Positivity pays off for hat-trick heroine Hilary

DOUBLE cancer survivor Hilary West proved age is no barrier when she collected a hat-trick of medals at the recent British Masters Indoor Championships.

The Macclesfield Harriers & Athletics Club veteran won silver in the 400m for her age group (60 to 65), an indoor personal best and also a new club record for this event and age category.

Hilary won a bronze in the 200m, also a new club record, and another bronze in the 800m which was an indoor personal best and another club record.

The event at Lee Valley Athletics Centre in London was organised by the British Masters Athletics Federation, whose remit is to encourage, organise and regulate athletics in five-year age groups for older athletes starting at 35+ and going up to 90+.

Hilary is a double cancer survivor and only started running again relatively recently.

“I was a club runner as a teenager but gave up age 19 when I went to university but I took it up again in 2006 when I took part in a Race for Life 5k, because I wanted to ‘give something back’ to Cancer Research UK,” she said.

“After a 33 year gap I joined a running club in 2009 and only transferred to Macclesfield in March 2017 and have never looked back.”

Club President Bob Lynch congratulated Hilary on her continuing commitment to training and competing, saying “She is a dedicated member of the club, who knows that persistence, hard work, and a positive attitude are key to achieving goals.

“She should be proud of her achievements to date!”

Hilary added: “Next weekend I’m off to Madrid to compete in the European Masters Indoor Championships – I’m not expecting any medals but I’m sure it’ll be an amazing experience!”