Chasing The Clock: Can Sarah Lavin Lower Her 100m Hurdles PB At The 2026 European Championships?
Irish sprint hurdler Sarah Lavin is back in the international spotlight as she targets a new personal best (PB) on the grandest European stage. Currently competing at the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, UK, the Limerick native remains Ireland's premier threat in the women's 100m hurdles.
With the track action heating up this week, athletics fans worldwide are tracking whether the veteran Olympian can slice more fractions of a second off her historic national record.
| Event | Personal Best (PB) | Date Established | Location Set |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100m Hurdles | 12.62 seconds | August 23, 2023 | Budapest, Hungary |
| 60m Hurdles (Indoor) | 7.90 seconds | March 3, 2024 | Glasgow, Scotland |
| 100m Flat | 11.27 seconds | September 4, 2023 | Bellinzona, Switzerland |
Breaking National Records: The Road to Lavin's Historic 12.62
Lavin’s career-defining moment occurred at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where she clocked an astonishing 12.62 seconds in the semi-finals. This historic run shattered Derval O'Rourke's 13-year-old Irish national record of 12.65 seconds, cementing Lavin's legacy in Irish athletics.
Under the long-term guidance of coach Noelle Morrissey, Lavin has transformed into one of the most technically consistent hurdlers in the world. She backed up her 2023 breakthrough with a stellar run at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she reached the semi-finals in a highly competitive global field.
Now, in August 2026, her physical conditioning and technical maturity have primed her for another peak performance. Observers in Birmingham note that her lead-leg mechanics and block clearance during pre-championship warm-ups look sharper than ever.
How to Watch and Stream Lavin’s 2026 European Championship Races Live
For fans looking to catch every hurdle live, the European Athletics Championships offer multiple viewing options across various territories.
- Irish Television & Streaming: RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player are providing comprehensive live coverage of all sessions featuring Irish athletes, with dedicated trackside analysis.
- UK Television & Streaming: The BBC is broadcasting the event live across BBC Sport, BBC iPlayer, and Red Button services.
- International Streaming: The official European Athletics YouTube channel and Eurosport are streaming the heats, semi-finals, and finals live for viewers without geo-restrictions.
- Live Timing Updates: Real-time split times, reaction speeds, and final results can be accessed instantly through the official Birmingham 2026 online results portal.
Weekend Round-up: Sarah Lavin boosts Team Irelands Score | RunRepublic
Birmingham 2026 and the Hunt for a New Personal Best
At 32, Lavin is in the physical prime of her career, boasting a level of experience that makes her a formidable tactical competitor. To secure a podium finish in Birmingham this week, sports analysts estimate she will need to run close to, or even eclipse, her current 12.62-second PB.
The European field in 2026 is incredibly dense, featuring elite contenders from France, Great Britain, and Switzerland. However, Lavin's proven ability to rise to the occasion on the biggest stages suggests that her national record is under serious threat.
Following the conclusion of the European Championships, Lavin’s 2026 campaign will shift to the final legs of the World Athletics Diamond League circuit. A strong showing this week will not only bolster her European standing but also secure her lane against the absolute best in the world heading into the autumn.
