Having set personal bests across a range of distances and been at the forefront of numerous team successes throughout 2014, Lisa Palmer continued her sterling year with gold at the British Masters 5,000m on Sunday.

It has been quite the year so far for Lisa and the thirty-seven year old completed a brilliant British Masters 5k-double on the track at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham to follow-up the road title she won in Horwich in June.

Whilst the “torrential rain and gale force winds” had died down slightly and conditions were a little calmer by the time the gun went off, Lisa ran 17:33.19 to see off the fastest woman in the field, Kate Jacobs, and add another accolade to the growing list in one of the most-successful seasons of her career.

“After the first 200m I went into the lead as I felt the pace was not quick enough. I led throughout the race but Kate was still on my tail,” Lisa recalled.

“With a lap to go, I was determined not to lose after leading all the way. I put an instant change of pace to run a 73 second last lap (after running 84/85s) and won ahead of Kate by three seconds.”

Lisa’s exciting victory in the V35 category was complimented nicely by teammate Louise Insley’s performance in the V40 category.

Both ladies have enjoyed great success in Masters competition this year and Louise’s bronze on Sunday followed British and Midlands 10k gold on the roads over the last twelve months.

Although Lisa was looking for a slightly faster time on Sunday, her winning mark represented a track PB and sliced five seconds off her previous mark set in 2009.

“I was hoping to run low 17 mins, as my training and recent 5k road time [17:06] suggested I was in shape for this. But, on the day, I was extremely happy to just try and win the title due to the weather,” she said.

With personal bests over 10k (36:08) and half marathon (1:19:27) sitting alongside impressive team achievements, including fifth-place at the Midlands 6-Stage and second-place (plus joint-fastest leg) at the British Masters Road Relays in May, the Heanor RC women’s team captain has shown that with perseverance comes great rewards.

“I am really proud of my achievements this year with PBs at 5k, 10k and half marathon, along with winning Masters 5,000m and 5k road titles,” she said of her breakthrough season.

“I think it has been down to a change in training sessions from my new coach, consistent training, enjoying competing for my club and sheer determination to better my times!!!!!”