Waldron (right) hopes to get an Olympic trial invite

Herefordshire's Sarah Waldron is hoping to compete in the Olympic trials after running personal best of 16.38 in the British Milers 5k race in Manchester.

But she told BBC Hereford & Worcester her university exams almost led to her missing the Gold Standard event.

"I had cold symptoms and had not had much sleep due to the exams but I was really happy with the result.

"This gives me the qualifying time to be able to compete in the Olympic trials," Waldron added.

"This is an invitation-only meeting, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will be invited.

"Although I have no chance of making Bejing it would be a great event to do and something that would give me valuable experience ahead of 2012."

Her performance in Manchester means she is the third-fastest under-20 British woman over the distance this year.

Waldron plans to compete in the UK Women's League meeting in Birmingham this weekend in which she will run her first 3k race of the season.

My legs were in no state to run and Roy sorted them out for me, he really is a legend Sarah Waldron

And she paid tribute to the work of her masseur Roy Minter, who she claims was instrumental in getting her to the start line.

"On the morning of the race my legs were in no state to run and Roy sorted them out for me, he really is a legend.

"I genuinely don't think I could race as well without his ongoing support."