Commonwealth gold medallist and coach to Jess Judd appointed as national institute coach

Rob Denmark is to join the likes of Barry Fudge, Steve Cram and Paula Radcliffe on UK Athletics' endurance programme.

The 1994 Commonwealth 5000m gold medallist has been appointed as a national institute coach and will undertake the full-time role based at the National Performance Institute in Loughborough.

Denmark, who is coach to a number of athletes including 800m specialist Jessica Judd, will work on the programme alongside head of endurance Fudge, as well as liaising with key advisors Cram and Radcliffe.

"I'm delighted to have been given this opportunity and it's one that I'm really looking forward to," said Denmark.

"This summer we have seen British athletes reaping the rewards of the British Athletics Endurance Programme which certainly bodes well for the next few years."

The endurance programme is geared towards podium success at Olympic and world level and aims to give British coaches the chance to up-skill and develop alongside some of the world’s best coaching set-ups such as Nike’s Oregon Project with Alberto Salazar.

"I am confident Rob's skill set will complement the vision of the endurance programme to produce athletes who stand on the start line and are the best prepared in the world," commented Fudge.

When announcing Fudge as the national governing body's head of endurance back in December, UKA confirmed the appointment of Denmark and Jon Bigg, coach to 1500m specialist Charlie Grice, as contracted coaches to benefit from a supported development programme.

Radcliffe was named as a key advisor, to offer guidance and mentoring for athletes, in December, while Cram was added to the programme in April.