Boardman shows the way forward with great success

Craig Boardman wins the Gosport Golden Mile 800m wheelchair race. Picture: Paul Smith

He raced really strongly into the wind to finish with an excellent time of 2min 26.08sec on Sunday.

Organiser Nick Carter praised the City of Portsmouth racer who had to push like it was a time trial with fellow entrants not able to take part on the day.

‘I was really pleased Craig took part in our inaugural wheelchair 800m race,’ said Carter.

Craig Boardman with deputy Gosport mayor Cllr Linda Batty. Picture: Paul Smith

‘It was good to see him, he’s a really nice guy with a lovely family and he’s now our course record holder.

‘He’s also a mile champion with the title he took recently at the Westminster Mile.

‘Craig came along with his coach Paul Smith, who recently got his OBE for services to athletics.

‘Having Craig get involved is what this event is all about.

‘We are delighted he came along.

‘He has now shown the way and others will hopefully be inspired to have a go.

‘We would have liked to have some competition for him.

‘But he was thrilled with his medal, a course record, and an ice cream.

‘All credit to him. He got a good time, racing out there on his own.’

Boardman has his sights set on the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 after his brilliant Westminster Mile success.

He won the event in a time of 4.13, beating his nearest rival by an impressive 14 seconds.

Boardman said: ‘It was amazing to win by so much.

‘I could probably go about 10 seconds faster I reckon.

‘Now I know I’ve got the ability to win, so I’ll start training a lot more and a lot harder.

‘I want to get to the 2020 Olympics. I really want to do the 100m but after winning the mile I think I need to go further distances.’

– DAVID BRAWN &

MACAULAY DALEY