David Griffiths 2012 feature on Sarah Astin

Sarah Astin smashed Brenda Walker’s 25 year Manx record for 5,000 metres on Saturday. David Griffiths, who watched the final few laps online, reported that she ran 16 minutes 46.13 seconds at the British Milers Club meeting at Watford. If ratified by the IOMAA, it takes 8.27 seconds off Brenda’s record set in 1989 – Sarah was not born until October 1993!

A delighted Sarah responded to my enquiry on Sunday morning to report that she only had her eye on a personal best and not a record. "The field in my race was really strong with the likes of Jo Pavey* in my race! So I just made sure I didn’t get carried away at the start and just picked it up a bit towards the end, I ended up running on my own for most of it. I didn’t really know what to expect since it was only my second 5k on track – first proper one with the other one being the heats at University Championships. I think I’ll probably start doing some shorter races now and hopefully get a pb in the 1500 as well!".

At the same meeting Ollie Lockley, who like Sarah studies at St Mary’s University in London, also re-stated his personal best with a time of 14 minutes 52.79 seconds. Full results here.

Photos: Helping at the London Marathon 2013 and her comeback race on Easter Sunday just four weeks ago after an injury. (ML) *Jo Pavey is the legendary 40 year old four time Olympic athlete who only last week won the trial for the European Championships.