Kate McIlroy finished seventh in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2007 Vardinoyiannia meeting in Rethymno Greece yesterday.

McIlroy recorded 9m 58.08s, in her first race of the season in Europe, in her build up to the world championships in Osaka.

Cristina Casandra of Romania won in 9m 28.53s.

McIlroy delayed her start back into racing after straining both calf muscles in May.

Her next race will be over 3000m in Madrid Spain on Saturday and the next Saturday McIlroy will compete in the 3000m steeplechase at Heusden Belgium, where at the same meeting last year she set a New Zealand record of 9m 32.54s.

Meanwhile in Gent Belgium on Sunday Gareth Hyett was fourth over 800m in 1m 47.79s. Paul Hamblyn won the B 800m in 1m 49.91s. 1500m times were posted by Dale Summerville 3m 48.35s, Tim Prendergast 3m 54.85s and Brett Smith 3m 56.06s.