ALEX Carter flies to America tomorrow to see what is on offer if he opts to pursue his running and academic career abroad, writes Kevin Fahey.

The 17-year-old St Laurence School student, from Winsley, was invited over by Iona University in New York State after impressing their athletics coaches with his achievements this summer.

No deal is on the table yet but if Carter were to receive an offer of a full scholarship then it would be an attractive proposition as he considers his options.

“Iona University is just 20 minutes by train from Manhattan and there already some good British runners there,” said Carter.

“I am going over Saturday and coming back Tuesday to have a look at them but I haven’t had an offer yet.

“I also have some English universities to visit as well.

“If I went to America it would be purely for the benefit of my running whereas in this country it would be more social as well and the overall quality of the degree might be different.

“There is a lot to consider and I am not 100 per cent sure what I will do yet.”

Back on British soil Carter opened his cross country season with a handsome victory in the first Gwent League race in Pontypool easily winning the combined U20/17 men’s race.

“It was a really tough course which was just up and down this huge hill so it was a good win early season,” added Carter, who led from gun to tape.

HOLLY Rush was back on the roads again on Sunday finishing runner-up in the Great Yorkshire Marathon in York.

The Bradford on Avon international was using the race primarily as a training run and completed the 26.2 miles in 2hrs 46mins 26secs, just two minutes slower than her London time in April.

It was her fourth race in successive weekends after coming second in the Windsor Half Marathon, winning the opening Gloucestershire Cross Country League fixture and then claiming the runner-up spot behind Amy Chalk in the Marshfield Mudlark.

SWINDON Harrier Paul Key clinched the latest Southwick Country Parkrun in 17 minutes and 32 seconds, Anita Mellodew winning the women’s race in 20:45.

  • THE Swindon & Wiltshire Project Ability 5k series gets underway next Wednesday with a Halloween-themed race in Chippenham.

The series, managed by Trowbridge’s international age group triathlete Rachel Bown, supports the Youth Sports Trust’s Project Ability, a scheme designed to increase competitive sporting opportunities for schoolchildren with disabilities. See nakedstrength.co.uk/events.

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