25 March 2013

Perri Shakes-Drayton has insisted that she will continue to progress her international 400m hurdles career after winning double gold in the 400m and 4x400m relay at the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Gothenburg earlier this month.

 Shakes-Drayton also confirmed that she wants to compete at this year’s European Athletics Team Championships at Gateshead International Stadium on 22 & 23 June.

 The 400m hurdles British number one visited Gateshead on Friday (22 March), to meet pupils at Whickham School and to hold a Q&A session, answering questions about fitness and athletics.

Scotland’s Eilidh Child, who won 400m silver and was also a member of the relay team in Gothenburg, is another serious challenger for a place in Team GB & NI at the European Athletics Team Championships in June.

Shakes-Drayton said: "There’ll be two of us, both of high quality trying to get the one 400m hurdles place in what is essentially a team contest.”

 "It’s a great competition and one which I want to compete at again. To guarantee my place I plan to run a really fast early season time better than anyone else. I’m no stranger to the Gateshead track. I ran at the English Schools here a few years ago and I would love to come back again.”

She also ended speculation that she might consider switching away from hurdling, after her 400m individual success in Gothenburg.

“Not quite yet – for now I’m now a 400m hurdler. I look forward to doing my hurdle sessions and was straight back onto the hurdles after the Europeans Athletics Indoor Championships.

“Speed is the crucial thing in the 400 metre hurdles so the fact I’ve run a world-leading time gives me great confidence and I’m looking forward to what I can do over the hurdles now.”

Tickets for this prestigious event are now available at www.gateshead2013.com  with prices starting at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.