Young athletes put to the test at St Mary’s University

Some of Britain’s talented young athletes were put through their paces at a London Marathon Events Young Athletes Camp held at St Mary’s University recently.

Eighty of the country’s most promising youngsters spent a week at the university in south-west London learning just what it takes to be an elite athlete. Among the attendees were some of the top finishers at the 2016 Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon, with the week-long camp part of their prize for performing so well, plus some of the top English Schools track and cross-country performers.

The athletes, all in the under-15 and under-17 age groups, were given expert advice in everything from nutrition and psychology workshops to anti-doping talks.

St Mary’s performance coach, Craig Winrow, said: “Once again St Mary’s University was delighted to host the London Marathon Event’s Young Athletes Camp where the athletes were educated through various workshops providing them with an insight into what it takes to be an elite athlete.

“We hope they take on board all the expert advice and use it to enhance their own running careers.”

Sabrina Sinha, who won the under-17 Virgin Money Giving Mini Marathon race this year and is also a 1500m silver medallist from the European Youth Championships, was among those at the camp, while previous athletes to have attended the course are 2016 British Olympians Laura Weightman and Steph Twell, as well as 2012 Olympian Ross Murray.

The Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon is the official British Athletics three-mile road championships for young athletes aged between 11 and 17 and is open to entrants from the nine regions of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. It also includes teams from all 33 London Boroughs.

Previous winners of the Mini London Marathon and Mini Wheelchair Marathon include four-time Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah and six-time Paralympic gold medallist David Weir.

Details of the 2017 Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon will be available at www.minimarathon.co.uk in due course.