Young runner who ‘wants to be the best’ competes in UK’s fastest times

Eager to test her ability on the track and field, Sophia Hunter has gone from strength to strength since joining Sutton Athletics Club three years ago.

Competing in 800m, 1200m, and 1500m races across Merseyside and Cheshire, the 12-year-old has grown in confidence as she has taken home multiple gold medals from these races and championships.

Moving across to Liverpool Harriers in December, Sophia has continued her winning streak with a gold medal finish in the 1200m Merseyside County Championships last month – with a time of 3 minutes and 51 seconds which is the sixth fastest across the UK in her age group.

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Sophia starting the St Helens parkrun with Matt Crehan (Image: David Hunter) This isn’t the first time Sofia has achieved some of the country’s fastest running times, with the Rainford High pupil also making the top 10 in the 800m and 1500m for her age group, as well as being the third fastest year 7 girl in 5km parkruns across the UK.

And with Sophia related to well-known runner and multiple St Helens 10k winner Matt Crehan, her dad David said that she has the dedication and ambition to “be the best”.

Sophia has achieved some of the best times across the country in her age group (Image: David Hunter) “Sophia is ridiculously dedicated, she trains six times a week and knows just what she needs to do”, David, from Rainford, said.

“She wants to be the best and she is aiming on finishing in the top three in the country for the 1200m by the end of the track season.

“But she is also just a really good character who is lively, bubbly, and does really well in school.”

Aiming for a successful track season until the end of summer, Sofia also has aims to race in the English schools championships when she is eligible next year.