Glasgow International Match: Jessica Judd's 'love' for athletics is back after 1500m success
By Sam Drury
Last Updated: 26/01/15 11:26am
Jessica Judd made a winning start to her 2015 season in the 1500m at the Glasgow International Match on Saturday.
The Sky Academy Sports Scholar looked in good shape as she timed a late surge to perfection to win by more than two seconds in a personal best time of 4min 14.53sec.
Having run the 800m almost exclusively over the past two years, there was a sense of intrigue about how Judd would fare over the longer distance – a distance to which new coach George Gandy believes she seems to be best suited.
The 20-year-old certainly seemed comfortable as she sat at the back of the field for the opening three laps before moving onto the shoulder of the leader and making her move on the final lap.
Speaking after her victory Judd was clearly delighted and spoke of having rediscovered her passion for the sport after a good but often frustrating 2014.
“I’ve definitely got the love back,” she said. “I’m really, really happy. I got tired of the 800m being run the same way and get tiring in the last 200m, so I’m so happy I had the strength there. I’ve worked really hard and I think it showed.”
Judd now returns to Loughborough where she will continue her preparations for the BUCS cross country championships and the upcoming British Championships where she will compete in the 3000m.