Rossendale Free Press

Record run keeps Millee on track for Olympic dream

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AFTER smashing a Lancashire sprint record that has stood since 1978, Millee Schofield could be on track for her goal of an Olympic athletics place.

The 14-year-old is a student at Haslingden High School and for more than a year has been a member of Blackburn Harriers.

After notching a personal best time for the 100m sprint of 12.6 seconds at the Lancashire County Track and Field Championsh­ips, the Harriers proclaimed her efforts as one of the ‘runs of the day.’

She will now go on to represent the county in the English Schools Track and Field Championsh­ips 2022 at Manchester Regional Arena on July 8-9.

Millee described the event “as very official and very important” and is

taking her preparatio­ns seriously.

“I watch what I eat the week before a race, especially if it is a serious race and I have protein shakes in a morning and night and I drink a lot of water,” she said.

“My mum and dad used to run when they were younger and when I was seven, they tried me on lots of different sports to see what I liked. I did football and gymnastics, but the only thing I really enjoyed was running.

“I joined Hyndburn Athletics when I was in primary school at St

John’s in Baxenden, and then I moved up to Blackburn, because I thought the coaching was better. I would love to get to the Olympics and I want to beat the 100m world record; I have been saying that ever since I started running.”

Every Monday, dedicated Millee trains along with sprint and long and middle-distance runners from the Harriers at Burnley College, with exercises focusing on her strength and conditioni­ng. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, she trains outdoors on the track at Witton Park.

Besides running, Millee has been a member of the Masters of Martial Arts in Accrington where she does jujitsu for three years.

She said: “Unlike some runners, I don’t remember my races afterwards. When I am running, I am mentally pushing myself, but afterwards I don’t remember what happened or what I was thinking; I only remember sections. My club is like a big family group and we all push each other and support each other. I would like to thank my dad Lee and mum Shelley for taking me everywhere and putting up with me.”

Her older sister Mia is at university, but she always messages Millee before every competitio­n to wish her good luck.

Millee, from Baxenden, was first in the 100m at

Lancashire Schools’ Athletics Championsh­ips in June in a time of 12.8 seconds and she recently competed in the Northern Inter-Counties Track and Field Championsh­ips in York representi­ng

Blackburn Harriers and came second in the U15s Girls’ 100m with a time of 12.81 seconds.

As well as the outdoor 100m and 200m events, she also competes in the indoor championsh­ips at

the 60m and 200m races. Her outdoor and indoor personal best for 200m is 26.5 seconds and with an indoor 60m best of 8.04 seconds, she is aiming to go under 8 seconds next season.

 ?? ?? ●●Millee smashed a Lancashire sprint record that had stood since 1978
●●Millee smashed a Lancashire sprint record that had stood since 1978
 ?? ?? ●●Millee Schofield
●●Millee Schofield

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