YEARS of hard work are beginning to pay off for a Warrington athlete who will compete at two international events this summer.

Carys McAulay will represent Great Britain, along with Warrington Athletics Club teammate Harriet Knowles-Jones, at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia next week.

The 800m runner has also been selected to race for Scotland at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa in September.

And 17-year-old McAulay, who returned to Warrington AC after living in the USA for three years, admits this will be a career highlight.

“I’ve got to some places that I’ve wanted to reach for a long time,” said the former Bridgewater High School pupil.

“Every year I’ve felt stronger and got quicker. The intensity of each session has got more and more but obviously it’s proven to be efficient and worked well for me.

“I’ve been training here since I was nine years old. Since I came back from America it’s been a lot of getting myself to and from the track, just putting all the effort I can into improving.”

Scottish-born McAulay holds five national 800m titles and has received praise from the likes of European and World Championships medallist Jenny Meadows.

She tweeted: “Well done those picked for Commonwealth Youth Games, especially @carysmcaulay whom I’ve enjoyed watching her development.”

 


 

And Warrington AC coach Phil Hicken believes McAulay can reach the final in Cali.

“She came back from America and since then we have seen big improvements,” he said. “She’s put in a lot of hard work.

“We sat down and the plan was to qualify for the World Youth Games and that hard work is now paying off.

“The aim is to make the final. She’s ranked seventh in the world so to make the final would be an achievement.”

McAulay and 1,500m runner Knowles-Jones leave for Colombia on Friday with both due to have their heats next Thursday, July 16.

“We’re taking the plane together to London,” explained McAulay.

“We’ve been training together since we started when we were nine. It’s going to be great.

“I’ve got the other two teammates who I know from competitions so having a few friendly faces is going to really help.

“I’m excited and nervous, but just looking forward to it a lot as it’s with some great people I know and hopefully I’ll maybe feel a bit more relaxed once I’m there.”

The teenager says she has received a lot of support in reaching her goal this year.

“It’s been a goal and a bonus, but it’s just amazing,” she added.

“Everyone I’ve worked with, my coach Phil and his wife Julie, my friends and teammates have all helped me get here.

“New Balance have provided me with a lot of kit and the amount of support I’ve got has been unbelievable and I’ve loved every second.”

Her next target is to book a senior spot with Team Scotland for the Commonwealth Games in Australia in 2018.

“My main goal is to try and reach the Commonwealth Games, I just want to keep doing what I’m doing and getting better and better.

“It’s a case of putting in all the work I already have and getting faster,” she added.