Sharp makes decision to ‘trust in my strengths’

Lynsey Sharp believes her painful stumbles in 2018 can spur her to take giant strides forward next summer after rounding off the “toughest season” of her career.

The 28-year-old took second place in the 500 metres at the Great Citygames in Gateshead to end a campaign in which she came sixth in the 800m at the European Championships when victory appeared within reach, four months after exiting the Commonwealth Games in the opening round.

With another awkward calendar in 2019 when the world championships will be staged later than ever in early October in the heat of Doha, Sharp wants to turn the lessons learned into a change of pace that can bring her back on to a major podium.

“I probably train very differently to most 800 metres runners,” she said. “So I need to trust in my strengths rather than working too much on my weaknesses.”

Laura Muir has confirmed she will attempt to balance the tricky twin challenge of peaking for March’s European indoors and again for the worlds in the autumn. The 25-yearold won over one mile at the Citygames but admits she needs a refresh which will arrive when she jets to Canada today for a twoweek break.

“This year has been crazy with finishing my degree and then going from championship to championship,” Muir said. “I’ve not had the chance to have a proper break. So it will be nice to get away and recharge.”

Mo Farah believes he is in shape for next month’s Chicago Marathon after winning his fifth consecutive Great North Run yesterday. The four-time Olympic champion, 35, pulled away from New Zealand’s Jake Robertson to triumph in 59 minutes and 26 seconds. “I really wanted to test myself, see how I am and ask questions of myself,” he said.

Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot won the women’s race for the second time in three years in 1:07.43.