Katie off to a flyer

9:40am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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SEVENTEEN-year-old Truro middle distance runner Katie Knowles has made an explosive start to the new season with a new personal best time lifting her to fourth fastest in the UK for the under-20 females 1,500 metres.

At the Millfield PB Classic time trials event, she knocked 1.5 seconds off her previous best for a new time of 4.28.15.

"This was my first 1,500m race of the season and it usually it takes me a couple of races to get down to my PB," said Katie, "so I was very pleased to knock 1.5 seconds off it. It shows everything is moving in the right direction - and I should also be able to reduce my PB in the 3,000m as well."

It all augers well for her bid to make her mark on the world stage - she is hoping to qualify for the 3,000 metres at the World Junior Track and Field Championships at Bydgoszcz in Poland from July 8-13, with trials at Bedford from June 21-22.

And her Millfield triumph came in the wake of a timely boost from her sponsors, Redruth-based Lowena Homes Ltd, where she called in to collect three new pairs of training shoes from David Worlledge, joint managing director, as part of an initial package worth more than £1,500.

The package also includes a year's-worth of fortnightly massage and financial help with travel and accommodation, which will enable her to compete in extra events this summer. The help with overnight accommodation will also make her better prepared.