Kate McIlroy cut three seconds off her Melbourne Commonwealth Games time, setting a New Zealand national 3000m steeplechase record of 9m 32.54s in Belgium yesterday.

Competing at the Huesden international meeting McIlroy finished in the same fifth placing as in Melbourne, just six seconds behind the winner Jeruto Kiptum of Kenya.

McIlroy's coach John Bowden said that the race was aggressive throughout forcing McIlroy to run wide the whole way.

"Kate was third with a jump to go, but made a mistake jumping off her weak leg and as a result lost two places," said Bowden.

Bowden said his working on making his charge competitive, aiming for the first three in each of her races.

It was McIlroy's first race on the European circuit, since arriving from the winter of New Zealand ten days ago.

McIlroy next races over 3000m at Crystal Palace London on Friday.

Also at the Huesden meeting Adrian Blincoe ran a personal best 5000m of 13m 21.73s and Paul Hamblyn recorded 3m 39.61s and Tim Prendergast 3m 54.65s over 1500m.

source Athletics New Zealand