MANSFIELD Woodhouse runner Stuart King is set to take part in the country’s elite indoor athletics championships this month.

Stuart (26), a member of Heanor Running Club, will race in the 1500 metres at the two-day Sainsbury’s Indoor British Championships at The English Institute of Sport (EIS), Sheffield, on 14th February.

The Midlands 1500-metre outdoor champion will come up against the likes of Scotland’s Chris O’Hare, who competed in the 2012 Olympic Games.

Stuart qualified for the top event for the second successive year by running 3mins 52.63 at the British Milers Club (BMC) annual Indoor Grand Prix at the EIS in January.

A health mentor at a primary school in Old Basford, Nottingham, he was placed in a very competitive 1500m race at the BMC event with the aim of achieving the qualifying standard for the Sainsbury’s British Championships.

The race featured athletes from all over the country, including talented runners who had run sub 3.50,
The race started with a conservative 65-second first 400m.

With no one willing to lead the race and knowing that a qualifying time had to be achieved, Stuart decided to hit the front in the early stages and led for around 700 metres.

A large group formed behind him and after the initial laps the quality field decided to make a move and the race became more lively — with the last four laps (200m) all run in under 60 seconds.

Stuart hustled to hold the inside lane and stayed in contention, despite the turn of pace of the leading athletes.

The race became an 800m burnout and Stuart was strong enough to keep within touching distance of the leading group of four.

He crossed the finishing line fifth and his time secured the qualifying standard (3.54.00) to compete in next month’s championships.

The event will be streamed live online at www.vinco.com