Turnbull is chasing the Olympic 1500m standard of 3:36.60

Gareth Turnbull produced a promising first outdoor outing of 2008 as he took second behind Canadian Kevin Sullivan over 1500m in the US on Sunday.

Running in the Florida State University Relays in Tallahassee, Turnbull clocked 3:42.33 which left him .70secs behind Sydney Olympics fifth placer Sullivan.

Sullivan set his personal best of 3:31.71 in 2000 and his season's best last year was 3:34.16.

Another Irishman Thomas Chamney was third behind Turnbull in 3:42.73.

Turnbull's training partner Liam Reale took fifth in 3:49.31.

Belfast runner Turnbull attempted to follow the exceptionally brisk pacemaker as the rabbit went to the bell in 55 seconds.

Turnbull appeared to suffer for his early exertions on the third lap but he battled well to stay in touch with Sullivan until the closing stages.

The 28-year-old is chasing the Olympic Games qualifying standard of 3:36.60 - which is exactly the same time as his personal best set in 2003.

His next outing will be in Tennessee in a fortnight's time.

Turnbull's coach Mark Carroll won the 5000m in Tallahassee in a time of 13:53.72.

Corkman Carroll is hoping to achieve the Olympic Games 10,000m qualifying standard of 27:50.00.