Super Claire knows she can do better

Sep 19 2002 By The Evening Chronicle

Jarrow and Hebburn's Claire Smallwood took a further step up the ladder of success after being first counter for the North of England team in last weekend's National 10k Championship at Gloucester.

The 25-year-old admin officer's determination to succeed has paid off this year with her times improving in every event from 400 metres through to 10,000m.

That is an achievement in itself but the Jimmy Hedley-trained athlete is still not content and is hungry to improve even further.

"I've had a tremendous summer in which I've made significant breakthroughs, especially in the 1500m, but I want to go on to greater things," said Claire, who was honest enough to admit she was disappointed with her performance in Gloucester.

"Naturally, I would love to get an England vest. That's my target but if I run like I did on Sunday then I'll have no chance.

"My time, like a lot of the other English girls in the race, was well down on what we have run before.

"I was pleased to be first runner home for the North but I know I can run much better. And the team manager mustn't have been too upset for he asked me back to run the Leeds Abbey Dash in December!"

Claire missed out on a run for the North in both the recent Bishop Auckland and Bradford races due to being away on holiday and she expected to be in good form for her trip to Gloucester, however, it didn't turn out that way.

"I was up for it but after running quite well for the first of the three laps, I began to feel tired. I just couldn't get going properly after that. I'm putting it down to being a bit rusty.

"Hopefully, I can put that behind me at Farringdon on Saturday."

Like a number of athletes from the region, Claire plans to take in some of the Reebok series of races, commencing with the opening fixture at Liverpool next month.

"I won't be doing all the Reebok events," added Claire. "I want to defend my Durham Pine Harrier League title."