Age no barrier as Rotherham hurdler Melissa Coxon prepares for British Championships

MELISSA Coxon isn't daunted by her British Athletics Championship debut despite being the youngest competitor.

Published 2nd Sep 2020, 22:36 BST

Updated 2nd Sep 2020, 22:41 BST

The 17-year-old Rotherham Harrier goes in the 400m hurdles in today's heat at the Manchester Regional Arena, with the final to follow on Saturday afternoon.

Melissa said: “I'm really looking forward to my first senior British Championships and although I’m the youngest athlete in the field, I feel in good shape with four personal bests this season.

“I will certainly be aiming for a fifth PB for the heat and who knows, to make the final on the Saturday would be a great achievement for me.”

Melissa, from South Anston, was chosen after running a personal best 61.27 in a pilot competition at Nuneaton to restart athletes following Covid-19.

The British Athletics Championships will be screened on BBC2 from 6pm today and on BBC1 from 1.15pm tomorrow.

South Anston