Harrison ducks under record in Great Britain fitness test

Following Harrison’s selection to represent Great Britain in the World 100k Road Running Championships in September, British Athletics asked her to prove her fitness by racing at a distance longer than a marathon.

The Milton Keynes race comprised just over eight laps of 3.66 miles and provided Harrison with the chance to race at close to her 100k pace, while practising eating and drinking on the run.

The Leamington C&AC runner quickly settled into a strong rhythm at the head of the field despite a few unusual problems en route.

She said: “ It was difficult at times to maintain my pace because families were enjoying the park and there were cyclists, children on scooters and dog walkers to contend with and twice I had to divert off the course to avoid families of ducks.”

Harrison eventually crossed the line in 3hr 44min 25sec, some eight minutes in front of East Hull Harriers’ Darren White, breaking the ladies’ course record by more than two-and-a-half minutes.