Joe Reid recently returned from Guernsey where he spent several weeks training with three other international standard athletes.

Joining the 2019 IoM Sportsman of the Year in an elite training group at Footes Lane arena were brothers Alastair and Cameron Chalmers, plus former English Schools’ 400m champion Ben Claridge.

Reid travelled to Guernsey via the air-bridge between the two islands in Autumn for some quality training in an almost Covid-free environment.

The quartet would have ordinarily been training in Cardiff under the watchful eye of Matt Elias.

In his sixth year with the former Olympian, Reid was the 2019 UK Indoor 800 metre champion, having also been an Island Games gold medallist. Ala and Cam Chalmers can boast indoor 400m and outdoor 400m hurdles titles respectively.

The impracticalities of staying in Cardiff during lockdown led to Reid returning home to the Isle of Man, but he ended up desperate to find quality training partners.

’I’d known Cam especially for a long time through racing each other over 400 metres,’ he explained.

’We did a couple of relays together and represented Great Britain at junior level at the same time.

’By chance, last year, all three of us ended up in Cardiff.

’When lockdown happened, we decided to get together again, and it turned out that it was best Ben and I to travel over to Guernsey to join the other two. For the quality of the training we were going to get, I thought it was a pretty small sacrifice.’

The 24-year-old added that it was a ’brilliant’ few weeks in Guernsey, an ideal set-up for the winter period.

’We had two and two - Ben and I doing 800s and Cam and Ala obviously 400 and 400 hurdles, so it was a really nice blend.’

’Ben’s a pretty ideal training partner and I had Cam and Ala as well for the shorter stuff. Cam’s pretty handy over the longer stuff too, so it was perfect.’

Elias continued to coach them remotely and organise Zoom calls. The big hope now is that the quartet can compete indoors later this winter.

’With the air-bridge temporarily suspended and no word on that yet if it will resume, plus the UK going back into lockdown, I’m open to whatever will happen at the minute,’ continued Joe.

’I’ll do whatever’s best for my athletics, to be honest.’

The Isle of Man Sport Aid-assisted athlete says he will have to assess other financial options if he returns to the Channel Islands in the New Year.

’In the absolute dream scenario, there will be races indoors, both in the UK and in Europe. I’d go to the British champs, win that or at least win a medal, and hopefully go to one of the major championships, whether that be European indoors or World indoors. Obviously, we’re yet to see whether that will go ahead.’

Upon his return, Reid self-isolated in a summer house in the south of the island.