Superb Williams lands European silver on her Great Britain track debut

Northampton runner Emily Williams claimed a superb silver medal on her Great Britain track debut in the girls' 1500m at the European Athletics Under-18 Championships in Gyor in Hungary.
Northampton athlete Emily Williams celebrates her European Championship silver medalNorthampton athlete Emily Williams celebrates her European Championship silver medal
Northampton athlete Emily Williams celebrates her European Championship silver medal

Northampton School for Girls pupil Williams, who runs for Kettering Town Harriers, was earning her first full GB & Northern Ireland vest.

She showed brilliant composure to take second place in a race dominated by Ireland’s Sarah Healey.

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Williams, who qualified with ease in the heats earlier in the weekend, ran a controlled race, striding away to take the silver.

As the pace picked up over the final lap, a gap opened for the top three and the Northampton athlete managed to hold her form in the closing stages.

Afterwards, Williams said: “Oh my gosh, it sounds unbelievable (to be a European U18 silver medallist).

“I’ve mixed between the 1500m and 800m all season and I think my speed really helped me in the final part of the race.

“I was nervous – but I could see that three of us had moved away from the others.

“The pace picked up with 200m to go and I knew I had to go with it because I really wanted a medal.”