Gooderham performs well in Italy

Emma Gooderham is to compete in the Commonwealth Games 100km trial

Wyre Piddle runner Emma Gooderham finished 13th in the World and European 100km ultra-marathon in Tarquinia in Italy in a time of 8 hours, 10 minutes.

Gooderham, who began running five years ago, told BBC Hereford & Worcester she was disappointed with her time.

"I really wanted to break eight hours so hopefully I will do that in the Commonwealths next year," she said.

"But I can't be too disappointed as there were 90 other athletes from 33 countries, so I didn't do too badly."

Gooderham admits her rapid progress in the sport has surprised her as she has come a long way from a cold February night five years ago when a friend asked her to be a running partner as part of a fitness regime.

A sub-three-hour run in this year's London Marathon brought her to the attention of the ultra-marathon selectors. And she qualified for Tarquinia by winning the Celtic Plate race in Cardiff.

She admits that conditions in Italy were far tougher than those in south Wales.

"I've only run this distance once before and that was in the cooler climate of Cardiff," she said.

It's just a shame they don't make it an Olympic event before I am too old to compete Emma Gooderham

"So many people were dropping out and all I could hear was the sound of sirens rushing to their aid.

"I desperately wanted to finish the race as it's an honour to represent your country and I don't believe in dropping out unless there is no alternative."

The 100km race will be a trial event next year for the Commonwealth Games and Gooderham has qualified for the England team.

"I vowed to give it one more go as these kind of opportunities don't come up very often so you just have to go for it," she said. "It's just a shame they don't make it an Olympic event before I'm too old to compete."