GOLDEN GIRL
Reekie runs to glory in Mile race at Manchester International
Kilbarchan AAC’s Jemma Reekie claimed a stunning win at the Manchester International yesterday.
The European Junior 1500m champion stormed to victory in the Mile race after taking control in the final lap to win from Charlene Thomas.
The 19-year-old sat on the shoulder of Thomas until 250m to go and then launched a strong run for home as she added another win in a season which featured the European Juniors 1500m gold in Italy in July.
“That was really good. I’ve grown so much in confidence after the Euros,” said Jemma.
“I knew my kick was good so I just held onto the girls and knew I’d finish well. I’m quite happy with the time too, as I thought it was going to be slow after that first lap.”
Jemma, who was representing GB & NI Juniors at the event, says she has become more concentrated in her approach and her new-found focus is starting to pay off.
“I used to run all over the place but I’ve started to run more sensibly and I know I’ve got that kick now.”
Now the Habbie has her eye on the next big event – and plans to run another quick time.
She added: “Ne x t u p is the scottishathletics National Senior Championships and then I might try and chase a quick time, as at the Euros I raced three days in a row – I feel like I could go a bit quicker.”
And fellow scot Alisha Rees also struck gold, after a frustrating fourthplace finish in the European Junior Champs in Italy last month.
She won the 200m in a new PB of 23.32 – with Scotland’s Beth Dobbin also enjoying a good run for second place in 23.50.
Rees won the 200m in 23.32 with a 1.6 legal wind, on a night when the gusting conditions cost the 100m women a legal time.
“I didn’t think that a PB was going to happen tonight at all,” said Alisha.
“So I am really pleased with it. I came into the bend and I seemed to be on my own – it just felt like I was alone so I just had to concentrate and run my own race.”