Sarah Lavin sets fifth PB in six days in Bern

In a sport where setting a personal best is a rare and cherished occurrence, Limerick sprint hurdler Sarah Lavin set her fifth PB in six days this evening while closing in on one of the greatest Irish records in the books.

It happened at the Citius Altius meeting in Bern, Switzerland where, after setting a lifetime best in the heats of the 100 metres hurdles of 12.72 seconds, Lavin improved to 12.67 in the final in which she was fifth.

That time leaves Lavin, racing her final event before the World Championships, within .02 of a second outside the Irish record of 12.65 set by Derval O'Rourke when she won the silver medal at the European Championships in Barcelona in 2010.

The race was won in a Swiss and meeting record of 12.47 seconds by European bronze medallist Ditaji Kambundji. Reigning European Champion Pia Skrzyszowska was third just a metre ahead of the Irish woman.

Last weekend Lavin set personal bests in each of the three rounds in winning the national 100 metres title at the 123.ie Irish Championships at Morton Stadium in Santry.