Team IOM Profiles: Athletics

Three athletes will represent the Isle of Man in Athletics at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast.

Erika Kelly

The 25-year-old from Douglas will compete for IOM in the Women's 20km Race Walk.

Hobbies:  Playing the harp

Occupation: University student/part-time government finance employee.

Education: BSc psychology/counselling at The Open University.

Reason: “Two years ago, I took up race walking after being approached by Steve Partington. This followed participation in a 20-mile Starlight Stroll event. Now I regret not starting earlier."

Ambition: Selection for 2018 World Race Walking Cup (for GBR) and world championships for GBR.

Memorable: "Being selected to represent GBR in the Manchester International 2017 and getting to spend the weekend with the team. I came second in my race by milliseconds, and the GBR team won overall."

Hero: US race walker Maria Michta-Coffey. “Full of many wise words".

Ritual: “A strong, black, sugary coffee, Scotch pancakes and a good warm-up."

 

Joe Harris

The 20-year-old will compete for Team Isle of Man in the Men's Javelin Throw.

Joe was English Champ at the England Athletics UK Championships in July 2017 with throwing a personal best of 75.71m.

He also won a silver medal at the 2017 Island Games in Gotland, Sweden, with a throw of 68.57m. 

 

Joseph Reid

The 22-year-old will compete for the Isle of Man in the Men's 800m.

Education: Sport and social sciences at Cardiff Metropolitan University, Wales.

Reason: "I took up the sport casually in about Year 5, started taking it seriously in year 12. Had to choose between athletics and football."

Ambition: "Prove to people that the IOM isn’t just there to compete and that we are actually competitive."

Memorable: Winning gold at Island Games in Bermuda in 2013.

Hero: "I’ve always admired the following: footballers Tim CAHILL (AUS) and Thierry HENRY (FRA), tennis player Roger FEDERER (SUI) and athlete Usain BOLT (JAM).

Ritual: "I like to be neat and tidy, so I make sure I have everything folded up and ready in order of when I’ll need/use it."

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