Lennon needs gold to fulfil Serbian dream (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Lennon needs gold to fulfil Serbian dream

2:45pm Friday 10th July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

ACCRINGTON athlete Leigh Lennon insists she won’t settle for second best as she bids to end five years of hurt at the Aviva English Schools Track and Field Championships.

The 18-year-old 800m runner has finished on the podium in three of her last four appearances at the championship but has yet to climb the top step.

Lennon, who will represent Lancashire when the event gets underway in Sheffield today, has had an impressive summer and has already achieved the 800m qualifying time for this month’s European Junior Championships in Serbia.

But with only the winner in Sheffield guaranteed a place on the plane to Eastern Europe – Lennon will not rest until she has a gold medal in her hands this weekend.

“The season has been going really well and I am really hoping to get a win in Sheffield,” said Lennon.

“I have already achieved the qualifying standard for the games in Serbia, which was a weight off my shoulders, but I need to make sure I win to guarantee my spot.

“I like racing in Sheffield because there is always a good atmosphere and it is great to race in a big stadium. I have medalled three times in the English Schools before but I just want to make sure I get the gold this time.”

Lennon dipped under the Serbian qualifying time of 2mins 6secs with an impressive 2mins 5.93secs at the BMC Nike Grand Prix in Manchester on May 30. However, the 18-year-old struggled to recreate her heroics in last weekend’s England Under 20 Championships in Bedford when, struggling with illness, she could only manage fifth.

But after a week of rest and recuperation the Ribble Valley AC ace insists she’ll be back to her best at the Don Valley Stadium.

“I struggled a little bit at Bedford because I wasn’t feeling too well,” added Lennon.

“So I have been making sure I have had plenty of rest before Sheffield and eating plenty of oranges to make sure I am fit but I’m confident I will be all right and will be able to run well.”

l Aviva English Schools Track and Field Championships ambassador, Dame Kelly Holmes, will be attending this weekend’s event.

Aviva is committed to giving every child in the UK the opportunity to get involved in athletics by 2012.

For more information go to aviva.co.uk/athletics.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)