at the Night of Athletics meeting in Heusden, Belgium. This was two seconds faster than the previous record, held by Alistair Cragg since September 2011.[10] Fay finished second in the race, won by Kenya’s Cornelius Kemboi. The time was met the qualifying standard for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest and the 2024 Paris Olympics.[11] He competed in Budapest at the 2023 Worlds and ran 13:42 without qualifying for the final.[12]

In November 2023, he was part of the Irish team which finished fourth in the team event at the 2023 European Cross Country Championships in Brussels.[13]

2024

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He was selected for the Irish team for the 2024 European Athletics Championships.[14] He ran a personal best 7:34.48 for the 3000 metres at the London Athletics Meet on 20 July 2024.[15] He competed in the 5000 metres at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris in August 2024.[16]

References

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  1. ^ "Brian Fay". World Athletics. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  2. ^ https://runrepublic.com/news/irelands-paris-olympian-brian-fay
  3. ^ Dennehy, Cathal (15 July 2023). "I'm absolutely buzzing' – Brian Fay breaks national 5000m record in Belgium". Independent.ie. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Brian Fay". gohuskies. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  5. ^ Browne, PJ (28 May 2021). "Brian Fay Runs Fastest 3000m Steeplechase By Irishman In 36 Years". balls.ie. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  6. ^ "OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION, MEET RECORDS AND A NEW U23 HUNGARIAN RECORD IN TATABÁNYA". nagydijsorozat.hu. 5 June 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Tokyo quests continue as young sprint stars shine". athleticsireland.ie. 26 June 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  8. ^ Hooper, Dave (16 August 2022). "Brian Fay Finishes Eighth In Europe". Raheny Shamrock. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  9. ^ "European Championships: Israel Olatunde creates history with new Irish record in 100m final, Brian Fay eighth in 5,000m final". rte.ie. 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Brian Fay breaks long-standing Irish 5000m record". rte.ie. 15 July 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Fay runs race of his life to break Irish 5000m record in Belgium". Irish Examiner. 15 July 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Men's 5000m Results: World Athletics Championships 2023". Watch Athletics. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  13. ^ "4TH IN EUROPE FOR MCCORMACK AS GRIGGS LEADS IRELAND TO TEAM GOLD". Athleticsireland. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  14. ^ Dennehy, Cathal (28 May 2024). "Ciara Mageean and Sarah Healy in 1-2 for Ireland at Ostrava 1500m as team is named for European Championships in Rome". Independent.ie. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  15. ^ "Rhasidat Adeleke fifth, PBs for Andrew Coscoran, Brian Fay and Nick Griggs at Diamond League". RTE. 20 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  16. ^ "Men's 5000m Results - Paris Olympic Games 2024 Athletics". Watch Athletics. 10 August 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2024.