A local athlete who is getting plenty of racing opportunities at the moment is Twickenham-based Sarah Astin.

She is taking advantage of the relaxation of some restrictions in the UK for elite athletes.

Sarah travelled up to Manchester on Saturday to take part in a five-kilometre road race organised by the British Milers’ Club.

It took place on the Tameside Cycle Circuit and some of the entrants were no-shows so it was a rather depleted field. It was a tactical race rather than a fast one for the first half and beyond.

The leaders, including Sarah, went through 3km in exactly 10 minutes (16m 40s pace), but then the tempo lifted dramatically and Sarah ran a really strong last 2km to finish third in a time of around 16.16 (to be confirmed).

The two athletes ahead of her were Ciara Mageean and Izzy Fry, Ireland and GB internationals respectively.

This was a great workout for the Manx woman and good practice for the way championship races are often run as opposed to a typical BMC track meeting which are simply about fast times.

Sarah is rightly pleased with how it went.

DAVID MULLARKEY HAS

SEVERAL EVENTS LINED UP

Leeds-based David Mullarkey has some quality events lined up in the coming weeks.

The middle-to-long-distance runner has a BMC Gold Standard 3km track race at Birmingham University next Wednesday and a couple of track 5km events at the BMC GPs in May.

He is said to be on good form in training.

l The Acclaim Ltd 20-mile and marathon road races are to take place on Sunday, May 16 round the NSC roadway.

Organised by Isle of Man Veteran Athletes’ Club, further information is available from Mo Kelly on 451869, or online via the club website - http://www.iomvac.co.uk