Galway girl Isobel clocks superb PB

David Knox 1607 - 1607 • Published 6 Apr 2009 12:30 0 Comments

NOT many international athletes can say they have taken more than half an hour off their personal best time.

But Innerleithen"s Isobel Knox returned from the Anglo Celtic Plate competition in Ireland with that boast.

The 30-year-old also managed to break the 100 kilometre Commonwealth selection standard of nine hours with her run in Galway at the weekend.

Isobel, whose previous best for the distance was 9 hours 17 minutes, broke the tape in 8 hours 43.14 minutes. She told us: 'I am delighted with my time.

I really didn"t think I was going to break 9 hours as I was sick and felt terrible for most of the way round.

'Thankfully I settled down for the last 20 miles and was able to push on.'

The international event began at Galway harbour at 8am, with some athletes still running 10 hours later.

Despite completing 50 laps of the 2km coastal route, the Innerleithen care worker still managed another few miles the following day before flying home.

Isobel added: 'I felt okay the following morning and went out for a slow jog.

'I"m still a bit tired but I"ll be out training again soon.'

Isobel"s Irish run will see her automatically qualify to run at the Commonwealth Games trials in Keswick later this year.

And it is expected the ultra-distance sport will be adopted in time for the Glasgow 2014 games.

Coach Neil Renton is delighted with his runner"s progress. He said: 'This really was a significant breakthrough for Isobel.

'She had a sticky spell during the race but came on well at the end and her time beat many of the men competing.

'It will be a case of recovery just now before we start preparing for Keswick in September.'

The Galway 100k women"s race was won by Ireland"s Helena Crossan in a record time of 8 hours 11.04 minutes. The first Scot home was Sandra Bowers, who crossed the finishing line in 8 hours 28.58 minutes.

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 06 Apr 09

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