European U18 800m champion Matthew McKenna’s rapid rise to success

The European U18 champion discusses his record-breaking achievements, his huge influences and why he wears a baseball cap the incorrect manner spherical

Matthew McKenna started the observe season with modest ambitions on the nationwide stage however ended it by firmly establishing himself on the worldwide scene.

The 17-year-old captured the 800m gold medal on the European U18 Championships in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, clocking a time of 1:52.91 with a robust end in July.

Recognisable for racing along with his signature baseball cap on backwards, he then introduced his aggressive summer season to an in depth on a excessive on the Watford BMC in August.

The Walton athlete reduce practically two seconds off his earlier private finest within the two-lap occasion, dropping from 1:48.78 to 1:46.84. This achievement locations him second on the European U18 all-time listing, simply behind Olympic finalist Max Burgin’s 2019 report of 1:45.36.

McKenna’s rise has been fast, particularly contemplating he solely started critically competing two years in the past after transferring south from Scotland. He’s now extra decided than ever to proceed testing himself towards the most effective. 

Matthew McKenna [C] (Getty)

How did all of it start?

It was lockdown and I used to be residing in Aberdeen, and I’d simply run every single day as a result of I had nothing else higher to do. In the course of the pandemic, I moved all the way down to England, and I wasn’t on the observe in any respect. I used to be taking part in soccer, however I wasn’t actually having fun with it. I needed to play to a excessive customary, and I additionally needed to do a sport the place all the things was depending on me – the place if I misplaced it was my fault and if I gained then I achieved it myself. 

So I made a decision to affix observe and I’ve solely been racing at a excessive degree for 2 years. For those who instructed me two years in the past this could be taking place, then I’d have laughed in your face.

How did it really feel to win the European U18 800m title this summer season?

One thing occurred in that warm-up space. It was the most effective I’ve ever felt. I used to be strolling alongside, singing to music and I used to be in a movement. Within the name room I generally really feel a bit flat, however I watched Shaikira King’s race [the Briton came second] on the little laptop while everybody else was leaping round and it gave me a surge of vitality. I managed to hold that by way of onto the beginning line and from the beginning line it was good. 

I went round actually slowly, however I knew that I may deal with sluggish after which burn by way of the final 200m. When you see the end line and no-one else in entrance of you it feels surreal, so I saved pushing and what a race it was.

 

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Did you anticipate to run 1:46.84 on the Watford BMC? 

I raced one other BMC this 12 months [Bury] and ran 1:48 in windy situations so I knew I used to be in fine condition, and [that] I’d as properly throw myself into yet another. 

I went by way of 400m in about 52 seconds, and I believed: “Oh my god I really feel superb” so I simply maintained it. To have such elite athletes in entrance of me and realizing that I can run with athletes of that sort spurred me on within the final 200m and I simply saved with it. It was positively one other shock to the system. 

Who do you look as much as?

I aspire to all these superb athletes, and I need to be in so lots of their footwear. I need to race within the races that they’re in, particularly Josh Kerr. He’s from Scotland so what an inspiration he’s to me. Additionally, Max Burgin. Hopefully I can race him someday sooner or later. That may be a fairly large dream however for now I’ll proceed going for his instances.

Why do you at all times put on a backwards baseball cap throughout a race?

It’s a gimmick. After I first began racing, I at all times wore a hat after which I simply began carrying it extra typically and in coaching. After I prepare with one thing I don’t need to change it within the race. I took it off for one among my 1500m races and I simply felt bizarre, so I’ve received to maintain it on and hopefully I proceed working the instances with it. 

What does a mean week of coaching seem like?

I had a superb winter with my coach, doing dash work plus some cardio work, so I responded to that properly. My summer season coaching has been fairly constant. I’m not a excessive mileage athlete, so I gained’t run too far. I’ll be sprinting a couple of times every week while retaining that cardio base all through. I prepare on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I’ve received a Saturday session the place my brother has began coaching with me.

Matthew McKenna (Getty)

What are your subsequent targets?

This 12 months my aim was to run 1:53, which I ran indoors after which I ran 1:50 and I simply saved getting higher. I’ve received to set myself sensible targets of simply bettering myself and I simply need to be higher than I used to be.

I’m probably not trying into what particular races I must run or what mileage I must hit, I simply need to maintain doing what I’m doing and progressing. I need to win all the things. I’ve at all times been like that since I used to be a child taking part in soccer.

What would Matt when he began working say to Matt now?

Don’t care about what different individuals are doing. You see instances on the web, and also you watch folks working races and also you suppose: “Why am I not at that customary?” Or “Why is he higher than me?” You have to simply maintain excited about your self and what you need to do and the way you will get higher, not different folks.

» This text first appeared within the October situation of AW journal. Subscribe to AW journal right here, try our new podcast right here or signal as much as our digital archive of again points from 1945 to the current day right here

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