Paul Pollock is fast improving his chances of securing Rio Olympic marathon qualification after leading the Irish team to a seventh place finish at the World Half Marathon championships in Cardiff.

Pollock finished 14th overall, and second best European, the only one ahead him being third-placed Mo Farah from Britain (who was born in Somalia): currently fourth-ranked among the Irish men looking to qualify for Rio, Pollock will run the London Marathon in four week’s time looking to secure pole position.

His time in Cardiff, 62:46, was a season best, with Kenya's Geoffrey Kamworor defending his title in 591.0.

Next in for the Irish was Thomas Frazer, who was 41st in a PB of 65:20, one place ahead of Kevin Seaward, with Sergiu Ciobanu in 50th. Lizzie Lee, the sole Irish female competitor, finished 52nd in 75:36, also a season best.