GNicholson

Last updated 01:00, Tuesday, 03 July 2007

athletics

RUNNING star Laura Park struck gold again at the weekend as she won a FIFTH national title.

The 15-year-old Cumbrian schoolgirl, from Dearham, won the English Uphill Under-16 Championships at Ilkley.

Laura, who runs for Ellenborough Athletics Club, had already won the British and Irish Under-17 cross-country title in Dublin and the British Fell Running Championship for her age group in Belfast this season.

Her other national successes came in the English Club cross country championships in Sunderland and the English Schools cross country championships in Leeds.

The Netherhall School pupil’s latest national success came on Sunday when she romped home a clear winner after leading from the gun to tape to complete the all up-hill 3,400 metre course, including a 900 feet climb, in 20 minutes and 34 seconds.

Her dad Steve said: “We are extremely proud of what she has achieved this year, picking up all these national titles.

“Now our fingers are crossed for the English Schools Nationals in Birmingham in a couple of weeks when she’ll be representing Cumbria schools in the 3,000 metres at Under-17 intermediate girls, for which she is ranked sixth in Britain for her age group.”

Last Sunday’s success saw Laura start steadily and gradually build up an unassailable lead to win by nearly two minutes. Anika Jarman, of Lancaster & Morcambe, took silver, while Rachael Searson, of Blackburn, took bronze.