Cornwall's Molly Long has staked a strong claim for selection to compete at the World Under 18 Championships in the Ukraine next month, writes Kevin Fahey.
The 16-year-old Truro School student ran magnificently to smash her personal best in the British Miler's Club Grand Prix in Manchester on Saturday evening.
Promoted into the A race - and the youngest athlete in the field - after her victory in Solihull in the B race the previous month Long carved over two seconds off her personal best with 2mins 06.30secs to go well inside the World Youth qualifying standard of 2:08.
"I am so delighted with that time, I can hardly believe it," said Long.
"The pace was so fast on the first lap that I had to stay back but I hung in with the group and we had a great battle down the home straight.
"I am thrilled with that."
Wisely Long, who lives in Trevone near Padstow, didn't go with eventual leader Loren Bleaken who reached the bell in 59 seconds but she wasn't far adrift in what was the fastest first half of an 800m she has ever done.
That she maintained her form and finished strongly for fourth overall in a strong field underlines just how much the teenager has improved under the guidance of Truro-based coach John Knowles.
"I would be very surprised and disappointed if Molly didn't get selected for the Worlds now," said Knowles.
"You never take anything for granted but she is well inside the qualifying standard and has been very consistent this season.
"There are no official trials for the Under 18s event in the Ukraine but Molly will run the UK Under 20 Championships in a couple of weeks and hopefully have another good run there to support her claim for selection."
Long's time cements her place at the top of the UK U17 Rankings this year and lifts her to 12th on the UK All-Time list. Last year the former club swimmer boasted a PB of 2:09.44 and this summer she has bettered that with 2:08.62 in Solihull and now 2:06.30.
"It is going so well and that is down to John who has been brilliant in helping me," added Long.
