Getting so much better all the time
Reekie sets new personal best in GB senior debut at London
17.07.2018 Jemma Reekie set a new 1500m personal best as she finished third on her Great Britain senior debut at the Athletics World Cup in London.
The Kilbarchan AAC athlete, 20, shone as she took five-hundredths of a second off of her previous best to clinch bronze in 4.09.05.
She finished third, behind Poland’s Sofia Ennaoui and the American Rachel Schneider to also claim six points.
It was a race to remember for Reekie as she battled through an experienced field to make her presence felt over the course of a keenly-contested race.
There were still five athletes in the running come the final bell, and when Schneider made a move with 300m to go, the 2017 European U20 champion remained focused.
The fast- finishing Ennaoui however, proved too much to handle as she raced clear from the duo.
Reekie, who enjoys a rising reputation in the sport, admitted she just wanted to go out there and enjoy the occasion.
She said: “It was really fun. I wanted to come out here and have fun in my first senior appearance for GB, so to get a personal best and a medal out of it is fantastic.
“I actually felt really relaxed. I said to myself, just go out and enjoy it.
“Anything else is a bonus this year, as I have already done so well.
“I am competing against worldclass athletes regularly now so I am getting more experienced every race.
“I am so happy to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland, especially here in London. I had so much fun and the crowd were amazing. I have never had such a big cheer before, so the whole experience was fantastic.”
Meanwhile, Great Britain and Northern Ireland claimed overall third in the inaugural Athletics World Cup.
The Scottish quartet of Reekie, Zoey Clark, Beth Dobbin and Neil Gourley all contributed towards the overall tally, but it was the United States that took home the new trophy.
Only relay runner Clark had appeared for GB at Senior level before and Reekie, Dobbin and Gourley all took third in their races to come away with bronze medals.