Marathon Ace Caryl Jones Named In British Team For European Championships

Caryl Jones has been named in Britain’s team for the marathon at the European Championships in Berlin in August.

The 31-year-old is one six women chosen by the selectors.

Jones ran for Wales at the Commonwealth Games this month where she finished eighth in the searing heat on the Gold Coast.

The Narberth-born runner who also works as a Chartered Accountant and helps run the family farm clocked two hours 43 minutes 58 seconds in Australia.

Jones set her personal best of 2:34.16 on her debut over 26.2 miles in Amsterdam last year, a run that left her third on the Welsh all-time lists.

Speaking to Dai Sport after the marathon on the Gold Coast, she said: “That was really tough.

“I wanted a fast time, but when you’re out there the conditions are so tough it’s just a matter of survival.

“I’m really pleased with eighth and I just hope that I’ve done my country proud.

“I was running by myself and you feel every bit of pain, but it’s fantastic to have been at my first Commonwealth Games.

“The most important thing was to be enjoy it and I did. It was only my second marathon so hopefully there will be ore to come from me.

“I felt good at half way and then the heat just hits you. I don’t think you can ever prepare for it. I’ve never raced in this heat.

“We don’t have those conditions back home, but I finished. That’s the main thing.”

She will join by Lily Partridge, Tracy Barlow, Sonia Samuels, Charlotte Purdue and Alyson Dixon.

British Athletics Performance Director Neil Black said: “Following on from the London Marathon at the weekend and the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, we are pleased to announce the first athletes selected for the British team for this summer’s European Championships.

“We are encouraged by the strength of performances during the qualification period and we look forward to being competitive in the women’s event in the European Marathon Cup.”