MP
Mary Purcell

Mary Purcell

IRLIRLWomen
Birth dateMay 22, 1949
Height-
Weight-

Mary Purcell is a Ireland middle-distance runner, born on May 22, 1949. She competes primarily in the 800m, 1500m and Mile.

Her personal bests include 2:02.8h in the 800m, 4:08.63 in the 1500m, 4:30.52 in the Mile, 8:53.10 in the 3000m and 2:38:49 in the Marathon. She has earned 1 bronze medal in major international competitions. She is currently active on the international athletics circuit, representing Ireland.

Key facts
1500 m
4:08.63
3000 m
8:53.10
#801 all-time
1982 season best
2:38:49
Jun 6, 1982 · Limerick (IRL)
Age
77 years old

As of Oct 1, 2026: 1500 m 4:08.63, 3000 m 8:53.10 (#801 all-time), 1982 season best 2:38:49 (Jun 6, 1982, Limerick (IRL)) · 77 years old

PB

Personal bests

2:02.8HT
4:08.63
Mile
4:30.52
8:53.10
#801 all-time
2:38:49
1500m-short-tracki
4:14.2HT
1000m
2:39.9HT
mile-short-tracki
4:35.5HT
mile-short-track
4:35.5HT

Performance Charts

Season bests

SeasonDisciplineResultWindDateTrendCompetitions
1982
Marathon
2:38:49-Jun 6, 1982-Limerick (IRL)
1980
1500m-short-tracki
4:14.2h-Mar 1, 1980-European Indoor Championships, Glaspalast, Sindelfingen (i)
1980
1500mi
4:14.2h-Mar 2, 1980
↑
European Indoor Championships, Glaspalast, Sindelfingen (i)
1980
CrossCount
17:11-Mar 9, 1980
↓
8th IAAF World Cross Country Championships
1979
mile-short-track
4:35.5h-Feb 11, 1979
→
-
1979
mile-short-tracki
4:35.5h-Feb 11, 1979
→
Montréal (CAN) (i)
1979
Milei
4:35.5h-Feb 11, 1979
↓
Montréal (CAN) (i)
1979
CrossCount
17:26-Mar 25, 1979
↓
7th IAAF World Cross Country Championships
1978
3000m
9:11.9h-Aug 29, 1978
↑
Praha European Championships, Stadion Evžena Rošického, Praha
1978
1500m
4:10.3h-Jun 17, 1978
↑
Sittard (NED)
1978
Mile
4:30.52-Jul 9, 1978
↓
Gateshead (GBR)
1978
CrossCount
17:35-Mar 25, 1978
↓
6th IAAF World Cross Country Championships
1976
800m
2:03.77-May 18, 1976
↑
Firenze (ITA)
1976
1500m
4:08.63-Jul 28, 1976
↑
The XXI Olympic Games
1976
3000m
9:08.0h-Aug 21, 1976
↑
London (GBR)
1976
CrossCount
17:25-Feb 28, 1976
↓
4th IAAF World Cross Country Championships
1975
1000m
2:39.9h-Aug 5, 1975-Koblenz (GER)
1975
3000m
9:08.0h-Jul 18, 1975
↑
London (GBR)
1974
800m
2:02.8h-Sep 2, 1974
↑
Roma European Championships
1974
1500m
4:15.1h-Sep 6, 1974
↑
Roma European Championships
1973
CrossCount
14:30-Mar 17, 1973
↓
1st IAAF World Cross Country Championships
1972
800m
2:04.18-Aug 31, 1972
↑
Olympiastadion, München (GER)
1972
1500m
4:16.43-Sep 4, 1972
↑
Olympiastadion, München (GER)

1982

1 performance
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
Marathon
2:38:49-Jun 6Limerick Marathon, Limerick

1980

3 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
CrossCount
17:11-Mar 98th IAAF World Cross Country Championships
1500m-short-tracki
4:14.2HT-Mar 2European Indoor Championships, Glaspalast, Sindelfingen (i)
1500m-short-tracki
4:14.2HT-Mar 1European Indoor Championships, Glaspalast, Sindelfingen (i)

1979

2 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
CrossCount
17:26-Mar 257th IAAF World Cross Country Championships
mile-short-track
4:35.5HT-Feb 11Montréal (i)

1978

8 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
3000m
9:11.9HT-Aug 29Praha European Championships, Stadion Evžena Rošického, Praha
3000m
9:11.9HT-Aug 29Praha European Championships, Stadion Evžena Rošického, Praha
1500m
4:13.8HT-Aug 18Bruxelles Memorial van Damme, Bruxelles
3000m
8:53.10-Aug 9Dublin
3000m
8:54.8HT-Aug 3Oslo
Mile
4:30.52-Jul 9Gateshead
1500m
4:10.3HT-Jun 17Sittard
CrossCount
17:35-Mar 256th IAAF World Cross Country Championships

1976

5 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
3000m
9:08.0HT-Aug 21London
1500m
4:08.63-Jul 28The XXI Olympic Games
1500m
4:09.8HT-Jun 8Düsseldorf LVN Internationales Sportfest, Düsseldorf
800m
2:03.77-May 18Firenze
CrossCount
17:25-Feb 284th IAAF World Cross Country Championships

1975

2 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
1000m
2:39.9HT-Aug 5Koblenz
3000m
9:08.0HT-Jul 18London

1974

5 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
1500m
4:15.1HT-Sep 6Roma European Championships
800m
2:04.0HT-Sep 3Roma European Championships
800m
2:02.8HT-Sep 2Roma European Championships
800m
2:04.0HT-Sep 2Roma European Championships
1500m
4:15.1HT-Sep 2Roma European Championships

1973

1 performance
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
CrossCount
14:30-Mar 171st IAAF World Cross Country Championships

1972

2 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
1500m
4:16.43-Sep 4The XX Olympic Games, Olympiastadion, München
800m
2:04.18-Aug 31The XX Olympic Games, Olympiastadion, München

Honours

🥉

European Indoor Championships

1500 Metres Short Track

1980
6

7th IAAF World Cross Country Championships

Cross Country Long Race

1979
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is Mary Purcell's 1500 m personal best?

Mary Purcell's 1500 m personal best is 4:08.63, set on Jul 28, 1976 in Olympic Stadium, Montréal (CAN).

Which events does Mary Purcell compete in?

Mary Purcell competes in the 1500 m and 3000 m.

How did Mary Purcell perform in 1982?

1982 season best: 2:38:49, set on Jun 6, 1982 in Limerick (IRL).