Jemma heads for the faster lane
Runner in attacking form
Jemma Reeki e h a s backed herself to run even faster despite taking gold for Scotland at the Loughborough International.
The Kilbarchan AAC athlete has enjoyed an outstanding 12 months, and continued to star south of the border over the weekend.
The European Under- 20 champion clinched the gold over 1500m in sublime style as she seized control of the race in the early stages before pushing even further ahead to give her an unassailable lead.
And it proved to be a period of success on the personal best front having recorded an 800m PB, the previous week, as well as marking a new one in the 1500m as her time of 4.11.96 chipped away at her previous best.
But Reekie admitted that she believes there is still more to come from her in the coming months. She said: “I do like to attack races. “I like to run hard and if someone comes by me towards the end then at least they have had to run hard, too, and I might have a good time. That’s two PBs so far this season and it is quite early.
“I would like to have run quicker at Loughborough but at the end of the day I will take it and I wanted the win for Scotland.”
It proved to be a successful weekend for Scotland in Loughborough, with further success for Paisley high jumper Allan Smith.
Reekie and Sol Sweeney, both coached by Andy Young, were more restrained but they savoured match race wins at the Loughborough International with their PB performances.
Reekie added: “The European Championship qualifying time is a tough one – 4.07.00– and the event in Britain is quite stacked – but I just have to try and aim high.
“I have to see if I can chip away at my PB, get under 4.10 and then see if I can take it on further from there.
“I ran in hot conditions in Italy last year and learned a bit about splashing water over yourself and so on and it was pretty warm in Loughborough.
“I think it is always that bit harder when you are at the front and doing most the work yourself but, as I said, that is the way I like to race.”