After claiming victory in the 5, 000m at the UK Athletics Championships, Josh Kerr says it “shows I’m strong enough” to defend his 1500m title at the September World Championships in Tokyo.
Compatriot Neil Gourlay won the 1500m championship for the third year in a row on the day Laura Muir was humiliated by Livingston’s Sarah Calvert in the women’s event despite being assured of GB selection and not running his preferred distance.
With two more laps to go, Kerr was nine seconds clear of Jack Kavanagh, another Englishman.
The 12-and-a-half laps out there are a little different and a little more than I’m expecting, but the mile push hopefully proves that I’m strong enough for five weeks.
The British middle distance running team is strong, Kerr remarked.
After winning the Birmingham competition that doubled as the British trials, he said, “This title has been British for about three or four years and hopefully it’s going to stay that way for the next couple of years.”
We are in a fantastic position in the UK because we have a fantastic set of 1500m men fighting it as well.
After defeating Englishman Elliot Giles in a sprint finish to win the British title for the fourth time in six years, Gourlay showed himself to be the best of the rest.
He told Scottish Athletics, “It’s a little surreal having that longevity with all the people who have been attending and going through this event.”
The goal was undoubtedly to win, and it feels satisfying to do that now. “It’s always the challenge to come here and take care of business in terms of qualifying for the world championships.
Given the people I’ve encountered over the years, it’s quite remarkable to win the last three.
Jemma Reekie secured her 800-meter team spot for Tokyo, but the Scot was content to take her place ahead of Georgia Hunter Bell, a talented Englishwoman.
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Source: BBC
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