NYLE Clinton and his training partners will be hoping for a flying start to the new track season after sharpening their speed in Portugal, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

Clinton was joined by 800m specialists Ciaran Cooper and Simon Bill, plus dad and coach Bryan Clinton, for two weeks, with fellow Swindon Harriers Ethan Pierce and Elliot Doughty also enjoying a week in the sun.

“We got in a lot of hard training out there,” said Clinton. “We were based in Villamoura and there were so many athletes out there training so it was very inspiring.

“Simon is just coming back from long-term injury and has been out for 18 months. He’s a 1min 55secs 800m runner and former Wiltshire and two-time South West champion, so it is great to see him back.

“We did some real good sessions together and being there meant there were no distractions and we could just train hard, rest in between and enjoy some chilling time by the pool.

“It is the seventh successive year we have been out there and it works well.”

Clinton, Cooper and Doughty will get an early chance to see how sharp and fit they are when they turn out for the Harriers in their opening Southern Men’s League match at the County Ground on Saturday.

“I’ll be racing the 1,500m and then on Sunday I’ll defend my Highworth five-miles road title,” added Clinton.

Clinton won that event at a canter last year and is hoping there may be a stronger field on Sunday but whoever turns up, they will have to run like the wind to beat Swindon’s sunshine boy.

The start (11am) and finish of the Highworth 5 is at Warneford School and entries will be taken on the day as long as the race limit hasn’t been reached. For further details see the website at: www.highworthrunningclub.co.uk.