Athlete Watson celebrates England honour and British title

A memorable run in an England vest, followed by a British title. It’s been quite a month for Kirkby runner Kristian Watson.
Kristian Watson in his England vest at the Great Birmingham 10K.Kristian Watson in his England vest at the Great Birmingham 10K.
Kristian Watson in his England vest at the Great Birmingham 10K.

Watson, 35, only took up the sport four years ago after a career in football, playing mainly for Shirebrook Town and Clipstone.

But he’s certainly not regetting it, showing his versatility at a variety of distances from 5K to half-marathons. Later this year, he will even tackle a marathon for the first time when travelling to Berlin.

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For now, though, he is celebrating victory in Sunday’s British Masters Ten-Mile Road Race Championships at Dorking in Surrey. About 1,000 athletes from across the country lined up, but Watson was second overall and won his veterans’ 35 age category in a best time of 53.52 minutes.

It came only a week after he finished a magnificent 12th overall, from 7,000 runners, when representing England against the Celtic nations in the Great Birmingham 10K.

“My time wasn’t the best, but it was a race I’ll never forget,” said Watson. “It was a massive occasion, and an honour to wear the England vest.”

Watson is a member of Heanor Running Club, but has strong links with Sutton Harriers, where wife Claire and daughters Sophie, 9, and Isabella, seven, are also enthusiastic runners.

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