Mary is proving so multi talented

May 3 2007 By Bill Mcguirk, The Evening Chronicle

Junior Cross-Country international Mary Ferrier is turning her attentions more and more to the world of multi-sport.

And that isn't surprising considering her latest triumph which saw her qualify for the European Duathlon Championships which will be held in Edinburgh in June.

Last weekend Ferrier, a student at the University of Leeds, outclassed the field to win the 3,000 metres in the National Junior League fixture at Gateshead.

But even though she still plans to compete in athletics as much as possible, she is starting to really get into the swimming, cycling and running syndrome, especially since she moved to Yorkshire to study.

"I started at Gateshead Harriers when I was 12, and I've always swam, so it was just a progression into the world of duathlons and triathlons," said the 19-year-old.

"Cycling was always my weakest, but at Leeds I have been training with the university's cycling club and I've improved an awful lot.

"That showed when I finished second in the National Duathlon Championships (run-bike-run) which has earned me a place in the European Championships.

"This is my first year doing triathlons properly so we'll see how it goes.

"Whatever happens I'll still compete for Gateshead as often as I can."

Mary, who finished seventh in the junior race at this year's World Cross-Country Trials, could well miss this year's North East Counties Track and Field Championships on her home track in 10 days' time.

"Unfortunately, the championships clash with a national triathlon training day, so I'm undecided.

"It may be that I'll run the championships on the Saturday and go to the training get-together the following day. I just haven't made my mind up one way or the other yet."

Whatever decision Mary makes, she did admit that she was pleased with her winning run in the junior league, especially when it was over 30 seconds quicker than her opening 3,000m of the season.

"To run 10 minutes was really pleasing, especially as I ran it from the front," she said. "Two weeks earlier, when the conditions were much better, I ran much slower, but on Sunday I felt really good and my time was just outside my pb."