Twelve months ago, Matt Bickerstaff smashed both the 34- and 33-minute barriers at the Leeds Abbey Dash to post 32:49 – a huge ninety-second PB – over 10k.

Just two days before the 2014 event, Matt talks about that race, his experiences so far with Heanor RC and, at the age of twenty-one, his future targets.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO RUNNING? I was 16 and I hadn’t had much success with other sport. I started running to stay fit and was hooked from there.
WHAT MADE YOU JOIN HEANOR RC? I joined Heanor Running Club because of the huge success they were having. I knew a few people who ran for them and they were improving rapidly so I wanted to get in on it!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH THE CLUB? I joined in May 2013 and was eligible to compete in August that year.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST RUNNING ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE? My greatest running achievement(s) to date are going under 16 minutes for 5km and the magic jump from 34 to 32 minutes for 10km in one race [Leeds Abbey Dash 2013]!
FAVOURITE SESSION? My favourite session (when I’ve actually turned up to training) is probably the repeats on the American Adventure car park. I also enjoy the 600s on grass/trail.
INDUSTRIAL ESTATE OR SHIPLEY PARK? Shipley Park, 100%.
BEST THING ABOUT THE CLUB? For me, the best thing about the club is being a part of the success the team has, competing at the top championship races and proving a point to other teams that we’re improving!
WORST THING ABOUT HEANOR RC? I can’t think of anything bad to say about the club. Some people seem to think that HRC poach runners from other clubs when really it’s the runners themselves that choose to join.
BEST FRIEND IN THE CLUB? I would say my best friend at the club is Joe Rainsford. We’re similar in age and ability but Joe seems to have improved a lot this year. I get along with everybody regardless of age or ability!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE RACE YOU’VE COMPETED IN? My favourite race has to be Leeds Abbey Dash. An amazing 10km race with such a huge depth of quality runners to push you along.
WHY DO YOU RUN? I ran to stay fit at first but now I have enjoyed individual and team success, I run to better myself and to win!
FUTURE TARGETS? I would like to go under 15 minutes for 5km and under 31 for 10km. I would also love to run a solid marathon too.

Photo from Facebook