By Owen Morgan
Two Welsh middle distance athletes ran themselves into the record books at the National Indoor Athletics Centre in Cardiff, last weekend – Jake Heyward and Tom Marshall.
European Under-20 champion Heyward smashed the 50-year-old British Junior indoor record with a spectacular run in the open 3,000 metres race which also doubled up as the Welsh championship at the Cardiff Metropolitan University Non Thomas Open Grand Prix.
The existing record of 8:01.4 was set in 1968 by Scottish middle distance international Ian Stewart, who went on to win gold in the 5,000 metres at the 1969 European Championships in Athens and bronze at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Heyward shattered Stewart’s record by over a second as he posted a new best of 8:00.93.
The hugely promising Cardiff AAC athlete would also have broken the existing European indoor under-20 record, had it not been beaten earlier in the day by 17-year-old Norwegian sensation Jakob Ingerbritsen, who clocked 7:56.74.
Heyward and Ingerbritsen are developing an exciting rivalry with the Welshman having come out on top when the two met at the European Under-20 Championships last summer.
The former Carwyn James Welsh Young Sportsman of the Year winner went into the championships in Italy ranked 10th. However, in the final he overcame a strong field, including favourite Ingerbritsen, to win his second junior European 1500 metre final.
Since then, the 18-year-old’s promise has been further recognised with selection as one of 21 athletes included on the British Athletics Futures Academy programme for 2018.
The programme – supported by Nike – aims to confirm athletes’ potential and transition onto the World Class Programme (WCP) in 2018-19 and support those who have highlighted their potential to win medals at future Olympic and Paralympic Games.
His recent form indoors, along with impressive cross country performances, bodes well for this summer’s IAAF World Junior Championships in Finland.
Heyward finished fourth in the UK Cross Country Challenge in Liverpool, earning him a place in the British team at the European Cross Country Championships in Slovakia before Christmas. He represented GB again in the junior men’s event at the Great Edinburgh X-Country event earlier this year.
The second record-setting performance at the Non Thomas Open came from Heyward’s training partner Marshall in the mixed invitation 1,000 metres.
Marshall, who like Heyward is coached by James Thie, turned in a powerful performance as he set a new Welsh best of 2:21.25.
His Cardiff AAC T20 clubmate Stephen Morris finished second in a strong 2.32.97 and Charlotte Taylor-Green, of Bristol & West AC, took third in 2.44.78.
Marshall is warming up nicely for April’s Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast, where he has been selected to represent Wales in the 1,500 metres.
Already this year he has helped the British mixed relay team beat Team Europe and Team America at the Stewart International Relay Cup at the Great Edinburgh X-Country event, this after having led the British team home to the inaugural European Mixed Relay cross country gold medal in Slovakia.
And two weeks ago he claimed the Welsh indoor 800 metre title. Afterwards Marshall said: “Touch wood, it’s the best winter I’ve ever had.
“I say this time and time again, stay injury and illness free during the winter, and luckily I have. So I think I’m in better shape than I ever have been, but you never know.”
The 28-year-old says he is delighted to be on his way to the Commonwealths following the disappointment of missing out on the Glasgow games four years ago.
Commenting on his selection, he said: “It’s difficult to describe. It’s hard to put into words. You do 10 or 12 years of intense work, working full time, training full time, dedication, horrible weather. . . it’s just a relief more than anything.
“This more than makes up for the disappointment of last time. There’s a bit of a difference between going to the Gold Coast and going to Glasgow – no offence to Glasgow! The Gold Coast is a phenomenal place to go.
“Our coaches always say the same thing – your heat is your final. If you make the final, especially in the 1500m final, anything can happen.
“The Brits have shown you can do anything in the 1500, you can beat the Kenyans, but it’s getting through to that final, first. That’s the aim.”