It is a rivalry that could continue for another decade but Jake Heyward is just relishing the latest instalment in Holland on Sunday (December 9).

The Cardiff runner will face Scandinavian sensation Jakob Ingebrigtsen looking to stop him winning a third European Junior Cross Country title.

The Norwegian was just 17 when he made the senior breakthrough in spectacular fashion in Berlin last summer winning European 1500m and 500m gold.

Their rivalry could be the highlight of many major meetings for several years to come as Heyward looks to fulfil the potential he has shown in the junior ranks.

“I am probably going to be racing against him for a long time given our ages,” said the 19-year-old university student of Ingebrigtsen, who turned 18 in September.

“It is always good to have a mini-rivalry and it does help push everyone on.

“I have to raise my game. Despite all the training I have done this year I know I have got to be at another level to try and contend with someone like him.

“I don’t really speak to him as such though when I see him I will shake his hands after races so there is a respect there.

“Like anyone else I think I can learn quite a lot from him and the fact that he has gone on to win stuff at such a young age shows there is no reason why I can’t do things like that.”

Heyward heads to Tilburg in good form having racked up cross country wins in Cardiff, Spain and at the trials in Liverpool.

And after illness scuppered his chances last year, he is keen to make amends this time round.

“I would love to see if I could medal,” he added.

“Every race you try to win but it will depend on the course. I think it’s been raining most of the week in Tilburg and I’m not too sure what the condition of the course will be like.

“As a track runner you’d prefer firmer ground but it’s the same for everybody and you have got to deal with it and I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do.

“Last year I went into Liverpool feeling a little bit run-down and from that it pushed me over the edge a  bit and I had a nasty virus going into Euro Cross.

“Getting ill is something that is out of your control, but this year I’ve really learnt from last year and really tried to bubble-wrap myself and not take any risks.”

At this year’s World Juniors in Finland, Ingebrigtsen split a couple of Kenyans to take 1500m silver with Heyward just missing out in fourth spot.

Twelve months earlier it was Heyward who came out on top to take the European Juniors 1500m title in Italy with his rival falling although he also took 5000m and steeplechase gold.

The Scandinavian has since made that transition to the major championship stage which Heyward is keen to do next year by qualifying for the worlds in Qatar.

He added: “I have competed against him and been competitive against him so there is no reason why I can’t do what he has done.

“He’s at a different part of his development to me.

“He’s lived and trained as a professional athlete for a while and been to altitude several times, whereas I’ve not trained at altitude at all yet.”

Heyward hopes to put that right early next year with a three-week training stint in South Africa – as long as he gets permission from his professors at Cardiff University.

The accountancy and finance student added: “I have exams so I am waiting to hear if I can sit them abroad.

“If so, then I’ll go to South Africa on the British Athletics altitude camp.”

First up, though, is Holland where Heyward is one of a mini-armada of eight Welsh athletes who will be competing on Sunday.

That is testament to the work done by the likes of Heyward’s coach, James Thie, at Cardiff Met and former national endurance coach Chris Jones who recently took over as national coach.

“I don’t remember there being that many Welsh athletes on the team and it’s just amazing that we can do it here in Wales,” added the Llanishen High School product. 

“With the structure and set-up I feel we are starting to get the rewards from that.

“James has had a massive influence in the number of runners who are getting to that level as well as Chris who has done a great job overseeing the programme.

“Now he is head of Welsh Athletics he has more power I guess in the decision he makes in what happens in our sport.”

Heyward’s main goal next summer is likely to be the European Under 23 Championships. 

But he is also looking to get selected for the worlds in Doha – then there is Tokyo 2020 on the horizon when he will still be only 21.

“It’s a weird season as Doha is so late and my main goal is to make that team which means I have got to be ready for British Championships in August,” added Heyward.

“But at the same time there are also Euro U23s in July so we’ve decided I am going to go for that.

“It would be a waste of the summer if I didn’t take that opportunity.

“It will be a challenging year but think it will be good experience for years going forward.”

Heyward, Britain’s No 1 junior miler, admits it is making that successful step-up to the seniors which is his driving force.

He added: “There are so many people who have amazing junior careers but can never translate that to their senior career.

“I’ve always believed whatever you do as a junior is good but it doesn’t really matter as nobody looks back on their career and thinks what did I do as a junior. 

“That just motivates me to really step up my game now, make smart decisions and slowly progress through the ranks and not try to rush anything or change anything.

“Tokyo is a massive aim of mine. I would love to make that Olympic Games. 

“Making an Olympics is one of biggest goals for any track athlete and I feel at that point I will definitely have a really good chance. I will be 21. 

“There are lots of athletes running at world class level at 21 and there is no reason why I cant be in the mix.”

Along with a certain Jakob Ingebrigtsen no doubt.

Welsh athletes for European Cross Country Championships 

Senior Men:

Dewi Griffiths 

Charlie Hulson

Kris Jones

 

Senior Women:

Charlotte Arter

Melissa Courtney

 

Junior Men

Jake Heyward

Matt Willis

Junior Women

Cari Hughes