Inverness athlete Megan Keith claims bronze medal at European Championship 10,000 metres
Megan Keith claimed a bronze medal in the 10,000 metres at the European Championships in Rome tonight.
The Inverness Harriers athlete finished in third place as she crossed the line in a time of 31:04.77.
Nadia Battocletti of Italy claimed gold as she won the race in a time of 30.51.32.
Diane Van Es of the Netherlands was in second place in a time of 30:57.24 to take silver.
Keith was leading the race with two laps remaining before the Italian athlete powered away to victory.
Speaking after the race, Keith says she was happy to claim a place on the podium.
“I am really happy with that, looking at the start list, I knew Nadia was going to be a tough one to beat.
“But I gave it a shot and I am really happy to come away with a medal tonight.
“In hindsight, I was maybe too comfortable with a few kilometres to go because I know the last lap is never going to be my strength.
“When I went to the front I should have committed harder.
“But I also knew that the girls had a kick and I shouldn’t run all my matches. But my thing is running at the laps and grinding people down. In hindsight, that is what I should have done. But I gave a new tactic a shot as I knew a medal was secure with a few kilometres to go.
“I’m happy that I tried it and I know what works for next time and what doesn’t.”
Keith has been selected for the Great Britain squad for the Olympics in Paris next month.
She feels she is growing more comfortable competing on the elite stage and is now looking forward to the Olympics.
She said: “I have never done a 10k before this year and all the progress has been in the last few months. In general, I feel that I am a different runner than when I was at the world championships and heats are different from a straight final.
“Then I was on a stage I have never been on before. But I took the bull by the horns a bit more tonight and i’m happy to feel more at home on a stage like that.”