European champion Nina

Published: 4 September, 2014
by STEVE BARNETT

GOLDEN girl Nina Anderson really is proving that age is just a number after striding to victory in the 400m at the European Veterans Athletics Championships in Turkey.  

The speedy 42-year-old, who lives in Highgate, picked up a season’s best time of 57.47 seconds in the women’s 40-year-old category, crossing the finishing line just one-tenth of a second off the championship best that she set in 2012.

The result saw Nina retain her title for the third time in a row and continue a six-year unbeaten record at the Europeans, having also struck gold in Slovenia in 2008, Hungary in 2010 and Germany in 2012. “I’m relieved, because the training I did over winter was all about working towards the championships,” she said.

“I went into the race feeling like I was in very good shape, and I would have been disappointed not to win gold.” 

What makes Nina’s success even more impressive is the fact that she was almost 30 before she ever set foot on a running track.

“I stood on the track for the first time in my life when I was 29,” she added. “I started jogging to get in shape and someone suggested that I was suited to track running so I gave it go. I haven’t looked back since. 

“I’d love to think that my wins and achievements might encourage other people to have a go.” 

Nina, who runs for the Highgate Harriers, has enjoyed unrivalled success at the European Championships.

Under the guidance of husband and Olympic coach Greg Richards, she has also won three successive gold medals in the 800m, an event that she swapped for the 200m this time around in a bid to “mix things up a little”. 

She said: “My hope for the 200m was different, given it is a new event for me. My aim was just to try to be as competitive as possible. 

“I ran a new personal best of 26.08 secs, which puts me at the top of the UK rankings for my age group and also secured me the bronze medal. For my first season, I think it was an acceptable result.”