Sarah Waldron (right) is looking to impress at Gateshead

Herefordshire athlete Sarah Waldron ran a personal best over 5km as she represented England in the road race championships in Blackburn.

After a long spell out because of a succession of injuries Waldron feels she is getting back to her best.

"It was a long time coming but I was back in an England vest which was great after such a long time out," she said.

"I managed to come fourth in the seniors and first in the Under-23s so I was very happy with that."

2009 was to prove a frustrating year for the 21-year old from Puddleston who suffered a succession of injuries while she was also studying for her university finals in Birmingham.

I want to see what I can do at senior level because that is where I am heading Sarah Waldron

Among these was a thigh problem, shin splints and then an ankle injury but she says her performance at Blackburn demonstrates that she is now back on course.

"I think the fourth place in the seniors event was most pleasing because it really shows I am now able to compete at senior level," she told BBC Hereford & Worcester.

"But I was very happy with the personal best as it shows I am moving forward.

"I know I can run quicker now and I felt very strong and relaxed and it has given me lots of confidence that I am going in the right direction."

Waldron will be looking to carry on that good form when she heads to Gateshead for the England senior championships on Saturday, 17 July.

She will again be competing over 5km although this race will be on the track rather than the roads but says she is determined to build on her result in Blackburn.

"I have got lots of confidence going into that and I just want to run quicker than I have ever run before," she said.

"It is one of the first times I will have run an England senior race [on the track] so it is quite exciting.

"I want to see what I can do at senior level because that is where I am heading."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version