SWINDON Harriers’ Will Crisp has been invited to take part in the British Senior Indoor Championships next month, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

The 18-year-old middle distance runner from Hinton Parva, near Wanborough, got the call after opening the new year with two impressive performances over 800m.

First Crisp ran 1min 54.77secs to win the B 800m in the British Milers’ Club Sheffield meeting on January 7 and then last weekend, he won his heat at the Cardiff Met New Year Open meeting in 1:54.63.

Coach Bryan Clinton said: “On the form he showed in those two back-to-back performances Will has received an invite to the British Indoor Championships on February 17/18 in Birmingham.

“Will should definitely get a very fast race there because last year the heats were won in around 1mins 50secs so that will suit him. He is very pleased to get a place in the event.”

In addition, Clinton said that if Crisp runs well there then it might open a few more doors to him during the indoor campaign.

“I have been told there is an England junior team going to a match in the Czech Republic at the end of February and the management are keen to promote some new faces as part of their development plans.

“I think if Will can run around 1mins 52secs and continue his good form then he might have a chance of a place in the team.

“He certainly much prefers the indoors to cross country running so that is why we have refined his training programme to get him running fast at this time of the year.”

Also at Cardiff, the Harriers’ pair of Scott Gunning and James Newton finished second and third respectively in their heat of the 400m clocking times of 52.88secs, a personal best indoors for Gunning and 55.59secs.

Abbie Chaundy opted to tackle the South of England Indoor Championships in London and was rewarded with a personal best of 7.87secs in the 60m sprint to put her third in the South West rankings. She also finished third in the long jump with 5.43m, also an indoor best.

In the men’s long jump Harriers’ clubmate Gam Dumbutshena from Walcot cleared 6.39m to go second on the South West rankings.