MARSHFIELD teenager Loren Bleaken is in pole position to win a place in the Great Britain team for the European U20 Championships in Italy next month, writes Kevin Fahey.
The 17-year-old Hardenhuish School student recorded a season’s best time of 2mins 05.18secs to win the elite A 800m race at the British Milers’ Club Grand Prix in Manchester on Saturday, crucially inside the qualifying standard of 2.06.00.
It leaves Bleaken, pictured, second in the UK rankings behind the mercurial Jess Judd, who has options also in the 1500m, but means the Wiltshire champion can now concentrate on the European trials at Bedford on June 15/16 when a top two finish should be good enough to secure her selection for Italy.
“I am so pleased to get that qualifying time,” said Bleaken. “I thought I had done it in Millfield last month but because we have a male pacemaker I was told that wouldn’t count towards selection.
“I was determined to run inside 2.06 and I can’t say enough how delighted I am to do that.”
Bleaken was the only runner in the field to follow the pacemaker through the bell in 59 seconds and showed tremendous strength and determination to hold on and finish almost a second clear of her pursuers.
“It was tough but I know I can go quicker,” she said.
“But the important thing was to get that qualifying time and now I can go to the trials in Bedford and concentrate on trying to win the race.”
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