Welsh athlete is now the third-fastest British half-marathoner of all time after his 60:31 run in Gdynia

After a well-earned break, Jake Smith will be turning his attention back to the track and targeting a 10,000m place at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, writes Jessica Whittington.

The 22-year-old stormed to third on the UK all-time list with his impressive 60:31 Welsh record at the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia on Saturday but says he will be stepping back down in distance as he aims for the Tokyo team rather than eyeing a move up to the marathon just yet.

Based in Cardiff where he is coached by James Thie, Smith will now take 10 days off following the run that saw him place 18th on his senior GB debut, leading the British men's team to 10th place.

Then it will be back to training.

"The group I have in Cardiff is insane," Smith says. "We have a load of really good shorter-distance runners, like Piers Copeland has come on exceptionally this year over the 1500m and there are a load of other good 1500m runners.

"I just want to get involved with the 1500m runners. Hopefully they can put me in my place over the speedwork!"

The Bermuda-born athlete, who has recently become Welsh qualified, was left encouraged by a 28:00.5 10,000m time trial he ran in July and now has his eye on the Tokyo qualifying mark of 27:28.00.

READ MORE: Jake Smith motivated for more after fast 10,000m time trial

"The ultimate goal is to see how close I can get to that 10,000m time next year for the Olympics," Smith says.

On his marathon ambitions, he adds: "The marathon is definitely in the future but not for a few years.

"Personally I am going to step down because I feel like this half-marathon build-up has been amazing but it has taken so much out of me.

"I want to get quicker over the shorter stuff and then make the step up in a few years but not any time soon."

Click here to read more from an interview with Smith in which he discusses his World Athletics Half Marathon Championships performance.

(Photos by Moyo Sports)

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