Success for Stacey Downie at European Masters Championships

The West Linton PE teacher experienced a successful tournament, held in Pescara, Italy.

Downie competed in the W35 100m heats on Friday (September 22) and qualified comfortably for the final with a 12.48-second heat win.

Later that afternoon she went head-to-head with fellow GB athlete Hayley Mills in the final.

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After a strong start, Mills pulled away to record a swift 12.03, with Downie not far behind with 12.36 for silver. It was her second quickest run of the season.

Stacey Downie on the podium in Italy

Following up the 100m success, Downie lined up for the 200m on Sunday.

After recording an encouraging 25.38-second heat win, she lined up in the final later that afternoon as one of the favourites against 100m champion Mills.

Following a strong bend, Mills had made up the stagger and pulled away, with Downie in hot pursuit in second place.

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Downie crossed the line in 25.25, a new legal season's best performance behind the fast run of 24.35 for Mills.

The Peeblesshire athlete said: "I was delighted to have such strong performances competing in September as it has been the latest I have ever raced. Even better that I was able to get my fastest runs of the year.

"It was satisfying to be part of a GB one-two in each sprint and hear the national anthem on the podium. My only disappointment was I wasn't able to be part of the 4x100m relay team who won gold on Monday as I had to get back for work."

Downie will now look ahead to competing again at the European Masters Indoors in Torun, Poland, in March.

Then she will be out to defend her 200m and 400m titles at the World Championships held in Gothenberg, Sweden, in August.