1 Mile

English Nationals - Nottinghamshire Champion and North of England Champs fifth placer Blue Haywood (Lincoln Wellington AC) could well be the smallest National Gold medallist in history, according to seasoned officials in the finishing funnels. Her assertion that she is 4ft 8in tall – “I measured myself with a tape” – looks like a bit of a tall story. But few bigger hearts have conquered as tough a course as this little cookie. “I think it’s amazing because I’ve never beaten several of these girls before,” she said after blazing such a trail that she led by 40m within the first kilometre and built an 11-second victory margin.

Blue, became her home county’s first-ever winner in this age group in the most positive manner possible. She led throughout the 3km race over tough hills and through clinging mud, and summed-up her success perfectly. The Nottinghamshire Champion explained that she improved from fifth place in the North of England Championships in January to become National Champion because “I tried to warm-up on my own. If I warm-up with my mates, I don’t do it properly.” Her performance thrilled her coach, Dave Humberstone, who said: “Her attitude is second to none. She is there every training night. She is always willing to do that extra little bit. She always has a smile on her face. It’s great for the other children to see what she can do.”

Blue was 2nd in the Reebok 2003/2004 series, with 104 points.

Pre-race: Under 15 girls (year 8 & 9) 3km – UK Cross Challenge leader Blue Haywood (Lincoln Wellington) will renew battle with Charlotte Purdue (Aldershot, Farnham and District), who has already won Challenge races in London and Liverpool this winter; Sarah Hopkinson (Gloucester), who is another fine prospect in the same training group as Emily Pidgeon; and Tamara Armoush (Amber Valley), who was second in the Under 13 Girls’ race her 12 months ago and has run so consistently well this winter that she currently holds third place in the UK Cross Challenge standings.

Blue Haywood (Lincoln Wellington AC) is claiming a UK Under 18 Women’s 5km road best after winning a senior women’s race at Derby last night in 16 minutes 24 seconds.

It is six seconds faster than the previous best, recorded by former GB Junior cross country and mountain running international Karrie Hawitt (Warrington AC) at Oswestry in 2003.

“Wow!” exclaimed 16-year-old Blue, winner of the Under 17 Women’s race at the opening UK Cross Challenge meeting of the season at Gateshead, when told of the illustrious list she was now topping.

The Tuxford Comprehensive School pupil, who is on the England Athletics East Midlands Regional Event Development Programme, added: “I never thought I would run that quick. I ran 16:54 in May and just wanted to see how much I’ve improved since then. It was a very nice course – flat, and out-and-back alongside a cycle track. And there were plenty of men for company.”