Romsey runner has medal hopes for Commonwealth Youth Games

Annie Mann, 17, has been selected for her first-ever Commonwealth Youth Games, competing in the 1500m this August in Trinidad.

A year on from her gold medal at the European Athletics under 18 Championships the Romsey teen has ambitions of another podium position.

The Itchen College student, who started running at Halterworth School and can often be seen training in Romsey, is currently ranked first in Europe, fourth in the Commonwealth and 10th in the world for under 18s in the 1500m.

READ MORE: Hampshire teenager makes impressive 1500m debut at Senior British Indoor Champs

Annie Mann winning the under 18 European Championships (Image: James Mann)

Annie and her parents were “very excited” when they found out she’d made it into the Commonwealth Youth Games.

The Romsey runner was one of three athletes selected from her club Winchester and District and Athletics Club (WADAC) which trains at University of Winchester’s Sports Stadium in Bar End.

SEE ALSO: Winchester athletes selected for Commonwealth Youth Games

Annie Mann (centre) and fellow WADAC athletes Alex Beck and Bella Wilson who have been selected (Image: University of Winchester)

Annie’s father and coach, James Mann, chairs the club. He said: “She’ll be up against three Kenyans. It’s a tough ask but she’s hoping to come back with a medal.

“I just love the fact that she’s enjoying herself and getting these opportunities. But there’s no pressure for her to perform.

“Annie’s quite popular on the Romsey Facebook pages and people always give her a cheer when they see her out running.

“It’s fantastic that three of them have been selected – it’s great for the club and a great reward for all the effort the coach Andy Fisher puts in.”

Coach Andy said: “I’m so proud of Arabella, Alex and Annie. They train hard and have such talent that I’m sure they will do Winchester and the region proud in the Commonwealth Youth Games.

"WADAC is a great club, and we have access to great facilities at the University of Winchester’s Sports Stadium. Athletics is all about teamwork, and with WADAC that goes from our partnership with the university right through to the way everyone pulls together to help nurture truly talented local athletes who go on to perform on the world stage.” 

Earlier this year, the 17-year-old 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, coming eighth in the final.

The athlete hopes to go to university in America next year and has her heart set on competing in the 2028 Olympics.