Choice of road over track works well for Wilesmith
IT'S not normal for Mike Wilesmith to tell his coach to take a walk, the coach being Lee Merrien.
But Wilesmith, who has made great strides under the expert guidance of Guernsey's Olympic runner, opted to race the recent yesterday's Guernsey Dairy Father's Day Half-Marathon as opposed to a 5,000m track race in Crystal Palace, and the decision paid off with victory and a commanding run which shows him to be in the form of his life.
Wilesmith ran away from pre-race favourite, Rick Weston from Serpentine AC, early and had no need to look back as he powered over the finish line in 72min. 40sec., a minute outside his personal best but given the breezy conditions facing the near 400-strong field up the west coast, it was a good effort by Wilesmith.
'I saw Rick was due to race and decided to reschedule my intentions,' he said afterwards, while supping on a half-pint of 'blue' Guernsey Milk.
'I don't often get a good opportunity to get a good race over this distance. I'm surprised I ran so well because I'm not doing any half-marathon work and Lee didn't want me to race – he wants me to do 5ks or 1500s – but this time I chose to ignore him.'
More in todays Guernsey Press.
