European Athletics (EAA) – News – Holmes inspiration helps Britain’s England to surprise silver

With a fantastic sprint over the final 100m, she almost caught the American winner Jennifer Barringer Simpson, who crossed the line in 4:05.40 with England just having to settle for second in 4:05.68.

“I was so calm in the last 200m. It was only coming down the home straight I realised the others were tying up, apart from Jenny, of course. I was like: ‘What’s going on?’” reflected the delighted and amazed 24-year-odl from Oxford.

“I knew I had a strong last 100m. I was hoping I’d get a gap on the inside but I ended up going really wide. It was such a weight off my shoulders just making the final, because I knew I was capable of that, but honestly I never thought I was capable of this.

“I’m really chuffed the way that I managed to execute the last 200m. I didn’t panic I just wanted to run as fast as I could.

“I’ve raced these girls a lot of times and I knew that if the race played into my hands I could do something like this. I kept that belief alive and didn’t put any pressure on myself but I definitely surprised myself," admitted England.

The former talented teenage ballet dancer paid tribute to Kelly Holmes, the 2004 Olympic Games 800m and 1500m gold medallist, who now mentors and advises many of Britain’s promising middle-distance runners through her ‘On Camp with Kelly’ scheme.

"Kelly's been great for me. To have someone like that even showing a snippet of belief in you is really inspirational. She set her alarm for 2.30am for my first round and she's been texting me after every round and giving me nice little snippets to keep my confidence up,” added English.

Holmes was appropriately one of the first to congratulate her. “I am so proud of Hannah. I knew that she could do it and I have told her that many times.”

European Athletics (EAA) – News