Harrier Smith takes control with a runaway victory in Slovakia

STACY SMITH’S international career kick-started with a runaway victory in Slovakia, where she destroyed a field of European rivals to win the 1,500 metres by more than 13 seconds!

It was not the sort of contest the Gateshead Harrier was expecting in her first England representative outing since 2011, but she still came away from Bratislava positive despite the standard of opposition.

Confessed Smith, whose winning time was 4min 17.71secs: “In a way it was a bit disappointing as I went into the race not really knowing what to expect, having been out of the sport for such a long time.

“I just wanted to enjoy it and I went out from the gun and no one bothered to go with me and consequently the longer the race went on the further I pulled away. It was quite astonishing really.’’

Smith, a former England 800m champion, is enjoying her athletics again but feels she cannot afford the time to go at it 100 per cent.

Smith, who celebrated her 28th birthday earlier this week, added: “Of course I enjoy running and enjoy the benefits it brings but just now my job is much more important.

“I have a position as Head of Business Development with Matrix Fitness - suppliers of commercial gym equipment.

“I love it enormously even though it means travelling up and down the country every week.

“While I have always been someone who has trained on my own it is increasingly difficult to fit in training sessions so I have to put on my trainers whenever I can, which is not realistic if you want to make it to the top.

“Having said that, I do put the work in at every opportunity so we will see how the next few weeks go before deciding with David (Lowes, her coach) whether it is worthwhile entering the trials for the World Indoor Championships.

“It would be nice to make the team but on the other hand it would not be the end of the world if I didn’t.”