Twell bids for world championship berth

TODAY Birmingham, tomorrow the world. That's the target for Scottish athlete Steph Twell as she prepares to defend her McCain UK Cross Challenge title at Crofton Park, Birmingham this morning. A top-three finish will secure her place in the World Cross County Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland at the end of the month – and barring major mishaps that is well within her capabilities.

Bydgoszcz was the scene of Twell's greatest Junior triumph, a World Championship gold medal in the 1,500m in 2008, and she would love to add a senior cross country medal to her tally.

"I have fond memories of racing there. I know the area well and the terrain to run over, so I am very excited. It will be different as it's not on the track, but I've had great memories there and I'd like to try and make some more," she said.

Aldershot-born Twell turned down running opportunities for England to compete for Scotland, her mother's country of birth, and is hugely grateful for the support she's received.

She added: "I've always been reminded that my competitive edge comes from my Scottish roots. My athletics has always been something my dad is heavily involved with, so it meant a lot to me to be able to give back to my mum."

Her first real chance to compete on the big stage for Scotland will be the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October, though the 20-year-old won't commit herself to being there just yet. The Games fall at the end of a busy summer schedule, and she admits it will be difficult to maintain form over a five-month period.

"I have to qualify and get onto the team to begin with. The summer starts in May and I'm going to be competing in high level competition right through to September. So it's very difficult to maintain form all year round, I'll have to assess it closer to the deadline. But I have made myself available for consideration," she said.

• Steph Twell is an ambassador for McCain Foods, principal partner of UK Athletics, and is competing in the McCain UK Cross Challenge Finals in Birmingham today. For more information about how to get involved in athletics visit www.mccaintrackandfield.co.uk.