Preston Harrier Nicola Sutton eyes even more success after wonderful winter
Preston Harrier Nicola Sutton has enjoyed a wonderful winter representing her country.
The 40-year-old long distance runner has achieved some spectacular results in both the vest of England and Harriers.
In just her fifth time of running for her country, she came fourth in the British & Irish Cross-Country International meeting, held in Leeds, in November.
She was second counter on the England team and was also the third British runner home.
A mum of two to nine-year-old Ava and Alfie (5), Sutton won the British Masters 5km in London a month later and also claimed the Lancashire County Cross-Country Championship in Burnley.
The success continued in the new year as she claimed the Northern Masters Cross-Country title in Blackpool.
She also finished 20th against the region's best young women at the Northern Cross-Country Championships in Pontefract.
Next on Sutton’s agenda is achieving a top-50 place in the National Championships, in Durham, where she will be up against some of the country’s best female runners.
As a tribute to her winter season so far she will be the guest of honour at Preston Harriers’ annual club presentation evening which takes place soon.
"I'm really pleased with how my winter's going so far and I'm so grateful to all the hard work and support from my amazing coach Steve Hallas,” Sutton said.
“The highlight has definitely been running my best race in an England vest in November but I'm happy the whole season’s been a strong one and one to be proud of.
"I'm excited to see what I can do in the spring and summer – it would be fantastic to break the 17 minute-barrier for 5km on the road, 10 minutes for 3,000m on the track, and to hopefully gain more national call-ups over both distances.”