England international Sonny Allen with Highgate Harriers coach Errol Peak after the 15-year-old’s impressive win by a massive 15 seconds in Liverpool

HIGHGATE Harrier Sonny Allen raced to her dream on Saturday when she won gold at the English Schools’ Athletic Association (ESAA) Cross-Country Championships.

The 15-year-old, who lives in Kilburn, went into the big race at Sefton Park in Liverpool knowing that a top-eight finish would be enough to achieve her grand ambition of earning her first England vest.

But if there’s one thing that’s abundantly clear about the athlete, it’s that Sonny doesn’t settle.
Taking advantage of the glorious sunshine, the teenager clocked the 3.8km course in 12 minutes, 36 seconds to win the intermediate girls race by 15 seconds.

It means that Sonny will now be back in action this Saturday when she represents her country at the Schools International Athletic Board (SIAB) Cross-Country International in Bangor, Wales.

Quizzed on what went through her mind as she crossed the finish line in first place to fulfill her dream, Sonny told the New Journal: “My first thought was immense pride and happiness.

“Like many other runners, an England vest was one of my first aims when I started this sport, and I remember it felt incredibly distant and unachievable.

“To finally earn that spot on the England team represents all the early mornings and hard sessions – I’m just grateful my performance matched my training.

“I think the next feeling, though, was excitement. I can’t wait to race in Bangor this weekend. It will be a rare experience where I don’t really have that much pressure on me, as this is my first international, and I’m still relatively new to the sport.

“But I’m also in a position where I know that I have the capability to race well and perform.

“It feels like I’m in this perfect position where I can’t really underperform because anything beyond this point is a bonus!”

Having added the gold medal from Sefton Park to the one she won at the National Championships in Sedgefield last month, you wouldn’t blame Sonny for easing off the pace. But that’s not the mindset of an England international athlete – and the St Marylebone School pupil is already plotting her next race with coach Errol Peak.

She said: “This weekend’s race will be the closing cross-country event of my season, but I still hope to have a good run and represent my country proudly.

“I’m also looking forward to the track season, and I hope to continue my form and build fitness. But before then, I’m looking to do some 5km races on the road, and maybe break the 16-minute barrier!”