Jenny Meadows books berth at Doha after breaking Sheffield record

JENNY Meadows booked her place at the World Indoor Championships with a sixth national 800 metres title yesterday – and admitted she would be "gutted" not to claim a medal in Doha.

Meadows recorded a stadium record of 2:00:91 in Sheffield, more than two seconds ahead of Liverpool's Vicky Griffiths, who nevertheless also achieved the qualifying standard.

The 28-year-old, who claimed a bronze medal at the World Championships in Berlin last year, led from start to finish in what was effectively a time-trial and admitted: "I would have liked to have run 1:59 but 2:00 on my own is quite good four weeks before Doha.

"I had no idea if I had a big gap or not so half of me was hanging back a little bit to make sure I had enough for the last 150m. I wish I would have pushed on a little bit more maybe, but it's great how I felt at the end of that race.

"I wasn't really out of breath at all which was great to show I have a lot more in me. After Birmingham next weekend I'll have faced all my opponents in Doha and after that I will have three weeks to get it right."

One opponent she will not face in Doha is Caster Semenya, the controversial South African whose gender is still the subject of an official inquiry following her stunning victory in Berlin.

Meadows could be upgraded to a silver medal if Semenya is stripped of the world title but the Wigan athlete added: "I just read that she wasn't doing the South African season (but] I've tried to stop reading it because it changes every week.

"The jury's still out. I've always said just concentrate on myself. If I run against her I run against her, if I don't then great, because 1:55 (Semenya's winning time in Berlin) was just absolutely awesome and I'm sure she can better that.

"I've just got to concentrate on the Russians and the girls I'm facing next week and see who is doing what before Doha.

"It's still a big ask, it's a global event, but I'd be gutted if I didn't win a medal. I want to get on the podium. I'm one of the most experienced indoor runners but I've never particularly done myself justice so I'm hoping I can produce a good performance in Doha. I want to walk off the track thinking I've done my best."

With Britain's two world champions absent, Jessica Ennis with injury and Phillips Idowu electing not to compete, star quality was sadly thin on the ground on the second day of competition at the English Institute of Sport.

Helen Clitheroe, who has joined Meadows' training group this season, led from start to finish to win the 1,500m title in 4:13.90 and secure a place on the team for Doha.

Kim Wall also achieved the qualifying standard in winning the 400m in 53.07 and Joice Maduaka made it a sprint double following her success in the 60m yesterday, the 36-year-old winning the 200m in a season's best of 23.48.

The parlous state of middle distance running was summed up by a tactical men's 1,500m final which was won by Colin McCourt in 4:04.83, eight seconds slower than the previous slowest in championship history and more than 22 seconds outside the qualifying time.

And there was also the sad sight of a women's 200m 'B' final featuring just one athlete after two other competitors withdrew, although Lucy Sargent did receive one of the largest cheers of the weekend for her 'victory'.