Now Beth lands Olympics selection!

Sunday 22nd May 2016

And then there were four!

Beth Potter become the latest Scottish track and field athlete to clinch selection for the Olympics with a superb performance at the British 10,000m trial in London on Saturday night.

The National XC winner went inside the 32.15 qualifying mark for the second time in a matter of weeks and, combined with finishing in the top two Brits in the race at Highgate, that will put her on a plane to Rio in August.

Marathon trio Callum Hawkins, Tsegai Tewelde and Derek Hawkins are of course already selected by GB and NI for the Olympics – with Potter now taking the Scottish endurance contingent to four.

‘I am so excited that I don’t know what to say,’ grinned Beth, who clocked 32.05.4 to finish third overall.

‘Am I definitely qualified? I just had to get the top two, having already run the standard, so that was the priority.

‘I was nervous over those last couple of laps; I didn’t want to look behind me as I was just focusing on getting that second spot. I felt good (at the front early on) and was confident to hold that position at that stage. But Jess (Andrews) had a great run; I used to train with her so well done to her.’

Thanks to Vinco runjumpthrow for this video interview with Beth:

Marathon #TrioforRio – already named for Olympics

Andrews was the winner in the senior women’s race and set a new personal best on the way. The 31:58 clocking was an 80 second personal best for the Aldershot Farnham & District athlete who had previously run a best of 33:21.53 earlier this year.

She beat a stellar field including 2009 world champion Linet Masai of Kenya as well as a number of fellow Brits to take the overall victory. Beth, coached by Mick Woods crossed the line as the second Briton (third overall) inside the standard once more to confirm her place in Brazil.

Ross Millington earned an impressive win in the senior men’s race but was outside the Olympic qualifying standard. The time of 28:27.63 combined with finishing in the top two means the Stockport Harrier will have a chance to go for another attempt to run under the 28:00.00 qualification mark.

Mark Mitchell gave the best performance by a Scot in the men’s division with the Forres Harrier at 30.23.13 in his first outing at 10,000m on the track.

Tags: Beth Potter, Callum Hawkins, Derek Hawkins, Mark Mitchell, Olympics, Rio, Tsegai Tewelde