World date for Potter
BETH Potter is set to pull double duty this summer after becoming the second Scot to officially secure a place at August’s world championships in London by winning the British title at last night’s 10,000 metres trials at Highgate.
The 25-year-old has put athletics on the back burner to attempt a mid-career conversion to triathlon. Yet despite a lack of dedicated preparation, she won a duel with fellow Scot Steph Twell, pulling away with five laps left, to triumph in 32 minutes and four seconds. Her new sport, the Olympic finalist suggested, will have to remain the priority.
“I’ve so much work to do still in biking and swimming. I always said I’ve give myself a year with triathlon so it would be a waste if I let myself step back from that.”
Twell delivered a brilliant effort in her track debut at the distance but suffered the agony of missing the qualifying standard of 32:15 by a second. The European bronze medallist will now have the option of chasing the mark by the cut-off of July 9 or dropping back down to the 5000m.
Andy Vernon and Dewi Griffiths put themselves in pole position to join defending world champion Mo Farah in the 10,000m in London by coming onetwo in the men’s trials. Vernon pulled away to win in 28:21.15, 11 seconds clear of Griffiths but both will now need to chase the qualifying mark of 27:45 by July 9 to automatically secure a spot.
“Today was just about winning,” Vernon said. “I’m going to run at Hengelo and try to get the time there.”
Luke Caldwell was the leading Scot in ninth.
Meanwhile, Emma Nuttall will bid to accelerate her comeback from injury in today’s Loughborough International. The former British champion, 25, will be among a number of Scots getting an early summer outing in the annual match with some eyeing up the world championships and others looking towards the Gold Coast next spring.
“My biggest thing this year is getting the Commonwealth standard and getting into the team when it’s picked in October,” said Nuttall. “But I’ve got one eye on the World University Games because I’m still eligible for it.”