Megan Keith contemplates track future with admiration for race she once dubbed boring

ATHLETICS Megan Keith contemplates track future with admiration for race she once dubbed boring

Festus Chuma 22:00 - 30.03.2024

Boring no more, Megan Keith reevaluates her track career, excelling in her first 10,000m and eyeing the Olympics with new resolve.

Scotland's Megan Keith has made a reluctant yet promising admission about her future in track events.

Despite previously expressing disinterest, Keith now acknowledges that the 10,000m race might just be her forte.

Known for her achievements in the European Under-23 cross country and the 5,000m where she clinched gold, Keith's first foray into the 10,000m has been nothing short of remarkable.

Competing in California earlier this month, Keith clocked an impressive 30 minutes 36.84 seconds, not only surpassing the Olympic qualifying standard but also announcing her potential in a distance she once deemed "pretty boring". 

This performance places her fourth on the UK all-time list, a feat that aligns her with the likes of Jessica Warner-Judd, Paula Radcliffe, and Eilish McColgan, yet she humbly downplays comparisons to these athletics luminaries.

Reflecting on her transition, Keith shared her initial reluctance to embrace the longer distance, citing a preference for middle-distance events. 

However, the passage of time and a remarkable debut have prompted a reassessment of her capabilities.

 "I think it probably is up my street," she conceded, despite her previous assertions to the contrary.

Keith's achievements are not lost on her; she recognizes the significance of her performance and its implications for future competitions, including the Olympics and World Championships.

 "It is very special being mentioned like that," she remarked, reflecting on her place among the UK's track elite.

Looking ahead, Keith is poised for the British trials in May, where securing a top-two finish could cement her place in the Team Great Britain squad for Paris. 

With Commonwealth Games gold medallist Eilish McColgan as the only other UK athlete to have met the qualifying standard thus far, Keith's prospects appear promising.

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