BRISTOL & West AC runner Jenny Jaggers has been handed her Great Britain debut for the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Cardiff at the end of the month.
Jaggers, who is a previous winner of the Easy Runner athlete of the month competition, was one of two west runner named in the five-strong women’s squad for the race on Saturday 26 March.
Also included is Stroud’s Rachel Felton while the squad is completed by 2014 European Cross Country champion Gemma Steel, who was seventh in the 2012 event, Charlotte Purdue and Alyson Dixon.
Jaggers secured her place by finishing runner-up in the trials race, also held in Cardiff, last October when she set her personal best of 73mins 01secs – with Felton just behind her in third.
Jess Coulson, who won the trials in Cardiff last October, was not available for selection.
The men’s team will be headed by double Olympic champion Mo Farah, who makes his debut at these championships.
“I always enjoy racing in front of a home crowd and I’m sure they will give myself and the rest of the British team, fantastic support as they line the streets of the city,” said the European record holder over the half-marathon (59:32).
Team Leader Spencer Duval spoke after the announcement: “There is some great British history in these championships with Paula Radcliffe and Liz McColgan winning at previous editions and I am really looking forward to seeing the team tackle the course at the IAAF / Cardiff World Half Marathon Championships.
“It is a great opportunity for the team to contest a major championship on home soil and I have every faith that they will take advantage of the support from the British public on the route. It will be a fantastic development opportunity for some of the athletes and those who are preparing for the Virgin Money London Marathon (Olympic Trials event) in April.”
British Athletics team for the IAAF / Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships on Saturday 26 March 2016:
Men
Mo Farah (Alberto Salazar)
Dewi Griffiths (Kevin Evans)
Callum Hawkins (Robert Hawkins)
Matthew Hynes (Stan Markley)
Ryan McLeod
Women
Alyson Dixon (Self-coached)
Rachel Felton (Christopher Frapwell)
Charlotte Purdue (Nic Bideau)
Jenny Spink (Bruce Tulloh)
Gemma Steel (John Nuttall)