Lynsey Sharp breaks Scottish women's 800m record

Lynsey Sharp beat Marina Arzamasova in the IAAF World Challenge

Lynsey Sharp broke the Scottish women's 800m record when she beat world champion Marina Arzamasova in the IAAF World Challenge in Berlin on Sunday.

Sharp clocked one minute 57.71 seconds, the third fastest by a Briton behind Kelly Holmes and Kirsty Wade.

It came after the 25-year-old failed to qualify for the final at the World Championships in Beijing last month.

"I just didn't want the season to end without a PB (personal best) and a new Scottish record," said Sharp.

"I remember Kelly Holmes winning the Olympic double (800m and 1500m) at Athens 2004 because around that time was when I won my first British title,' recalled Sharp.

"I was 14 at the time and there's no doubt that as an 800m runner she was a massive inspiration for me.

"The Berlin run takes me that bit closer to her British record now and I'm delighted.

"It does not make up for the disappointment of missing out on the final in Beijing but it does give me a massive end of season boost ahead of Rio next summer."

Holmes set her British record of 1.56.21 in 1995, while Wade, competing under her maiden name McDermott, ran 1.57.42 in 1985.