A FORMER Tavistock College pupil will travel to Milan this weekend to take part in a renowned cross country race after finishing second in the English national championships.
Second Lt Jo Kelsey will take part in the historic five mills race which takes place on Sunday and covers a 6km route which takes in five old mills around the Italian city.
After her fine result at the English national championships where she was competing for Woking Athletics Club, Jo was contacted by the English team manager and asked to join the team for the Milan cross country race.
?I jumped at the chance. I couldn?t believe it. It will be the first time I have ever represented England,? said Jo.
?It?s going to be a completely new experience, racing against top runners from the Spanish and Italian squads,? she added.
Jo said gaining second place at the English nationals made up for the disappointment of the previous selection race, the inter-counties in Nottingham, where she had been feeling unwell on the day.
The English national women?s 8km race attracted a field of 400 and took place on Saturday, February 22, at Parliament Hill Fields, Hampstead Heath, London.
The two-lap course promised to be gruelling as it comprised every hill in the vicinity. When the starter?s gun went Jo headed up the hill placed about fifteenth. By the end of the first lap, she had a medal place in her sights. The winner broke clear and won by over a minute and a half, but determinedly working her way up the field Jo sealed an outstanding second place.
Jo, who serves in the Royal Logistics Corps, also runs for the Army, and tries to compete in cross country races every third weekend.