A touch of girl power is being added to the Lichfield Cathedral Dash with the news that a female athlete will be joining the elite race.
Lichfield-based Amy Frith will join her male counterparts for the Techstep-sponsored event on July 17.
And the Tamworth AC athlete looks set to give her rivals something to think about having won a AAA Under 20 bronze medal in the 800m indoor national championships in 2002.
Twenty-four-year-old Amy is only the second female to compete in the event, the first being Meryl Dodd in the inaugural 1998 event.
Amy said:
“I have watched the Dash on many occasions and always wanted a go. I spoke to organiser Kevin Wilson who had no hesitation in giving me my race number. I’ve been training hard and look forward to running in this extraordinary event.”
Kevin, director of organisers KP Events added:
“I’m delighted that Amy can join us for the 2010 Dash. The race has been male dominated since 1999 so it’s about time we had a female competitor and what makes it extra special is that Amy’s home town is Lichfield.”
Amy’s entry has inspired the organisers to search for more female racers. The Friary Grange Leisure Centre Junior Dash event at 11am will now become a bi-annual event, starting this year with it being open to junior female athletes only.
Kevin explained:
“Since we introduced the Junior Dash in 2008, we have discussed making it girls one year, boys the next so we are officially making it so this year. There are a number of very talented young female athletes including Ellie Howat of Birchfield Harriers for example, and their race will be as competitive as any boys and likely to be even more exciting.”
To qualify, athletes must be at secondary school (upto 18 years) in the Lichfield district and it’s open to any female athlete regardless of time, or distance event.
Anyone interested should contact Paul Griffin 0n 07947698147. More information can be found on www.kpevents.net.