Davies going for PB at Olympic trials

Andrew Davies will be going all out for a new personal best tomorrow when he lines up alongside Britain’s top endurance runners at the Olympic trials in London.

The college lecturer is in the 15-man and 15-woman elite-only field and appears to be in the shape of his life despite being at the tail end of a career that has seen him become established as one of Britain’s best.

The British Olympic Marathon Trials are taking place on a fast and flat course around Kew Gardens with one one small lap followed by 12 longer ones.

Despite his lack of competition over the past year, Davies, whose personal best is 2:14:36, has been clocking good times and while an Olympic spot may be unrealistic, he has a target of making the Wales time for the 2022 Commonwealth Games to be held in Birmingham.

“I am feeling good and ready to roll now,” he told us. “If the conditions stay good then I’ll hopefully be going through half way in 67 mins - so hopefully 2:14.

“But it’s predicted to be a bit windy with gusts, so if that’s the case I have got to be sensible and go a bit slower. The Commonwealth Games (qualifying) time is 2:15:30, so will be delighted to get this time anyway. We’ll just have to wait and see I guess!”

With Callum Hawkins already pre-selected for Team GB, the first two men across the line in sub-2:11:30 will automatically be selected for the Tokyo Olympic team. Hawkins will still be running in the trials, but as a pacemaker.