TWO years ago Michael Green ran his first half marathon at Fleetwood and finished a mile and a half clear of the field -- and that after winning 1500m and 5000m races for Blackburn Harriers the previous day.

Local fans have not seen much of one of our most exciting talents in the last few years though, because since January 1997 he has been at Troy State University in Alabama after winning a scholarship to study Sport and Fitness Management.

On his last trip home, over the millennium period, he was actively looking for local athletes who would be interested in joining him in America, and the search has borne fruit with Liam and Robert Barton from Blackburn Harriers about to start a four year course in Leisure Management.

The 18-year-old twins fly out on August 10 and are looking forward to the experience.

Rob said: "Michael has been brilliant, we phone him up so often he must be getting really fed up with us!"

Michael graduated in December and is now studying for his masters in Sport and Fitness Management, thanks to receiving an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.

"Only 29 of these are awarded nationwide to athletes who have excelled in the classroom as well as on the field," said Michael. "This is one of my proudest achievements.

"Following the completion of my degree I will probably stay over here and work for a couple of years.

"But ultimately I would like to return home and work and run. I have a serious girlfriend right now who will probably become a more permanent fixture, so that may influence my decision!"

Michael has certainly made an impact on the running scene in Alabama, winning 35 outdoor track races and 10 cross country races in the four years he has been there.

His most memorable experience came at his home track meet, the TSU Invitational last year.

"Running alone, I ran a new school record of 8.10.06 for the 3000m. I owned the previous record of 8:10.57 which I set in 1999.

"It was a special moment because it marked my last home track meet as a TSU runner.

"A lot of my friends and professors were there to witness me beat the record -- I cut it short though, leaving just half a second at the end!"

Michael has found he has adapted to the American conditions easily -- especially the weather.

"In Alabama right now we are lucky if the temperature dips below 70 degrees," said Michael. "It makes training much more difficult, with temperatures reaching almost 100 daily. I have to train very early in the morning.

"The seasons are a little different over here. Cross country runs from the end of August to the end of November, and outdoor track runs from the end of March until mid May.

"Cross country is usually on manicured golf courses -- none of the mud of the Mid Lancs League which I miss dearly!"

But that hasn't stopped him doing well on the American cross country scene.

"During my time here I qualified for the National Cross Championships twice," he said.

"In 1998 it was in Kansas, and I placed 99th and in 2000 it was in Ames, Iowa, and I placed 90th. It was extremely cold there with the wind chill. It was awful! Neither of these results pleased me, but it's kind of like the Olympics -- just qualifying is an achievement in itself."

And Michael is now hoping to get some financial gain out of his running.

"Many road races over here offer prize money but when representing a university it is not allowable for athletes to keep the money. I have had to donate it to charity which is obviously a bit demoralising!

"But now I can keep any prize money. I raced a local road race over fiver miles (25.27) and won $200. Two days later I raced in Florida over 4.4 miles and set a course record. This netted me a total of $350.

"Then I joined the big boys in the Peachtree Road race in Atlanta, Georgia. I blew up and ended up fading to 47th in 31.37, which isn't a good time for me!

"I did get to talk to Khalid Khanouchi, the world record holder in the marathon, so the experience was worthwhile."

Now Michael has decided to step up and experience the joy -- or pain -- of running 26 miles and 385 yards.

"I am planning to make my debut over the marathon late in the year," he said. "I have posted a decent half-marathon (66.29) off little preparation and had no one running with me for 11 miles, so hopefully I can translate that into a good marathon -- but I'm not making any predictions."

But while enjoying life in America, he still thinks about home.

"I still occasionally run in my Blackburn Harriers vest although it's actually getting a bit tight on me!

"I owe a lot to the Harriers, and especially my coach before I came out here, Arthur Almond.

"Arthur is a talented coach who puts as much effort into athletics as his many successful athletes. I credit much of my enjoyment and success in athletics to Arthur's early input. Hopefully he'll take me back into the group when I eventually come home!"