A ROMSEY teenager has been making her mark on the international stage as a rising 1500m runner.

Annie Mann, 17, was the youngest competitor in the 1500m at the Senior British Indoor Championships where she raced against the likes of European, World and Olympic Medalist Laura Muir.

The Itchen College student, who started running at Halterworth School and can often be seen training in Romsey, came eighth in the final.

Annie has also won the under-18 European Championships and came fifth in the World Tour in Boston earlier this year. The athlete is number three in the world for her age group with a personal best time of four minutes and 19 seconds.

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The rising star said: “It’s still a bit surreal. I don’t think I’ve had time for it to sink in as it’s all happened so quickly.

“I was incredibly pleased with my performance in my debut at the British champs. I didn’t expect to qualify and then I made the final.

“Next up, I’m hoping to lower my personal best times in 800m, 3,000m and 1,500m on the track and I’m aiming to make the European Championships or the Commonwealth Youth Games in August.”

The athlete, who runs with Winchester Athletics Club, is hoping to go to university in America next year and has her heart set on competing in the 2028 Olympics.

Annie’s dad, James Mann, said: “I’m very excited for her and very proud. It felt like she belonged there at the British champs, a real coming-of-age moment for her.

“It will be hard to see her go to America, but it’s to pursue her dream so won’t be too bad. I just want her to enjoy her running and see where it takes her.”

Daily Echo:

Annie added: “It’s the only sport that I’m actually good at. I’ve just always loved running. Even on days I don’t fancy it, it makes you feel better and I’m very competitive.

“It’s really easy to go out and run, you don’t need anything. You can just go out, don’t need any equipment or a particular place.

“I run everywhere in Romsey, I never really stick to one place. Often, I go through the town centre and past Romsey School.

“My family are incredibly supportive and everyone at my training is absolutely amazing, my coach and my training partners and my college is great at letting me have the time off for races too.”