WELSH DUO SET FOR EUROPEAN RACE WALKING TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

Bethan Davies (coach: Andi Drake, club: Cardiff) and Heather Warner (Martin Bell, Pembrokeshire) will represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the European Race Walking Team Championships in Podebrady, Czech Republic on Sunday 21 May 2023.

Davies – the 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist – will take on the women’s 35km race. The Welsh athlete was 11^th at last year’s European Championships in Munich and will be looking to build on that encouraging display later this month.

Her highest placing at this Championship was 22^nd in the 20km race back in 2017.

Warner [nee Lewis], will contest the women’s 20km race walk. The Pembrokeshire athlete crossed the line in 13^th position at the 2022 European Championships.

It was a stellar year for Warner as she also moved up to fifth on the UK all-time list with a time of 94:02, which was set at the course in Podebrady.

UKA World Class Programme Endurance Performance Manager, Steve Vernon, said, “Bethan and Heather are both experienced athletes who have both demonstrated their abilities on the European stage over the last few years. This event will be a key opportunity for these athletes to race against the best on the Continent ahead of future events such as next year’s European Championships.”

The Great Britain and Northern Ireland athletes for the European Race Walking Team Championships:

Heather Warner (Martin Bell, Pembrokeshire) – Senior Women’s 20km

Bethan Davies (Andi Drake, Cardiff) – Senior Women’s 35km.