World Junior Champion sets his sights on a new course record. 14 April 2010

BBC Wales Junior Sports Personality of the Year, Dan Lucker has his sights set on a new course record at the Virgin Mini London Marathon on 25 April and sharing some of the limelight with his new training partner Double Paralympic Champion David Weir.

After a frustrating three months when illness stopped Dan training and he missed out on collecting his award at the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year celebrations, whilst recovering in hospital, he is ready to make up for lost time.
He got back to winning ways, racing over 2km at Paddock Wood in Kent on Sunday.

The Virgin Mini London Marathon is where Dan, now 17 started his wheelchair racing career that has already seen him take three titles in London. His first victory was in 2005, in just his first year of racing, he said:

“My first Mini London Marathon was my first ever race. I was quite nervous, but the crowds were great, they give you a massive confidence boost! This year, I just want to go out and break my own course record, it is my last year in the Mini London Marathon, so it will be quite special.

“I had a few weeks warm weather training recently in Portugal, which went well. It was nice to get away and get back into my training. I have enjoyed working with my new coach Jenny Archer and David Weir since last September, when I first met Dave at Crystal Palace.

“Dave invited me to do some training with him. I have definitely seen the difference in my performance. They really helped me get back into training after my illness, at times it was a bit of a struggle.

“I have watched Dave compete for a long time, I remember going to see him race about five years ago when Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson was retiring at the Paralympic World Cup. It will be nice to see him compete in London, now we train together. I hope to be there to congratulate him at the finish!

Looking ahead to the rest of the year, Dan added:

“The Commonwealth Games has always been a target this year, but now it is a bit further away. But you have to aim high, I always have done! Making the Commonwealths is still achievable but my next goal is retaining my titles at the World Junior Championships from 100m to 5,000m on the track.

“Everything is really coming together now, my confidence is coming back and I’m really looking forward to racing in London.”