England call perfect finale to fine season
JOHN Howorth is this week celebrating his first senior international call-up for England.
The 21-year-old Team Bath AC received a late call-up for the England squad to run the 1500m at the Manchester International against Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the National Athletics League and Great Britain & Northern Ireland Under 20s.
“Winning my first international vest really tops off my season,” said Howorth, a former winner of the Chron/ Running Bath performance of the month competition.
“I only found out last Friday when I got an email after the original runner (George Mills) dropped out. I was over the moon.
“I ran in to tell my parents and told them I now have another race this season – they were pleasantly surprised!”
Howorth was scheduled to race last night (August 18) in what was an unexpected grand finale to an already super season.
Howorth’s form this summer, under experienced coach James Thie in Cardiff where he is studying, is the reason why he has been called up into the England team.
He has made amazing progress over 1500m improving his personal best three times as he finally broke the landmark 3mins 40secs barrier with 3:39.85 at the British Milers’ Club Grand Prix at Watford in June.
He followed that with a first sub four-minute mile clocking 3:59.59 last month while also placing sixth in the England Under 23 Championships and securing an invite to the British Senior Championships incorporating the Olympic trials.
It then seemed his summer was over until Howorth popped up in Watford last week with another breakthrough performance, dipping inside 1min 50secs over 800m for the first time with 1:49.67 to carve 2.23secs off his 2020 best.
If the selectors had any doubt that Howorth was worth that first England vest then that performance allayed their fears.
“That run came out of nowhere,” added Howorth.
“I had just had five days off because I was struggling with motivation after such a long season. I got to the point where I was just tired of running and needed a rest but I really wanted to break 1:50 so I entered Watford to give me that goal.
“The break was what I needed as I felt really good and was very happy afterwards – it is great to have a 1:40 something time to your name as well as a 3:30 something in the 1500m.
“I had thought that next year it would be my target to win an international vest so to get it now feels brilliant and has rounded off a great season perfectly,” said Howorth.
“It is another goal ticked off.”
On the roads, Team Bath’s Aidan Daniel ran strongly to finish third in the final Westbury 5k road race of the summer promoted by Avon Valley Runners.
Daniel clocked a time of 16mins exactly, just outside his recent PB of 15:51 on the Odd Down cycle circuit.
Jo Thompson was first veteran over 55 in 20:33 with team Bath clubmate Ben Holding third over 45 male veteran (18:38).
Larkhall-based runner Guy Woods was third in the Over 55 class (17:06).
Entries are now open for the “Run For Tash” Half Marathon at Odd Down Cycling Track on 5th September. It is limited to 400 runners, so get your entry in quick with details at: www.racedirector.co.uk.
The date marks the launch of the Natasha Lewis Foundation, set up to help develop aspiring athletes who might follow in her footsteps.